Forbidden Cargo [Paperback]

Adult/High School–This novel blends high-concept sci-fi storytelling with flashy visual descriptions and action-packed sequences. In 2110, Xerkler, the inventor of a complex machine that grants access to all human knowledge, finds himself pulled into the service of a government council to prove the existence of the Imagofas, a race of advanced humans developed through illegal genetic experimentation. But Xerkler already knows of their existence, and he sees them as the next step in the evolution of humankind. What follows is a politically charged thriller that careens across Earth, Mars, and the nebulous world of cyberspace. Rowe's inclusion of Eastern philosophy, mostly through the enlightenment-seeking character named MAMintelligence, works as a thoughtful and interesting thread, but it may not be sufficiently explained for readers not familiar with the very casual references. The beginning of the novel is slow as Rowe explains the background of the large cast of characters, but the material is well worth digging through. Once readers get beyond the book's first third–a challenge that dedicated sci-fi fans will take on–the novel transforms into a fun and illuminating read.–Matthew L. Moffett, Ford's Theatre Society, Washington, DC
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In a future in which the MAM (molecular advantage machine) makes possible the virtuality of Novus Orbis and the sum of human experience can be found if one knows how to look, genetic engineering is illegal. Some believe it will be necessary, however, among them Creid Xerkler, one of the MAM's creators. A group of Xerkler's peers have created, in a secret project on Mars, the Imagofas, a blend of human and machine capable of immersing in virtuality without intermediary tools. Government agents determined to destroy a "dangerous aberration" kidnap two Imagofas. The Council and the Order, major powers in this future world, fight over the Imagofas' fate, forgetting entirely the humanity of their quarry. There are those on the Imagofas' side, however, including Xerkler, a gamer called the Cadet, and another of Creid's creations, Prometheus, the spirit in the MAM. Rowe's promising debut subjects some pretty standard issues of the junctures between human and machine to a thriller's pacing and, with only a few bumps along the way, sees them entertainingly through. Regina Schroeder
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

“Forbidden Cargo hits the future running at full speed and never glances back...." - Edward Bryant

It's 2110 and Creid Xerkler, the creator of the Molecular Advantage Machine - a virtual system that facilitates instantaneous access to all of humanity's knowledge and experience - is unwillingly entangled in a government Council plot to prove the existence of an illegally engineered race called the Imagofas.

Unfortunately Xerkler knows more than he should and fears what the Council might discover.

The Imagofas are revered by many as the next step in human evolution - a nano-DNA hybrid: part human, part machine - but to the Council they are a dangerous aberration and a threat to the very existence of humankind.

In their quest to prove this crime against humanity, the Council plans on abducting specimens from the Order sanctioned research facility on Mars.

When the kidnapping takes an unexpected turn and the Imagofas are forced to become fugitives, the Council vows to destroy them - while others plan to capitalize on their existence.

The Imagofas, in a determined bid to return to Mars, must draw upon their still developing and unique skills to survive the dangers of Earth.

Along the way, they are helped by three unexpected and unlikely heroes: the Cadet, a hard core gamer; Ochbo, a cleanlife pervert; and Prometheus, an enlightenment seeking MAMintelligence, who, while on his own secret quest, ultimately holds the answers to everyone's survival.

Rebecca K. Rowe is a freelance writer, published author and member of the National Space Society and The Mars Society. She has M.A.'s in Journalism and International Relations. Her short work / poetry has been published in Polyphony, Ascent Magazine, and Sol Magazine. Rebecca is a graduate of the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop (Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Suzy McKee Charnas, Nancy Kress, Andy Duncan, Kelly Link, Gordon Van Gelder, and Jeff Ford).