D.A. by Connie Willis

D.A.
Connie Willis
Subterrenean Press
4 1/2 stars

This short story is targeted to young adults and harkens back to Robert Heinlein's YA science fiction. At 75 pages, this is a very quick read, but one that thoroughly satisfies.

Theodora Baumgarten is not like the rest of her school mates. They all clammor to be a part of the IASA's cadet program. Very few students are chosen for this honor and students train for years for a chance to become one of the chosen. Theodora has no interest in space. She just wants to go to a nice Earth college and get on with her life. The entire cadet process is beyond her interest.

Then, to her shock and horror, she is chosen to be a cadet. How can this happen when she hasn't even applied for the honor? Soon, she is in space, an unwilling and uninterested participant in a program she neither enjoys nor respects.

I found the idea that this was a, 'Screwball comedy' as described on the blurb, to be very misleading. The book is serious though it isn't very intense. As a quick read, the motivation is primarily action and character development isn't the main thrust of the story. Still, it was an engaging and enjoyable read!