ISBN: 0-671-57879-0 Order from: Amazon.com
A welcome reissue of a classical (and classy) set of stories, this collection of adventures of Telzey Amberdon and (ocassionally) Trigger Argee has the young women take on villains both exotic and domestic amid a bustling, libertarian space federation.
Reviewed by David on July 16, 2000
Genre: Science Fiction (Aliens, ESP, Space Opera, Mystery)
Synopsis: In "Company Witch", Telzey takes on a corporate planet seemingly bent to please its wealthy clients, but which seems quite determined to hide a few quirks of their treatment.
The "Resident Witch" puts Telzey in a position to struggle with the results of a vicious crime by a greedy and vindictive human.
In "Compulsion", Telzey and Trigger team up to oppose against an innocuous-seeming alien, before the lack of communication brings disaster—to the aliens—or to the humans.
"Glory Day" puts T&T right in the middle of a political struggle on a backward planet, not helped by involvement of unscrupulous psis.
"Child of the Gods" has Telzey fighting for her freedom against a greedy human telepath—before things get really strange on a remote mining colony.
"Ti's Toys" faces Telzey with a brilliant but ruthless inventor—on an island when the line between humans and androids is blurred.
"The Symbiotes" allows Trigger to help an escaping fugutive, but at a cost that may be higher than she can pay.
Full Review: While not quite as good as my personal favorite, The Witches of Karres, these stories show the sheer entertaining power that characterized Schmitz. Using ingenuity, courage, formidable talents and ocassional support from friends and allies, the strong female heroines provide more than a match to aliens, and/or criminals armed with unusual inventions, talents, powers or opportunities.
This is classical space opera at its best, introducing a fascinating and colorful universe through narrow glimpses, and featuring sympathetic, intelligent, common-sensical, angst-free but sensitive heroines. Even the villains are occasionally sympathetic, and, especially when not human, fascinating.
Well worth reading for all lovers of science fiction.
Includes: Company Planet; Resident Witch; Compulsion; Glory Day; Child of the Gods; Ti's Toys; The Symbiotes
Overall: 6; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 6; Style: 6.5; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 5.5;
Copyright date 1970-1972, Baen Publishing Enterprises (Baen), July 2000, Mass market paperback, 403 pages
ISBN: 0-671-57879-0 Order from: Amazon.com