Kris Longknife: Deserter

In this second book of the Kris Longknife series, a fast-moving plot serves as a vehicle to introduce a selection of new characters (most of whom, I have no doubt, will reappear as the series progresses). This is not a space opera book so much as a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse between Kris (the mouse with teeth) and her adversary. Well aware that she is stepping into a trap, she does it anyway to save a friend, and ends up in the middle of the sort of adventure that her family is famous for. I enjoyed it quite a bit, despite the sometimes sloppy copy editing. I look forward to more of the same, as this series continues.

This mistitled but excitingly amusing second entry in the Kris Longknife series has Kris, now a pricess in addition to being a lieutenant-JG in the Navy, on a mission to the planet Turantic, which has been manipulated into lockdown by the villian of the piece, the delightfully named Calvin Sandfire. Kris, along with her bodyguard Jack, her very clever computer Nelly--who's been given some enhancement since her debut in "Mutineer"--and her new more-than-maid Abby have arrived there in order to attempt to rescue her pal Tom, who's been kidnapped. They do this while Kris is on leave (she hasn't deserted) and soon finds herself engaged in espionage and sabotage--political and industrial--as well as doing her navy thing. She's fitted out (by Abby) with some cool secret-agent style gadgetry and dons a number of disguises along the way. It's all done very tongue-in-cheek, especially when Kris does her princess thing (she's learned the "Royal We" from romantic novels), and you'll probably have more than a few chuckles as you romp through the book. Notes and asides: I'm not one to engage in a game of "hunt the typos," but when the name of Kris's brother is spelled "Eddie" two lines below it's spelled "Eddy," I cannot fail to notice. Also I should probably mention--in case you didn't read the comments of a previous reviewer--that on page 19 Kris realizes she's never seen a 15-digit phone number before. She still hasn't: the number shown on the page just above has 14 digits.

The book is a definate must read, especially if you've read the 1st book. This book was exactly what a 2nd book should be. It built on the characters and situations introduced in the 1st book and brought in new exciting characters as well. I really liked how Nelly evolved from an expensive tool into a very interesting character. Kris's relationships with her friends and her bodyguards were really cool as well. I can't wait to see more of her and her crew. I still want to know who Abby really is and what's going on with Nelly? Hurry up Shepherd and gimme more!

This one was a bit planet-bound and slow in some parts but there was still not a sword or wizard in it. The closest thing to magic being Kris's personal computer which I thought pushed the edge of likelihood at times. I can't see any point in her being a princess, either. Seems to push a point. But it's still a good read and I'm eagerly awaiting the next one!

Less military than "Mutineer", the latest novel about the adventures of Kris Longknife is pretty much that: an adventure novel. Mike Shepherd fills his stories with fully-realized characters, and if Kris is a bit more competent than one might expect for her age, she's so much fun that I didn't spare it a second thought and just went along for the ride. I look forward to the next novel.