Reviewer: Marc Ruby from Warren, MI USA

The Past is a Lit Fuse.
It feels like it's been forever since I've seen a new novel in the Shadowrun series. I had begun to think that FASA had lost interest in an extremely successful game setting. This would be a shame, as Shadowrun's world is richly defined, with nearly endless possibilities. Set in the middle of the 21st century, it is a world where magic has been reborn and technology has advanced to the point where it is nearly out of control. Corporations are independent fiefdoms, beholden to no government and the governments have so many hidden agendas that none can be trusted. Elves, humans, orcs, and trolls all uneasily coexist, and magical creatures such as elementals and dragons have returned. On the technical side, huge advancements in bionics and microcircuits provide endless possibilities for human 'improvement.' Virtual reality is easily confused with the real world, and the Matrix is a vast and dangerous electronic wilderness.

This is the 'Sixth World' where power and poverty exist face to face. Many have fallen through the cracks of society. All of these factors blend together to create a world where those who are willing to risk can get a chance at the golden ring. These are the shadowrunners, teams for hire that operate in the dark underworld. Their ethics are variable and their life expectancy is often short. One such team is run by Talon, a mage, with Aracos, his familiar spirit. He is joined by Trouble, a decker who provides Matrix support for the team. Valkyrie, also human, is a rigger who plugs in to run the team's hardware. Boom, the troll provides muscle when he isn't running a nightclub, backed up by Hammer, an orc.

The team has been hired to steal technical information and bio-weapons from Cross Applied Technologies. While setting up the theft, Talon sudden sees Jason, who was his lover, and the man who taught him to be a mage. Jason has been dead for 15 years and Talon nearly blows the deal when he realizes he is seeing a ghost. Haunted by Jason, and Gallow, the demonic spirit Talon called up to avenge his death, Jason struggles to complete the run. He finds he must deal with betrayal within betrayal when the team discovers that the 'nauseant' they thought they were stealing is a key ingredient in a devastating poison gas and the team must race against time to prevent disaster and destroy Gallow forever.

Stephen Kenson has written the classic Shadowrun tale, full of gritty action, good friends, and deadly enemies. FASA writers are noted for consistently high writing standards, with careful attention to details and characterization. Kenson is no exception. His deals with Talon's homosexuality and its effects openly and frankly, without blowing it out of proportion. All of the characters spring to life on the pages. This is a super read. Be careful or you'll down it all in one sitting!