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The Alien Within
Winter was as icy as her name and loyal to the core. She turned her back on a tragic past and dedicated her life to the Federation Space Service. Ever since she had been a model starcaptain, decisive, emotionless, and utterly committed. But then she rescued Shaw, a smuggler and spy with powers no one had ever seen before. Suddenly Winter found herself the target for assassination by a powerful alien civilization, and by the Federation itself! Now,for the first time, Winter found herself questioning her orders.
- GenresScience Fiction
277 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 13, 1988
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 30, 2021
I'm mostly writing this because the descriptions of this story online, on the cover and even the title are less than accurate. Expect spoilers because I like to back up my reviews with examples from the plot.
This book was an excellent sci-fi adventure.
The story focuses mostly on Captain Winter, a woman who has spent her life in the military of a galactic Federation run from Earth. Immediately after a disastrous diplomatic mission that left two of her crew dead at the hands of a potential ally, she's asked to take her ship, the Venture; to a distant laboratory of dubious nature.
David, the chief physician of the Venture, finds two bodies inside and one of them is alive. Winter orders this man revived since he was almost certainly detained illegally. His name is Shaw and he's a telepath who was captured by agents of the rival Proxima Empire. Winter is ordered to head to the lab anyway and investigate what's going on.
On the way, the Venture is attacked by a Proximan vessel but manages to survive with little damage. They're contacted by a mining station which was too distant to detect the battle, making Winter suspicious. She accepts the offer of repairs, even though they won't be needed by the time her ship arrives at the facility. Upon arrival, Shaw realizes that he can't read the mind of the pilot but is unable to warn the captain before she leaves along with a bodyguard.
Shaw convinces David that Winter is in danger and they land a security team at the mining complex. Shaw uses his telepathy to track the captain but is captured. Together with Winter, he escapes and they flee along with their backup before a team from Proxima can arrive. They also learn that the mining complex had been used by the Federation's enemies to create a new breed of cyborgs which could be controlled and turned into an army.
The Venture completes its journey to the lab and once there, Shaw senses that the visit is a trap. Along with David, he uncovers a secret lab where an alien woman has been held captive. With the aid of the security forces on the planet, they're able to free those taken captive. To everyone's surprise, the alien recognizes Shaw. She demands to be returned to her people and the Federation agrees.
Upon meeting the alien Al'laan, the Venture is threatened with destruction because they view all humans as responsible for the actions of their kind. Shaw intervenes, revealing himself to be an exiled Al'laan prince disguised as a human. Winter leaves the area peremptorily to avoid destruction but is conflicted over what to do with Shaw. The Federation shares these concerns, but they're more worried about him being used by their foes. In the meantime, the Venture heads towards a neutral world with the intention of dropping Shaw off there.
The Ruling Houses of the Federation decide to kill Shaw by destroying the Venture but the Admiral in charge refuses and demands another solution. However, he's overruled and a warship is sent out to destroy Winter and her crew along with the alien exile. The neutral world has come under attack by Proximan forces in the meantime and Winter has David assist their medical team. She learns of the arrival of the warship sent to destroy her along with his connection to the destruction of her world years before.
Shaw and Winter admit their growing romantic feelings the night before she heads out to try and get the drop on those sent to kill him. The Venture is heavily damaged but saved with the aid of a fleet which served the neutral world and other nearby planets. Winter survives and agrees to join their fight. Shaw is briefly presumed dead, but is happily reunited with her.
I liked how thoroughly the various governments and cultures of the universe were brought to life given the limited space available. The twists and revelations of what was going on made sense and helped to clarify things which had taken place earlier. There's also a number of flashbacks to Winter's life before she joined the Federation which help to explain her bitterness at learning of their later betrayal.
I will definitely be looking for more of this author's work.
This book was an excellent sci-fi adventure.
The story focuses mostly on Captain Winter, a woman who has spent her life in the military of a galactic Federation run from Earth. Immediately after a disastrous diplomatic mission that left two of her crew dead at the hands of a potential ally, she's asked to take her ship, the Venture; to a distant laboratory of dubious nature.
David, the chief physician of the Venture, finds two bodies inside and one of them is alive. Winter orders this man revived since he was almost certainly detained illegally. His name is Shaw and he's a telepath who was captured by agents of the rival Proxima Empire. Winter is ordered to head to the lab anyway and investigate what's going on.
On the way, the Venture is attacked by a Proximan vessel but manages to survive with little damage. They're contacted by a mining station which was too distant to detect the battle, making Winter suspicious. She accepts the offer of repairs, even though they won't be needed by the time her ship arrives at the facility. Upon arrival, Shaw realizes that he can't read the mind of the pilot but is unable to warn the captain before she leaves along with a bodyguard.
