November 25, 2003
“At the outset of the 14th Century New Galactic Era,
Quinto Center is among the most mysterious places in the Milky Way." Thus begins the advertising copy for the fifth volume of the Perry Rhodan Autorenbibliothek hardcover book series, written by Susan Schwartz . The hollowed-out asteroid in which the headquarters of the New USO (United Stars Organization) is located, is the scene for much of the book’s action.An epidemic breaks out within the asteroid against which no member of the USO knows a remedy, and also against which no “normal" Galactician is immune. Only one person is not effected by the highly contagious epidemic:
Michael Rhodan , a/k/a Roi Danton , has a cell-activator. And he sets out to get help from the galaxy.So much for a brief introduction to the plot of the book that is now being released.
Susan Schwartz has delivered a novel that will thrill friends of both gripping thrillers as well as fascinating extraterrestrials. After all, next to Roi Danton , the heroes of the novels are a female Rubinan and a Scue, two non-humanoid beings who, however, appear more humane than many a Terran .I very much enjoyed reading this manuscript.
Susan Schwartz skillfully plays with reader expectations, surprises with some turn of events, and nonetheless takes the novel to an amazing climax. Naturally, even with the help of Zheobitt, the Ara physician, fighting the horrific epidemic running wild within the asteroid is not that easy.In passing, so to speak, the book also presents additional facts about the Milky Way - for example, the otherwise somewhat private life of the psychologist
Bré Tsinga , or further developments on planets that were only briefly introduced in the booklet novella series. Therefore, anyone who appreciates additional facets of the “Perryverse" should not miss this book.
