Customer Reviews (2)

She Is a Tough Guy and Hotshot Pilot
Skirmish (1985) is the first novel in the Skyrider series.Melacha Rendell, the Skyrider, is a Belter shuttle pilot with family on Earth and Mars.She sat out the Colonial Incident -- which the Colonials called a war -- and has felt guilty ever since.She also feels guilty over the loss of her boyfriend, Djano, in her shuttle when an blocked airfilter blew a vent with overpressure.To overcompensate, she plays her role as a swashbuckling mercenary with some desperation.She is a Floater, with one Grounder gene and one Faller gene;thus, she is equally at home in gravity or freefall.

In this novel, she is cut off in a landing on the flight deck of Main Base and goes looking for the pilot to rearrange his face.After one good punch, she notes that the pilot, Jamin, is a Faller and refrains from further blows.She soon realizes that he hides his gravity pains and so looks much more arrogant than he really is.Strangely enough, Jamin has an adopted son, Collis, who is a Grounder;he not only has the normal Grounder problems with freefall, but also has some kind of inner ear problem that goes straight his stomach whenever he is not in gravity.Therefore, Jamin spends most of his time at Main Base in the artificial gravity section ... and in pain.Although Skyrider doesn't care much for Jamin at first, she likes Collis immediately.Soon the two become her best friends and, although she doesn't admit it even to herself, she begins to think of both of them as family.

Even thought the Colonials have lost the war, some progress has been made in Earth-Mars relationships, but the Belt hasn't gained much if anything.Another war has been brewing for some time and now a spaceliner, the Marabou, has been sabotaged, supposedly by Colonial Insurrectionist.The engines have been damaged, all pilots have been killed, and the ship is headed sunward.A Space Patrol ship has tried to dock with repair parts and another pilot, but muffed the approach, killing the rescue crew.Since Skyrider is the best pilot in the Belt, the Company wants Skyrider to make the rescue and are willing to give her a Falcon shuttle and free maintenance for the attempt.She agrees and takes Jamin along to pilot the liner.

However, someone doesn't want them to succeed and arranges several small acts of sabotage directed against Jamin and herself and also murders his babysitter.Skyrider begins to suspect that something not so obvious is going on.

This novel is not great literature nor even great science fiction.However, it is a fun read, with a fairly believable heroine who has a horror of appearing altruistic.A real tough guy who buys teddy bears for her relatives, but don't tell anyone or it will ruin the image.An entertaining story that will make you forget your troubles as you read about hers.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys space adventure tales with tough guy heroines who are suckers for cute, blue-eyed, six year old kids.

-Arthur W. Jordin

A Futuristic, Fast-Paced, quick read.
From the Back Cover: Hotshot.Shuttle jockey. A pilot crazy enough to try a docking maneuver that's already killed two men, and good enough to pull it off.Just the pilot the Company needs for a suicide run, to catch asabotaged liner falling into the sun.

Her name is Melacha Rendell:Theycall her the Skyrider.

The story and book are in a very readable format,so the pages turn very quickly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Another stellar Skyrider adventure!
Melacha Rendell, the legendary Skyrider, gruff, unfeeling, unsentimental, ace pilot getting cuddly with a teddy bear? That would ruin her image! But, as we all know, there's more to the Skyrider than meets the eye. This noveltakes up where Michael's last novel "Pirate Prince" leaves off.Melacha is enjoying a romantic interlude on her private asteroid hideawaywith her lover, one of the best con men around, when some one leaves a"floater" infant squalling in Melacha's airlock. The Skyrider,who is not the motherly type to say the least, immediately attempts to washher hands of all responsibility for this child but, almost as soon as thebaby is removed from the airlock, someone tries to blow up Melacha'sasteroid hideaway. After a pitched battle ensues, in which Melacha displaysher legendary shoot-em-up skills, the assassins are dispatched, and Melachais off on a galaxy quest to find out why someone would want this baby dead.Along for the novel is Melacha's wingman, Jamin, and Jamin's son, Colin,who are seeking to escape the fanatical and deadly prejudice that"Grounders" (people who can't tolerate free fall) have against"Fallers" (who can't tolerate gravity) and "Floaters"(people who are comfortable in either environment). If you enjoy rousingspace adventure and strong women protagonists, you'll enjoy this andMichaels' other Skyrider novels. And, if you enjoy Elizabeth Moon's work,you'll doubtless find a kindred spirit here. ... Read more

Product Description
When hard-bitten but pretty California private investigator Rose Lavine is hired to protect Jorandel, the charismatic singer of an ""elf-rock"" band, she discovers dark secrets lying behind the Fairy magic of the beat. Original." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Good story but not fantasy
Cold Iron is not a bad story about a PI hired to figure out if someone is trying to murder the leader of the band.However, it is mislabeled as a fantasy book.There happen to be elves in the story but they are people like anybody else.There is nothing in the book that makes it a fantasy book.

