Dancer of the Sixth

by Michelle Shirey Crean

Conditioned to forget her past, hotshot pilot Dancer is safe from her memories until a pilot rescued from a crash turns out to be a dead ringer for Dancer. Original.

Genres: Science Fiction

314 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 23, 1993

Reviews

[Joseph Cunningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part one was great, and I like how the author structured the timeline.

I enjoyed the read overall. I think there was some plot holes and some of the romance was a little bit odd to me. But I think the writing was nice for the most part, and the storyline original and presented well. Dancer was chill.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess this is one of those books that you either love or hate. For me it was love, so much that I've read and retread many times since it's purchase many years ago...and I bought a second copy because the first was dying.

[Rhode PVD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrifically romantic, although you could drive a truck through the hole in the premise. It doesn't matter because it is achingly romantic, plus adventure! A longtime favorite.

[Althea Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun space-opera adventure, with a heavy dose of romance. 'Dancer' is a member of the secret, elite Sixth Service - a military branch formed by the mysterious Auryx to fight against their ancient enemies, the Karraganthians, and comprised mainly of those who are thought by all to be dead. But when a woman who looks just like Dancer turns up after what appeared to be a air-show practice accident, her cover may be blown. The woman is her cousin, who's assumed her identity to join the Fourth Service. But all may not be well in the Fourth - and the leaders of the Sixth suspect Karraganthian infiltration.
Lots of twists and turns make this a fun book, but not a great one. It does lag in parts, there may be TOO many romantic interests, and the enemies are flat, one-sided bad guys. The author also doesn't really resolve a weird conflict between glorifying military discipline, trying to justify a perceived need for a large military, and an appreciation for individuality. Still, for a first book (as most of these Del Rey Discovery books are), this is an enjoyable novel. It's too bad that Crean doesn't seem to have published anything else subsequently.

[Jean Triceratops · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dancer of the Sixth’s decent plot is hampered by over-writing and poor editing that made it impossible for me to finish it.

Dancer pushed herself up to a standing position with both hands on the arms of her chair.

If Dancer were seriously injured, drugged, or struggling, watching her put both hands on the arms of her chair and push herself to a standing position would be dramatic.

Here, Dancer simply needs to stand. “Dancer stood,” would have sufficed. Everything else is meritless from a storytelling perspective... which is a common theme in the writing.

Take, for example, on page thirteen, when Dancer spends a page and a half thinking about how, where, and why to procure new uniforms, how people chose the colors on their uniforms, how their uniforms differ from other uniforms, the difference between formal and informal uniforms ... at this point in the book there has to be something better to spend time on.

I believe that under all the bloated storytelling and info-dumps, there's a decent story. Problem is I can't enjoy it because I'm so distracted by all the superfluous information.

[I read old fantasy novels written by women authors in search of forgotten gems. For a full-length review, go to forfemfan.com]

[Marty · Rating 2 out of 5]

it is ok but not great. half dead wonder pilot brought back to life to serve in secret service. too predictable. might be fun if you never read anything like it.

[S.V. Farnsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. I seriously dust it off and read it again almost every year. I wish I could find more books by her. Great read!