The Ship Who Searched

by Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey

[wyvernfriend]

Though sometimes outdated by modern tech, it was published in 1992. Written by two of my favourite writers, this is one of my favourites of the Ship Who sequence.

Hypathia Cade is a young precious kid who lives with her family on a small archaeological dig. The worst possible thing happens when she contracts a virus that causes her to become paralysed from the neck down. At seven she really isn't a candidate for the Brain project, where young children with incurable conditions are offered a chance to become enclosed brains who are living computers who run ships and other large complex spaces. She adapts well and finds herself finding a lot of freedom among the stars. She's only missing one freedom.

I read it when it first came out and re-reading wasn't an unpleasant experience. I also loved the names of the Investment firm: Friesner, Sherman, Stirling and Huff... I got a smile while thinking where they got those names from!

Enjoyable, if a little dated.