The Dark Path FROM THE PUBLISHER
"Man and zor, once sworn enemies engaged in a mutual campaign of xenocide, now live side by side." "The war is over, and Admiral Marais, the legendary "Dark Wing" - both Angel of Death and Species Savior - is long dead, though some of his companions and participants in that great war still survive and have even chosen to live among the zor." "Now a mystery from the past has become a threat to the present when an unholy menace jeopardizes both humans and zor alike." "Whole space fleets have disappeared, with survivors stricken mad." And now man and zor alike must join forces to meet this adversary head on.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
In this gripping sequel to The Dark Wing (2001), Hunt does a better job of depicting character and handling zor mythology and interspecies relations than in his debut novel. Humanity and the winged zor are now staunch allies, but the lurking alien menace hinted at in The Dark Wing, the shape-changing, mind-controlling vulh, now roars on stage red in tooth and claw. In the best tradition of Honor Harrington, Commodore Jacqueline Laperriere, commander of an outpost on the planet Cicero, breaks the rules to save some of her troops and warn others. Later Jackie must re-enact the quest of Qu'u, the legendary zor hero, on the Plain of Despite, seeking an ancient weapon that holds the key to defeating the vulh. While the ending may be a trifle rushed, it offers plenty of surprises. (Feb. 26) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.
Library Journal
The war between the human and zor races has ended, and both have learned to coexist on the borders of the Solar Empire. When some Exploration Service vessels disappear, Ch'k'te, a young zor "Sensitive," senses a dark presence at the root of the trouble. Ordered to deal with the escalating series of events, Commodore Jacqueline Lapierre must draw upon her own skills, along with zor mysticism, to confront an enemy that threatens the existence of both races. The sequel to The Dark Wing combines military sf and space opera to produce a large-scale sf adventure that takes place in the depths of outer space, as well as within the minds of the combatants. A good choice for sf collections. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Second of what now appears to be a series, begun with The Dark Wing (2001), Hunt's military science fiction yarn wherein humanity met, fought, and ultimately tamed the xenophobic, birdlike alien zor. Nowadays, if not buddies, the two species peacefully coexist. The zor, however, have psychic powers and their racial mind-set is determined by the dreams of their High Lord, who, lately, has dreamed of an invasion by insect-like aliens who represent, or may actually be, demons lurking in the zor racial memory. Meanwhile, two human ships vanish under mysterious circumstances; an irresponsible rescue mission under Admiral Horace Tolliver meets disaster, with its psychic Sensitives subverted, ships firing on one another, and Tolliver himself raving mad. Commodore Jackie Laperriere of the huge Cicero naval base, together with her executive officer, the zor Ch'k'te, realize that Cicero has been infiltrated by aliens with powerful psychic abilities to coerce, kill, or assume the appearance of anyone-even Jackie and Ch'k'te! So, risking a court martial, Jackie must order the abandonment of Cicero. The zor are convinced that she embodies Qu'u, the mightiest zor warrior hero. At first skeptical, Jackie discovers that she indeed possesses psychic abilities. Elsewhere, meanwhile, still other, even weirder aliens choose to involve themselves in the struggle. What with the psychic-warrior complications, more Star Wars than Honor Harrington: some fans will relish the exploration of the zor culture; others will grow impatient with the lack of action.
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