Major Venice Dylenski is in charge of security on the ship Excalibur.  She is concerned when an alien ship approaches the Excalibur after a mysterious static burst had temporarily blinded all of the ship’s sensors.  Unfortunately, Captain MacPherson is a lot more trusting and soon Venice is faced with a choice: either submit herself as a prisoner to Lord Azareel of the Archeons or the ship will be crushed to smithereens.  

Venice, along with Agriculture Technician Alathea (Allie) Duke, agrees to meet the demands of Azareel in order to save the crew of the Excalibur.  Venice leaves her beloved husband, Steve, behind and is intent on escape.  However, Azareel forces both women to acclimate or suffer the consequences as he wants Venice and Allie to be breeders for his race; Azareel is the last of his race and needs the wombs of both women to implant embryos.  Venice will have to make some tough choices as she demonstrates the true meaning of sacrifice.

TRINITY ON TYLOS is a complex, multilayered novel.  On one level, Pamela J. Dodd has written an extraordinarily gut-wrenching science fiction novel.  However, the intellectual debates resulting from TRINITY ON TYLOS make it so much more.

At the core, TRINITY ON TYLOS focuses on sacrifice.  Venice takes her duties as Chief of Security seriously.  Despite the fact that the mistakes made in security were not hers, she is willing to give up everything- her home, her husband, and even her life if necessary- in order to protect the other crew members and particularly the children of the crew.  Venice, although childless at that time, recognizes that motherhood is truly the ultimate sacrifice and she is determined to do all she can to protect those children. 

TRINITY ON TYLOS expresses several themes that will make some uncomfortable.  This is not a happily-ever-after story but is instead a thought-provoking book that will challenge one’s beliefs about the importance of motherhood, duty, and sacrifice.  At times, the choices made by Venice and even Allie are ones the reader will disagree with and perhaps even be angered by them.  However, one of the trademarks of a well-written novel is its ability to inspire others to debate.  TRINITY ON TYLOS accomplishes this and so much more.   Pamela J. Dodd has truly demonstrated her gift as a writer with this stunning book.