"Strong science fiction tale"
In the distant future humans have traveled throughout the
star systems using interstellar portals, but over time the
technology became lost. Antiquated ships deliver cargo and
passengers between planets, but are slow and no major
inter-galaxy travel exists anymore. Runner Jak Rebo
delivers a package that he carried for two years to a
customer's wealthy brother on planet Anafa, colonized over
10,000 years ago. Not long afterward, Brother Sua Qwa
hires him to deliver a special golden child Tra Lee to the
holy city of CaCanth on planet Thara where the lad will be
proclaimed as the Norm Maa. Qwa warns the runner that a
rival black hat sect has their own candidate and will try
to assassinate the boy. Sensitive Lanni Norr reads individual energy fields that
enable her to speak with the dead. During a performance,
deceased scientist Milos Lysander using a metal man as his
source tries to take over Lanni's body. She manages to
escape, but has to flee. Lanni and Jak meet when separate
people try to harm them; they unite while people chase
after them and his cargo Tra Lee. Runner is an exciting thriller that sort of places Tibetan
Buddhism in outer space at a time when civilization is
imploding. The background comes alive as readers will
believe they are at a time when earth is so distant a
memory that the planet is considered by most as the mythos
home world. Jak and Lanni are an interesting duo as they
escort Tra Lee while another sect provides not only
another heir contender, but attempts to kill the trio
because they feel so strongly that they have the next
Norma Maa. William Dietz is at his best with this strong
science fiction tale. font size="2"> Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 15, 2005
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 25, 2007
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