The Interstellar Empire of Man was built on the enslavement of the gentle Stardogs, companions and Theta-space transporters of the vanished Denaari Dominion. But the Stardogs that humans found can't go home to breed, and are slowly dying out. As the ruthless Empire collapses from its rotten core outward, an Imperial barge is trapped on top of a dying Stardog when an attempted hijacking and assassination go horribly wrong. Trying to save its human cargo, the Stardog flees to the last place anyone expected - the long-lost Denaari motherworld. I won't talk much more about what happens in the book, I don't want to give it away, and you REALLY need to go buy this book. However, I will say that the book is infused with Freer's usual sly humor, and like most of his books, his gentle remonstrations about good and evil. Freer's opinions about the difference come through loud and clear in this book, more so than in his earlier works. That said, loud and clear for Dave Freer is still sufficiently subtle that he's not beating you about the head with his libertarian-ish philosophy. And if it is less subtle than most of his previous work, this means only that it's occasionally visible, rather than delivered with a touch so light as to be nearly subliminal. The world building, as usual, is excellent, the characterizations excellent -- if slightly two dimensional -- and the plotting tight and well paced. Overall, it's a charming, wonderful first indy effort from a veteran which simply should NOT be missed. Available from Amazon and other fine retailers for just $3.99. GO BUY IT, NOW!!! Or I'll hunt you down and pee in your wheaties. OI! MONKEY! WHERE'S THE SEQUAL!?!?!