Waste of time but not painful; probably not fantasy
My Scale:
1 star--wretched, don't bother;
2 stars-somebody will like it, flawed;
3 stars-pretty darn good with some flaws;
4 stars-great, I'll re-read it;
5 stars-flawless, a classic of the genre.

The World:
Modern San Francisco/Los Angeles/Hawaii-with pointy-eared people.Elves have been part of the world for there to have been second or maybe third generation elf-human hybrids (haflings).No other changes to the world reported

The Plot:
Rose Levine is a not-very-successful private investigator, who is hired to investigate possible threats to the life ofthe lead singer of the world-famous elfrock band Cold Iron, Jorandel.She begins to travel with the band (they're on tour), and somehow she just kind of slips into the same band lifestyle.There are threats and dangers.Can Rosie save Jorandel, or even should she?

The Review:
This is a run-of-the-mill girl P.I. novel.The plot's ok (some holes); the dialog's ok; the characterization stinks.The elves come across as just humans with pointy ears stuck on.There's no background framework or explanation: how are elves different from humans in psychology, motivation, elven interpersonal relationships, and so forth.The narrator repeatedly refers to the elves in the story as "sociopaths", implying that all elves are, yet she falls in love with not one but two (well, the second is only one-quarter elf).

This is the same old world I live in, just with tall pointy-eared people in it.That the world isn't perceptibly different that now makes this novel flunk the fantasy test

Rose Levine is supposed to be a hard-boiled P.I. who has been around the block a few times.Yet without any explanation, she casually begins drinking heavily and snorting "soda" (some kind of elven version of coke or crack that is clearly illegal).Why would a P.I. jeopardize her license by casual use of an illegal substance?Why would a P.I. who is on the job drink enough to be incapacitated? There's some subplot about Rosie discovering her past, but it isnot convincing either.The whole thing leaks like a sieve and is a waste of time.

It's two stars not one because the actual writing--mechanics, dialog, scene setting--is competenetly done.

Not bad for a first attempt
For a first novel wetting its toes into the realm of fantasy this book is not too bad an attempt though I have to admit it is borderline fantasy in certain areas.I agree with one reviewer that some of the characters could do with having their mouths washed out with soap (and I am no prude) but other than that it was pretty good.The characters (thought overtly vulgar when there was no need to be) were well portrayed, and the plot interesting enough to keep you turning the pages.The book leads you into an integrated modern society where human and elves live side-side though not always in harmony.Enter Rosie Lavine, a jaded PI who is hired by a Rock Group's official groupie, Candy Cayne (no joke here folks) to find out who might be trying to kill the lead singer of a Elf Rock Group called Cold Iron.At first Rosie thinks it is all a piece of Rosie's drug induced imagination but when she is warned off by a group of professional thugs she changes her mind and immerses herself into the bizarre world of sex, drugs and Elf Hard Rock Music.Attracted to Jorandel, the sexy but degenerated lead singer, Rosie is on a roller coaster ride of a lifetime and it's not a pleasant experience.Haunted by her own demons, mainly from her childhood, Rosie lurches from clue to clue in a desperate bid to find out who wants the charismatic Jorandel dead.There are an assortment of other characters that thread in and out of the story as it wound its way to its climax, but it was Rosie and Candy who kept me turning the pages, as well the destructive relationship taking place between Rosie and Jorandel, played out in the sordid world of Elf Hard Rock music.I did enjoy the book but I feel it could have been so much more.All the same for a first attempt into fantasy Ms Michaels didn't do too bad a job really.

Not the same Old Elves
Let's face it, the cover of this book leaves a LOT to be desired, but don't be fooled.This book rocks...no pun intended.Jorandel, the elf-rock star reminds one of some of music's greatest tragedies, and Rose,the feisty human PI is fantasy's answer to VI Warshawski.There's a greatdeal of wisdom and insight to the human (and elven) condition.

