On the first page, readers find out the female lead character, Queen Vita, needs a way to procreate since her cloning system has been damaged and is no longer operational.
This presents a problem because she refuses to engage in “sexual union” with any males. This may seem like the plot of every paperback novel with a shirtless man riding a horse on the cover, but Thelen keeps readers interested by never going in the usual directions. Many of the deceptions seem possible because of the inclusion of standard science fiction plot twists. Which of course, makes the reading all the more enjoyable.
On many levels, this book is the cross-genre comedy that I’ve already described, but on another level it explores the nature of love and the needs of a physical relationship. The reader will often find themselves trying to understand Vita’s initial hesitation to engage in a sexual relationship with the male protagonist, and then laugh as she attempts to embrace her sexuality.
Several scenes remind readers of the early, awkward sexual encounters that are a part of most peoples’ younger years, but they are written in a way that keep the reader entertained and laughing.
This book will most likely never be nominated for national book award and will never be added to the required college reading list, but it does exactly what the author meant it to do, entertain.
