5 stars for Extremes (Retrieval Artist book 2) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
Following the wrap up of book 1 The Disappeared, I make a quick grab for the next book in line to find out what the author has in store for readers thereafter. Upon completion of book 2 Extremes, I am extremely happy to say that not only does the story not disappoint, it far exceeds my expectations.
True to her name, the author continues to dazzle me with her excellent world building. The pictures she paints with her words are so vivid and stirring that I feel as if I am one on the Moon itself, watching the events unfold slowly but surely through the eyes of the characters stationed both Inside the artificially maintained dome of Armstrong and Outside of it where every calculated movement requires dexterity to survive the no atmosphere environment. Most dazzling of all, is the way the writer blows life into each of her characters such that they come alive and leap out of the pages one by one. Of all the characters, the two that strike me the most and leave the deepest impression are Miles Flint and Noelle DeRicci.
Miles Flint
Having bought over the business from - a retired Retrieval Artist - Paloma, Miles Flint, an ex-police detective, is now ready to join the ranks of this esoteric group in the art of Retrieving; finding the Disappeared, people who go missing on purpose either to avoid prosecution or death by any one of the fifty alien cultures. So far, Flint is my favourite character and I have a feeling he will rightly remain so for the rest of the series. Not only is he smart, he is amazingly street-smart. He possesses the kind of charm which when mixed with the air of confidence he projects, brings across the assurance that all will be well eventually.
Noelle DeRicci
Her appearance – the way she carries herself – brings to my mind the Chinese proverb "the older the ginger, the hotter the spice". The author has created a resilient character out of DeRicci. She is tough, has a keen sense of vigilance about her and most certainly takes ownership of a logical and analytical mind which converts her observations to admirable deductions. It is very interesting and even amusing at times to see how DeRicci as the older ginger of the two (with new partner Leif van der Ketting) reinforces her spiciness to get her point across and get things moving the way she wants. In contrast, her much younger partner pales in comparison in all manners of handling investigation; he seems to be the epitome of the mistakes rookie detectives tend to make.
To summarize, Book 2 of the Retrieval Artist series moves on with the backdrop where alliances and interstellar commerce between humans and aliens are the reasons the human world is turning upside down. With the belief that it is possible to defend human beings against the aliens, the race to discover the limits of human potential continues on. This time the chase is set in Armstrong, the Moon's main port city where the Moon Marathon, a marathon believed to be for the cream of the crop, or at least the best of those who feel the need to prove their worth, is being held. However, the race to proof that the sky’s the limit slowly turns into a nightmare when the people realise that the real race is but one against time.
Extremes is a masterpiece of a science-fiction fantasy novel; one of the best I have read so far. The story is absolutely captivating with an intensity to match that once I start reading, it is almost next to impossible to tear my eyes away from the story. Only when I reach the last page do I let out a breath which I am not even aware of holding. Thumbs up all the way to the Moon and back.
Publisher: WMG Publishing, Inc.
Publication date: 21 Mar 2011
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A Retrieval Artist dies of a virus, yet his colleague, Miles Flint, believes the death is not an accident. Police detective Noelle DeRicci knows that the death of a young woman in the Moon’s prestigious Extreme Marathon is not an accident. It soon becomes clear that both deaths are connected. Flint and DeRicci find themselves in their own race, one against time and a certain kind of madness that could threaten everything they know and love.
*Blurb from author's website*
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