A Wonderful Surprise
I stumbled upon this book by accident while looking for a new author.I was pleasantly surprised by the characters and the story.After finishing this book I went looking for other books by the same author and foundSister to the Rain.Both Cold Iron and Sister to the Rain are good storiesthat will keep you entertained for hours.I especially like the inclusionof the elves into our world.Not the typical fantasy novel. I hope therewill be more books in this series.Once I get to "know" acharacter I can't wait to visit them again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Probably a Young Adult book?
This was a pretty good Michaels book, and, like her Skyrider series, not overly complicated. It's the story of two young adults who are unknowingly fated for each other, and are both trying to live through the disasters of their current lives. The girl was relocated as a toddler after a disaster and misidentified as Human, when in fact she was part of that world's native population. After years of abuse by her foster family (who nickname her "Ugly"), she finally strikes back and then flees, fearing that she has committed murder. The young man is prince of the conquered native people and is a known drunk and possible madman. The reasons for his borderline insanity are explained as part of the native culture and the biologic/spirtual necessity of native persons with a high degree of paranormal ability to form a pair bond. It is widely believed that the prince's bondmate must have somehow died in childhood, and the prince himself vacillates between hope and despair as various political machinations play out around him. The tale of how these two finally meet, and whether they will be able to recognize each other makes for an entertaining and heartfelt read. Always wondered where this plot might have gone as a series. If you liked Dragonsong, you'll probably like this.

standard concept, humdrum presentation....
I just dug this out of the attic in one of my "I have nothing to read!" fits.Now I remember why it was there.Michaels' book has all the standard sf/fantasymix, with absolutely nothing new to spark the reader's interest.There's the heroin who doesn't know she has the Power to save the planet, the mad Prince who isn't as mad as he seems, the political intrigue, the telepathic companion animal...blah, blah, blah... It's your standard bargin bin stuff, and if you find it there for .50 go for it, otherwise read a Lackey novel. ... Read more

Product Description
After her tragic mishandling of the Cold Iron case, private investigator Rosie Lavine is putting her life back together and questioning her love affair with ex-Cold Iron member Killer. To distract her from her personal life, she agrees to uncover the identity of a mischief-maker in a small artists' community. But this case only increases Rosie's anxiety as one of the artists is her former lover, whose father she was forced to kill in self defense. As she wrestles with her conflicting emotions, the trouble within the community turns deadly, and suddenly Rosie has a murderer to catch. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Unconvincing, poor world-building, a waste of time
My Scale:
1 star--wretched, don't bother;
2 stars-somebody will like it, flawed;
3 stars-pretty darn good with some flaws;
4 stars-great, I'll re-read it;
5 stars-flawless, a classic of the genre.

The World:
Modern San Francisco-with pointy-eared people.Elves have been part of the world for there to have been second or maybe third generation elf-human hybrids (haflings).Elves can do magic. No other changes in human society, economics,technology, or values reported.

The Plot:
Rose Levine is a private investigator is hired to investigate unusual occurances in a mixed (human, elf, Halfling) art colony east of Berkeley. Is it Bigfoot?Another kind of being?Or are mere humans trying to scare the colony off the land, so that it can be developed into a gated, golf course community?

The Review:
This is an uninspired girl P.I. novel, not even as interesting as the previous, *COLD IRON*. Once again, the characterization stinks.The elves come across as just humans with pointy ears stuck on.There's no convincing background framework or explanation: how are elves different from humans in psychology, motivation, elven interpersonal relationships, and so forth-just labels: elves are charming sociopaths.

It also flunks the fantasy test: Elves evidently can do magic, but you don't see that reflected anywhere in the setting--that is, how has the presence of magic changed the worldfrom the way we would perceive it now?

This is too bad.Michaels is a more-than-competent writer (if she hadn't put the elf wrinkle in, these might be better books).Either she should stick to plain mystery fiction, or imagine her worlds much more in depth.

All in all, not worth the time or money.

Second time's the charm.
I must say that I enjoyed this book much more than the first in the series, Cold Iron.Ms. Michael's concept of elves as charming sociopaths is fascinating, but it made the elf rock stars in Cold Iron hard to take and even harder to care about.That concept is ameliorated somewhat in Sister to the Rain.The elves are still incredibly self-involved and lacking in human morality, but they're a lot more likable and a lot less randomly destructive.Plus, Rosie herself is funnier and less self-destructive in this book, and who wouldn't like her beautiful, but occasionally hapless partner, Shannon?All in all, a very enjoyable read.I understand that Ms. Michaels doesn't plan another sequel, which is a shame, because I'd love to read one.

Humorous, riveting in the tradition of Sayers and Paretsky
I've been reading Melisa Michaels' books for years, and have always found the sense of humor she brings to the subject wonderful.When she combines this with a well-told mixture of hard-boiled detective and modern fantasy,the result is excellent.

Readers who have enjoyed Sarah Paretsky orDorothy Sayers in the past may see some pleasing similarities in a few ofthe characters.The client, for example, is a dead ringer for Lord PeterWimsey, seen from the outside world's point of view.

If you're lookingfor fantasy written for someone past adolescence, pick this book up, and besure to share it with a friend.You won't be sorry.

