This novel is set in the same universe as To Sleep in a Sea of Stars and takes place before the events of the previous novel.

I couldn’t put this down. Paolini really builds tension in the forward drive of this tale. It is a basic story of a space ship on an exploratory mission to Talos VII.

Of course there is an anomaly to draw them in…a kilometers-large black hole with perfect edges set in the desiccated sandy windblown planet that every ten seconds or so lets out a “thud” of EMP. At this point in space exploration, though many planets have been inhabited by humans that are filled with alien flora and fauna, no alien civilizations have been found.

Yet.

We have four characters in the away team sent to examine this undoubtedly alien construct: a xenobiologist, Alex, a geologist, Pushkin, a  chemist Chen, and Talia an astrophysicist and the team lead. And though they’ve been together as members on their ship, their personalities rub on each other like sand paper.

But despite the mountain of problems they face approaching the alien artifact, they carry on until they reach the anomaly. A lot worse for wear.

The gripping part of the novel is the interaction of these four characters. Alex is the voice of reason, Pushkin doesn’t think the dangers of getting to the anomaly are worth it but he’s been out-voted. Chen is the quiet one and Talia as lead proves to be deeply religious and that characteristic has dire consequences for them all.

This is a very involving read and well worth the price of admission! ~~ Sue Martin

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