Wen Spencer, Julie Czerneda

Wolf Who Rules
Wen Spencer

This continues the non-stop adventures of Tinker, girl genius inventor. In this universe, the Elven world and the human world connect periodically. Tinker's grandfather designed a gate that would anchor the two worlds through Pittsburgh - which most of the time is on the Eleven dimension. The vicious Oni, from a still different dimension, were hoping to force Tinker to create a gate that would allow their armies to come through and inhabit both Elvenhome, and the human world. Tinker constructed her gate to self-destruct.

In this volume, Tinker hopes to repair the difficulties created by her gate, and comes to understand a few of the many differences between Elven and human cultures.

Non-stop action is a given; but the author is also able to show Tinker mature and change. The secondary characters are not as nicely fleshed out, however hopefully they will be in future volumes; there is a lot of material in the world Wen Spencer has created.

While many mysteries are solved, others remain for at least one more sequel, and I am already looking forward to Tinker's next adventure.

UUUUU = Five Tubs

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Bubble Bath Book Tip #4

If you are staying in the tub for a long soak, don't run the water too hot. Overheating in the tub can be just as bad as sun stroke, causing dizziness and dehydration.

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Species Imperative #1; Survival

Julie Czerneda

Dr. Mackenzie Conner, Mac to her friends, is a biologist specializing in salmon. She lives and works in a research station far to the north; an isolated area strictly controlled by land conservationists. She is displeased when her work is interrupted by a visit from an alien. And not just any alien, one of the Dhryn. It is the first time one of the beings has ever visited earth. Brynn, one of the few members of his species to venture far from home, is on a mission.

A mysterious and deadly force has begun to travel in space. It's advance is inexorable and un-stoppable. It turns verdant worlds into aseptic deserts with no life and little water. Archaeologist Brynn believes Mac's research holds the key to finding the mystery of the Chasm, worlds beyond his home world that have been bereft of life for centuries, just as the worlds in the path of this force are not being decimated.

During Brynn's visit the research station is attacked by other aliens, the invisible beings known only as the "Ro", arch-enemies of the Dhryn. During the attack Mac's best friend Emily is kidnapped, and the station is damaged, researchers are killed. The focus of the attack is Mac herself, who is whisked away by an interplanetary Force, which includes the mysterious and attractive Nikolai.

Suddenly the Earth-loving Mac finds herself on the Dhryn world; accepted as one of them, and privy to the mysteries of that world. Mac hopes to help Brynn discover the answers to his mysteries, but even more, she hopes to rescue her friend.

Julie Czerneda is herself a biologist, which may be what makes these books so enthralling. The aliens are both interesting and, well, alien. I like complex characters and Mac is very well drawn; a woman focused on her research but still very human and loyal to her family and friends. I bought this book and it's sequel some time ago, as I am a fan of Ms. Czerneda's other work; Web Shifters series, Trade Pact Universe, and others. I hadn't had a chance to read it until now, and I am so glad the last book is coming out in the next month or so; finally I won't have to wait to find out what happens!

Anyone who finds aliens and biology interesting would probably enjoy this book.

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