Black Hole Sun

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY AUG 30, 2010

Gill (Soul Enchilada) shifts literary gears, delivering an exciting and brutal science fiction tale about teenage mercenaries on Mars. Durango is a disgraced Regulator who, roninlike, did not kill himself when his previous master (his father) was arrested. Along with his gorgeous second, Vienne, and the snarky AI of his former commander, Mimi, which has been flash-cloned to his brain, he now takes jobs that most other Regulators would refuse, using the money to try to make his father s life in prison more bearable. When they get called to protect a group of miners from the cannibalistic monstrosities called Dr u, they discover secrets that could cast new light on the entire history of Mars, as well Durango s own past. Gill fills his story with well-crafted action sequences and witty dialogue, and the fast pace more than makes up for the predictability of the plot. Everything from the inevitable betrayals and the heroic sacrifices to the dark secrets is by the numbers, though the character development, banter between Durango and Mimi, and solid action will entertain most readers. Ages 14 up.