This rocks
San Francisco private investigators Rosie Lavine and Shannon Arthur do notwant to have elves as clients ever again after their previous case almostleft themr for dead (see COLD IRON).Who would want as their client asociopath, which is what an elf actually is.So who else would walk intotheir office seeking to obtain their services than one of those fraillooking, too pretty beings.Rosie and Shannon were recommended to LordFinandiel, a FOOF if there ever was one. He wants the sleuths toinvestigate a manifestation that is frightening all the children (wee onesare held in honor by elves) in his community of truebloods, mortal, andhalflings.

Since the fee is good and the case seems easy enough,Rosie and Shannon agree to look into the eerie noises that are frighteningeveryone.However, the simple case takes a bizarre turn when a mortal ismurdered.Now, the two Bay area detectives must ferret out a killer beforethings turn bloody between the races struggling to share a community in theCalifornia mountains.

SISTER TO THE RAIN, the second book in theLavine fantasy mysteries, is a astounding who-done-it that makessupernatural creatures seem absolutelyreal. The story line is fun, butthe characters steal the show.From the acerbically sarcastic Rosie to theprejudicial Finandiel, readers feel like elves are genuine and living inCalifornia.Though similar to Laurell Hamilton's Blake mysteries, MelissaMichaels makes her own distinct magic that fans of fantasy who-done-its andthe fantasy genre as a whole will want to read.P.S. To learn what a FOOFis, read the book.

Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good space issue.
One of the things I like about this 3rd year issue of Asimov's sf magazine is the space art on the cover by Vincent Di Fate.It also has stories by some classic sf authors including Ron Goulart, Ted Reynolds, Barry B. Longyear, Martin Gardner and others.Also there's an article "On The Road To Science Fiction:From Wells to Heinlein" by James Gunn, from his book by the same title.I like anything about Heinlein, and any real Heinlein fan would probably want something like this for their collection. ... Read more

Product Description
Cashiered CIA officer Jim Beauchamp’s life is a bleak processional toward retirement.Wife and daughter long dead, he’s an analyst at the Pentagon, winnowing sheaves of ancient personnel data in support of SLIF, a futuristic information system whose existence is seemingly as meaningless as his own.The sudden engagement of his best friend Cmdr Angie Milano to a toad of a career naval officer leaves Jim with the bleak realization that he’s been a fool.

In a few hours all changes.Friends murdered, Jim and Angie are on the run, trailed by mayhem and entrusted by a dead hand with the only possible copy of the long-lost Eldridge Roster -- the names of those who manned the destroyer USS Eldridge during World War Two’s first ship invisibility experiment.SLIF recreated the roster and SLIF’s owners must have it.Without it, Project Telemachus, perversion of a wondrous meld of genomics and physics, will fail.Without it, the descendants of the Eldridge’s crew will remain safely anonymous unless outted by their own wild but unrealized paranormal powers -- their Potential.

Jim and Angie quickly realize they can’t rebottle the genie that is the roster.And learn that Jim’s daughter Keiko isn’t dead but was taken and raised as his own by Telemachus’s diabolical architect, Dr. Richard Schmidla.Taken, raised and exploited for her awesome Potential.Telemachus’s success will mark Schmidla’s triumph -- the triumph of the genocidal ideology that has so long sustained him in his quest to craft a perfect humanity.If her father’s one chance to rescue her fails, Keiko becomes the unwitting catalyst of Telemachus’s success and humanity’s brief but anguished twilight.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Stephen Ames Berry is back and better than ever!
Stephen has done it again in this intense novel that you wont be able to put down until done. You know a book when your reading it and its coming to the end and you dont want it to. You hope for a sequel or even a prequel so it can keep on going. This is that book! Hopefully this is the first of many more to come...

Very real characters we can all identify with and looking foward to what Jim is going to do next. Reminded me of the Mitch Rapp series by Vince Flynn. Similar characters but I find Jim in Eldridge a much more human character.

What I love about Stephen's style of writing is that there is a lot of back story hinted at without being explained ad-nauseum. Really enjoy his view of the world with a blended sense of romance & realism with a penchant for wit and humor without being flippant.

Great story with nothing more for me to add beyond the intro that will give things away. If you enjoy espionage, guns, action, military Sci-Fi, cheese and or women than this is the book for you. Ok the cheese thing is optional.

An excellent read and you wont be able to put it down. Downloaded and read on my iPod Touch using the Kindle app. Had to keep charging my battery so I could keep reading.

If you enjoy this novel check out the Biofab series Books 1-4. The AI War The Biofab War The Battle For Terra Two (Biofab) Final Assault (Biofab 4) These should be available soon in digital format...

Cheers ... Read more