Book Review: Gabriel's Ghost

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Gabriel's Ghost     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Megan Sybil Baker
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction
LTD Books, Apr 2002

In the far distant future, Earth is part of the Galactic Empire; a confederation encompassing many worlds and many species, some humanoid and some not, though all are sentient. As captain of an interstellar patrol ship, Chaz Bergren was proud to serve the empire until the day she was court-martialed for failing to obey instructions she claims she never received.

She was sentenced to life imprisonment on the penal planet Moabar and was without hope until Sully, a mercenary she tangled with over the years, rescued her. He needs her expertise as a pilot and her knowledge of the workings of the empire to see if any forbidden genetic engineering experiments are taking place and if they are, stop them using any means at their disposable. As Chaz and Sully work together, the pair falls in love. Even when Chaz learns some things about Sully that the empire taught were taboo and frightening, their feelings are strong enough to overcome the empire's prejudice.

GABRIEL'S GHOST is an excellent science fiction romance that will remind readers of Anne McCaffrey's "Freedom" series. Megan Sybil Baker is a fresh new voice in the sub-genre and she brings fresh ideas to the novel. Chaz and Sully's adventures continue in the author's next book and it will be great to be reunited with these idealistic, realistic and colorful characters. There is a secondary character in this novel, a humanoid with gills, who deserves to have his own story told because he is such a complex and admirable character.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner