The Shackleton Signal by Joshua T. Calvert - Fast-Paced Sci-Fi Including High Adventure And Intrigue!

The Shackleton Signal by Joshua T. Calvert

One day, not long ago, I ran across a recommendation for this book on one of the Sci-Fi Facebook groups I follow. The first thing that attracted my attention was the cover. Next was the book's back-cover description. I knew this was one I had to read.

Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely. It opens with action and continues at a high-speed pace all the way to the ending. There was never a spot where it was dull. The 415 pages (Kindle edition) flowed by so smoothly, I lost track of time reading. The characters are all believable, and I found myself caring about several of them as the story unfolded. I especially enjoyed the science presented in the book and how the author embellished it with his own plausible license to bring it all together.

There are two main plots in Shackleton Signal, and they are both exciting and follow different themes that come together at the end.

An alien signal is received by an orbiting lunar satellite, and the race is on!

As the NASA satellite, Sentinel 1, passes over the Shackleton Crater at the moon's south pole, it receives a signal that scientists on earth can only assume is from an alien civilization. It is presumed the signal is coming from an object deep in the crater that has often been thought of as a possible landing site for future Lunar missions because of the possible resources lying at the cold, dark bottom of the crater.

The US is determined to be the first to uncover the secrets of this monumental discovery, but so is the Chinese space agency. There are sacrifices to me made and what is discovered may have some consequences for humankind itself if the missions are not handled correctly.

There are a lot of great characters, but the tale focuses on two appearing in their own plot lines.

Astronaut Charlie Reid is a compassionate former soldier who is chosen as a member of the American crew to investigate the origin of the signal from Shackleton. He is well trained and competent, as well as quite resourceful. All his skills come into play as his mission to the moon develops, and there is no certainty of his survival at the end of it all.

On Earth, it falls to Major Rebecca Hinrichs, an intelligence officer from the Pentagon, to root out several irregularities surrounding the discovery of the Shackleton signal. As she uncovers layer upon layer, her mission becomes more dangerous. Her survival also comes into question as the story unfolds.

These two characters are joined by several others with differing personalities and personal opinions. Calvert did a great job in creating people that drive the story forward and make the book an entertaining read. 

My favorite point of the plot in The Shackleton Signal is also my takeaway from the story.

As we stand on the shores of the cosmic ocean, there are endless discoveries to be made. There is no single person, or even a single nation, that can make those discoveries. In order for humans to make those discoveries, we must resolve ourselves to setting aside our inherent nationalism and learn to work together.

Thanks to Carl Sagan for the shores of the cosmic ocean metaphor.

To say anymore here would be to reveal major spoilers, so I'll just leave it here.

As mentioned before, I found this to be a great read. There is high tension as events unfold. There is tragedy and triumph. And there are elements of the story that will hopefully make one think about the future of human exploration of space. I think The Shackleton Signal would be a thrilling read for any Sci-Fi fan, or it might even be a story any reader of any genre might enjoy. The technical aspects are quite accessible to anyone.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Joshua T. Calvert is an award-winning author whose books have sold more than one million copies. He has traveled the world—on foot, by Jeep, by bicycle, by motorcycle, and lots of other ways besides. As you might imagine, he’s seen many things most people never see – including an Iranian prison cell, from the inside! In Kyrgyzstan, he fared slightly better, narrowly avoiding being kidnapped for ransom. Skydiver, scuba diver, martial artist, adventurer – his goal is to experience everything possible and then make it real to you in his books. And he’s made a good run of it so far: in the Philippines, he did police training on multiple types of firearms (despite being no fan of guns himself); dove in Asian waters among sharks and shipwrecks; and patrolled with Sumatran jungle rangers.

That’s what defines Calvert’s approach to method writing: pushing himself beyond his own limits, to experience first-hand what his characters experience, to make your immersion in his stories as deep as it can be.

For Ganymede Rises, after a slight detour with some smugglers in the deserts of Uzbekistan and the steppes of Mongolia, he traveled by dogsled and snowshoe to the Arctic Circle to experience first-hand what it’s like to be utterly isolated in the coldest place on Earth. For his book The Fossil, he sat with professional pilots in flight simulators for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft to learn what it’s like to fly a passenger jet. His latest adventure: a parabolic flight with European Space Agency astronauts, to experience zero-gravity. All so he can describe it to you, in his own words.

You can see Joshua's other books and sign up for his newsletter at https://www.joshuatcalvert.com/

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The Scientist: A Monster's Resentment By Scott F. Jarvie - Fast-Paced Story Loaded With Ultra-Violence

The Scientist: A Monster's Resentment by Scott F. Jarvie

I learned about this book when the author mentioned it in a social media post. I was curious and looked it up to see what it was about. The next thing that attracted my attention was the opening of the book's description, "Duncan is your typical high school science teacher." So, with that, I knew I had to read this one, but I wasn't expecting the story I got.

The term "rollercoaster ride" is one I seen and used to describe books before, and it applies to this tale. It starts out slowly, like the cars of a coaster climbing to the top of the first big drop in the ride and transitions into a never-ending series of twists, turns, and surprises barely giving the reader time to breathe with scene after scene of breathtaking discovery.

The characters are named mostly by their roles in the crew and how they behave, with the Scientist (aka Phillip Duncan) leading the group. The adventures in this story are quite violent for the most part. Some are absolutely heinous. I would advise the reader to pay attention to the warnings included below.

One thing missing, at least for me, was the reason for the character's abhorrent behaviors. The book ends with a cliffhanger that leads to the second book in the series, which I intend to read at some point in the future. Scientist gives the who, what, where, and how, but I guess that the why will become clear in the next installment. Or, at least I hope so.

I am finding this book difficult to discuss without spoiling too much. So, I will leave the blurb for this one here...

"Duncan is your typical high school science teacher. His classes are large. His school is underfunded. His students are unacademic. And his war crimes are horrific."

"When his hiding place on Earth is discovered, Duncan reemerges as ‘the Scientist’ and teams up with the galaxy’s most wanted to right his past mistakes."

"Pushing through his panic attacks, he leads an interstellar expedition to prove that he isn’t the worst tyrant in the galaxy … even if he is."

Added to that, the author includes a few trigger warnings...

"Contains: Child Death, Death, Graphic Violence, PTSD, Misogyny, Murder, Torture, War."

Philip Duncan is an individual hiding from justice and posing as a high school science teacher. The story opens with him teaching a class about sublimation using dry ice. His class is filled with disrespectful, out-of-control students. My thought right off the bat is that Philip must have skipped the classroom management parts of his teacher training.

When a student gets ahold of some of the dry ice and makes a bomb with it and a plastic bottle, Duncan steps in and prevents the student from becoming injured, as any teacher would do. However, he is accused of abusing the student and summarily fired by his neurotic principal.

He goes home and there are a series of bizarre incidents leading to his leaving Earth and resuming his role as the Scientist. A mass murdering gang leader who commits, or causes others to commit, one deplorable act after another.

But Duncan and most of his henchpersons don't seem to be as intrinsically as evil as they appear. They have feelings, even some regret at times.

They are a very confusing lot.

One strength in Scientist is the character development the author presents. I understand the characters, but only up to a point.

My favorite point of the plot, outside the opening scenes depicting Duncan as a ne're-do-well teacher, is the dialog between him and his collection of criminals. The banter between characters helps to lighten the otherwise dark mood this book could have been presented in. Without the humor, I don't think I could have gotten through the story, at least not as quickly as I did.

As far as humor is concerned, I really enjoyed the observations of the character called Philosopher. 'nuff said.

I would recommend this book to readers who will heed the warnings from the author about the content and are prepared to read the second book in the series.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Scott is an award-winning filmmaker and writer specializing in Science Fiction and Fantasy stories that focus on neurodiversity and humanity.

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Stranded (Starship Of The Ancients Book 1): A Space Opera Adventure By A.K. DuBoff - Marvelous Characters and World Building

Stranded (Starship of the Ancients Book 1): A Space Opera Adventure by A.K. DuBoff

I received a copy of this book from Kindle Unlimited and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was brought to my attention on a social media post that appeared on my feed. The first thing that grabbed my attention was the cover image. Then, the blurb cemented the idea of my needing to read this one. This is the first book I've read by A.K. Duboff, but it will not be the last.

Stranded seemed to me as two stories in one. There is the first part involving plain and simple survival in an unfriendly environment, but later, it morphs into a story of survival against a massive conspiratorial power-grab by a ruthless organization with no concern for human life.

There are two principal characters who are developed over time through the book. Most of the story is told through their points of view. As the tale unfolds, there are other character points of view introduced, so the reader can expect to get inside the character's heads and learn about them from the inside out. This is a brilliant way to learn about the people in a story.

The tale is packed to nearly overflowing with action right from the opening paragraph and doesn't let up to the end where there is an enticement to continue reading in the forthcoming second installment of the Starship of the Ancients series. One thing that helps move the story along at a rollercoaster pace is the world building. The descriptions of the vistas characters are set in is vast, varied, and colorful. The setting almost becomes another character in itself, providing the story with unexpected twists and turns, providing the players with terrifying challenges. But there is also beauty to be found in the backdrop providing moments of peace.

Stranded is a book that should appeal to a wide audience and shows excellence in all aspects of great Sci-Fi.

