"Great sci-fi romance"

In 2176, the Empire arrests Jenny Red's dad on the charge of treason and murder. His family, including Jenny, is kicked into the servant's quarters of the royal palace. Jenny makes do as best she can before being unceremoniously dumped in the penal colony in Newgate, Australia.

She finds her new home city rather different from her previous abode. The Parliament runs Newgate as a personal playground to do whatever hedonistic pleasures they choose regardless of the impact on the people. Drug use is rampant among the elite.

Shadow Runner D'ekker Han Valoreen, half-brother to Prince Kuber, hopes to change the decadent order so that the masses can improve their lot. He needs help to bring a communication tower inside Newgate so he asks Jenny, whose father allegedly destroyed his sire, the emperor. She wants to refuse, but cannot. As they work together, the duo falls in love, but between the danger of their actions and that she is the daughter of a traitor, a long-term relationship between them is doubtful.

The latest futuristic science fiction romance, starring fantastic female champions, is a terrific entry that continues the superior level of quality that this miniseries has so far achieved. The story line is action- packed while bringing to life a mid twenty-second century world that seems feasible. The lead couple is a fine pairing of a noble hero with a delightfully hesitant heroine (slightly different from the previous books) who does the right thing when the time comes for her to act.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 12, 2004

Read an Excerpt

Check out past titles in this incredible series:
Book #1 THE LEGEND OF BANZAI MAGUIRE (Apr. 04) by Susan Grant
and Book #2 DAY OF FIRE (May 04) by Kathleen Nance.

Look for book #4 THE POWER OF TWO by Patti O'Shea in November 2004.

Summary

Newgate, Australia: In the 22nd century, history repeats itself. Part penal colony, part dumping ground for toxic waste, the land is controlled by "the Parliament," a gang of dissipated self-styled aristocrats. To survive here, you have to know the tricks. Like Jenny Red. She's been Down and made it out to tell the tale.

But D'ekkar Han Valoren.the bastard son of the Emperor that Jenny's family was accused of destroying.knows Jenny escaped, and he wants her to take him back in. Okay, maybe she'll help Deck's team of rebels, his Shadow Runners, like he asks. But not because he's holding anything over her. No, she'll do it because of what was once between them. Because of the revolution of her heart.