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Outpassage
A futuristic blind date throw together Dennis Cox, a mercenary on rehabilitation leave, and Paige Barnett, an executive employee of an interstellar mining concern, and the two combat a rebellion that threatens the firm's capitalistic interests
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1988
8 people are currently reading
968 people want to read
About the author
Janet E. Morris
108 books383 followersJanet Ellen Morris (born May 25, 1946) is a United States author. She began writing in 1976 and has since published more than 20 novels, many co-authored with David Drake or her husband Chris Morris. She has contributed short fiction to the shared universe fantasy series Thieves World, and edited the Bangsian fantasy series Heroes in Hell. Most of her work has been in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written several works of non-fiction.
Morris was elected to the New York Academy of Sciences in 1980.
In 1995, Morris and her husband and frequent co-writer Christopher Morris founded M2 Tech. Since that time, their writing output has decreased in proportion to the success of the company, which works with U.S. federal and military agencies on non-lethal weapon systems and software.
Morris was elected to the New York Academy of Sciences in 1980.
In 1995, Morris and her husband and frequent co-writer Christopher Morris founded M2 Tech. Since that time, their writing output has decreased in proportion to the success of the company, which works with U.S. federal and military agencies on non-lethal weapon systems and software.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 25, 2014
I am no science fiction aficionado. But, I have read my share of it, books that are akin to the genre I love, dark and heroic fantasy, in everything but setting—books of heroic deeds and daring-do. I am here to say that Outpassage is a book of wondrous endeavors, of a desperate struggle against physical danger, the impersonal machinations of corporations and the black hopelessness in one’s own heart.
Outpassage puts a face on corporate indifference (in the form of IST corporation) and calls him God (Godfrey). It too identifies the calculating, measuring heart of these same corporate interests and calls her Paige, an executive at IST. IST is a cold, empty corporation, conducting terraforming activities on outworld planets thought devoid of life. God is the designer of a corporate strategy that measures cost benefit in terms of lives and misery. Paige is just as important as God in the implementation of this strategy. She plays the part of the good Nazi bureaucrat, is the rationalization of numbers and statistics that drive despair, murder and greed—the ignorant accomplice. How many must be sacrificed by IST before the company’s activities become cost-prohibitive? It is only a question of numbers. In the early pages of the book, Paige’s conscience finds the price too high. Because of these newly found scruples, she finds herself shanghaied and pressed into a cargo hold with other desperate souls on their way to work in the very terraforming mines she had begun to question.
Cox is the soldier’s soldier, a Ranger in the vein of the Rangers that came before, like Darby, Mosby and Merrill. In a world where the military is usurped for corporate interests, Cox finds himself faced with a mission that asks him to face down a rebellion that is fomenting in the outworlds, a rebellion that stands against the inhuman atrocities perpetrated by IST in the pursuit of progress. This Ranger must either follow his orders, or follow his conscience. Like those Rangers before, Cox “Rangers up” and does what must be done, despite the personal cost.
Is the good of the many truly more weighty than the good of the few? Outpassage attempts to answer this through the sacrifices made by regular-day heroes, soldiers of little consequence in a game of universal consequence. Cox and Paige must struggle against each other, IST, a rising rebellion and powers that are beyond their understanding as they seek their own escape and victory, but end up finding much more about the universe and about themselves than they could have ever imagined.
Equal parts military science fiction, heroic fantasy, and thriller, Outpassage is a great book that combines deep, conflicted characters that evolve from a small minded executive and a narrow focused soldier into well-developed individuals that are willing to sacrifice their own deeply held values for duty to a bigger cause, and honor that is all the more palpable because it comes at a terrible price—these regular people who become Heroes of a mythic ilk. I have an affinity for both of the main characters, having been both a soldier and a corporate executive in my life, and I can appreciate the pressures applied to both of the main characters in this book. And the author has done a great job of portraying them grappling with these values as they evolve into better, stronger, more heroic people, until they eventually abandon self-preservation for selflessness.
I saw things in the book that perhaps I was not meant to see, glimpses deeper than the crust and mantle of humanity’s soul—our need for love and life and permanence in the molten core of our being – our want to live and our need to love and be loved, and the often contentious relationship between these concepts that are a fundamental part of the human condition.
I think if you read this book, you will not only be entertained by well written, constant action, a pretty nifty (and somewhat unexpected) love triangle, sneaky spies and corporate agents, but you will also experience the deep satisfaction that comes with knowing that there are people willing to stand against the statistics, against the coldness of impersonal government bodies and cold corporate interests. By the end of the book, we find that vying for the good of a few abused workers does indeed ensure the good of the many–perhaps all of civilization.
