Zenith

Gr 10 Up—From a beginning that draws heavily on elements of the early "Star Wars" movies, with characters whose over-the-top shtick would fit right into Guardians of the Galaxy, this series opener morphs unexpectedly into a dark and complex sci-fi drama. Androma Racella has been on the run for four years since escaping a death sentence for the purported murder of her best friend. She stole her former boyfriend's star ship and, along with three other teen runaways, became a space pirate. Known throughout the galaxy as the Bloody Baroness, Androma has managed to keep ahead of would-be captors. But to former boyfriend, Dex, who taught her how to evade capture, Androma is easy prey. Dex is hired to bring her in, then blackmailed into joining forces with her to find and return Valen, the kidnapped son of the leader of the Arcardian system. The tortured and imprisoned Valen is barely hanging onto life when Dex and Androma finally rescue him. Shortly after their harrowing escape from the prison planet, what at first appear to be devastating but isolated coincidences are discovered to be part of a well-planned plot to take over the galaxy that only Dex and Androma may be able to stop. An action-packed, semi-romantic sci-fi adventure/drama that will have broad appeal.