The title character, the Drune, is actually an errant or misfunctioning android who ultimately holds the fate of our world in its hands.

Various characters, both human and alien are there to put it right, even if they aren't always aware of the problem.

Palmer strives to put everything in from flying saucer myths to secret underground caverns deep beneath the Earth bringing this rather odd mixture together.

This book is more a variation of character study than actual plot. By that, I mean we tend to see the events at a distance from mostly supporting characters than necessarily up close through those characters who really make the difference.

The alien captain is as much an enigma at both ends of the story. Most of the time, this works out and relies on Palmer's own writing strengths even if it does take a bit of figuring out where everyone is at the end.

The descriptive detail is strong enough to visualise all that is happening and certainly page-turning readable.
GF Willmetts.

Pub: Swift Publishers. 212 pages. Price: £5.99. ISBN: 1-874082-27-8.