Outpassage puts a face on corporate indifference (in the form of IST corporation) and calls him God (Godfrey). It too identifies the calculating, measuring heart of these same corporate interests and calls her Paige, an executive at IST. IST is a cold, empty corporation, conducting terraforming activities on outworld planets thought devoid of life. God is the designer of a corporate strategy that measures cost benefit in terms of lives and misery. Paige is just as important as God in the implementation of this strategy. She plays the part of the good Nazi bureaucrat, is the rationalization of numbers and statistics that drive despair, murder and greed—the ignorant accomplice. How many must be sacrificed by IST before the company’s activities become cost-prohibitive? It is only a question of numbers. In the early pages of the book, Paige’s conscience finds the price too high. Because of these newly found scruples, she finds herself shanghaied and pressed into a cargo hold with other desperate souls on their way to work in the very terraforming mines she had begun to question.
Cox is the soldier’s soldier, a Ranger in the vein of the Rangers that came before, like Darby, Mosby and Merrill. In a world where the military is usurped for corporate interests, Cox finds himself faced with a mission that asks him to face down a rebellion that is fomenting in the outworlds, a rebellion that stands against the inhuman atrocities perpetrated by IST in the pursuit of progress. This Ranger must either follow his orders, or follow his conscience. Like those Rangers before, Cox “Rangers up” and does what must be done, despite the personal cost.
Is the good of the many truly more weighty than the good of the few? Outpassage attempts to answer this through the sacrifices made by regular-day heroes, soldiers of little consequence in a game of universal consequence. Cox and Paige must struggle against each other, IST, a rising rebellion and powers that are beyond their understanding as they seek their own escape and victory, but end up finding much more about the universe and about themselves than they could have ever imagined.
Equal parts military science fiction, heroic fantasy, and thriller, Outpassage is a great book that combines deep, conflicted characters that evolve from a small minded executive and a narrow focused soldier into well-developed individuals that are willing to sacrifice their own deeply held values for duty to a bigger cause, and honor that is all the more palpable because it comes at a terrible price—these regular people who become Heroes of a mythic ilk. I have an affinity for both of the main characters, having been both a soldier and a corporate executive in my life, and I can appreciate the pressures applied to both of the main characters in this book. And the author has done a great job of portraying them grappling with these values as they evolve into better, stronger, more heroic people, until they eventually abandon self-preservation for selflessness.
I saw things in the book that perhaps I was not meant to see, glimpses deeper than the crust and mantle of humanity’s soul—our need for love and life and permanence in the molten core of our being – our want to live and our need to love and be loved, and the often contentious relationship between these concepts that are a fundamental part of the human condition.
I think if you read this book, you will not only be entertained by well written, constant action, a pretty nifty (and somewhat unexpected) love triangle, sneaky spies and corporate agents, but you will also experience the deep satisfaction that comes with knowing that there are people willing to stand against the statistics, against the coldness of impersonal government bodies and cold corporate interests. By the end of the book, we find that vying for the good of a few abused workers does indeed ensure the good of the many–perhaps all of civilization.
March 7, 2014
Dennis (Det) Cox is a soldier. He believes in his own abilities. To say that he believes in truth, justice and the American way might be pushing it a little. But he's a man of honor and fights with all he has to protect his own.
Paige Barnett is a corporate of the highest order. Her boss, Raymond Godfrey (God), is the head of IST, the most powerful corporation on Earth & beyond. Paige knows how to play the system, but finds herself in hot water when she raises too many questions about incidents on a distant planet, known only as X-31A.
Paige's life changes dramatically when she meets Det Cox on a blind date arranged by a dating service. Both are drugged and shanghaied, transported to another distant, mysterious planet, X-66B. There, Paige meets Freedom Ayoub and a wide variety of other people who preach about redemption, resurrection and the holy way. Things go from bad to worse when Det's soldiers are told to put down a revolution on X-66B, using any means possible.
Outpassage, a new offering by Janet Morris and Chris Morris, takes the reader back to the roots of off-world sci-fi adventure. It's full of intrigue, action, political power plays, as well as redemption, resurrection and the holy way. A thrill ride from start to finish, this book moves forward with the force of a freight train, leaving the reader begging for more. I hope that the Janet & Chris plan more books, making this into a series. They have laid the groundwork for more amazing books with Det and Paige at the helm.
The dialogue in Outpassage is snappy and keeps the story moving. It is also used as a very effective characterization tool. Each character has his or her own voice. Det Cox is hard bitten, all business and slightly paranoid. His words are peppered with sarcasm and cynicism. He's a soldier, pure and simple. He takes nothing at face value and believes only what he can definitively prove.
Paige Barnett is a cultured, well educated, rich woman. Her pampered existence comes to an end, but she doesn't falter or give up in the face of adversity. If anything, it makes her more determined to find her way home and bring justice to the deserving. She can be diplomatic, but she knows when not to be. She might freak out a little when the bullets fly, but she doesn't let it get her down for long. She always bounces back, more determined than before.