Shaw convinces David that Winter is in danger and they land a security team at the mining complex. Shaw uses his telepathy to track the captain but is captured. Together with Winter, he escapes and they flee along with their backup before a team from Proxima can arrive. They also learn that the mining complex had been used by the Federation's enemies to create a new breed of cyborgs which could be controlled and turned into an army.
The Venture completes its journey to the lab and once there, Shaw senses that the visit is a trap. Along with David, he uncovers a secret lab where an alien woman has been held captive. With the aid of the security forces on the planet, they're able to free those taken captive. To everyone's surprise, the alien recognizes Shaw. She demands to be returned to her people and the Federation agrees.
Upon meeting the alien Al'laan, the Venture is threatened with destruction because they view all humans as responsible for the actions of their kind. Shaw intervenes, revealing himself to be an exiled Al'laan prince disguised as a human. Winter leaves the area peremptorily to avoid destruction but is conflicted over what to do with Shaw. The Federation shares these concerns, but they're more worried about him being used by their foes. In the meantime, the Venture heads towards a neutral world with the intention of dropping Shaw off there.
The Ruling Houses of the Federation decide to kill Shaw by destroying the Venture but the Admiral in charge refuses and demands another solution. However, he's overruled and a warship is sent out to destroy Winter and her crew along with the alien exile. The neutral world has come under attack by Proximan forces in the meantime and Winter has David assist their medical team. She learns of the arrival of the warship sent to destroy her along with his connection to the destruction of her world years before.
Shaw and Winter admit their growing romantic feelings the night before she heads out to try and get the drop on those sent to kill him. The Venture is heavily damaged but saved with the aid of a fleet which served the neutral world and other nearby planets. Winter survives and agrees to join their fight. Shaw is briefly presumed dead, but is happily reunited with her.
I liked how thoroughly the various governments and cultures of the universe were brought to life given the limited space available. The twists and revelations of what was going on made sense and helped to clarify things which had taken place earlier. There's also a number of flashbacks to Winter's life before she joined the Federation which help to explain her bitterness at learning of their later betrayal.
I will definitely be looking for more of this author's work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2021
This was really, really fun! If you’re someone who enjoys Star Wars or Star Trek novelizations and have wanted to branch out into a new galaxy to explore, highly recommend.
”What do we have to lose?”
“Everything!” someone else yelled back.
Already this book was Boosted for me by its focus on a female protagonist amid a male-centric genre (of the time). Captain Winter is badass but indubitably human and I liked being able to see her backstory to explain why she is the way she is in the present timeline. The story of Karth was heart-wrenching and I got genuinely upset.
Shaw was fantastic in all his mysterious, detached glory and the reveal surrounding him was unexpected! Also the cover illustration of him helped immensely with my ability to visualize him, I’ll come back with an HD scan so you all can see him as well.
I love how David - the kind, patient, and attentive doctor - is a foil to both of them in his own way. Where Winter is more cold and calculating, David is empathetic and understanding. Where Shaw is more detached and wary, David is friendly and warm. All three of them together was a perfect concoction.
If I were to have been able to implore Bolton in one direction, is to make David, Shaw, and Winter an OT3. They care for each other so deeply and I ache for LGBT+ representation even knowing this was written in the 1980’s! But I love the non-toxic acceptance of friends in love, where there wasn’t any spite at the end result. Regardless, I love the bond between them all and now I have to go look for if Bolton has any other works in this world so I can keep exploring it. Especially as the cyborgs have only just been introduced!
”What do we have to lose?”
“Everything!” someone else yelled back.
Already this book was Boosted for me by its focus on a female protagonist amid a male-centric genre (of the time). Captain Winter is badass but indubitably human and I liked being able to see her backstory to explain why she is the way she is in the present timeline. The story of Karth was heart-wrenching and I got genuinely upset.
Shaw was fantastic in all his mysterious, detached glory and the reveal surrounding him was unexpected! Also the cover illustration of him helped immensely with my ability to visualize him, I’ll come back with an HD scan so you all can see him as well.
I love how David - the kind, patient, and attentive doctor - is a foil to both of them in his own way. Where Winter is more cold and calculating, David is empathetic and understanding. Where Shaw is more detached and wary, David is friendly and warm. All three of them together was a perfect concoction.
If I were to have been able to implore Bolton in one direction, is to make David, Shaw, and Winter an OT3. They care for each other so deeply and I ache for LGBT+ representation even knowing this was written in the 1980’s! But I love the non-toxic acceptance of friends in love, where there wasn’t any spite at the end result. Regardless, I love the bond between them all and now I have to go look for if Bolton has any other works in this world so I can keep exploring it. Especially as the cyborgs have only just been introduced!
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August 30, 2016TBR
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews