Star Rigger Series by Jeffrey A. Carver

In this prequel to Jeffrey A. Carver's STAR RIGGER Universe, we find Panglor Balef, space pilot, on the edge of sanity. Forced to embark upon a hopeless mission, the life-weary pilot suddenly finds himself in the depths of space--in a place that seems beyond reality. Is this the horrifying end of his journey? Or could it be a window to a new and incredible path of discovery? Panglor must fight for his life to find answers?

Dragons in space? A preposterous legend. But when star pilot Jael defies an abusive ship’s master and rigs “the mountain route” through the hyperdimensional Flux, the dragons indeed appear—and challenge her to duel. If she escapes, she would be wise never to return. But the currents of the Flux are fickle, and when fate steers her this way again, she finds Highwing the dragon under sentence of death for the kindness he showed her... moreDragons in space? A preposterous legend. But when star pilot Jael defies an abusive ship’s master and rigs “the mountain route” through the hyperdimensional Flux, the dragons indeed appear—and challenge her to duel. If she escapes, she would be wise never to return. But the currents of the Flux are fickle, and when fate steers her this way again, she finds Highwing the dragon under sentence of death for the kindness he showed her. Only Jael can intervene—and so she must, for the sake of one who risked his life to save hers. A genre-bending novel of the Star Rigger Universe, from the Nebula-nominated author of Eternity’s End and The Chaos Chronicles. Original print publication by Tor Books. Also available in Dragon Space: A Star Rigger Omnibus. “Carver writes powerfully and clearly and has produced a book that is likely to find an audience among hard SF readers.” —Booklist “An interesting and entertaining blend of genres.” —Science Fiction Chronicle “Carver's prose effectively lends a spare yet evocative resonance to the draconian realm. Like a good stage performer, this story should leave its audience wanting more.” —John Bunnell, Amazing Stories less

A realm at war. The star dragons struggle under the oppression of an unseen foe—a creature of terrible power, who seeks to shape all of space-time into a web of subjugation and death. The Dream Mountain, source of knowledge and life to the dragons, is held by the enemy; and yet, hope burns in the dragons’ hearts. According to ancient prophecy, One will come from outside to challenge the darkness. Star pilot Jael LeBrae may be that savior... moreA realm at war. The star dragons struggle under the oppression of an unseen foe—a creature of terrible power, who seeks to shape all of space-time into a web of subjugation and death. The Dream Mountain, source of knowledge and life to the dragons, is held by the enemy; and yet, hope burns in the dragons’ hearts. According to ancient prophecy, One will come from outside to challenge the darkness. Star pilot Jael LeBrae may be that savior. Once before, she aided the dragons in their struggle, and now she must return to face at last the terrible wrath of Tar-skel. But if the prophecy holds true, the price of victory over the darkness will be Jael’s own life. Captivating sequel to Dragons in the Stars, Dragon Rigger is science fiction with mythic dimension, from the Nebula-nominated author of Eternity’s End and The Chaos Chronicles. REVIEWS: “Dragon Rigger is a most excellent adventure that would make a grand movie if it were not that the special effects budget would surely be quite brutal even in this age of computer animation.... If there is a motto for this novel, it is solidarnosc, solidarity, the power to be gained by sticking with one’s friends, even by sacrificing for the good of others...there is immense verve, energy, momentum, and power...the reader stays with Carver all the way.” —Thomas A. Easton, Analog “A refreshingly unique setting and excellently realized characters.” —Publishers Weekly less

