May King
a Blake's 7 novel by Susan Cutter
When Liberator was lost, Avon and the remaining rebels were stranded with nothing but their guns and the clothes on their backs. Their defeat of Dorian has won them a home base and a new space ship. But they are still in desperate need of a food supply...and can they learn to work with Dorian’s partner, the mercenary Soolin?
"Leaving the negotiations up to Soolin...do we know she is up to it? And even if she is, despite her claims to be loyal to each employer while in his service, should we fully trust her to act in our best interests?"
"I thought you knew me better than that, Tarrant. I don’t fully trust anyone."
Soolin guides them to a planet settled long ago by pilgrims who wanted to turn their backs on technology and the evils they believe it spawned. Labeled worthless and then forgotten by the Federation, that planet has been turned into the simple agricultural world the pilgrims dreamed of. A world where they can follow their religion. A world without war or want. A world rich in sensual pleasures.
A world so perfect the natives call it Eden.
But the intricacies of a religion can be tricky for those not born to it, and most Edens conceal a snake or two....
The courtyard was packed full of smiling natives talking and pointing at Tarrant and Dayna, who stood a little apart from the others. Both were trying to look pleasant and confident, but the underlying strain and wariness were clear to those who knew them.
"We have our May King, Mother!" the loudest voice shouted out. The others quieted somewhat, and he went on, "He volunteered! He has already chosen our Goddess-Avatar! And she has accepted!"
Just how much will the Scorpio’s crew have to pay for the food they need?
May King
May King was published in 1998 by Straight Up Press, and won that year’s FanQ and Stiffie awards for a Blake's 7 novel.
A printed, spiral bound copy including thirteen full-page illustrations by Val Westall (the winner of too many fan art awards to list) can be ordered from Straight Up Press
Warnings
This novel contains a great number of scenes of explicit sexuality.
More specifically, there are scenes involving vaginal, oral, and anal intercourse, as well as masturbation, voyeurism, exhibitionism and some truly kinky stuff among the following combinations of participants: m/f, m/m, f/f, m/f/f/f, f/m/m, m/m/m/m/.... Uh, can we just summarize it as, If you have strict views on what kinds of sex it is ‘proper’ to include in fiction, this novel is probably not something you will want to read?
This novel also contains scenes of violence, up to and including killing.
Not that people seem to worry about violence near as much as sex. This is a strange culture we live in, you know?
Now, if you still wish to read
May King....