Timothy Zahn made his author’s bones by writing Star Wars novels and hardboiled space opera. His Star Wars experience gave him expertise in human-alien buddy stories. In 1999 he published The Icarus Hunt, in which smuggler Jordan McKell, his alien partner Ixil, and two clever ferret-like critters become involved in a conspiracy involving ancient alien technology. In 2022, with a new publishing deal, Zahn finally gave us a loose sequel with a new buddy team in the lead and with some of the original characters in secondary roles. The Star Wars influence is more apparent than ever. His new hero, Gregory Roarke, resembles an aging Han Solo. His alien partner uses her keen sense of smell to read the emotions of others. Zahn is a pro who knows how to give his characters individualized voices and keep the plot secrets rolling out when needed. ( )