The book comprises a collection of some 14 science fiction and science fantasy short stories.
In “Task Force to Earth XXX” heli-carrier forces from an Earth dominated by Greater Britain are able to re-enter a parallel Earth for the first time in the 30 years since that alternate reality was subjected to alien invasion. “Trathh – Return to Empire” continues the Trathh story arc as the mighty Trathh returns to his part of the Universe to find the oppressive Empire in the midst of a life and death struggle against an even more malevolent enemy.
“Daughter of the High Lords”, pits the High Lord race and the Brell super power empire against the Coordinator of All Realities as Garthhe an enigmatic entity from an equally enigmatic race seeks to rescue, Raechelle, daughter of the High Lords. In “The Search for Humanity” the far flung human race disappears without explanation from the upper reaches of time. By law the fearsome Xelk in “Human Hunter” should not be plying their trade on Earth. Should they?
In Broolt the Universe’s most formidable star trooper is confronted with an Asgard gutted and somehow transported to the other side of the Universe. While in “Grief Counselors” a new firm has something quite different to offer.
Also in “Reality Check” alternate reality travelers coming home must make sure they are returning to the right reality. In “Past his used by Date” older people who have passed their actuarial expectation of life are reported to authorities by watchful neighbors. In “Search Mission” the survivors of an ancient starship crash are a bit coy about being found. And much more.
"Several short stories that start strong but blur between each other leaving it indistinct. "
Reviewer: Angel for Bookangel.
Daughter of the High Lords and other Speculative Fiction is an anthology of science fiction stories ranging from only a couple of pages to being a Novellette in length.
All of the stories are set in either the near of far future and there is a certain amount of continuity between the various stories, as a variety of characters pop up now and again in a series of self referential stories. Alongside these, there are several one-shot pieces covering a variety of topics from euthanasia to the replacement of people by robots. The full gamut of sci-fi possibilities are used here, from aliens to advance technology, covering universes, multiverses, alternate realities the basis for each of the stories are firmly set in the genre. Also included are variations on the Asgard Pantheon and other near-omnipotent entities which make their entrances now and again.
The stories are well written and follow a very descriptive pattern and taken individually are definitely worth reading. The problem is that after a while, the same storytelling method begins to become indistinct and the stories begin to blur into each other as the same characters and races do start to overlap in different ways. Only a few of the tales are distinct enough to actually standout from the rest of them.
I would recommend this for anyone who is looking for stories set in a sci-fi setting and can appreciate the various themes that are used, and is looking for something different to read and is looking for a few new stories and ideas to stretch their thinking.