Freedom Ayoub is an enigma. He takes Paige under his wing, helping, guiding and protecting. His gentle determination encompasses the other three main characters. His is a fascinating character study and I hope that he will be explored more in other books.
Allie Frickey, Det Cox's Corporal, is pure soldier. She's as good at what she does as Cox is. She does her best to protect him and their charges, Paige & Freedom. She is bold and tenacious, much as Paige is.
I greatly enjoyed Outpassage and highly recommend it to those who like a great sci-fi tale that doesn't include Vulcans or androids or phasers – oh my!
Five Golden Acorns
© Dellani Oakes 2014
Paige Barnett is a corporate of the highest order. Her boss, Raymond Godfrey (God), is the head of IST, the most powerful corporation on Earth & beyond. Paige knows how to play the system, but finds herself in hot water when she raises too many questions about incidents on a distant planet, known only as X-31A.
Paige's life changes dramatically when she meets Det Cox on a blind date arranged by a dating service. Both are drugged and shanghaied, transported to another distant, mysterious planet, X-66B. There, Paige meets Freedom Ayoub and a wide variety of other people who preach about redemption, resurrection and the holy way. Things go from bad to worse when Det's soldiers are told to put down a revolution on X-66B, using any means possible.
Outpassage, a new offering by Janet Morris and Chris Morris, takes the reader back to the roots of off-world sci-fi adventure. It's full of intrigue, action, political power plays, as well as redemption, resurrection and the holy way. A thrill ride from start to finish, this book moves forward with the force of a freight train, leaving the reader begging for more. I hope that the Janet & Chris plan more books, making this into a series. They have laid the groundwork for more amazing books with Det and Paige at the helm.
The dialogue in Outpassage is snappy and keeps the story moving. It is also used as a very effective characterization tool. Each character has his or her own voice. Det Cox is hard bitten, all business and slightly paranoid. His words are peppered with sarcasm and cynicism. He's a soldier, pure and simple. He takes nothing at face value and believes only what he can definitively prove.
Paige Barnett is a cultured, well educated, rich woman. Her pampered existence comes to an end, but she doesn't falter or give up in the face of adversity. If anything, it makes her more determined to find her way home and bring justice to the deserving. She can be diplomatic, but she knows when not to be. She might freak out a little when the bullets fly, but she doesn't let it get her down for long. She always bounces back, more determined than before.
Freedom Ayoub is an enigma. He takes Paige under his wing, helping, guiding and protecting. His gentle determination encompasses the other three main characters. His is a fascinating character study and I hope that he will be explored more in other books.
Allie Frickey, Det Cox's Corporal, is pure soldier. She's as good at what she does as Cox is. She does her best to protect him and their charges, Paige & Freedom. She is bold and tenacious, much as Paige is.
I greatly enjoyed Outpassage and highly recommend it to those who like a great sci-fi tale that doesn't include Vulcans or androids or phasers – oh my!
Five Golden Acorns
© Dellani Oakes 2014
December 1, 2014
You only die once.
That is not only the theme of this excellent science fiction novel — it is also at the very heart of the novel’s story premise. This is exactly the type of science fiction story I grew up reading in the pages of Amazing Stories and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Outpassage is action-packed, character-driven, and thought-provoking. The science is grounded in reality, but isn’t integral to the plot, and the tech never gets in the way of story and character: there is no garbage science or techno babble to muddle the plot. While this story has the feel of an old-fashioned, traditional science fiction novel from back in the day, it has a hip and modern sensibility to it. The characters are vivid and memorable, and the lean prose style is perfectly suited to the story. The dialogue is perfectly matched to each character — crisp and sharp, and very smart, with a fine balance of humor and gravitas. Outpassage moves along like a starship going warp factor seven, with twists and surprises nearly every step of the way. And that wrap-around cover — wow! Fully captures the tone of the novel, and is a loving homage to classic SF covers.
It begins on an outer space mining colony called X-31A, where a special forces Ranger Dennis “Det” Cox and his team are called in to “eradicate” a problem and clean up a mess. But the mission turns into a disaster, and Cox isn’t quite sure whether or not he saw signs of an alien presence on the piece of intergalactic real estate. Once he’s back home on earth and debriefed, Cox meets up with a woman named Paige Barnett, whom he was matched with on an internet dating site called Dream Date. Paige, however, is the Girl Friday to the top dog of a corporation called IST, who has their hands in terraforming, mining, and a few illegal activities, as well. Well, as blind dates often go, this one goes horribly wrong: both Cox and Paige are shanghaied and are then separated. She is thrown into a labor group on another mining colony called X-66B, where she falls in with a group of rebel workers. Cox, however, has been nabbed for a paramilitary mission to find real evidence of an alien presence, and to target the rebel base of union-organizing workers — on the very same X-66B.
