Bretta Martyn

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 30 JUNE 1997

It's like father, like daughter, in this sequel to Smith's popular pirates-in-space swashbuckler, Henry Martyn. Having gained his planet's independence from the Monopolity of Hanover, Martyn and the crew of his interstellar sailing ship, the Osprey, including his feisty young daughter, Bretta, are enlisted by their former enemies to put an end to the evil Oplyte slave trade. Even as they set sail, however, there is already an Oplyte agent aboard the ship. Just as powerful enemies prepare to ambush the Osprey, the agent attacks Bretta below deck, brutally having his way with her, and then heaves her overboard, leaving her adrift in interstellar space. Bretta, however, being Henry's daughter, is far from through and will have her revenge before the novel's end. Smith (Pallas) seems to be trying to recapture the humor and excitement of such earlier adventure tales as Captain Blood and The Scarlet Pimpernel, but he's only intermittently successful. The first half of the novel, although moderately funny, lacks sufficient action, and its light tone leaves the reader totally unprepared for Bretta's rape. Further, Smith's attempt to create parallels between his far-future world and 18th-century England is strained. Also disconcerting are his in-jokes, although some readers will appreciate the many, slightly veiled references to contemporary politicians and SF writers. While likely to appeal to Smith's already established audience, this effort is unlikely to win many new fans.