Just Finished Reading: The 97th Step by Steve Perry

In the far future a Galactic empire groans under the repressive heel of the Confed. Without power or influence the only way for ordinary citizens to both prosper and walk freely is by becoming a member of the criminal underground. Such a man is Ferret, once a farm boy on a desiccated world now a smuggler and thief. But when his past catches up with him resulting in the deaths of his best friend and the only woman he ever loved Ferret’s lifestyle collapses into an endless quest for oblivion in drugs and drink. Only when his old martial arts teacher happens upon him in a bar does Ferret realise what a mess he has made of his life. Taken on by the Siblings of the Shroud Ferret, now called Pen, is taught the meaning of the 97 steps and begins to discover his destiny as the teacher of the man who will finally bring down the Confed.

With more than a hint of Star Wars about it this book managed to hit pretty much all the SF clichés whilst just managing to be entertaining enough to finish. Despite the fact that there was hardly an original idea in it, Perry still created likable enough characters, dramatic enough combat scenes and an interesting enough storyline to keep me turning pages. Although a reasonable read I can’t really bring myself to recommend it.