Starchild

by Jilly Paddock

From Presumed Dead to Intelligence Agent… From Espionage to Celebrity… From Hunter…to Hunted… StarChild is a quirky, subversive band famed for the slick visual effects in their shows. Citizens from a dozen worlds follow the band almost religiously, a cult of fans. When they’re invited to play on Ile Garoque, a world that severed all contact with Terra two decades ago, Earth Intelligence moves to plant a spy in their entourage. Enter Anna-Marie Delany and her computer partner, Zenni, a pair known for the skills and prone to danger. It seems simple enough until the lead singer refuses to set foot on the planet, so Anna must use her acting skills and EI’s technology to impersonate Taheera. What she does not expect is falling for Jeb Lucas, StarChild’s drummer and tech-wizard, nor for stumbling into a hostile first contact situation with a group of predatory aliens. All of this while her father is ill, longing for Anna to inherit his company and fortune, even though she is missing and assumed dead. The world could be Anna’s, yet she and Zenni must survive attacks from enemies within EI, capture by the venomous Xha and a pair of dragon-storms, weird elemental disruptions in non-space that can destroy unwary spacecraft. From Author Jilly Paddock, the third volume in Her Zenith Alpha 4013 series takes science fiction and espionage to galactic new heights. Starchild. From Pro Se Productions.

302 pages, Paperback

Published December 27, 2017

About the author

I've been writing for a long time, mostly in the science-fiction and fantasy genres. After a career spent working in medical research (briefly) and then in an NHS microbiology lab, I've now taken early retirement and have time to spare for writing and publishing my work.
I like poetry, particularly Yeats and Walter de la Mare, the art of Alphonse Mucha and the Pre-Raphaelites, and folk music, particularly long ballads about sex, death and the supernatural. I dabble in many kinds of crafts, including cross stitch and beading, and collect press-moulded and British studio glass, especially Okra, and tarot cards. All of the above may flavour and influence my work.
I live in the UK with an avid collector of books and CDs.
My partner and I run Cathaven Press which publishes some of my books plus several other authors. We also produce Occult Detective Magazine.
I've left Twitter because it's a hell site, but GR won't let me delete it from my profile. Find me on Mastodon instead - @jillypaddock@mastodon.social

Reviews

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book in this series was tremendous fun, combining the themes of a dangerous quest that was simultaneously inward and outward. The second book was heavy, but with the personal agenda of vendetta propelling our unique duo, the narrative had remained riveting. Unfortunately, in this third instalment I found that the author and the characters have taken themselves too seriously. There was absolutely no humour. Action piled up upon action in a breathtaking manner until the whole thing ended in maudlin blues.
I am on the verge of quitting the series. Shall I try out the fourth, or simply bid adieu to Anna and Zenni?
Let's leave it to time, shall we?
In the meanwhile, if you have undertaken this pilgrimage like me, only then read this volume. Otherwise it would feel terribly disjointing.