Looking for a good read? Here is a recommendation. I have an unusual approach to reviewing books. I review books I feel merit a review. Each review is an opportunity to recommend a book. If I do not think a book is worth reading, I find another book to review. You do not have to agree with everything every author has written (I do not), but the fiction I review is entertaining (and often thought-provoking) and the non-fiction contain ideas worth reading.
Book Review
Raylicon in the Interstellar Olympics
Reviewed by Mark Lardas
January, 4, 2026
“Gold Dust,” by Catherine Asaro, Baen Books, 2025, 496 pages, $28.00 (Hardcover), $9.99 (E-book), $21.25 (Audiobook)
The Interstellar Olympics is about to take place. Worlds throughout the human-inhabited galaxy compete. Raylicon always fields a team, but never wins medals. Its population is too small for a competitive team. This year their track and field coach has found a gold mine of running talent in the Undercity.
“Gold Dust,” by Catherine Asaro, is the latest addition to her Skolian Saga, the second in her Dust Knights series. It features Major Bhajaan, an Undercity native, and troubleshooter for the Ruby Dynasty.
Raylicon, a failed terraforming attempt, is dying. The Skolian Imperiate birthplace, it remains important to the Ruby Dynasty, its ruling family. There is only one habitable city on Raylicon, the City of Cries. Beneath it is the Undercity, The Skolian Imperiate has a near-monopoly on Kyle operators. Telepaths, Kyles permit instantaneous interstellar communications. Undercity has the largest concentration of Kyle operators anywhere.
It also has Raylicon’s fabulous runners. The reclusive residents of Undercity hide from the City of Cries. This is due in part to the prevalence of Kyle talent in Undercity. Being among high concentrations of people is painful without training. Moreover, residents of the City of Cries despise the Undercity inhabitants.
Major Bhajaan organized the Dust Knights to reduce anarchy in Undercity. Dust Knights must leave Undercity drug gangs, stay off drugs, get an education, and help police the Undercity. In exchange they learn martial arts and belong to a group admired by Undercity residents not in te drug gangs.
They also get an opportunity to participate in Raylicon sports, especially track and field, in which they excel. The coach, Mason Qazik, thinks with the Undercity contingent, the team may even win an Olympic medal or two. That has never happened before. But Undercity is so despised, some sponsors are pulling funds if Undercity athletes participate. The Raylicon team, including those from the City of Cries, are determined to get to the Olympics with the whole team, including Undercity members.
This novel has all the standard sports novel tropes. Kids from an impoverished background struggle for sports scholarships offering an escape to a better future. People from different background bonding through sports. Overcoming prejudice to succeed. Even a Romeo and Juliet romance between two participants who are heirs to rival Undercity gangs.
It may sound cliché, but Asaro breathes life into old tropes, creating a fresh story. “Gold Dust” is an entertaining and exhilarating read.
Mark Lardas, an engineer, freelance writer, historian, and model-maker, lives in League City. His website is marklardas.com.
https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Dust-Knights-Catherine-Asaro/dp/1668072904