Scarab-4

Rating:
Summary: powerful deep space opera
Review: In 4066 in the Loki Galaxy, the New-Carthaginian Corsair pirates attack the Imperial navy ships targeting the vessel containing the preadolescent Emperor-Select. Colonel Bradshaw acts quickly when he realizes his ship is ruined. He, the child, the child's seven foot plus nanny-bodyguard Captain Rikki Dix and a few others escape on a lifeboat to a nearby relatively unexplored extremely dangerous planet, Scarab-4 with little hope to survive until help can arrive.

The Emperor sends his best soldier, Beauwulf Ben-Galivan to rescue his grandson, the heir to his throne. Although he receives little knowledge about this remote orb, Beau immediately journeys to Scarab-4 knowing most likely the nanny turned traitor. After landing on the surface, Beau begins a perilous adventure to rescue the survivors, if any, on a hostile planet with the enemy carrying out a search and kill mission. He makes allies with a local female Pesciss and a cross species love blossoms between them. However, the mission and survival come before desire.

This powerful space opera hooks the reader from the moment the naval crew and civilians flee to Scarab-4 and never lets up until a couple of marriages occur. The action-packed story line has several subplots, but it is at its best when events occur on the harsh planet. The keys to why this tale is so good are that the glimpses into the political-military system of the empire seem plausible and the cast whether they are humans, other humanoids, or even a different species appear genuine. Fans of exciting survivor tales on adverse planets will appreciate taking the ride with Beau to SCARAB-4.

Harriet Klausner