This is thought-provoking science fiction, with the action and feel of a space opera, and with elements of mystery and espionage to keep us turning the page. And the characters ring true: Paige Barnett is a thoroughly modern woman — a brilliant, tough, no-nonsense bureaucrat who rules in her corporate world, but find herself way out of her element when she’s shanghaied and taken to X-66B. But this is truly Dennis “Det” Cox’s story. A non-com and experienced warrior cut from the cloth of the Homeric ideal of a hero. He’s plain, blunt-spoken, and takes no bull from anyone; a real ground-pounder, a soldier who hates politics, but does his job and does it well. He’s the guy you want on your side, the guy on whose side you want to be. He faces decisions and moral dilemmas, as well as the heat of combat and the intrigues of corporate policy. But what revelations he is forced to see and accept are the hardest things he’s ever done. Enlightenment is there for him to grasp, but it disturbs him with its reality-changing truth, and he is left to face more decisions in a finale I did not see coming, but is perfect, nonetheless. For Cox, that moment arrives when he witnesses, when he touches and learns the truth behind the words…You Only Die Once.
Why this outstanding novel was overlooked for Nebula and Hugo awards is beyond me. When you combine a great story with flesh and blood characters, with plenty of action, and then toss into the mix the machinations of a powerful business conglomerate, paramilitary activity, corporate intrigue and espionage, politics, religion, and an undefined, possible alien presence…you have a novel that succeeds on many levels.
That is not only the theme of this excellent science fiction novel — it is also at the very heart of the novel’s story premise. This is exactly the type of science fiction story I grew up reading in the pages of Amazing Stories and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Outpassage is action-packed, character-driven, and thought-provoking. The science is grounded in reality, but isn’t integral to the plot, and the tech never gets in the way of story and character: there is no garbage science or techno babble to muddle the plot. While this story has the feel of an old-fashioned, traditional science fiction novel from back in the day, it has a hip and modern sensibility to it. The characters are vivid and memorable, and the lean prose style is perfectly suited to the story. The dialogue is perfectly matched to each character — crisp and sharp, and very smart, with a fine balance of humor and gravitas. Outpassage moves along like a starship going warp factor seven, with twists and surprises nearly every step of the way. And that wrap-around cover — wow! Fully captures the tone of the novel, and is a loving homage to classic SF covers.
It begins on an outer space mining colony called X-31A, where a special forces Ranger Dennis “Det” Cox and his team are called in to “eradicate” a problem and clean up a mess. But the mission turns into a disaster, and Cox isn’t quite sure whether or not he saw signs of an alien presence on the piece of intergalactic real estate. Once he’s back home on earth and debriefed, Cox meets up with a woman named Paige Barnett, whom he was matched with on an internet dating site called Dream Date. Paige, however, is the Girl Friday to the top dog of a corporation called IST, who has their hands in terraforming, mining, and a few illegal activities, as well. Well, as blind dates often go, this one goes horribly wrong: both Cox and Paige are shanghaied and are then separated. She is thrown into a labor group on another mining colony called X-66B, where she falls in with a group of rebel workers. Cox, however, has been nabbed for a paramilitary mission to find real evidence of an alien presence, and to target the rebel base of union-organizing workers — on the very same X-66B.
This is thought-provoking science fiction, with the action and feel of a space opera, and with elements of mystery and espionage to keep us turning the page. And the characters ring true: Paige Barnett is a thoroughly modern woman — a brilliant, tough, no-nonsense bureaucrat who rules in her corporate world, but find herself way out of her element when she’s shanghaied and taken to X-66B. But this is truly Dennis “Det” Cox’s story. A non-com and experienced warrior cut from the cloth of the Homeric ideal of a hero. He’s plain, blunt-spoken, and takes no bull from anyone; a real ground-pounder, a soldier who hates politics, but does his job and does it well. He’s the guy you want on your side, the guy on whose side you want to be. He faces decisions and moral dilemmas, as well as the heat of combat and the intrigues of corporate policy. But what revelations he is forced to see and accept are the hardest things he’s ever done. Enlightenment is there for him to grasp, but it disturbs him with its reality-changing truth, and he is left to face more decisions in a finale I did not see coming, but is perfect, nonetheless. For Cox, that moment arrives when he witnesses, when he touches and learns the truth behind the words…You Only Die Once.
Why this outstanding novel was overlooked for Nebula and Hugo awards is beyond me. When you combine a great story with flesh and blood characters, with plenty of action, and then toss into the mix the machinations of a powerful business conglomerate, paramilitary activity, corporate intrigue and espionage, politics, religion, and an undefined, possible alien presence…you have a novel that succeeds on many levels.
