"Futuristic Fans will Love this long awaited Shielder adventure"
Fans of this series, and lovers of futuristics, will enjoy
the long awaited fourth installment of this incredible
series. Along with her sister, and what remained of the Shielders,
Enhancers, and Shens, Ceilie Cameron had fled through a
wormhole to a new life far from the domination of the evil
Controllers (see SHAMARA).. Life in the Verante quadrant
was perfect and....well, dull. Here the governing body had
ensured equality for all. Everyone had sufficient food,
technology, and medical care, or so she thought. The onetime smuggler had escaped oppression, but could not
hide from the shadows inside herself. At times like this
she missed the rush of her daring, often illegal,
missions. Now, the routine of her existence gave her too
much time to probe her emotional scars, to realize she was
lonely, and that she would always be alone. Never would she
know the love of a man, like Moriah had (see SHADOWER). Her
dark secrets could never be brought into the light. Celie's latest mission however, is not routine, as she
realizes when she lands on the planet, Joba. The foul air
and poor conditions remind her of Calt, a hell-hole in the
old quadrant. Something is definitely wrong here. Still
she has a delivery to make, and must find her client, known
to her only as Max. Drawing on her experiences she heads
for the nearest bar. Her honed senses soon discern that she
is being followed. Apparently Celie is not the only one
seeking adventure. To her surprise she finds Raven, the
adopted nineteen-year-old daughter of Chase and Nessa
McKnight (see SHIELDER). The is nothing to be done but to
take the stowaway along with her. As expected they find Max in the bar. After feeling him out
to ensure that he is not responsible for the deplorable
conditions on the planet, Celie leads him and his android,
Rurick, to her ship to transfer the goods. While making the
exchange, they are attacked. Out numbered and out gunned,
they barely escape in Max's craft, leaving Ceilie's behind.
Max had been injured trying to protect Raven, leaving
Rurick to pilot the ship and see to its repairs. Celie finds herself intrigued by the android. Though
obviously designed to be his master's double, he has far
more personality than the human man. How odd that his eyes
should have so much expression, his voice convey such
emotion. Warmth just seemed to radiate from him. In fact
she felt oddly attracted to him. Perhaps he was the answer
to the questions that burned in her on long lonely nights.
With him she could experience what she would never
experience with a real man? Rurick too had secrets. This deception had been perpetrated
for his protection. Max was the true android. He was the
Crown Prince of his people. He had been in search of his
late mother's relations when he had stumbled upon the
deplorable conditions in the ninth sector. Being a prince had its advantages. By virtue of his
diplomatic status he had been able to avoid the check
points he was sure had been set up to erase the memories of
those who ventured here. He was also certain that someone
in the High Council was responsible for this abomination.
After the attack on Joba, he is certain of it. Being a
prince had its disadvantages as well. The attraction Celie
felt, was definitely mutual, but his mission of mercy had
to take precedence. She could not discover who he was. --
Easier said than done. Though often at cross purposes, both Celie and Rurick are
determined to right the wrongs in the ninth sector. Can
they fight the attraction that would be disasterous for
both? SHADOW CROSSING is a grand adventure, filled with
intrigue and incredible passion. It is a tale of greed,
ignorance, and betrayal, of self acceptance, and of love.
Wondering about Raven? More than a mere side character, she
is a perfect foil for Celie. The younger woman is
completely open to what life and love have to offer. Though
Celie feels compelled to protect her, in some ways Raven is
the stronger of the two. She too has been ill treated in
the past, but has not allowed it to cripple her. Instead it
had endowed her with incredible empathy. Some surprises are
in store for her as well, but you'll just have to read the
book! Very Highly Recommended. Copyright © 2003
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted March 26, 2003
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