Derelict for Trade: A Great New Solar Queen Adventure

Solar Queen #6

by Andre Norton, Sherwood Smith

Stumbling upon an abandoned ship, Captain Jellico and the crew of the Solar Queen seize the prize and claim the right to salvage the derelict vessel, only to become the targets of a secret alien hijacking ring out to sabotage their claim

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Space Opera, Audiobook, Science Fiction Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy

283 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

About the author

Andre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton, was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy, widely regarded as the Grande Dame of those genres. She also wrote historical and contemporary fiction, publishing under the pen names Andre Alice Norton, Andrew North, and Allen Weston. She launched her career in 1934 with The Prince Commands, adopting the name “Andre” to appeal to a male readership. After working for the Cleveland Library System and the Library of Congress, she began publishing science fiction under “Andrew North” and fantasy under her own name. She became a full-time writer in 1958 and was known for her prolific output, including Star Man’s Son, 2250 A.D. and Witch World, the latter spawning a long-running series and shared universe. Norton was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and authored Quag Keep, the first novel based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. She influenced generations of writers, including Lois McMaster Bujold and Mercedes Lackey. Among her many honors were being the first woman named Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master. In her later years, she established the High Hallack Library to support research in genre fiction. Her legacy continues with the Andre Norton Award for young adult science fiction and fantasy.

Reviews

[Lynn Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading the original Solar Queen novels written in the 1950`s,which l love very much,l was looking forward to a continuation of their adventures,however.....there is more Sherwood Smith than Norton here.It looks like Ms Norton had a general idea for plot-but Smith actually wrote most of it.Bringing a love interest on board-was that necessary?no.It dragged in places too.Finished it,but not a keeper.

[Valerie]

The 6th book in the Solar Queen series. The descriptions of a variable gravity space habitat make the book worthwhile even if you have no interest in the series as a whole. And the 'haggis duel' is pure farce, despite its serious elements.

[Jacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solar Queen is a cargo ship eking out a living tramping around known space, led by Captain Jellico and featuring a crew who have become found-family. Dane Thorson is apprentice to the cargomaster – though by the sixth book in the series, he's probably more than capable of doing the job himself. When the Solar Queen salvages a derelict ship their good fortune turns into a nightmare as Dane and his fellow crewmembers try to find out what happened to the crew of their derelict. Instead of concentrating on Dane Thorson, Ms Smith writes from multiple viewpoints and brings in the rest of the crew, even finding a hint of romance for Jellico. The first four in the Solar Queen series were written by Norton herself, but from Book 5 onwards they are a collaboration. I picked this one because it's by Sherwood Smith, whose writing I enjoy. There's much more Smith than Norton in here.

[Ivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way better than the previous book, but this time there's so much new worldbuilding, the original characters and... things... feel kinda out of place, as if a token gesture. Would probably be as good a book if it were a standalone book and not Solar Queen #6.

On the positive side, now we get that mystery punch that was dearly missing from #5.
On the negative side, the romance line started in #5 gets its continuation, and Mary Sue now marries the Rugged Space Captain, while Snappy Young Protagonist of the first four books gets shoved aside for not being Rugged and Spacious and Manly enough. Although it must be said, he gets more action this time, compared to #5.

Overall it feels kinda like Highlander 2 situation, where a completely different script was "adapted" to Highlander franchise for some reason. Here, to not as dismal result, but to the same kind of feeling.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the last book, at least there was a somewhat decent plot. The characters are the same, but with less focus on Rael Cofort in particular. The story doesn't have much to do with trading, but there is at least some aliens that we haven't seen before.
There was a hint in the beginning of what looked like it might be a love triangle, but luckily that didn't really happen. I am glad since I am pretty sure that would have ruined the book for me. Overall, it was an interesting story, not as action-y as I was hoping but still interesting. We do get to meet a new character that goes with the crew of the Queen, Tooe. I really like Tooe and I am hoping that we get to see a lot more of her.
Overall 3 out 5 stars. Not in the same league as the first couple of books in this series, but it wasn't a total waste of time.

[Laurel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Andre Norton's name may appear first on this book, but there is very little of her "voice" in it. The general idea may have been Ms. Norton's, but Sherwood Smith seems to have written the majority of it and she did NOT do a good job at continuing the Solar Queen saga. I agree with other reviewer's - the romance part was not necessary and only hindered the story. The writing was obtuse and confusing and I still cannot picture in my mind what the Exchange habitat looks like! Poor descriptions and the plot - oy! This book will NOT be in my Norton collection.

[Leo Tornow]

Still love these stories

I began reading sci-fi around sixty years ago and Andre Norton was my first favorite author followed soon by Azimov, Heinlein, Arthur C Clark and many more. And although I probably read all these before I don't remember it. And with a lot of the best series I wind up reading them over and over again anyway. This set in particular seems to be a classic that will keep entertaining readers for many generations yet to come. And so the legacy of Andre Norton goes on too.

[Benjamin Comings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance on the Queen?!