March 7, 2014
Dennis (Det) Cox is a soldier. He believes in his own abilities. To say that he believes in truth, justice and the American way might be pushing it a little. But he's a man of honor and fights with all he has to protect his own.
Paige Barnett is a corporate of the highest order. Her boss, Raymond Godfrey (God), is the head of IST, the most powerful corporation on Earth & beyond. Paige knows how to play the system, but finds herself in hot water when she raises too many questions about incidents on a distant planet, known only as X-31A.
Paige's life changes dramatically when she meets Det Cox on a blind date arranged by a dating service. Both are drugged and shanghaied, transported to another distant, mysterious planet, X-66B. There, Paige meets Freedom Ayoub and a wide variety of other people who preach about redemption, resurrection and the holy way. Things go from bad to worse when Det's soldiers are told to put down a revolution on X-66B, using any means possible.
Outpassage, a new offering by Janet Morris and Chris Morris, takes the reader back to the roots of off-world sci-fi adventure. It's full of intrigue, action, political power plays, as well as redemption, resurrection and the holy way. A thrill ride from start to finish, this book moves forward with the force of a freight train, leaving the reader begging for more. I hope that the Janet & Chris plan more books, making this into a series. They have laid the groundwork for more amazing books with Det and Paige at the helm.
The dialogue in Outpassage is snappy and keeps the story moving. It is also used as a very effective characterization tool. Each character has his or her own voice. Det Cox is hard bitten, all business and slightly paranoid. His words are peppered with sarcasm and cynicism. He's a soldier, pure and simple. He takes nothing at face value and believes only what he can definitively prove.
Paige Barnett is a cultured, well educated, rich woman. Her pampered existence comes to an end, but she doesn't falter or give up in the face of adversity. If anything, it makes her more determined to find her way home and bring justice to the deserving. She can be diplomatic, but she knows when not to be. She might freak out a little when the bullets fly, but she doesn't let it get her down for long. She always bounces back, more determined than before.
Freedom Ayoub is an enigma. He takes Paige under his wing, helping, guiding and protecting. His gentle determination encompasses the other three main characters. His is a fascinating character study and I hope that he will be explored more in other books.
Allie Frickey, Det Cox's Corporal, is pure soldier. She's as good at what she does as Cox is. She does her best to protect him and their charges, Paige & Freedom. She is bold and tenacious, much as Paige is.
I greatly enjoyed Outpassage and highly recommend it to those who like a great sci-fi tale that doesn't include Vulcans or androids or phasers – oh my!
Five Golden Acorns
© Dellani Oakes 2014
Paige Barnett is a corporate of the highest order. Her boss, Raymond Godfrey (God), is the head of IST, the most powerful corporation on Earth & beyond. Paige knows how to play the system, but finds herself in hot water when she raises too many questions about incidents on a distant planet, known only as X-31A.
Paige's life changes dramatically when she meets Det Cox on a blind date arranged by a dating service. Both are drugged and shanghaied, transported to another distant, mysterious planet, X-66B. There, Paige meets Freedom Ayoub and a wide variety of other people who preach about redemption, resurrection and the holy way. Things go from bad to worse when Det's soldiers are told to put down a revolution on X-66B, using any means possible.
Outpassage, a new offering by Janet Morris and Chris Morris, takes the reader back to the roots of off-world sci-fi adventure. It's full of intrigue, action, political power plays, as well as redemption, resurrection and the holy way. A thrill ride from start to finish, this book moves forward with the force of a freight train, leaving the reader begging for more. I hope that the Janet & Chris plan more books, making this into a series. They have laid the groundwork for more amazing books with Det and Paige at the helm.
The dialogue in Outpassage is snappy and keeps the story moving. It is also used as a very effective characterization tool. Each character has his or her own voice. Det Cox is hard bitten, all business and slightly paranoid. His words are peppered with sarcasm and cynicism. He's a soldier, pure and simple. He takes nothing at face value and believes only what he can definitively prove.
Paige Barnett is a cultured, well educated, rich woman. Her pampered existence comes to an end, but she doesn't falter or give up in the face of adversity. If anything, it makes her more determined to find her way home and bring justice to the deserving. She can be diplomatic, but she knows when not to be. She might freak out a little when the bullets fly, but she doesn't let it get her down for long. She always bounces back, more determined than before.
Freedom Ayoub is an enigma. He takes Paige under his wing, helping, guiding and protecting. His gentle determination encompasses the other three main characters. His is a fascinating character study and I hope that he will be explored more in other books.
Allie Frickey, Det Cox's Corporal, is pure soldier. She's as good at what she does as Cox is. She does her best to protect him and their charges, Paige & Freedom. She is bold and tenacious, much as Paige is.
