When Ia was 15 her psi talent showed a devastating future. There was only one tiny precarious path, one slender chain of thousands of small events that would avert catastrophe. Only by giving up her plans for her own life and dedicating herself to manipulating the stream of events can she save the lives of billions.

The first steps on the journey mean leaving her heavy gravity planet on the fringes of known space and placing herself in the Space Corp, Marine Division. With the help of the mysterious Asafa religious order and by honing her skills as both a Marine and Psi she can perhaps change the future. Even with her gifts it is an almost impossible task. The future is made up of myriad decisions, a quicksilver network of ever-changing paths and one of the races of beings are already manipulating the future for their own purposes.

I am a fan of science fiction, and even more of the sub- genre of military science fiction. With her brand new series Jean Johnson has created a meaty, intricate plot with a truly kick-ass heroine. The battle scenes are written with pulse-pounding verve, the gory details necessary yet never over the top. Reading A SOLDIER'S DUTY reminded me strongly of a series that, although not sci fi also has a strong military framework; Elizabeth Moon's Deeds of Paksenarrion cycle. Although the humor is more subdued, Johnson's series also follows in the footsteps laid down by Lois McMaster Bujold in her Miles Vorkosigan books. A SOLDIER'S DUTY has a most satisfying conclusion but is only the first step in the adventure. I am looking forward to book two, An Officer's Duty due out in August 2012.