Grease Monkey [Paperback]

Caught in the crossfire of an interstellar war, our Earth was bombed to flinders--and then repaired. The mysterious alien Benefactors who healed the planet also offered uplift to our dolphins and gorillas. The dolphins turned them down. The gorillas said yes. As a result, we're now sharing our world with language-using, tool-making simians. Tensions are inevitable, in both directions, but it's gradually working out.

Decades later, teenage cadet Robin Plotnik has been assigned toFist of Earth,a defense station high above Earth, keeping watch against further attacks by the interstellar Horde. Robin's a spacecraft mechanic-in-training, apprenticed to Chief Mac Gimbensky, a cranky but basically benign gorilla with issues of his own.

Fist of Earthis a challenging place to grow up. Robin and Mac maintain fighter craft for the all-woman Barbarian Squadron , which constantly competes for prestige with the other squadrons based onFist of Earth. Robin's trying to romance a young librarian, and he's far from sure he knows what he's doing. Most of all, he's constantly struggling to figure out his moody, mercurial boss.

Then he and his best friend become entangled in a burgeoning scandal over betting on the squadrons' standings. And just when things look like they've hit rock bottom, the worst thing imaginable arrives atFist of Earth:an efficiency expert from Earth, determined to reorganize Robin's hard-won life, and the whole squadron system, out of existence.

Fresh and engaging, crammed with likeable characters and science-fictional inventiveness,Grease Monkeyis like a classic Heinlein juvenile in sequential-art mode.

Introduction by Kurt Busiek, author ofAstroCity

A tale of growing up in orbit

Believable characters, good writing, humor and excitement. Who could ask for more? Trina Robbins on Grease Monkey

Delightful science fiction with a sense of humor, Grease MonkelS'