Odd. A fairly conventional start, but the pervading sense of ethics throughout the book is suddenly twisted on its head at the end for no explicable reason which leaves an weird taste to the book.

In a universe where most of the humans subscribe to a belief in a gentle Mystic force, (somewhat akin to Gaia perhaps) the inhabitants of Euos are always seen as unusual, because they are atheists - they believe only in their own abilities. A female starship captain is also unusual. Together our heroine Dev has trouble finding work, and will take almost any paying job. A 5 month trading run to the backwaters of the Galaxy isn't optimal but at least it will pay the bills. Having her Boss along 'to see how she copes' is even worse, but again, he's paying, and she IS the captain and will enforce Captains's discipline if needed. One of their early points of call is complete uncivilised backwater where the aliens have progressed little beyond crude huts, however they have got as far as the concept of a Bar. Dev has to haul out two of her crew, when one of them loses any self restraint he ever possessed and starts insulting the locals' god. To the great surprise of the crew, the reaction is immediate, and the transgressing crewmember annihilated by lightening. Never has anyone ever in entire known space seen actual gods manifest action so decisively. Dev immediately realises that something else might be up. It is not difficult to [persuade her boss to investigate for the potential for riches is obvious. And so the Assault on the Gods begins.

Which was all fine. the characters a re a bit clunky, and the aliens somewhat unbelievable. But that Dev goes straight for a warlike option is hard to believe. That she goes for the ultimate option at the end is incredible. That she does so without any emotion whatsoever, just outright ludicrous. This is a shame because otherwise it had all been proceeding quite well. the underlying premise is soon discerned, and is substantial enough to hang the story around. There could have been a lot more discussion and other options conducted. Dev could at least have had some internal qualms - as occurs previously in many of the other scenarios - she conducts little monologues running through the precepts of her training and self reliance. But nothing just straight into wham. done. time to go home.

Readable - but the ending really didn't sit well with me. ( )