Pegasus in Space

April 3, 2000
The next in McCaffrey's popular Saga of the Talents series (Pegasus in Flight, To Ride Pegasus), this novel follows the adventures of a group of psychically gifted scientists who nobly improve Earth's future by making space exploration and colonization possible. Paralyzed adolescent Peter Reidinger has learned how to move himself and some amazingly heavy objects psychokinetically through space. Peter lives with the grandmotherly Rhyssa, who protects him and nurtures the growth of his psychic talents. Rhyssa also takes in prepubescent Amariyah, an orphaned girl who has a talent for plants and healing. When a group of psychically gifted people sneak onto the corruptly run Padrugoi Space Station during its inauguration, it is young Peter who saves the day by using his burgeoning psychic abilities to vanquish the comically evil Space Station Construction Manager Ludmilla Barchenka as she attempts a coup. This impresses Admiral Dirk Coetzer, whose life is saved by Peter's quick thinking. The admiral encourages Peter to consider a career in space, and he happily complies. Treachery, assassination attempts and medical disasters ensue, but the novel's primary focus is on McCaffrey's vision of science and psychic abilities meshing so that humanity can inherit the stars. Cheerful, upbeat and chock-full of fun facts on space stations and space exploration, the novel features cartoon villains and nobly one-dimensional protagonists, making the space station and colonies McCaffrey's real heroes--for they show actual growth and development as her vision of the future progresses.

April 15, 2000
Rescued from a devastating flood in Bangladesh, young Amariyah Bantam discovers her uncanny ability to make plants grow and repair themselves. Brought to the attention of the Eastern Parapsychic Center, the child bonds with Peter Reidinger, a powerful psychic who uses his mental gifts to compensate for his total body paralysis. As a new generation of psychically talented young people learn to control their unique gifts for possible applications in the space program, other forces seek to sabotage the most gifted individuals for their own purposes. Set in the same world as her "Rowan" saga, this latest installment in McCaffrey's "Pegasus" series (e.g., Pegasus in Flight) brings together familiar series characters with an engaging cast of newcomers in a tale of sf drama and adventure that should appeal to fans of the series. For most sf collections. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 12/99.]

Copyright 2000 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 4, 2000
YA-This series chronicles the emergence of a semi-secret society of psychically gifted humans in the late 21st century and is set in the same universe as the author's "Rowan Saga" (Ace). Based on premises and characters first introduced in McCaffrey's stories published some 30 or 40 years ago, Pegasus in Space brings the science up-to-date, and though it doesn't reach the literary standard of the originals, the wider audience it targets will enjoy it. Peter Reidinger, a young paraplegic with a strong telekinetic talent, becomes a key player in the space program of the time, working in connection with space stations in orbit and on the Moon, the establishment of the first colony on Mars, and eventually the transport of the first space pioneers to new planets. His adoptive family is warm and supportive of one another. Despite its scientific underpinnings, this is basically a "cozy" read, and will not appeal to most "hard" sci-fi readers. Those accustomed to the genre will have no difficulty starting in the middle of the saga with this novel, but mainstream readers might want to start with To Ride Pegasus (1986) and Pegasus in Flight (1991, both Del Rey), which establish the universe and introduce many of the characters.-Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Copyright 2000 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2000
Following "To Ride Pegasus" (1973) and "Pegasus in Flight" (1990), this is a third prequel to the Rowan series: "The Rowan" (1990), "Damia" (1992), "Damia's Children" (1993), "Lyon's Pride" (1994), and "The Tower and the Hive" (1999), with more to come. Here, the first space station becomes a reality, and quadriplegic teenager Peter Reidinger, whose telekinetic Talent proved amazing in "Pegasus in Flight," is the protagonist. Peter tests and hones his ability not only to move his body naturally but also to teleport large objects instantaneously through space. Peter helps other Talents, as such gifted youngsters are called, thwart a mutiny aboard the nearly finished space station. Intrigue and danger continue, however, as supporters of the mutiny's leader threaten the lives of Peter and other Talents, including Amariyah, a strong-willed five-year-old whose affinity for gardening only hints at her powerful, developing Talent, one that eventually heals Peter completely. Peter gradually becomes the man who will head Federated Telepath and Teleport, the organization upon which the Rowan series is based. The suspense and the action are intense and compelling, and furthermore, McCaffrey doesn't stint on either characterization or the extrapolation of extrasensory perception and telekinetic abilities. This is an important addition to the Pegasus-Rowan saga, whose fans will greet it with delight. ((Reviewed April 15, 2000))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2000, American Library Association.)