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In the first book we learned that humans have spread all over the universe but rather than an idyllic galaxy-wide confederation of trade, it’s all they can do just to stay alive. Turns out the humans have lots of competition for prime real estate. The Colonial Defense Forces are the only thing standing between human colonies and all the alien-uglies trying to kill them to take away a planet. What makes this story stand apart is a clever twist: rather than recruiting from young people and destroying generations in sometimes hopeless battles; they recruit from seniors who have lived their full lives and are on the down-hill slide. The recruitment is simple and irresistible: on your 75th birthday, you can choose to join the CDF for a minimum two-year term of service, not to exceed ten years; and, in return, they will make you young again. There are, of course, catches. They will never return to Earth, they will never see friends or family again; and, no one on Earth has the slightest idea how the promise of youth is fulfilled. Oh, and they’ll probably die.
This story picks up after the last book with Jane reunited with John and having adopted Zoe, the daughter of the man who might’ve destroyed all of humanity had he succeeded in causing an intergalactic war. Jane and John have been comfortably living, as just humans, with Zoe on an established colony named Huckleberry. But the Colonial Union (CU) comes to them with an unusual offer: they want Jane and John to be colony leaders for a new venture. What makes this colony different is that it will be comprised of other colonists from ten other planets rather the usual crop from Earth. There’s another major factor in the CU’s choice of colonies but that’s a deep, dark secret. For various personal reasons, John, Jane and Zoe all decide to leave what is a significant home for each of them.
All their plans and expectations are completely blown away when their colony ship arrives at the planet dubbed Roanoke. They had their suspicions when they examined the supply inventory that was sent with them; much of the supplies just didn’t make sense. But when the planet that filled their viewscreens to greet them wasn’t Roanoke; they initially thought something had gone very wrong with their transition and they were simply lost. That was quickly dispelled when a Gameran Special Forces soldier announced his presence – he’d grabbed a ride on the ship undetected – and informed them they were exactly where the CU intended them to be: on an unknown planet where no one could find them.
Needless to say, everyone was angry and confused; but one thing was clear to Jane and John: no matter what happened or would happen, they had to make the best of the situation to survive. Without their guidance, it was doubtful if the colony could have survived. But that wasn’t necessarily the concern of the CU; they had an altogether different reason for creating the colony and the survival of the colonists wasn’t really the issue. Keeping the planet secret from the rest of the universe – that was the real plan. Right up until the CU dropped all pretense of caring about the colony and threw them to the Conclave who, having finally found the planet, came to destroy the colony. It didn’t quite go as they might have hoped.
After the debacle, Roanoke became easy prey for any race in the Conclave and the attacks began. John and Jane, being super clever and intelligent (and Jane being all enhanced again) are able to fend them off. But even they might not have been able to pull off a complete save without the help of Zoe’s companions, the Obin.
There was, of course, a huge battle scene for a climax; but for me, it was what came after - that made this book worth the read. I kind of feel that I should have seen it coming; it’s what I would have wanted to happen…but it did sneak up on me. I’m not sure if it’s enough to engender another story, it’s a great ending as it stands. But since I know there are two more books to go, we’ll have to wait and see where the author takes us.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. It was a great plot and I continue to love and appreciate the characters. ~~ Catherine Book
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