Hellspark by Janet Kagan

Review "A wealth of unique imagery and rich characterization makes Hellspark a thoroughly satisfying book." -- Lawrence Watt-Evans

"Hellspark has some really fascinating settings, a familiar but well constructed plot, and good action scenes." -- S.F. Chronicle

"Janet Kagan writes terrific science fiction. Imaginative and insightful with characters you really care about." -- A. C. Crispin

"Kagan does have a dry and effective sense of humor, of the sort that I enjoy in Steven Brust's books." -- Amazing Stories

Product Description Murder, Mystery, and Interstellar Intrigue! Hugo Award winner Janet Kagan's Hellspark is now back in print! Lassti, a newly discovered planet, is the center of political intrigue. Recently, Oloitokitok, the planet survey team's physicist was found dead. Was he killed? If so, by who? One of his fellow surveyors? Or by one of the Sprookjes, the birdlike natives of Lassti? Are the Sprookjes intelligent? If so, then parties that want the planet for development will lose it. Why is the survey team having so much trouble finding out? Into this situation arrives Tocohl, a Hellspark trader who just wanted to have a vacation on Sheveschke at the St. Veschke festival. After being attacked, rescuing a young woman, and going before a judge, Tocohl has learned all she ever wanted to know about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now she is on her way to find Lasti to find answers to the mysteries there.