Book Review: The Dark Path

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Dark Path     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Walter H. Hunt
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction   Military
Series: Dark Wing # 2
Tor, Feb 2003, $27.95, 464 pp.

The war between the birdlike Zor and humanity is over with the two species now at peace. Still not everything is idyllic in the galaxy. Known for their psychic ability, the Zor panic when the High Lord dreams of a nightmarish assault from the feral species residing in the racial memory of his people as demons. Also two human vessels have vanished and a rescue effort to save the missing crew fails.

On the Cicero Naval Base, Commodore Jacqueline Laperriere and her XO Ch’K’te the Zor learn that the "demons"(aliens) have used their powers to change shapes to infiltrate the outpost. The Vulh with their mind control abilities and their talent to phsyically mimic anyone including a commander and an XO have arrived. The only hope for mankind is Jacqueline, but her superior thinks otherwise, while the Zor believes she is the reincarnation of the legendary Zor hero Qu'u, here to defeat the Vulh if she can find the ancient weapon that succeeded once before.

THE DARK WING was an exciting war of the worlds that showcases a new talent in the military science fiction category. THE DARK PATH is a better tale as Walter H. Hunt provides incredible depth to the interspecies relationships yet never loses sight of the action expected by sub-genre readers. The story line is superb because the audience obtains a stronger understanding of the Zor, better insight into how humans relate to this species, and introduces in flaming red terror the Vulh. Obviously the military crowd will enjoy this thriller, but outer space sci fi fans will appreciate the novel too.

Harriet Klausner

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