The Duke of Uranium - (Jak Jinnaka) by John Barnes (Paperback)

About the Book

Jak Jinnaka plunges into a world of danger and intrigue beyond imagination as he is forced to ask: "Where's the party?"
Jak Jinnaka's thirty-sixth-century teenage life has been nothing but fun--ignoring school, partying outrageously with his beautiful girlfriend, Sesh, and spending his uncle Sib's huge fortune. But while they are out for a wild night of postgraduation clubbing, Sesh is kidnapped by the dangerous, enigmatic Duke of Uranium. Bruised and battered, Jak wakes up to a whole new reality: sweet, superficial Sesh is actually Princess Shyf of Greenworld, daughter of the rulers of a powerful faraway spaceport; kind and slightly dotty old Uncle Sib is a legendary spymaster; and Jak's whole life has been preparation for the world of espionage. Now, his maiden mission is to rescue his girlfriend from one of the most powerful aristocrats in the solar system--or is it? The world Uncle Sib has plunged him into has wheels within every wheel and hidden forces in every shadow, and the only thing that is just what it seems is Jak himself: an amoral party animal looking out for number one!

Book Synopsis

Jak Jinnaka plunges into a world of danger and intrigue beyond imagination as he is forced to ask: "Where's the party?"
Jak Jinnaka's thirty-sixth-century teenage life has been nothing but fun--ignoring school, partying outrageously with his beautiful girlfriend, Sesh, and spending his uncle Sib's huge fortune. But while they are out for a wild night of postgraduation clubbing, Sesh is kidnapped by the dangerous, enigmatic Duke of Uranium. Bruised and battered, Jak wakes up to a whole new reality: sweet, superficial Sesh is actually Princess Shyf of Greenworld, daughter of the rulers of a powerful faraway spaceport; kind and slightly dotty old Uncle Sib is a legendary spymaster; and Jak's whole life has been preparation for the world of espionage. Now, his maiden mission is to rescue his girlfriend from one of the most powerful aristocrats in the solar system--or is it? The world Uncle Sib has plunged him into has wheels within every wheel and hidden forces in every shadow, and the only thing that is just what it seems is Jak himself: an amoral party animal looking out for number one!

Review Quotes

"Rollicking space opera with outlaws, space travel, kidnappings, rescues, chases, and the abrupt coming of age of the protagonist." --Science Fiction Chronicle
"Barnes plays with old-fashioned space opera in this far-future SF adventure. . . . This is a fun romp." --Locus "If you miss days of wild adventures in farflung futures, grab a ticket . . . ride along with The Duke of Uranium." --Rambles

About the Author

John Barnes has lived in Denver for many years. Off and on, he has made his living as a writer, teacher, designer, performer, and statistician, in show business, politics, academia, marketing research, software, and publishing, and amused himself with cooking, martial arts, and ballroom dance. He says it all overlaps if you look at it right.

Barnes has authored more than thirty novels and numerous short stories including the national bestseller Encounter with Tiber (cowritten with Buzz Aldrin), Mother of Storms (finalist for both the Hugo and Nebula awards), and Tales of the Madman Underground (a Michael L. Printz Honor Book), among others. He received his doctorate of philosophy in theater arts at the University of Pittsburgh, and has taught college courses in a wide variety of disciplines. His personal blog is at thatjohnbarnes.blogspot.com.