Entropy Refraction

Laporta’s solid second Against the Glare of Darkness novel sees an old threat reawakened. Following the events of Probability Shadow, the ancient Quishik aliens, who threaten all sentient life by manipulating probabilities and stealing mental energy, have been imprisoned beyond the normal limits of space-time. But now they’re working to break free, evidenced by destructive signs such as gravity distortions and an obliterated planet. The “distinguished crustacean” diplomat Ungent Draaf and his streetwise ward, Shol—a member of a race of oppressed and genetically engineered humans—offer hope by searching for a mysterious lost race called the Ootray, who fought and defeated the Quishiks millennia before. If they can find the Ootray—or quickly figure out how to use the Ootray’s remaining technology—they’ll have a fighting chance against the Quishiks. The rapid point of view shifts that characterized the first book are just as jarring here, and the Quishiks themselves often seem like caricatures. But Ungent, Shol, and the other defenders against the Quishiks remain engaging, with Shol’s discovery of Ootray tech driving the story forward. Fans of the previous book will appreciate the series’s direction. [em](Mar.) [/em]