![](https://play-lh.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocKl9RDKQpcPYh_r2yh8dNnKP1_y2VbDVgiZn1SM1NXxoBs0tw=s32-mo)
Marianne Vincent
4.5★s Frontier Resistance is the second book in the Frontier series by Australian author, Leonie Rogers. It follows on directly from Frontier Incursion, in which the reader learns about the colony of humans on the planet they call Frontier, hard-won from overtly hostile flora and fauna in the three hundred years since their craft crash-landed. More recently, the insectoid Garsal have invaded, intent on building a hive which they intend to work with human slaves. But the Starlyne, a race of beings who have history with the Garsal, have no intention of allowing this to happen unchallenged. After their dangerous encounter with the Garsal, Shanna, her cadet scout group, the members of Scout Patrol Ten and all their partner starcats are now Below, in the underground cavern habitation of their new allies, the Starlyne. Rested, fed and healed, the Scouts learn of the role these benign and intelligent beings have surreptitiously played in their genetic development. More than this, they are becoming aware of their true potential, training and developing their talents and capabilities, preparing for what will be an important and dangerous mission. Even before they have completed all the challenging but necessary training drills, they head out. Their first action will be to locate the Garsal ship and destroy their communications systems, and Shanna feels both excited, and apprehensive that, despite being multi-skilled, her abilities will be lacking at the critical moment. And at sixteen, while she has her starcats, Storm and Twister with her, she still misses her family at times. It’s when they locate the Garsal ship that the understanding of the true danger they face crystallises in Shanna’s mind. Meanwhile, on the Plateau in Shanna’s home settlement of Watchtower, fourteen Garsal captives remain silent; rescued human slave, Anjo shares what he knows of the Garsal, is taught about the dangers (and delights) of the planet, and learns all about starcats, including how they choose a partner. Master Scout Cerren watches with increasing frustration as Starfall’s Senior Councillor, Tamazine trivialises the Garsal threat and seems more intent on delusional and self-serving edicts than saving the human settlement. Elsewhere, the Garsal search for a way onto the Plateau in their quest to subdue an unexpectedly resistant human population. In this instalment, while the felines still star (and the descriptions of their behaviour is faultless!), the various skills the scouts develop, and their use in concert, will fascinate. There is, once again, plenty of action, with lots of interesting quirks and twists in both characters and setting. Readers will be eager to find out where serious engagement with the Garsal leads. While Rogers subtly drops into the story sufficient recap to allow it, at a pinch, to stand alone, the reading experience will be much enhanced by having previously read book #1. Addictive fantasy/sci-fi.