I greatly enjoyed Outpassage and highly recommend it to those who like a great sci-fi tale that doesn't include Vulcans or androids or phasers – oh my!
Five Golden Acorns
© Dellani Oakes 2014
July 14, 2014
Never before did I pay as much attention to the subtle connections between mythology and science fiction—but reading Outpassage has brought the contrasts and similarities between them into full focus. Describing an ancient world, and a future universe, both require a leap of imagination, which the author, Janet Morris, executes with such exquisite flair. In in both cases, she presents characters that embody metaphysical ideas, and fleshes them out in a way that shows their personality on one hand, and suggests a symbolic meaning on the other. Godfrey is the boss, about whom it is said, “God had a wife and children, a mistress, and a company he loved more than any human: InterSpace Tasking.”
Having read her heroic fiction—The Man and his God and The Sacred Band—I fell in love with her painterly, lyrical language. In this book, she and her co-author Chris Morris chose a different style, by design, as the language must match the image of this future universe: technological, mechanical, gritty, and constricting the souls of its characters to the point of being inhuman. ““Cox is a soldier. He’ll obey the orders he gets. And we think he might have more to tell us, when he decompresses fully.”
This description of Dennis Cox, the way he is seen in the corporate eye, contradicts quite profoundly with his internal view of himself. “He stood there for a minute, head down, thinking about pushing himself out the door. But his hand looked too pale and too delicate.” It is that contrast, between his inner fragility and pain and the outer perception of him as a ‘robotic’ soldier, that endears this character to us.
Then there’s Paige. She is smart, knows how to climb her way to success, and yet she is restless and utterly spontaneous. “Dream Date service. Paige had done it, in fact, on a dare. Her hidden, torrid, and fervent devotion to God, whom she could never have. So, she specifies her ideal man as, “handsome, dangerous, sensitive, well travelled, experienced…” which leads to her blind date with someone so different than herself, that the opposites immediately attract: Cox.
I love how Paige changes and comes into her own over the arc of the story. “It was good to be home, she kept telling herself. ‘I died. I’m alive. I’m stronger. I’m in receipt of something I don’t yet understand, that’s all.’” And on the whole, I love the little observations about the political conflicts in this future universe (that might as well exist in our present): “The cover story was something about a violent work stoppage by the Asian contingent of construction workers… The story was thin, but thin didn’t matter unless somebody wanted to punch a hole in it.”
Five stars.
Having read her heroic fiction—The Man and his God and The Sacred Band—I fell in love with her painterly, lyrical language. In this book, she and her co-author Chris Morris chose a different style, by design, as the language must match the image of this future universe: technological, mechanical, gritty, and constricting the souls of its characters to the point of being inhuman. ““Cox is a soldier. He’ll obey the orders he gets. And we think he might have more to tell us, when he decompresses fully.”
This description of Dennis Cox, the way he is seen in the corporate eye, contradicts quite profoundly with his internal view of himself. “He stood there for a minute, head down, thinking about pushing himself out the door. But his hand looked too pale and too delicate.” It is that contrast, between his inner fragility and pain and the outer perception of him as a ‘robotic’ soldier, that endears this character to us.
Then there’s Paige. She is smart, knows how to climb her way to success, and yet she is restless and utterly spontaneous. “Dream Date service. Paige had done it, in fact, on a dare. Her hidden, torrid, and fervent devotion to God, whom she could never have. So, she specifies her ideal man as, “handsome, dangerous, sensitive, well travelled, experienced…” which leads to her blind date with someone so different than herself, that the opposites immediately attract: Cox.
I love how Paige changes and comes into her own over the arc of the story. “It was good to be home, she kept telling herself. ‘I died. I’m alive. I’m stronger. I’m in receipt of something I don’t yet understand, that’s all.’” And on the whole, I love the little observations about the political conflicts in this future universe (that might as well exist in our present): “The cover story was something about a violent work stoppage by the Asian contingent of construction workers… The story was thin, but thin didn’t matter unless somebody wanted to punch a hole in it.”
Five stars.
February 22, 2014
'Outpassage' is a Sci-Fi novel set some five or six generations from today, when the United States (And presumably other nations) have taken to the stars to mine ores and look for new worlds to colonize. The story centers around Sargent Dennis "Det" Cox and a mysterious event that happened to him on his last deploy to a world only known as X31A . A world Where Dennis saw something that rattled him badly. Now after being shanghaied along with a beautiful executive for the mysterious and seemingly immoral IST corporation, a company that runs and oversees mining on these supposedly barren rocks floating in space, Det, along with the aforementioned Paige Barret must unravel the frightening mystery and possible conspiracy that plagues them on X66B. A mystery that seeks to ensnare the rest of the galaxy in its frightening grasp. One that will shake the beliefs of countless men and women, for there are no aliens in space, are there?
