ROC, $6.99, ISBN 0-451-45608-4, 523 pages

The saga of Owen Deathstalker and friends continues in the third book in the series. Not content with just tweaking the Empire's nose with raid after raid, Owen and friends now seek to open up the war and, gasp, win. But like any good soap opera, this space opera twists and turns in a variety of ways.

For example, Hazel d'Arc succumbs to Wampyre blood, a synthetic substance like cocaine. A newsman and his cross-dressing cameraman turn up at all the right times to cover all the big stories, like the attack on the planets Mistworld and Virimonde. A very silly war on Haceldama breaks out between "toys." Go figure.

Ah, but that is the boon and the bane of the Deathstalker saga. Take it too seriously, and it loses its vigor. If the maze powers are too god-like, and ineptly used, well, such is a space opera. If the palace at Golgotha becomes Empress Lionstone's vision of hell, well, you really need a bad guy, er, girl, to hiss at. If the pages fly by, well, that means Green is keeping the space opera on track.

And does he. The last hundred pages are a hoot as the rebels place Golgotha itself under siege. You'll find all sorts of dramatic witticisms, like

"Guards! A Lordship to whoever brings me the Deathstalker's head!"

What do you expect? It's space opera.

More Deathstalker

Deathstalker
Deathstalker Rebellion
Deathstalker War
Deathstalker Honor
Deathstalker Destiny