Review: The spoofs the thing....
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 4, 2010
The author calls this book a sci-fi romance spoof and she does spoof the sci-fi well.  Fortunately, the romance is not taken as a joke, which makes this book work on many levels.  Captain Steven McNeill makes it  a rule to never sleep with a colleague, even though he revels in his reputation of Galatic Playboy and his conquest of a variety of women.  His resolve to keep his hands off his first officer Vaish is tested when they (and their sentient computer, Fred) are stranded after terrorists take over their star ship.  Unfortunately, the planet is as deserted as they think, being home to large saber-tooth felines and the titular Jan, who is indeed wrathful.  The relationship between McNeill and Vaish has a Tracey/Hepburn teasing quality that I loved and watching them realize that they do care for each other was really enjoyable.  But the most fun of the book is the humor.  References to Star Trek abound and a joke incorporating info from Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy had me laughing out loud on the NY subway.  The book has ties to two other of Ellen's books (Isn't it Romantic and All I Ever Wanted), but each book stands alone and can be enjoyed without the others.  And we're promised a sequel of Wrath of Jan, and I for one, can't wait to see what happens to Fred.