"Terrific Sci-FI"
On the planet K-2 the native life form is
aquatic/amphibian humanoids but for the most part they
need to stay in the water to survive. There is a war
going on in the galaxy between the Alliance and the Hsktst
in which a brave group of natives have become SEALS
(surgically enhanced/ altered life forms); their mission
is to patrol their quadrant of the galaxy to make sure the
Hsktst don't return or give warning if they do. Different species of colonists live on land, the majority
of which are a cult of the Skartesh whose world was
destroyed by the Hskskt. Leading the Skartesh is Shan who
is looked upon as a messiah by his people because they
believe a sacrifice on his part will restore their home
world. Dair, the half native - half human leader of the
SEALS, risks her life to find thousands of Skartesh that
have vanished but uncovers a conspiracy that targets a
take over of all the inhabited worlds in her sector. S.L. Viehl is a terrific world builder who takes the
mermaid legend and integrates it into a very serious space
opera. The heroine, different since birth due to the
surgeries and the human DNA in her system, is a natural
leader and though people follow her into battle,
xenophobics fear her and the colonists look upon her as
someone who doesn't belong. She has the strength of mind
to ignore their prejudices and save their lives when an
enemy threatens them and in doing so finds that she
belongs wherever she chooses to be. BIO RESCUE is another
great work by a gifted writer. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted June 20, 2004
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