Operation Luna

You'll enjoy this sequel. Filled with tongue in cheek asides, and in jokes, characters you'll like and a lively plot, it's Poul Anderson's best work in recent years. I don't know why the Kirkus review was so lukewarm...

Once again we have a joyful and entertaining novel from one of the last remaining masters from the Golden Age of SF. Close on the heels of STARFARERS comes this long-awaited sequel to his highly enjoyable OPERATION CHAOS. Set in the late 60's of his alternate universe were magic works, this novel deals with a Space Race with magic as the means vice straight technology. Along the way, Anderson takes some well-aimed shots at NASA, the IRS, and the government. A good read, particularly if you enjoyed OPERATION CHAOS.

This book is a sequel to Operation Chaos, which was written 30, and some parts over 40, years ago! It is set in a contemporary universe where magic (or goetics as they call it) works. It is a scientific culture, and the laws of physics apply. Familiar and strange principles combine to create some hilarious sections. One does tend to question the presence of streets in a world where everyone flies around on brooms and carpets. The main characters are Steve Matuchek and his wife Virginia. Steve, an engineer and werewolf, gives a first-person account. Virginia, a beautiful and powerful witch who is the real brain of the pair, has no qualms about using her looks and sex appeal as well as her skills. She even travels to another universe to find a tax attorney. She and Steve must deal with good, evil and mischievous spirits, rival practitioners, NASA, the FBI and the IRS. Also in the mix is their daughter, Valeria, who was 3 years old when she was taken to hell (alive!) She is now 15, gorgeous, nubile, a budding witch and ready to play an active role. There is an overly talkative sword, an ancient dwarf and other interesting characters and scenes in a humorous treatment of the serious subject of space travel development and the evil attempts to stop it; brilliant!

If you know Poul Anderson's work, this book will be a delight. If you don't, read it -- and then the rest of his work!OPERATION LUNA manages to pack space exploration, fantasy, and the 'Northern Thing' -- all Anderson specialties -- into one delightful package.

This book is a wonderful sequel to one of the neatest books of all time, "Operation Chaos." Our heroes return to us enough older that they'll use a mirror to peek around the corner at their foes, and still bold enough to charge the guns if that's what it takes to do the job. In a universe where "Any sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology," courage and intelligence count. There are also some utterly delightful japes here that had me in stitches more than once. I came away from the bound galley I got to read richly rewarded for my time spent. I have also sworn an oath that when this book finally comes out, at least one copy is *mine*.