7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gellis goes off planet, September 6, 2004
This review is from: Five Star Science Fiction/Fantasy - Overstars Mail: Imperial Challenge (Hardcover)
Don't Judge THIS book by it's cover!
Roberta Gellis, unparalleled writer of the historical novel, takes to the stars in this fun, lighthearted space mystery. For a quick, enjoyable read, this is where to put your money.
Although the cover art is indicative of a hard core science fiction book, it is truly not. There is humor and whimsy along with the mystery. Can you imagine naming a space ship, the Piss Pot in hard core science fiction? Not! So, please, don't let the cover dissuade you from reading this book.
Cyn Lystris was born a Free Trader. Although the life of a free trader offered freedom to roam the galaxy, Cyn grew tired of the uncertainty and danger involved in that lifestyle. Once realization came to him of his discontent with the Free Trader way of life, Cyn decided on a nice safe occupation,... delivering the mail...he would become an interstellar mailman. When queried about his change of occupation, he would say, "I was tired of wondering which of my clients would try to eat me. I just hated working in full armor in poisonous atmospheres."
Now, normally his job as an Overstars Mail carrier was safe, secure and pretty mundane until he decided to make a brief stay in "The Garden" on planet Healtha. After three days in "The Garden" with the nymph Myrrha he reported to the Overstars Mail office, relaxed and rejuvenated, to pick up his next delivery and received...ordinary mail, six passengers, something in a cage and a warning: Pirates! Two Overstars Mail ships had disappeared and were thought to have been space-jacked by pirates.
Once loaded with cage, mail and passengers, Cyn begins a routine journey through the stars. To his surprise and dismay, as he reached orbit, preparatory to making the jump into the void, his ship is caught in a tractor beam by another ship. After escaping the attempted takeover, with the help of two conveniently placed guard ships, Cyn reassured his passengers and proceeded to jump into the void. Would the pirates be lurking behind every asteroid? Would a blip on his screen be an indicator of another attempt at capturing his ship? Was that the last he would see of the pirates? He didn't think so.
Why was the attempt made to capture his ship? Was this connected to the disappearance of the other two mail ships? Obviously it was. In his mind, this attempt did not auger well for a quite, safe, peaceful journey. What were the mail ships carrying that was so important that two ships were space-jacked and an attempt made on his ship? Were there documents in his mail bag that would overturn governments or rearrange family trees? What was in the cage? Was it one or more of his passengers? Or was one or more of his passengers in league with the pirates?
Never, in five years of service to Overstars Mail, had he carried six passengers at one time and they were certainly a motley assemblage of personalities. Although they certainly had their share of eccentricities, none of his passengers really fit the profile of a space pirate. Scanning down his mental list of the ship's occupants, Cyn could only shrug at the thought of any of his passengers in the role of space pirate. But he would keep a watchful eye on all of them.
Frefem Rocam, a small, bright eyed, garrulous elderly lady, on her way to her great-niece's wedding, certainly seemed innocuous. Her dress was ultraconservative, with the exception of a hat laden with a large stuffed bird. Her attitude was one of cautious optimism and excitement with her coming trip. Very reminiscent of a grandmother, he put her last on the list of possible conspirators. But should he?
Fremale Hachisman, cynical, sardonic and demanding but jumpy, seemed unlikely. He didn't appear to have enough backbone or the nerves for anything covert.
Frefem Aimie, a buyer from the fashion house of Vie Parer: pale skinned, exquisitely groomed yet giving the impression of being hard as nails, seemed possible. Although attractive, who would want to capture a buyer of high fashion with an attitude. But then, was that just a façade? Was she in this up to her slender neck?
Fremale Mortchose, small and rotund, rubbed him the wrong way and struck him as unpleasant but straight-laced; certainly no mover or shaker here. Hardly likely to be involved with pirates.
Fremale Demoson, going to the planet Mantra to attend a conference of the GMA, an organization of fashion knock-off manufacturers also seemed implausible. Although he knew the fashion industry was pretty cut-throat at times, was high fashion the reason for the disappearance of the other two ship and the attempt on his? Surely, not this stocky, stolid man, who was only interested in making a fortune in manufacturing copies of designer clothing.
Fr. Wakkin, assistant to Fremale Demoson, was young, enthusiastic and politically inclined, but seemed naïve in his political beliefs. Was that just an act? Was he devious enough to be involved as a participant in this scheme?
Then there was the caged. What was in the crate? Was it a beast or was it something else? Breeding stock going to an agricultural planet? Contraband weapons? Or was it simply a pet being shipped to a new home? One thing he was certain of; at his first opportunity, he would have to open that box. Would it prove to be Pandora's box?
All in all, he couldn't put a strong finger on any of his passengers or cargo as being important enough to warrant space-jacking mail ships over. All he knew for sure was that this trip was bringing back memories of his life as a Free Trader and he was not happy about it.
Come along for the ride and hop the stars with Cyn as he endeavors to deliver the mail.
Venturing into science fiction is a vast departure for Ms. Gellis from her usual subject matter. However, this novel is well written with a plot convoluted enough to maintain the reader's interest. This book definitely belongs in your "to be read" list and on your "keeper shelf."
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
McCaffrey fans, HEADS UP!, July 12, 2004
This review is from: Five Star Science Fiction/Fantasy - Overstars Mail: Imperial Challenge (Hardcover)
Pilot Cyn Lystris leaves Free Trade because he is tired of making deliveries with the goods in one hand and his blaster in the other. Cyn could never work dirt-side though. He had been born in space and has vacuum bubbles in his blood. So he joined Overstars Mail. What could be more peaceful and less dangerous than carrying letters and parcels on a government-approved route?
Even after five years with no creature trying to eat him, Cyn still went way overboard when it came to the security of his ship, Piss Pot. Good thing. This trip Cyn picked up a load of trouble, literally. Cyn had six passengers and one large "beast in a cage". He does not like passengers, but it happens occasionally. Too late, Cyn learns that one of his passengers is the Imperial Challenger in disguise, followed by agents who want to capture or kill him. When someone threatened his Piss Pot Cyn falls back on his Free Trade tricks (and paranoias) to deal with it all. Not all of the problems are aboard the ship either. A variety of beings were determined to capture and enter Cyn's ship.
***** Who knew that delivering the mail could be so much fun? Roberta Gellis's writing style is much like those of Anne McCaffrey. So fans of McCaffrey's need to take a close look at this shining author, Gellis! Gellis has won awards for her writing in other genres, but Sci-Fi seems to be her niche.
This novel is witty, fast paced, and flies by the seat of Cyn's pants. You will be wondering what could possibly happen next. OUTSTANDING! *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
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