Sometime in the future, Dr. Opal Schild is running a medical station in the far reaches of Papua New Guinea. One day, her assistants bring an unconscious man to the clinic. He is obviously a soldier—and a genetically modified one, at that. After Opal saves his life, she finds herself drawn into a fight for her life when she discovers that his mercenary company, Blackstorm, will do anything to get him back and to destroy any knowledge she might have about him. Knowing that her life hangs in the balance, Opal and the soldier, whom she names Pholus after a mythical centaur, try to escape through 300 miles of jungle.

This novella is a very interesting combination of urban grit, adventure, and romance. Yes, it’s kind of odd to describe a story set in a tropical jungle “urban,” but with the mercenaries and military action involved, that’s the feeling that the story evokes. The author has skillfully created an environment with dark and threatening overtones, just as urban fantasy or SF does. The adventure is found in the chase across the jungle, trying to avoid the bad guys at all costs. This is where this novella really shines. I was very caught up in Opal and Pholus’s adventures, and was rooting for them all the way! The romance is very lightly touched upon throughout most of the story, which only makes it more believable to my mind. The intimacies between the hero and heroine grow gradually, until they finally express their love in a series of erotic and touching love scenes. I enjoyed this story, and will look for more from the author.

Reviewed by: Jean