The outback stars

"Despite the protective suit shielding her from flames, Lieutenant Jodenny Scott expected to die very soon. The prospect should have alarmed her, but on some dim, exhausted level, she supposed it was only fair."The human TeamSpace has found new worlds far from Earth. In this story, Team Space uses the alien constructed and poorly understood Alcheringa space warp to take settlers and others between worlds. Lt. Scott's ship the Aral Sea is nearly destroyed due to a strange explosion in the Alcheringa. She survives after a heroic act, but is certainly not the same.There are four threads to this story. First, the new assignment for Scott and her attempts to recapture a normal life after the nightmares and destruction. Second, the mysteries surrounding gangs on the space ship Yangtze, what they're doing, and how their activities impact those who work for her in Underway Stores, a unit with a variety of problems. Third, and this did not always work well, is the linkage between alien spheres found on planets and Australian aborigine culture. Fourth, there is a growing love interest between Scott and an NCO who has his own problems.While there is some action, mostly fist fights, Outback is really a cultural story. McDonald does a good job of describing the navel culture on a very large space ship, with an emphasis on the interactions between enlisted personnel and the NCO's and officers. There is a mystery to be solved on board although it's clear from early on who is responsible [but certainly not why]. the larger mystery of who build the spheres and how to understand the world to world transportation system that they represent receives some attention but remains fuzzy. The Australian culture has potential, but is not well integrated into the story line. It needs to be more fully developed. As it is, it seems to be more of a fantasy element than science fictional.There are some stereotypical characters, and the bad guys might be more fully developed. Still, there are a good variety of characters and interactions. Scott and Myell appeal and we quickly become involved in their various situations and problems.Recommendation:McDonald is a new author. Her work should appeal to those who enjoy the spaceship interactions found in the Honor Harrington Stories. There is certainly room for more stories involving the Jodenny and Myell as well as the Alcheringa. Cover art by Donato is rich and appealing showing Scott in space ship. The physical book is of average quality. Text is clear and quite readable. For large SF collections.