A few months back, I posted my suggestions for great science fiction with strong Pagan/polytheist themes; or, at least those that are Pagan/polytheist friendly.

Well, since then I have found one more book that can be added to the list: The Wreck of the Nebula Dream by Veronica Scott. Think of this as the Titanic in space. But with aliens. And a hot Special Forces hero. And a tattooed priest/assassin. And the characters are all polytheist. :)

Nebula Dream is set in the distant future, long after humanity has migrated out into the stars. Along the way, new Gods and Goddesses and spirits were encountered (or came to be), new religions developed, new human cultures evolved. The primary Deities in this particular story are the Lords of Space, the Red Lady, and the White Lady. The theoilogy of the Lords of Space is not explored in depth, but they seem to be protective Deities, with a special affinity for space travelers (d'uh) and the military; our hot Special Forces hero, Captain Nick Jameson, prays to them frequently throughout the story to keep everyone safe and to give him the strength to go on when he is exhausted and in pain.

The Red Lady and the White Lady are sister Goddesses -- possibly a Goddess with two aspects but more likely distinct entities. Khevan, who befriends Jameson and helps him get survivors off the Nebula Dream, is a rarity in that both the Red Lady and White Lady appeared to him; but he decided to serve the former. The Red Lady is a Goddess of death, passion, pride, wealth, greed, and oaths, among many other things. She is served faithfully by the D'nvannae Brotherhood, who work as either bodyguards or assassins in Her name; they are fierce, dedicated, tattooed, and trained in a variety of martial and mystical arts.

While the Red Lady plays an important part in the story -- and makes one terrifying appearance -- the White Lady appears only once. Unlike her sister, the White Lady is a Goddess of compassion, mercy, and love. She, too, is served by a Brotherhood, though they have taken an oath of abstinence in her honor. Towards the end of the story, Khevan, who had been staunch in his loyalty to the Red Lady, finds those loyalties beginning to shift.

Wreck of the Nebula Dream is an exciting science fiction-romance adventure. Though a bit long-winded in places, the tale never bogs down, with plenty of action and narrow escapes to keep the reader engaged. Even better, it is a tale rich in Gods and Goddesses and faith. Check it out!