Card Sharks: A Wild Cards Mosaic Novel

This is actually the first book at a new publisher; there was another 12 novels released by another publisher. This is a pretty good Wild Cards novel. Just in case you've never read a Wild Cards novel, they are science fiction based on the earth where a virus was released back in the '50s. This virus killed 90% of the people infected, 9% of the people got a Joker (deformity with or without some sort of super-power) and 1% got an Ace (a super-power of some sort). This novel focuses on a search for a conspiracy against Jokers, a group that wants to eliminate all Jokers. Rather than several stories that are loosely or not related, this novel follows the recent pattern of a single plot tied together by several inter-related short stories. The novel includes several of my favorite characters: Croyd "Sleeper" Crenson and Jay "Poppinjay" Ackroyd. Several new characters are also introduced and add to the universe nicely. Of course, the story makes more sense by knowing some of the background from the previous novels, but they are not necessary. Especially with the ending which left me saying "Oh no" to myself.

The characters almost come to life as you read, and the storylines are great. A must-read for anyone interested in science fantasy or comic books.

As an avid reader of Science Fiction, I must confess that there was a certain amount of reluctance to review this particular book. Because, you see, I am a fan of the Wild Cards series, and have been for many years. For those of you unfamiliar with the series, let me sum up. The series from number 1 to number 12 is based on the idea of what would happen if we had people with superheroic powers on Earth now. Then it goes further and says, well what if these people were given these powers by an alien virus, which could kill you or cause some kind of disfigurement? When you get the virus, one of three things happens. You die, which is what is called drawing the Black Queen, you can become disfigured in some strange way, like grow tentacles, or feathers or something wierd, then you draw the Joker. If you are really lucky, you can gain superhuman powers, which is called drawing the Ace. Now put all of this in our world as we know it and it gets a little strange. There has been a change in publishers and artists with the series. Baen Books has picked it up, and the new cover artist does a wonderful job. (Wish this one had been around when Tachyon was still around) There has been a fire at a church in what was the Bowery but is now called Jokertown, and a new fire inspector has been called in to investigate. What she uncovers is a web of lies, deception, and murder so entangling, that she is caught in the web. Now she must use all of her skills, and a few friends, to find answers.. But the truth is always more dangerous, especially when there are some who would rather not let it be known. If you like comic books, you will like this book, although I would reccomend that you run, don't walk, to get the series 1 thru 12 by Bantam Spectra, and then read this one. There are also graphic novels of the Wild Cards Universe, and other stuff.