Not a Kate Shugak book but an interesting, early "toe in the water" move for Dana Stabenow. She stuffs many science fiction elements into not very robust plot. Readable, but not her best work. ( )

The last Star Svensdotter novel is more coherent than the second, but still less so than the first, this time eschewing a clear narrative arc in favour of a sort of Martian travelogue with intermittent gunfire.

A reluctant Star is sent to Mars by her Machiavellian boss to investigate the traces of a possible past civilisation. Things go wrong from the start, with sulky twin teenagers her only crew, a botched landing leaving them on the wrong side of the planet, and the unwelcome presence of a vicious enemy from the Belt offering an immediate threat. Can Star fix her relationship with her kids, survive a loony and solve the mystery of the Cydonian ruins? Of course she can. She's Alaskan.

These novels aren't well-written, and their appeal rests heavily on Star's shoulders. I remain entertained by the half-willing competence of a smart, stubborn woman who doesn't have a clue how to be in a relationship (romantic or maternal). The books have moments of brilliance - in this installment, the storyknife ceremonies feel awkward in context, but are memorable and moving; and the argument around Intelligent Design was well-played - but it largely feels like Stabenow was writing for her own amusement, and it doesn't always work.

It's unclear whether Stabenow meant to write more; the trilogy is very open-ended, and leaves big questions unanswered. However, given Star's (also awkward) philosophical meandering at the end, this doesn't seem unreasonable. The point here seems to be that space is exciting and will always pose more questions than we can answer; we just need to embrace the challenge and get out there for a look. ( )