It is no mistake that he is the center focus of the story and of ultimate importance to all other characters. The most points of weakness in Zyra’s character in Rogue Hunter: Inquest are those moments caused by Boris or are those to his benefit. There’s a scene in the novel where he attempts to torture Zyra after casually mentioning all of the people he’d killed.

He reads as being lecherous and a bit of a jerk at first but in the fullness of the story he develops into a character so evil that the fiercest of space captains cowers a bit in his presence. It also shows the reader that Zyra has few lines she will cross when she later deceives the woman she clearly very much loves.īoris serves as a good counterpoint to Zyra. The sexuality is not only gratuitous but contributes to the story line to humanize Zyra. Hendrickson is very careful to remain tasteful though some of the imagery is perhaps a bit vivid. Readers who are sensitive to sexuality or object to same-sex couplings may have a bit of a problem with Zyra’s character. When things change, the author cleverly changes Zyra with them. She will use everyone at her disposal, no matter how intimate their relationship, to play her end game. Profit and history have brought her into the search for Boris and she will not compromise in achieving her goal. She is literally naked when we step into her life - beaten, drugged and unable to stand. Readers know that the Zyra we meet is at her lowest point. In her very literal battle for life and for her people and the way she conducts herself, this character’s backstory would make a science fiction masterpiece on its own. We may not get much of Queen Karah’s motivations, but we get glimpses of how hard-won her position was and the subjugation her world experienced as a younger person as well as her determination to never be in that position again. Queen Karah Taresh is determined, strong and possibly the most interesting character in Rogue Hunter: Inquest. The Queen of New Venus is charged with staying one step ahead of the people trying to use her small world as a pawn in a fractious situation. Rogue Hunter: Inquest is part science fiction and part intergalactic political thriller. The author, Kevis Hendrickson, gave me a copy of this novel in exchange for my review. Rogue Hunter: Inquest is the first book in the Rogue Hunter series. Will she make an exception and save a planet?

Zyra soon discovers that her task may be more complex and shattering for her people than she originally thought. Her pursuit takes her into the middle of an intergalactic conflict brewing. In Rogue Hunter: Inquest by Kevis Hendrickson, Zyra Zanr is a bounty hunter on the trail of Boris Skringler.