Pathfinder

Major Ariane Kedros #3

by Laura E. Reeve

Wars may end. But vengeance is forver.

Reserve Major Ariane Kedros needs a shot at redemption-and the mysterious aliens known as the Minoans need an extraordinary human pilot with a rejuv-stimulated metabolism like Ariane for a dangerous expedition to a distant solar system. But there's a catch. The Minoans have to implant their technology in Ariane's body, and it might not be removable. Ariane is willing, but as she begins the perilous journey, there is an old enemy hiding within the exploration team who is determined to see them fail...

Genres: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Space Opera, Aliens, Military Science Fiction, War, Space

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Laura's first novel, PEACEKEEPER, began a series from Roc called THE MAJOR ARIANE KEDROS NOVELS (read more about the series at www.AncestralStars.com). Publishers Weekly calls it a "crisp military SF debut" and says, "Reeve drives the story at a breakneck pace." Laura was a US Air Force officer for nine years, giving verisimilitude to the military flavor of her novels. She currently lives in Monument, Colorado with her "Dr. Science" husband.

Reviews

[Michael Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope this story is not finished. Reeve writes a story that moves fast, engages your attention and in general does a good job staying focused. Pathfinder picks up very shortly after Vigilante finishes. I don't want to spoil the story for anyone...there is politics mixed in with espionage mixed with secrets of friend and foe. And to top it off, an essentially omnipotent alien force with their own interests at stake to season the recipe. Thank you for the story, all 3 books (so far?) of it. I have really enjoyed it and hope for more.

[AquaBirdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Ms. Reeve,

Please stop whatever else you are doing (like reading emails) and get back to work on more Kedros. I need more, I am now an addict to your world and I don't want to join a 12 step program to stop. I want to buy your ebooks.

Yours truly,

AquaBirdie

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a long time to read this book. About half a year. But then it was a pretty insane half a year.

This book runs into a problem that many duel-storyline books have - which is that simply half the story isn't that interesting. The political intrigue is wonderfully woven and set up that pays off beautifully at the end, but unfortunately I found any scene not featuring the main character boring. With the political intrigue taking up over half the book, pushing aside the fascinating worldbuilding and aliens. The book is further hampered by its anvilicious handling of the main character's alcohol problem.

When we get to the interstellar archeology and spaceship flying things are fabulous. Despite this book's problems I'd really like to read more in this series. There are parts of it (the worldbuilding and the aliens) that I just love. Fingers crossed for a book four!

[Joe Slavinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

It had been some time, since I'd read the first two books of this trilogy. Probably, because I couldn't find this volume at my local library. I ended up buying it for my Nook, and I'm glad I did. I'm a sucker for space opera, and this series has a lot of the elements that make this genre great. There's political tension, between two governing bodies of human territories, a superior alien race with secrets, a kick-ass protagonist, with a secret of her own, and a hidden artificial intelligence, created by the heroine's partner & shipmate. Oh, and a group of isolationist terrorists, and a long-dead other alien race, to boot. Mix all these elements together, and you have a fun, exciting trilogy, that you'll probably read fairly quickly.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought Reeve really started to hit her stride as a writer with this book, her characters are nicely developed, the plot delightfully deep, and the writing is more engaging than previously. it's really unfortunate that she hasn't written anything more. The ending was a bit rushed, though.

As an aside, I think it would have been extra fun if all the hurry was because of a split in the Minoans, though I guess a culture that lasted so very long wouldn't tend to exhibit such fissures. I was also for a while wondering if the Minoans were actually n-space natives attracted to the human dimension by early experiments, which would certainly explain why they were so pissed about the Terrans' TD experiments!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as book 2 but had some nice plot lines. Nothing really wrapped up overall for the series and I am wondering if there were supposed to be more books. Ariane's character never really developed beyond where we saw her in the first book. There was a lot more that I was hoping would happen with the characters and it didn't feel like much really did. We see hints of Matt and Ari's attraction for each other but we never got to really see it turn into anything or really get addressed at all. Ariane also doesn't really solve her drinking problem but we at least to get to see her beginning to deal with it at the very end of this book. 3 out of 5 stars.

[Terry Marine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots and lots of world building, with precious little action. Then I thought, the world building IS the action. Not a bad story, but not exactly my favorite stuff. The two dogs were fun. Sammy and Xena, right? Of all the characters, their names are the ones I remember. I even forgot Major "Ari" Ariane Kedros. I had to go to Google to remind myself. Forgettable story with little action.

[divinebluesky · Rating 4 out of 5]

not perfect, but I wish for more

The story lines in this trilogy weren’t always easy to follow, but I wish this wasn’t the last one. I’m sorry that the author appears to have stopped writing.

[Terese Damhøj · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice finish. I would like to see more in this universe.

[Volpot · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Good conclusion

[Circuit · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is not bad. Yet this book series has three major flaws for me. First is the protagonist. As much as I always like flawed characters, this one is not very likable. She supposed to be this deeply disturbed by the past and honorable tough chick. She is a deeply messed up, chick who is supposed to be thinking on her heals and independent, but really always needs to be rescued and pathetic. She is basically a glorified push-over; Much more in book two, but still existent in this one. I couldn’t find much thread to hold on to and connect with this character. It’s not the elements that comprise Major Kendros, it’s the package. The last two points are about plot. I think the plot was good. I cannot say that it was not interesting. That would be unfair. However, I can’t stand this Deus ex machine solvents. In this series the Minoans seam to fill that role a few times. Also, the biggest issue is actually the lack of closure. This book leaves too many unanswered questions. A book is supposed to satisfying and this one just creates a lot of subplots and then either doesn’t go back to them or leaves them open ended. It’s not about continuation of plot because I understand that the author might want to suggest that the event continue beyond the book, but you can’t leave it “hanging” for narrative purpose. There are ways to make you feel complete without actually suggesting an ultimate end. This series has an ending, but lacks closure.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this wasn't billed as being the final book in the series, it's been several years since it was published, so it will have to serve. The major plot arcs are fairly neatly tied up. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, although I do quite enjoy the Minoans.

While I appreciate the distinct lack of super-emo romance, the perfunctory (two paragraphs-ish) single sex scene of each book (pretty much always between SP Parmywhatsis and one of his multiple ladypartners) were godawful and could totally have been left out.

[Unwisely · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series has stayed strong and held my interest, although the pull-quote by "elbows are for juggling!!" Mike Shepherd makes me worry it could go off the rails at any moment.

But thus far it's good, although I certainly don't like Matt's choices in this book. Grr.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great wrap-up of what started in the last book, but still leaves room for more to come. Again, I really like how the author handled Ari's addiction. I also appreciate that she doesn't try to pair up everyone romantically. Still, I wouldn't mind seeing Edones and Ari end up together!

[DeAnna Knippling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in the series: tied it up right well, I think. I like the alien species quite a bit.

[Kaye Lynne Booth · Rating 3 out of 5]

See my review here:
http://www.examiner.com/literature-in...

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent end to a very good trilogy. Interesting aliens, good protagonist, tense moments, and realistic conflicts.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent series. I was hoping for a little more action in this final book which is why I gave 3 stars instead of 4 but overall, a great series! Maybe there will be a 4th book!

[Gregoire]

J'ai choisi de ne pas encore étoilé ce livre Il s'agit d'une suite et ne pas avoir lu les deux précédents opus m'a beaucoup gêné Stupide moi !

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sad this series appears to have been abandoned. It was a fascinating universe.

[Stubbyjedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book in the series keeps the reader interested in the characters. Find I get drawn even more into the characters each novel that comes out.