Jade D'Arcy and the Zen Pirates

Both this novel and "Jade Darcy and the Affair of Honor" are keepers for life. I'm actually on my 2nd set because I made the mistake of lending them to a (former) friend and she "lost" them. If you can find a used copy, buy it. If not, these are well worth the money and the authors should be supported given the quality of this work. Jade Darcy is a "CARC," which is a computer-enhanced soldier with a computer in her spine. She suffers a traumatic betrayal by her sergeant and goes AWOL, all in the the past. She is in hiding on Cablans working as a glorified bouncer in a multi-species eatery. She has rigid rules about getting close to humans, and has fled as far out into space as she can to avoid contact with humans. She's paranoid, with good cause. In the first book, we learn about her past and what she's doing and why she's doing it. She meets Megan Cafferty, a rich and powerful businesswoman, and becomes friends with her. In this novel, she and Megan go to an extremely exclusive gathering on the planet Restappa to witness the naming of the heir to the Empire. Jade was invited because a Restappan Furgato Monk that met her at the eatery on Cablans invited her. He has the hots for Jade, so there are some sexual overtones, but they're critical to the story and to Jade's rehumanization. This is a complex story with interesting backstories and a fascinating world and alien culture, presented with an action-packed, kung fu-movie-meets-science-fiction flair. The "Zen" part comes into the story because the alien Jade knows is from a fringe religious sect that believes all is illusion and are well known for being skilled thieves (ownership is a common illusion). They are fascinated with Jade because of her martial art abilities and because she is skilled in trading traditional Zen riddles (she's part Japanese and was greatly influenced by her traditional Japanese grandfather). Interstellar travel in this universe is only possible by using the services of the Greest, an alien superbeing from a different dimension who abuses its power and is unpredictable and frightening (except to Jade, who is trying to find a way to make it angry). There's a definite play on the classic SF "Flatland" by Edwin Abbott. I particularly enjoy the way the Greest always appears differently whenever Jade meets with it. Sadly, this series came to an end when the author's split. Stephen Goldin has a website and you can probably reach him through it if you want more info. Maybe a grass roots effort would get more Jade Darcy stories written, since she's not quite rehumanized. This would make an excellent movie with little or no changes!

I've read and re-read both this and its prequel "Jade Darcy & The Affair of Honor" more times than I can count. Jade, who could be considered the descendant of the Cyberpunk era, puts in another awesome performance among the Furgatos. Stephen and Mary have filled the pages with a mosaic of colorful characters for Jade to play off of or knock heads with. A *definite read for the SF adventure buff in search of something a little different. =)

Jade Darcy is a cyborg: a human being with a computer at the base of her spine that gives her inhuman reflexes and trained to do one thing: Kill!Now the war is over and she has to learn how to be a humna being again. With the most likable set of aliens and one of the best backgrounds I can ever remember,this is a book you hate to see end. I have read this book at least five times and always reach the end of it with joy and regret. I have kept my eye out for more in this series but have never found any.If you like this book,you may also like David Weber's "Path of the Fury" which is similar in premise but much more military in tone and plot.

Jade Darcy is one of the most memorable characters in SciFi. Somewhat reminiscent of Heinlein's Friday (high praise as I'm an RAH fan) - I've continued to hope for another in this series for the last 7 years. Maybe this year...

Jade D'Arcy is a fascinating heroine. Both her strengths and her weaknesses are believeable, making her a very identifiable character. At the same time, she is also larger-than-life, giving us the rare opportunity to identify strongly with a super-heroine. I have re-read this book a dozen times, and I still am brought to tears when Jade's "rehumanization" reaches the point where she can acknowledge the love Megan, her sometime employer and only human friend, feels for her