 |
The Nomads were a reptilian race that most people presumed had died off due to a malfunction in their planet’s atmospheric generator. Human Admiral Frost of the Colonial Earth Force knows otherwise. He sabotaged the Nomad home planet in exchange for peace with a vicious alien race called the Artrans. Frost discovers that one Nomad still remains elsewhere in space, a mercenary and sometimes bounty hunter named Colbosh. Colbosh seeks the truth about what happened to his people at any cost. Frost realizes he will have to find a way to destroy Colbosh before the survivor comes for him.
Colbosh is an interesting and unparalleled science fiction protagonist. He is brilliant and driven but also flawed with a dark past. While the short novel spares little time on backstories and personal details, the expansive worldbuilding allows readers to understand Colbosh’s and other characters’ motivations and actions without unnecessary explanations. The societies’ technology is fascinating but practical, such as Colbosh’s droid. Nomads do not have the vocal capabilities to speak other races’ languages, so Colbosh relies on a neurological connection to his droid Dim to translate for him. Dim also provides Colbosh with the research he needs to make tactical moves against entire cities’ security forces.
The plot jumps between different characters’ perspectives, including Colbosh himself, the cold and cunning Frost, and Andrea Michelle, a freighter captain who is fiercely loyal to—and fond of—Colbosh. Every voice is relatable and believable, as are the riveting plot twists. The characters journey between different planets in vastly different vessels, allowing readers to learn more about the types of worlds in this universe and the creatures that inhabit them. In a remarkably short time for a hard science fiction novel, the author is able to create a fascinating story in an engaging universe.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review