A Star Rigger Omnibus:Dragons in the Stars — When star pilot Jael LeBrae rebels against an abusive ship's master and dares to fly "the mountain route" through the Flux—the hyperspace navigated by riggers—she dismisses the legend claiming that dragons lurk waiting to duel unwary riggers. But appear they do, challenging Jael to a fight to the death. Thanks to the wisdom of a dragon named Highwing, she survives the encounter and returns to starport wiser and stronger... moreA Star Rigger Omnibus:Dragons in the Stars — When star pilot Jael LeBrae rebels against an abusive ship's master and dares to fly "the mountain route" through the Flux—the hyperspace navigated by riggers—she dismisses the legend claiming that dragons lurk waiting to duel unwary riggers. But appear they do, challenging Jael to a fight to the death. Thanks to the wisdom of a dragon named Highwing, she survives the encounter and returns to starport wiser and stronger. But she hardly expects that fate will bring her back to that realm, to defend Highwing against a darkness that seeks his death. Dragon Rigger — War engulfs the dragon world, fueled by an unseen foe—a creature of terrible power, known as Tar-skel, "the Nail of Strength." Tar-skel seeks to shape all of space and time into a web of power and death. The Dream Mountain, source of knowledge and life to all dragons, is held by the enemy; and yet, a single hope burns in the dragons' hearts. Led by Windrush, son of Highwing, the dragons await the "One," whom prophecy says shall come from outside the realm—the One who will challenge the darkness. That "One" is Jael LeBrae, human star rigger. Once before, Jael aided the dragons in their struggle. Now she must return to face at last the terrible wrath of Tar-skel. And according to prophecy, the cost of changing the realm is Jael's own life.Science fiction with mythic dimension, from the Nebula-nominated author of Eternity's End and The Chaos Chronicles! Individual novels appeared in print from Tor Books. DRM-free omnibus edition. Review Quotes: DRAGONS IN THE STARS:"Carver writes powerfully and clearly." —Booklist"An interesting and entertaining blend of genres." —Don D'Ammassa, Science Fiction Chronicle "Carver's prose effectively lends a spare yet evocative resonance to the draconian realm. Like a good stage performer, this story should leave its audience wanting more." —John Bunnell, Amazing Stories "Carver is a strong SF writer, with a good feel for both the hard SF elements and the people he populates them with... he is not only comfortable working with fantasy elements, but able to succeed at the tough job of melding them into a science-fictional environment." —C. von Rospach, Amazing StoriesDRAGON RIGGER:"A refreshingly unique setting and excellently realized characters." —Publishers Weekly"Dragon Rigger is a most excellent adventure that would make a grand movie.... there is immense verve, energy, momentum, and power... the reader stays with Carver all the way." —Thomas A. Easton, Analog less

Gev Carlyle does not trust his companion. The other members of his crew are dead and he is left with only a suspicious alien for company. Together they must find a way to navigate through the Flux, an interstellar travel medium that depends on the convergence of the mental and physical worlds. Is he willing to sacrifice his individual mind and become one with this cat-like creature in order to survive?

Jeffrey A. Carver, author of The Infinity Link and The Rapture Effect, returns with a new science fiction epic set against a sweeping backdrop of interstellar war, space piracy, and star-spanning conspiracy.After seven years of captivity at the hands of interstellar pirates, Star Rigger Renwald Legroeder escapes to the Centrist Worlds, thinking himself free to return to rigging... moreJeffrey A. Carver, author of The Infinity Link and The Rapture Effect, returns with a new science fiction epic set against a sweeping backdrop of interstellar war, space piracy, and star-spanning conspiracy.After seven years of captivity at the hands of interstellar pirates, Star Rigger Renwald Legroeder escapes to the Centrist Worlds, thinking himself free to return to rigging.Instead, he finds himself a target of a conspiracy that stretches across light-years—from the Centrist Worlds to the pirate stars beyond—a conspiracy that has survived interstellar war and claimed the lives of millions, both human and alien.Legroeder's only hope of escaping the clutches of the conspiracy is to embark on a suicide mission that will plunge him back into the heart of the pirates' stronghold in search of a legend—the phantom rigger Impris, a long-lost ship, known as the Flying Dutchman of space.Awaiting him at the stronghold is a universe of danger, a cybernetically advanced underground in the dark heart of the conspiracy, and a woman who could prove his downfall...or his salvation... less

Starship rigging is a long-lost art. But the ocean world Ernathe may hold the key to its rediscovery, if a young star pilot can learn the ways of the mysterious sea people, the Nale’nid. A touching story of love and personal discovery, Seas of Ernathe takes us on a journey back toward the mode of star travel that once knit the galaxy together.Seas of Ernathe was Jeffrey A. Carver’s first novel, and the first full-length tale of what was to become his popular Star Rigger Universe... moreStarship rigging is a long-lost art. But the ocean world Ernathe may hold the key to its rediscovery, if a young star pilot can learn the ways of the mysterious sea people, the Nale’nid. A touching story of love and personal discovery, Seas of Ernathe takes us on a journey back toward the mode of star travel that once knit the galaxy together.Seas of Ernathe was Jeffrey A. Carver’s first novel, and the first full-length tale of what was to become his popular Star Rigger Universe. Set farthest into the future of all the Star Rigger stories, Seas of Ernathe sets the stage for a new cycle of star-faring history.From the Nebula-nominated author of Eternity’s End and The Chaos Chronicles.REVIEWS:“Jeffrey Carver imagines wonders and allows us to share his vision.” —Terry Carr“A wonderful ability to deal sensitively with the interrelationships of characters and their environments... [Carver succeeds] in creating a race and milieu that is not only a good solution to his mystery, but is emotionally effective and believable.” —Galileo Magazine less