Once again, Mr. Shepherd has written an exciting, action- packed adventure in the Kris Longknife series.

In the last war, humanity faced the Iteechee;an alien species who nearly wiped out mankind. Kris is jumping into uncharted space when they meet an Iteechee death ball. The Iteechee are seeking the help of the Longknife family to thwart a threat greater than either of their two species has ever faced. There is an unknown threat out there. Iteechee ships are disappearing and the threat is coming closer to human space.

Kris meets the delegate from the Itechee and forms a friendship. Ron is the just the personality of man who appeals to Kris; if only he were human. Kris brings the Iteechee back to her home world to meet with her grandfather Ray. While she is there, Kris is sent off on a diplomatic mission to a planet called Texarkana.

Kris went to school with two young people from there. Two people who represent the two different societies on Texarkana. Two people who want to marry but whose families are caught up in a bitter feud.

Someone will take advantage of Kris's presence on Texarkana to try and start a civil war. Kris and her computer, Nelly, will be so severely injured in the attack that it will take a miracle to survive. Nelly stops all contact with any person or computer. As Kris and Nelly heal, the situation on Texarkana will be resolved and they will head home to address the situation with the Iteechee.

Mr. Shepherd has injected the same humor into this book as he did in the rest of the series. Kris may be a princess but she answers to so many poeple. She has the computer, Nelly, who has become more independent than ever. Her evolution is puzzling to all who observe it. Her maid, Abby, and Abby's niece, Cara continue to bedevil kris as she faces another crisis. There is Jack, who has the the dubious distinction of trying to protect Kris from the numerous threats to her safety.

I really love these books and Undaunted is a great addition to the series.