One law of fiction is that there's going to be some object between your protagonist and his goal. The path to true fiction never does run smooth, and the longer the path, the bumper it gets. The barrier can be internal, or external, imaginary or corporal--but in one form or another, it exists. In more complex stories, the object is further entangled by complications that multiply, modify or evolve, or, like the proverbial carrot dangling before the frustrated donkey's nose, resolution is teasingly just out of reach. In the Comet Coalition, the complication is of the former kind.

This is the scenario: the rebel kidnappers have kidnapped offspring of the establishment rich and powerful. They are by the nature of their situation bound to be either mortal enemies or examples of the Stockholm syndrome. However, in Comet Coalition, there's a third possibility--that the kidnapper/rebels have right on their side, and convince the hostages that there is reason behind the madness.

After some romancin' and a little D/s, the camera refocuses and we start to wonder exactly who is Establishment and who is Rebel, and what exactly is going on behind the unexpected deaths, and stolen/disappeared apparatus and assorted fishy goings-on in the outposts.

In Comet Coalition, you will find a dose of science fiction with your serving of erotica. Enhanced male body parts may be going a bit too far, but on the whole, this is an entertaining if not engrossing tale with a somewhat familiar rhythm. It takes a moment to get straight who is sibling and who is engaged, and who is there just because Daddy is part of the Establishment. But there's no question who has volatile chemistry. Entertaining futuristic Science Fiction and an Eppie finalist.

Reviewer Maitresse
Copyright 2006