So there's a female doc on the Queen, and she's pretty enough to shake things up with the crew, who have plenty to do dealing with a derelict ship, alien cultures, and trying to solve a potential mass murder. The story is toldnfrom several of the crew's points of view, and a few 'new' (familiar to the 2000s) technologies are used that are not cannon, but don't disrupt the feel.

[Virginia Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A likable story

Action, adventure, even love. The Solar Queen stories blend it all together, then add in heart and honor and integrity. Andre Norton had such a way of bringing her worlds to life. Working with other writers will hopefully pass her magic on. We all could use a bit of magic.

[Steven Hemstreet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story - more writers should emulate Andre Norton

The story is told in a very well laid out fashion. The events flow together and there is a logical flow of events unlike some stories that jump all over and leave you trying to figure the entire story and how it fits.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy books set on/in an artificial habitat, and this one has a bunch of interesting aliens.

[Chas Mack]

Good sci-fi by a great author.
Very easy to read

[kathie Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful.

WOW.Anyone who loves derring do and mysteries in space should read this outstanding addition to the Solar Queen saga. Amazing.

[Mark L · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Grande Dame of Sci-fi

As always she writes great stories, over the years I have read and re-read her stories and will continue to do so.

[Lissa Notreallywolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not realizing that this was the end of a six book series I congratulated the authors on the development of an unusually dense backstory. Now I realize this was an end of life work, largely written by Smith, the coauthor. I enjoyed reading it, it was just the ticket away from my world to another planet. It had a classic feel, if Scifi can have a classic feel, because it reminded me of Star Trek, where the crew are preternaturally aware of each others movements and motives, a sort of enhanced work spirit. And they are all underdogs from the start of the novel. There are too many characters to keep straight, or at least too many male humans, with a female ships doctor, a redhead, Rael Cofort. She becomes a love interest with Cap'n Jellico who also seems very familiar. Most of the story is taken from Dane Torson's perspective, an apprentice who wants to serve on the ship they have discovered abandoned practically on top of their jump entry. They are running so low on fuel according to Wilcox (a name only a mariner or astrogator seems to have), that they are all hyped to discover it. It appears to have been stripped of most movables, except for two cats and the botanists log. They report to a habitat, a cylinder like affair that supports three races who enjoy different portions of the gravity layers in the spinner. Some of them look like shoguns or insects and communicate like termites, and others are giants accustomed to low gravity and terrified of spiders. There are humanoid or human bureaucrats who run the place and they soon find themselves victims of corruption. There is a great chase scene when they flee a floating restaurant, which joins the reluctant captain and the wise doctor. there are gangs of cast-aways living in the "rigging" which the kind doctor and the gentle Dane go to meet and treat, accompanied by their own stowaway, a lizard girl. The settings are great, and worthy of a read. would have made a good movie.

[Nick Brough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm currently rereading a pdf version. This is the second or third time. My original read would have been on a reissue at least 20 years ago (if not longer).

Stylistically this isnt a Solar Queen novel as it doesn't follow Norton's plot style and isnt largely based on Dane Thorson's pov. Its written from multiple perspectives and therefore shows a wider range of associated events than Norton's earlier novels. I guess its more adult orientated in the respect. The story is set in a more confined space a number of years later than the previous book. The characters don't communicate much between them, although conversations refer to such communication having happened.

It is a better entry into the Solar Queen series than the last book and is also a more interesting read imo. Although the story is small scale, its well written ,absorbing and a pleasant read. Its a better book than I remember it to be. Whilst it isnt super demanding, the characterisation is good, the location is very well defined and the "alien' environment very well done.

[Walter Underwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess Sherwood Smith did the plotting, because I'm five chapters in and almost nothing has happened. Can't finish this one. If you really, really need a new Solar Queen novel, go for it. Otherwise, go read or re-read something else. Galactic Derelict was my first and it was good 40 years later.

[Dr susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent sci fi adventure

I think the Solar Queen books were the first Norton books I read, maybe the first sci fi books I read. I loved the crew, the hoobat, Sinbad, the universe, and the adventures. Derelict is a fantastic addition to the series.

[Louie Dean Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Derelict for trade

I have been a Andre Norton fan since I was in high school. Sherwood Smith has kept the Norton personna and and flavor, looking forward to read more of Sherwood's work!

[Joyce Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Solar Queen story right up there with the best

Hijacking, piracy, intrigue, romance and medicine all mixed together in a satisfying rollicking story! The characterization of the new crew is sharp and interesting, all leading to a desire for more.

[M.A.SPRIGGS · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read

I love the Solar Queen series. While not up Ms Norton's usual classic writing style, this collaboration is still an enjoyable read. Great to catch up with old favourite characters. Highly recommend.

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little outside of the universe of the previous Solar Queen adventures, this is a decent team-up of Ms. Norton and Ms. Smith, advancing the characters and voyages.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish. I expected more action and adventure, but it was mostly a meandering investigation. Took 3/4 of the book to find out what the problem was, and by that point I didn't care.

[Jeff Youngstrom]

My review from March 1, 1998

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Solar Queen. When I first read the books I wanted desperately to go to space. Now, I'm happy to just enjoy reading about it

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sherwood Smith's writing, and I had wanted to track these down for quite a while! Delightful space opera romp.