Bent Light has to steal the medicine that keeps him alive. Tough break. Especially since the only way to get onboard the supply ships that carry it is to pretend to participate in the quasar rally. Good news, bad news, one day he gets his medicine, but he also wins the qualifier. Now if Bent can finish in the race, he’ll have all the money he needs. But after several racers’ unexplained deaths, Bent wonders if this is just a race, or a prelude for war. Ah, planck!
finished this book feeling both thrilled and thoughtful. Bent Light’s struggle to obtain the medicine he needs to stay alive makes the story instantly personal, even within a futuristic setting. The quasar rally scenes were intense and cinematic, and the unexplained deaths among racers added a layer of suspense I didn’t expect. The story slowly shifts from a simple survival mission into something far more dangerous, hinting at political intrigue and possible war. When reviewing this book, readers should talk about the suspense, the race concept, and how the stakes keep rising.