"Remarkable SF/Romantic Suspense novel takes aviation romance to new heights"
Susan Grant takes aviation romance to new levels with her
latest release, CONTACT, which is a remarkable blend
of science fiction and romantic suspense. Like her previous
interstellar romances, CONTACT is set in the near future,
but unlike those novels it contains the sadder-but-wiser
mentality of post September 11th. Like her heroine, Jordan
Cady, Grant flies 747s trans-Pacific for United Airlines,
giving us her very unique prospective. United Flight 58 is making a routine flight from Honolulu
to San Francisco, when it virtually disappears from radar.
In spite of an extensive search, no pieces of wreckage can
be located in the Pacific Ocean in the area in which the
plane was last seen. It is logically assumed that there are
no survivors. While the rest of Jordan's family struggles
to come to grips with her loss, her young daughter
Roberta "Boo" insists that her mother still
lives ...
Not in the ocean, she claims, but somewhere in the sky. Following the orders of the Captain, First Officer Cady
contacts Air Traffic Control requesting permission to evade
an unexpected electrical storm in their direct flight path.
With permission granted, the 747 makes the evasive maneuver
only to find the storm once more in its path. A second
deviation yields the same result. When a huge ovoid form
suddenly looms outside her window, it becomes clear that
what they are witnessing is not a storm, but an unusual
aircraft.
The anticipated crash never occurs as the craft
opens its immense jaws and consumes their plane. A single
mother, Jordan's first thought goes to her child. Boo had
been unusually agitated before this flight, and Jordan had
promised her that she'd return safely home. If she was to
do that, she would have to keep a clear head and prepare to
face whatever had abducted them. She soon has more than her
hands full when the shock causes the Captain to suffer a
fatal heart attack leaving her in command of the aircraft
and its passengers. The starship "Savior", named for its commander, Ilya
Morey, has been assigned to patrol the rim of Alliance
territory and dispatch any Talagar invaders. They are in
the right place at the right time when calamity strikes a
previously uncharted world. Their only regret is that they
couldn't save more of the planet's inhabitants. Morey sends
his adopted son, Kào Vantaar-Morey, to interface with the
survivors. Kào had survived a similar calamity on his home
world as a boy of three. More recently Kào had been a
captive in a Talagar P.O.W. camp. When he'd come of age
he'd enlisted with the Alliance forces to fight the
enemy menace, and make his adoptive father, a famed
Alliance
hero, proud. Kào had been fed misinformation,
leading to the capture of his squad. He alone had
survived the captivity. He holds himself responsible
for the worst defeat in the Alliance's war against the
Talagar Empire, and continues to have nightmares about the
two experiences. Traumatic stress, and survivor's guilt are
his
constant companions. He's been withdrawn, and apathetic
about his own future, since the time of his release. His
father hopes that this new assignment, aiding Earth's
survivors, will renew his spirit as well as expunge his
military record. Kào only hopes that this act will restore
his father to well deserved glory, in spite of his own
personal disgrace. With no apparent hijacker inside the plane, and several
outside of it, Jordan has to devise a new game plan. When
two of the "hijackers" approach a door to
communicate, Jordan and crew deploy an emergency slide,
injuring the imposing male (Kào) and an albino female
(Trist, who is of Talagar descent). The male soon returns
for another try. This time she decides to let him enter the
plane. They are ready for him. Kào's second attempt to communicate with the passengers is
enough to convince him of their will to survive, but their
victory is short-lived. Removed from the safety of her
airplane, Jordan is forced to hear Kào out. It is evident
by the advanced technology his ship possesses that she is
dealing with an alien abduction. (It should be explained
here that the aliens, including those of Talagar descent
are human.) Jordan is informed that a freak meteor
shower had resulted in the total destruction of her home
planet. From the point of view of the Savior's
crew, this had been a rescue rather than a kidnapping.
While Jordan comes to grips with the tragedy and ponders
her next move, Ms. Grant kindly spares the reader similar
trauma by revealing the disaster to be false. There is no
indication as to whether it is a simple mistake, or a
master plan, or who might know the truth of the matter.
This gives the story an interesting duality, a tale driven
by both characters and plot. The passengers of UAL flight 58 are confined to special
quarters for their own protection. With the help of the
linguist, Trist, Kào prepares the survivors for relocation.
Jordan finds Kào as admirable and honorable, as he is
attractive. He is a man of rare compassion and strength,
just the kind of man she needs in her life. She finds
herself looking forward to their daily briefings. Kào is
attracted to Jordan as well. She is the first woman to
spark his interest after his incarceration. She is
everything he's ever dreamed of. He admires her courage and
strength as well as her beauty. The term soul-mates is
vastly overused, but these two are undeniably kindred
spirits. They share common interests, and their chemistry
is incredible. Jordan views each of his livid battle scars
as a badge of courage. She knows all about courage, and the
results of its lack. Here at last is a man who would be
there for her. But he had his duties, and she had hers.
When the Earth survivors were finally relocated, their
parting would be inevitable. Provided with necessities and computer access, one of the
refugees discovers the truth of their
situation. But who has been lying to them and why? What
emerges is a tale of grief, madness, and the ultimate
betrayal. In a true test of character, Kào will have to
decide where his loyalties lie. Astounding! This is a book you'll want to savor. Grant
keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The reaction of
the passengers to their asumed plight is reminiscent of
that to the broadcast of "War of the Worlds", but just when
you think you know what's going on, the author throws out
another curve. The story will keep you guessing 'til the
very last page. CONTACT has it all, science fiction,
suspense, and a
romance that will leave you sighing. Let me just say that
this book was impossible to put down, and I will leave you
to ponder the implications for Earth, now that contact has
been made. Copyright © 2002
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted September 23, 2002
|
