From Nebula-Award winning Jack McDevitt comes the thrilling, edge-of-your-seat tale of interstellar pilot Priscilla 'Hutch' Hutchins's very first mission. Not to be missed by readers of Ray Bradbury and Joe Haldeman.

Hutch has finally realised her dream: she's completed a nerve-bending qualification flight for a pilot's licence.

Her timing is far from optimal, however. Faster-than-light travel has only recently become a reality and the World Space Authority is still learning how to manage long-range missions safely. To make matters worse, efforts to prepare two planets for colonization are killing off native life forms, outraging people on Earth. So interstellar pilots are not exactly in demand.

Although Hutch fears her career may be over before it has begun, her ambition won't be denied and soon she is on the bridge of an interstellar ship, working for the corporation that is responsible for the terraforming. Her working conditions include bomb threats, sabotage, clashes with her employers ... and a mission to a world adrift between the stars which harbours a life form unlike anything humanity has ever seen.

Ultimately, she will be part of a life and death struggle which will test not just her capabilities, but also her character.

Starting your first job is always tough ... especially when you're an interstellar pilot. This is the mind-blowing story of how it all began for one of SF's most remarkable characters. Perfect for fans of Ray Bradbury and Joe Haldeman.

About the Author
Jack McDevitt is a former naval officer, taxi driver, English teacher, and motivational trainer, and is now a full-time writer. Eleven of his novels have been Nebula finalists, and SEEKER won the award in 2007. In 2015 Jack won the Robert A. Heinlein Award, given an author of outstanding published works in science fiction and technical writings that inspire the human exploration of space. McDevitt was selected as the winner in recognition of his body of work, which includes over 21 novels and 81 short stories. McDevitt lives in Georgia with his wife Maureen.

Reviews
Jack McDevitt is that splendid rarity, a writer who is a storyteller first and a science fiction writer second. In his ability to absolutely rivet the reader, it seems to me that he is the logical heir to Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke -- Stephen King
Why read Jack McDevitt?' The question should be: 'Who among us is such a slow pony that s/he isn't reading McDevitt? * Harlan Ellison *
You should definitely read Jack McDevitt * Gregory Benford *
'Why read Jack McDevitt?' The question should be: 'Who among us is such a slow pony that s/he isn't reading McDevitt? -- Harlan Ellison
You should definitely read Jack McDevitt -- Gregory Benford
Contains all of the things one has come to expect from one of Jack McDevitt's novels... plenty of cool ideas * SF Site *
Loved the whole package; touched upon my deepest fears of being stranded in space and made me see interstellar space travel in science fiction in a whole different light... I'm definitely going to look into picking up the Academy series, to see how things turn out for Priscilla/Hutch ***** * BiblioSanctum.com *



Book Information
ISBN 9781472203311
Author Jack McDevitt
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Headline Book Publishing
Publisher Headline Publishing Group
Weight(grams) 295g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 130mm * 30mm