This is the second book in Alastair's Merlin Series, and should be read immediately after Hideaway.

We left off with Merlin leaving the cohort to find a fabled super weapon that he'll then use to defeat the cyborgs known as Huskers.   During one transit Merlin's ship, Tyrant, is thrown rather violently out of the Waynet.   It transpires that this is due to a kink in the Waynet as it passes a star named Calliope, and he urgently needs to stop at one of its planets, Lecythus, for repairs and refuelling.   While on the planet Merlin meets Minla and her people.

Unfortunately, Merlin realises that the kink in the Waynet that caused his problems is being caused by the Waynet being pulled towards Calliope, and once the Waynet line reaches the Calliope's core then it's pretty much all over for the whole system and everyone in it.   This then leads to all kinds of problems when he tells his new found friends on Lecythus that they've only got 70 years left . . .

. . . but it also leads to a rather good story as well.

Definitely some food-for-thought for those who enjoy all those wonderful philosophical debates about "Star Fleet's First Directive" to consider.

All told, i'm really enjoying this series and am diving straight into The Iron Tactician for Merlin's next adventure.

It's available in the collections, Beyond the Aquila Rift and Zima Blue and Other Stories. ( )

Interesting world, but the plot was too jumpy for me. ( )

This follows on from Hideway. Merlin has discovered how to use the Way. However, spaceship problems force him to land and intervene in a war between descendants of human colonists. M discovers that the solar system is doomed through a future collision with the Way. Minla, who is a little girl when she first meets Merlin who give her flowers, eventually becomes leader of her people and is tasked with saving them. Not quite as exciting as usual but still has story twists. ( )