Baen, 1991, $3.95, ISBN 0-671-72040-6, 281 pages

Ryne Sangre isn't much of a hero. In fact, he spends most of his time ducking responsibility and danger while trying to entice women into his bed. But, alas and alack, there's a war on, a draft on, and Sangre's found out he's on his way to space fighter boot camp.

Wismer's Flashman-style anti-hero does all the right things for all the wrong reasons. And just as ol' Flashy had special skills (languages and sexual prowess), so Sangre has super fast reflexes, which are just the things needed for space fighter pilots. Mind you, Sangre is no Flashman, but A Roil of Stars works in its own quirky way. The plot weaves through the literary device of mistaken identity, a confrontation with the ruling theocrats of the enemy Wholeth Empire, a confrontation with the powers that be of his own balkanized Polar Cloud Federation, and a hot babe who wants a ride to the no-man's land of crazy astronomical anomalies. Did I mention the telepaths, laser fingers, and keister-kicking ship?

If it's not exactly exciting, it's not exactly dull either. Ah, I did mention the pot-bellied sheriff, didn't I? A Roil of Stars can't be dull, for as you can see, Wismer tosses in everything but the kitchen sink, although I do believe there is a bathroom sink. I surely mentioned the Admiral's daughter, did I not? Well, if I didn't that's only because Sangre's flying the super-secret, whammo-kazammo experimental space fighter.

It's that kind of book.