The Maiden #1: Out of the Ashes

Rating:
Summary: Powerful debut of a great sf series
Review: For centuries the two factions fought for supremacy on their homeland. The result is that their orb is in the final stages of death from the devastating holocaust. However, the civil war continues unabated with the fighting continuing off planet to remote rocks like earth where the indigent populace remains ignorant that aliens live amongst them with one side planning to conquer the backwater planet.

In Chicago, the cruel leader Talos poses as highly regarded human Police Commissioner Tate Taloni. He uses alien technology to direct the activities of his earthly minions. His niece Janna almost died in a confrontation with Uncle Talos. Only her loving mechanical scientist husband Ty saved her life, but at a cost of converting her into a cybernetic fighting automaton. Janna may be more machine than human, but she has two strong motivators. She remembers the love she share with her spouse and also seeks retribution for herself and all those who died and suffered atrocities by destroying her uncle and his soulless underlings. Janna, Ty and two earth recruits unite in an effort to prevent Talos from achieving his latest objective, enchaining the human race.

OUT OF ASHES is the powerful debut of a new series that with the high quality level of this novel will be great due to a fully developed cast and an action-packed story line. The fascinating heroine is an alien Robocop with less of the programmed safeguard restrictions and a deeper mourning, along with Ty, on what they have lost. The evil villain feels like Darth Vader from the original Star Wars. Put all this together and readers will appreciate Karen Koehler's strong tale.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Powerful debut of a great sf series
Review: For centuries the two factions fought for supremacy on their homeland. The result is that their orb is in the final stages of death from the devastating holocaust. However, the civil war continues unabated with the fighting continuing off planet to remote rocks like earth where the indigent populace remains ignorant that aliens live amongst them with one side planning to conquer the backwater planet.

In Chicago, the cruel leader Talos poses as highly regarded human Police Commissioner Tate Taloni. He uses alien technology to direct the activities of his earthly minions. His niece Janna almost died in a confrontation with Uncle Talos. Only her loving mechanical scientist husband Ty saved her life, but at a cost of converting her into a cybernetic fighting automaton. Janna may be more machine than human, but she has two strong motivators. She remembers the love she share with her spouse and also seeks retribution for herself and all those who died and suffered atrocities by destroying her uncle and his soulless underlings. Janna, Ty and two earth recruits unite in an effort to prevent Talos from achieving his latest objective, enchaining the human race.

OUT OF ASHES is the powerful debut of a new series that with the high quality level of this novel will be great due to a fully developed cast and an action-packed story line. The fascinating heroine is an alien Robocop with less of the programmed safeguard restrictions and a deeper mourning, along with Ty, on what they have lost. The evil villain feels like Darth Vader from the original Star Wars. Put all this together and readers will appreciate Karen Koehler's strong tale.

Harriet Klausner