An Accidental Goddess

by Linnea Sinclair

Bantam Spectra, New York, 2006, 434 Pages, $6.99

At a critical time when the Khalaran Confederation was facing extinction at the hands of the Fav’lhir, a military advisor was sent to them from the powerful and mysterious Raheiran nation. This advisor, one Gillaine Ciran Rothella Davre, a Raheiran Mage, or as they titled them - Kiasidira, helped them to organize their fleet and assisted them in developing strong technologies. She also partied endlessly, attempting to be one of the guys. In these parties she created for the amusement of all aphorisms about life and behavior basing them mainly on the sayings and teachings of her sentient Crystal Ship, The Serendipity. It was all good drunken fun.

Then the final battle came. The newly formed fleet defeated the ordinary Fav’lhir fleet but she and The Serendipity had to face down the last desperate strike of the Fav’lhir Mages in their great Crystal Ship. Both disappeared in a great battle. She saved them all and thus was born The Lady Kiasidira, a new goddess in their religion. Her Aphorisms became holy writ, her data tablet containing the first eight was a holy relic along with various personal items and many pictures.

Three hundred and forty-two years later, The Serendipity, appearing to be a damaged tramp freighter is discovered adrift close to Cirrus One, an old space station which was being revitalized as a new Jump Gate leading from the Cirrus Quadrant into the Heart of the Khalaran Confederation at Traakhalus Prime. Gillaine is found unconscious on the ship’s bridge. She awakens in the sick bay of Cirrus One. She immediately does an out-of-body-EVA and is appalled to discover a temple and other monuments to the Lady Kiasidira. Thus begins our story.

She soon meets and falls in love with Rynan Makara, Admiral of the Sixth Fleet, discovers that the Fav’lhir are on the move again and her own chief priest, Rigo, is one of them. She must act. Rynan must not find out who she is. But can she save the Khalaran Confederation and keep her love? Is her presence there 342 years after her supposed sacrifice pure chance? Or was it planned?

She discovers that she now faces a revived line of Fav’hlir Mages of possibly great power. She and the Admiral work to gain sufficient strength and overcome treachery in high places at Traakhalus Prime. Can their love survive the gradual revelation of her origins and status?

The novel is well crafted. I could not put it down. I will not spoil it by saying more. Read and enjoy. - Gary Swaty