The Broken Places: By Ethlie Ann Vare with Daniel Morris
Beka Valentine has always done what she set out to do. For years, she managed
to be independant, captaining the salvage ship Eureka Maru. Now she's Acting
First Officer and pilot of the mighty Systems Commonwealth ship Andromeda
Ascendant. There's chaos in the universe, but shes been part of something that
just might make things better.
Then there's Rafe Valentine. Big Brother Rafe, the wild one, the one who had
all the worst traits of their departed father, Ignatious. Rafe, who could be
counted upon to be unreliable, impulsive, out of control.
Oh, Rafe could be charming, all right. But it was a dangerous charm that
never failed to get him into trouble. And now Beka is about to be seduced by
that easy charm into going on a quest - a wild goose chase is more like it. But
she has to go, because if what he says is right, it is a quest that could change
everything for her, for them, for everyone. And if he is wrong, it could mean
disaster.
How can she resist?
Over 18 Chapters the story takes you to places with the characters you never knew existed. The characters develop even more in the second book and of course, the appearence of Tweedle Dum is always good.
On the whole the book was brilliant, it has a bit of everything. It has to be
a Harperchondriac's dream, a Bekaneer's fantasy and a Nietzschean's love. For
those who are up to date with at least the end of season 2 the book will feel
out of place but I cannot stress enough how much that displacement is vital to
the story.
What makes this story great is that Dylan is NOT the main character; the same
could also be said for Destruction Of Illusions although he has a somewhat
larger role than simply the Prologue and Epilogue this time. Rather contrary to
the run of the show Harper is a central character to the plot, as is a very AWOL
Beka Valentine.
The appearence of the Genites in particular has a rather profound impact on
the Harper side of the story, but while the main focus is on Beka and Rafe and
their search the Harper side is just as prominent. Be it from the moment he
meets the 'love of his life' to the moment he flies through a magnetic storm,
the Harper aspect is never short or forgettable. And of course, the Nietzscheans
MUST make their presence felt thus bringing in the Harperchondriac element by
killing or rather incinerating said 'love of his life' and plunging him into a
deep depression.
All I can do is tell you what I thught, it is up to you to make up your own mind but I would strongly advise that you buy this book, I guarantee you will enjoy it.