Review: Great story, check it out!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 28, 2011
Tanya Kurkova is known as the Ice Princess; a sniper, and someone who is entirely inner-directed,with no emotional investment in those around her .  Her companion is Jessie Banks, formerly an actress but now on the run with Tanya.  They have arrived in Moab, UT, one of the places which still has some vestiges of civilization after the nuclear bombs, the sickness and economic collapse - they help with hunting and watching the incoming road for potentially dangerous visitors, such as raiders.Sgt. Carl Weathers works for Maelstrom Security - he was shot in the head by the daughter of a billionaire client.  Carl was trying to rescue her from kidnappers, but the girl had turned and shot him in the head before he could escape with her.  With the help of experimental biotechnology, provided by the billionaire client, Carl was put back together and given a digital brain, which allows him to store new memories, and perform tasks that he otherwise would be unable to do.  He is still trying to find the girl again.Sarah Gibson is a bounty hunter, and also does deliveries - whatever she needs to do to get by.  Her sister, Ashley (also known as Trixie) is a waitress/dancer/courtesan in Las Vegas.  Sarah wants to find the "big haul" that will allow her to save her sister from this lifestyle, and also enable Sarah to retire, taking only jobs she cares about doing.  She is helping deliver medical supplies to Moab, UT when she recognizes Tanya, who used to be a gymnast and of whom Sarah was a fan, and after she tells Ashley about it, Ashley contacts one of her clients, who is looking for the girl.This is a complex story, with lots of back-story that is revealed throughout the process.  The truly amazing thing is how much of a story Jason Halstead fits into a novella of this length - it was very impressive!  He keeps the action tight and the plot moving quickly along - nothing is described, mentioned or talked about that doesn't relate to the overall story.  "Ice Princess" is the sort of novella that allows you to really sink your teeth into it, and enjoy it on an afternoon or a flight - sometime when you have some time on your hands, but don't want to spend the time to read a full novel.  I highly recommend this very interesting, post-apocalyptic story of the ties that a person develops between family and friends, and the creation of those ties.