Outpassage by Janet and Chris Morris is an extremely well written novel about a military unit caught up in a battle against rebels who may be more than human. It's about a man and a woman caught up in something so much larger than themselves that they no longer know who to trust, including each other. This is a fantastic, old school Sci-Fi novel, written by the writing duo who have brought us the "Sacred Band/Sacred Band of Stepson's " novels. Det Cox is one cool character. Five stars. easily.
Outpassage by Janet and Chris Morris is an extremely well written novel about a military unit caught up in a battle against rebels who may be more than human. It's about a man and a woman caught up in something so much larger than themselves that they no longer know who to trust, including each other. This is a fantastic, old school Sci-Fi novel, written by the writing duo who have brought us the "Sacred Band/Sacred Band of Stepson's " novels. Det Cox is one cool character. Five stars. easily.
December 21, 2014
Wonderful SCI-FI “Outpassage” Is a wonderful Sci-Fi book that will keep you intrigued from the first page to the last. The book is very well written and the author weaves a very clever plot with extremely likable characters and a fascinating imaginary world. The author provides great details that pull the reader right into the pages and keeps them glued to the story until the end.Very exciting read that I would recommend to every person that would love to spend time with a good book and to those who love SCI-FI. Excellent read!!!
April 28, 2014
How many of us, I wonder, haven’t at some point pondered what it would be like to live forever? Who of us would turn down a second chance at life, having died? Who wouldn’t like to be free of the fear of death?
Well, Det Cox, for one. Pragmatic, practical; a soldier through and through; Det likes solid, dependable things. He likes things he can shoot, orders he can follow, briefings he can understand. What he doesn’t like are visions of aliens where there should be none, and vast, powerful corporations with the clout to destroy entire worlds if they don’t like what they find there.
Paige Barnett, on the other hand, is a corporate creature. One who never expected to be shanghaied and forcibly taken to an out-system world where she’s put to manual labor among a discontented workforce. When one of her companions, a man who helped her through the realization of her situation, dies, Paige is bereft. But when she finds him again, whole and alive, she begins to question her sanity. And when she finds out about the religion her fellow workers follow - redemption, resurrection, the holy way - Paige knows her life will never be the same again.
Outpassage is a hard-hitting, sharply-written, good “old-fashioned” sci-fi novel, with plenty of action, gritty dialogue, corporate deviousness, and government collusion. Yet it also explores those fundamental questions we all ask ourselves about Life: what comes after? Is death really the end?
Follow Det Cox, Paige Barnett, Allie Frickey, and Freedom Ayoub, and you might just find out!
Well, Det Cox, for one. Pragmatic, practical; a soldier through and through; Det likes solid, dependable things. He likes things he can shoot, orders he can follow, briefings he can understand. What he doesn’t like are visions of aliens where there should be none, and vast, powerful corporations with the clout to destroy entire worlds if they don’t like what they find there.
Paige Barnett, on the other hand, is a corporate creature. One who never expected to be shanghaied and forcibly taken to an out-system world where she’s put to manual labor among a discontented workforce. When one of her companions, a man who helped her through the realization of her situation, dies, Paige is bereft. But when she finds him again, whole and alive, she begins to question her sanity. And when she finds out about the religion her fellow workers follow - redemption, resurrection, the holy way - Paige knows her life will never be the same again.
Outpassage is a hard-hitting, sharply-written, good “old-fashioned” sci-fi novel, with plenty of action, gritty dialogue, corporate deviousness, and government collusion. Yet it also explores those fundamental questions we all ask ourselves about Life: what comes after? Is death really the end?
Follow Det Cox, Paige Barnett, Allie Frickey, and Freedom Ayoub, and you might just find out!
August 20, 2016
Great Sci-Fi tale! Real characters you can relate to, like, hate, feel sorry for. If you know any army Rangers, you will recognize "Det" Cox. He doesn't think much of bureaucrats or, come to think of it, most officers with little experience. He commands a group of Rangers on loan from the government to the largest inter-spacial mining entity on earth... naturally based in the US. They are being sent to an unnamed planet still in the process of being terraformed, but already being mined for rare minerals, under the guise of stopping a rebellion.
As they say, no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy and this is no exception!
A wild story and a great read!
As they say, no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy and this is no exception!
A wild story and a great read!
April 22, 2014
Someone make this into a film please! I love SF which is based in the near future because it always feels as though it is in the realms of possibility. Outpassage has this feel and the style of writing makes it a very easy book to read.. The characters are very memorable and the plot really got me thinking. I am hoping the next book will not be too long away.
April 30, 2014
Hands down, 5 stars for Outpassage. I loved the complexity of the plot and the underlying cult theme. It also got me thinking about technology and longevity in the future and what people might be willing to do to achieve it. I enjoy science fiction novels that require thought and Outpassage ticked all the boxes for me.
