Priscilla Hitchins (nicknamed “Hutch”) is an interstellar pilot who manages to get into all kinds of adventures…and trouble. I’ve read all of the previous Hutch novels–The Engines of God, Deepsix, Chindi, Omega, Odyssey, and Cauldron. Starhawk is a departure from those other SF novels. Starhawk is a prequel and tells the story of how Hutch became an interstellar pilot. As you might suspect, the road to being a pilot is rocky for Hutch. She’s feisty and bucks authority. There are two mysterious First Contact sub-plots. There’s heroism and loss. McDevitt works in the Heinlein and Poul Anderson tradition. If you enjoy that kind of classic storytelling, you’ll like Starhawk. GRADE: B
I think I might try the “prequel” before the series.
Jeff, the earlier Hutch books are stronger than STARHAWK. But for fans of this series, this prequel fills in a lot of gaps and answers plenty of questions.
Sounds good. I have read one by him, not sure which, but don’t remember if I liked it.
Reading THE GOLDFINCH. Slowly though.
Rick, I consider McDevitt’s best book to be SEEKER. It won a Nebula.
Patti, I have THE GOLDFINCH a “C.” Not my cup of tea.
I looked it up. I tried Engines of God 3 times and got no further than page 60. So it was a DNF for me. I don’t seem to have tried another by him.
Rick, you might have more luck with SEEKER.