Acorna's Rebels

December 2, 2002
McCaffrey (the Pern series) and Scarborough (The Healer's War) offer another readable, lightweight cross between fantasy and SF in their latest novel about Acorna, the Unicorn Girl. A member of the Linyaari, a humanoid race with horns in the middle of their foreheads, Acorna continues to hunt for her beloved life-mate, Aari, who disappeared in Acorna's Search
(2002). She travels aboard the starship Condor
to the planet Makahomia, which she finds in the grip of a plague killing the sacred Temple cats. Acorna fights a desperate rearguard action against the plague with her horn's healing power, but the mystery clearly lies deeper. With the aid of both Condor
shipmates, who include the Temple cat Roadkill (aka RK), and local Makahomians, among them shape-changing priests who can turn into cats, Acorna strives to prevent disaster. She ends up somewhat closer to Aari's trail through space and time, but clearly with several books worth of adventures to go before she reaches him. While it's not up to the highest level of either author's work, this installment will certainly engage long-time readers of the series. And don't overlook its being a feast for cat lovers! (Feb. 1)FYI:Scarborough's
The Healer's War won a Nebula award.

October 15, 2002
On her sixth outing, Acorna hunts for her life mate but instead finds conspiracy.

Copyright 2002 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2003
On a quest for her missing lifemate, Aari, Acorna and her feline companion, the Temple cat known as RK, make an unscheduled stop on the tropical planet Makahomia, the home of the Temple cats. There, Acorna discovers a sinister plot against the sacred cats and the planet itself, as well as clues that could lead her to Aari-or to her death. Fans of the popular series by veterans McCaffrey ("Dragonriders of Pern" series) and Scarborough (The Healer's War) featuring the "unicorn-girl" Acorna should enjoy this fast-paced, well-plotted tale of a young woman's compassion and determination. Purchase where the series has a following. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 10/15/02.]

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.