December 4, 2014
I wrote this with Chris Morris in the late 1980s. It's one of our favorites, with an experimental telegraphic style. Now this is the new edition, updated and sensitively revised. We plan at least one more book with these characters.
November 30, 2014
“Outpassage” is an adventurous science fiction. I loved it. I have read many of Janet Morris' books and once again, came away astounded. I highly recommend this well-written and gripping tale. You don't want to miss this one.
December 1, 2014
An interesting science fiction novel with captivating characters. It was worth reading.
July 12, 2015
A well-edited & produced book I'd highly recommend to fans of the Sci-Fi genre. I read a broad selection of genres but very little Sci-Fi. Because of my lack of knowledge of the genre I know lots went straight over my head but I think fans of the genre will rate this book at the full 5.
On the surface a "traditional" almost old fashioned Sci-Fi. Rangers are sent to quell the rebellions amongst the work force on the planets Earth has colonised. The central Ranger Cox is a "good old boy" trained to serve but what he sees forces him to question his orders. Paige, who works for Godfrey (God) head of a powerful corporation controlling things from Earth, knows too much and finds herself with a new identity shipped out as a worker. She learns the secrets behind the "rebellion" her old boss is so keen to quash.
The themes running beneath the story line have intriguing links with history, the psychology of power and religion and present day politics. My favourite quote from the book arguing for the elimination of the "rebels" despite the benefits of the "holy way." -
"When people aren't afraid, they can't be treated like animals."
An intelligent thought provoking read with obvious parallels.
On the surface a "traditional" almost old fashioned Sci-Fi. Rangers are sent to quell the rebellions amongst the work force on the planets Earth has colonised. The central Ranger Cox is a "good old boy" trained to serve but what he sees forces him to question his orders. Paige, who works for Godfrey (God) head of a powerful corporation controlling things from Earth, knows too much and finds herself with a new identity shipped out as a worker. She learns the secrets behind the "rebellion" her old boss is so keen to quash.
The themes running beneath the story line have intriguing links with history, the psychology of power and religion and present day politics. My favourite quote from the book arguing for the elimination of the "rebels" despite the benefits of the "holy way." -
"When people aren't afraid, they can't be treated like animals."
An intelligent thought provoking read with obvious parallels.
April 18, 2020
I zipped right through this book. It is a fast paced adventure with fascinating philosophical questions. The characters are believable and likable, and the interactions between the soldiers, the corporate types, the spooks and the scientists are all done as if the writer knew those worlds intimately. The story does what scifi should do- make the science and technology become the background details that set the tone and provide the wonder without becoming the story. This story is very much about characters and ideas. The concept could be lifted from the story and made to work in any kind of genre. My only complaint is that I wanted more when the book was finished.
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June 21, 2009Science Fiction
January 18, 2015
Wonderful read!
January 17, 2015
Science Fiction in its best! Dark and hooking!
January 17, 2015
What an awesome sci-fi story. Loved it.
January 17, 2015
Review coming soon.
January 18, 2015
Wonderful imagination and superbly written.
January 18, 2015
Loved this - Sci Fi eat your heart out action. :)
April 6, 2017
VERY GOOD story & writing
October 12, 2020
Not as good the 2nd reading!
April 10, 2021
I picked this book up at a little free library and didn’t really hold out a lot of hope for it. I was pleasantly surprised! Over thirty year old science fiction and still excellent!
November 13, 2023
ok scifi
January 5, 2014
This book started out quite strong: the Morrises developed a neat plot with good prose. The setting felt real, and the two main characters were interesting. Then everything slowed up and the story got bogged down by a lot of inner narrative that did not amount to much of interest. I felt myself pulling away from the book and skimming passages to move things along. Now that I've turned the last page, I'm left with the sense that there was really only enough story here for a novella or a really tight short story. It's a shame: some of the writing in here is quite good, and I'm sure that Morris and Morris have what it takes to tell a really good tale.
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September 30, 2017War and mystery beyond the stars - I think this phrase sums up this science fiction adventure very well.
Fast-paced and gripping, this novel glued me to my Kindle most firmly, leaving me with no desire to close my reading devise even for a charging. Like other books by this author, besides being greatly entertaining, the story was thought-provoking, showing a great study of human nature with wonderful character development, along with breathtaking adventures and flurry of action. I'm a fan!
Fast-paced and gripping, this novel glued me to my Kindle most firmly, leaving me with no desire to close my reading devise even for a charging. Like other books by this author, besides being greatly entertaining, the story was thought-provoking, showing a great study of human nature with wonderful character development, along with breathtaking adventures and flurry of action. I'm a fan!
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