Undercover cop, Evan Taylor, just wants to get away from it all, but he finds himself, along with other survivors of a spaceship disaster, crash landed on a planet he knows very little about. Evan befriends Anya Rojas, a scientist, and together they work to figure out how to survive on a beautiful, but at times, hostile planet. There are few supplies and most of their technology has been destroyed. When the pair discover a crashed escort ship, they head out on an adventure with numerous dangers along the way. But that's not all they discover. They also find they and survivors aren't as alone as they thought. Evan and Anya find themselves unwittingly in the middle of a power-grab conspiracy even more threatening than the native hazards on the planet. Evan and Anya become the focus to find alien technology that could mean either survival or disaster.

Stranded centers on two principal characters. One is adept with survivor skills while the other is a scientist with knowledge of the biology of the planet they call Aethos. Together they become a team, but their alliance is not without challenges.

Evan is a former military man turned undercover cop with a past. He sees an opportunity to make a new life on Aethos and harbors a plethora of secrets about his life he would rather not share with anyone.

Anya, a xenobiologist, sees Evan as someone who has skills she lacks. However, she also sees Evan as a suspicious character and she is put off by someone who isn't willing to share their background, even though she also has secrets she would rather not share.

When Evan and Anya are forced together to trek to the crash site of a downed spacecraft where they may find supplies and tech to help them, they embark on a trek leading to discoveries about the planet, each other, and themselves. What they actually find is a scenario far beyond their expectations.

There is no shortage of character development in this story, and the reader cannot help but cheer Evan and Anya on, hoping for success for them. Their adventures get more and more complex as they move through the narrative, and so, the reader becomes more and more invested in them.

My favorite plot point in Stranded is the shifting point of view device. We get perspective from various characters. This not only allows the reader to see what is happening inside the heads of characters but adds a lot to their development. The author displays her storytelling skills by shifting the voice as well, individualizing each character. One can clearly "hear" which player is being focused on.

My takeaway from this story is summed up in a line by Evan in chapter 20:

"And if I'm learning anything from the experience on Aethos, it's that we need to keep a level head and not jump to conclusions."

Often, when there is a shortage of knowledge about a situation, one might resort to using belief and hearsay to explain a situation. This can lead to fatal mistakes. There is no substitute for seeking out the facts to make informed decisions.

For me, Stranded is an excellent, highly entertaining, fun to read story anyone might enjoy. Even non-sci-fi fans will find it engaging with some great world-building, superior characters, and a fast-paced story loaded with surprises and plot twists. It is a fast read even though it is over 400 pages, and once a reader sets it aside, they will want to grab it again at the next opportunity.

The sequel, Lost Planet (Starship of the Ancients Book 2): A Space opera Adventure is listed to be released August 8, 2025.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A.K. (Amy) DuBoff has always loved science fiction in all its forms - books, movies, shows, and games. If it involves outer space, even better! She is a Nebula Award Finalist and USA Today bestselling author most known for her Cadicle Universe, but she's also written a variety of sci-fi, fantasy, and also wrote and produced an award-winning feature film, Crypto Shadows. Amy can frequently be found traveling the world, and when she's not writing, she enjoys wine tasting, binge0watching TV series, and playing epic strategy board games.

You can find more information on Amy’s work on her website.

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Freelancer: The Great Unknown By Calvin Jordan - Outstanding World Building and Character Development In This Author's First Novel

Freelancer: The Great Unknown by Calvin Jordan

This book interested me because of the first three items in the blurb: "Freelancer. Detective. Investigator-for-hire." Thanks to a previously read book, I've been on kind of a Sci-Fi crime drama kick, and the book's description seemed it would fill the bill.

I enjoyed this story thanks to excellent, well-written characters, and because of the format it is presented in. It reads like a short story collection, but it also has story elements that tie everything together at the end. One thing I really appreciated was how the author included chapters that gave detailed backstory to each of the principal characters at just the right time, which answered the questions: Why does this person behave the way they do? What happened to them to make them the way they are?

Aside from the background reveals, the tale is about a crew of spacers who move from place to place and get into situations sometimes humorous, and often dangerous.

The captain of the Ariadne, Brooke Lawson, and her crew trek around the solar system in search of adventure and profit. They have a lot of adventure and face a lot of danger, but the profit part seems to escape them. Brooke and her crew of four malcontents hope they will find their niche among the planets and asteroid belt of a settled solar system. 

Most of what Brooke knows she learned by watching holographic videos. That training, along with her cleverness, drives her forward until she encounters a person from her past with a deal she cannot refuse. It turns out that she has gotten herself and her companions into something way over her head, and it could spell disaster for her, her crew, and the consequences of failure could rattle the foundations of the entire solar system.

There are five principal characters involved in Freelancer.

Brooke is the leader of a rag-tag collection of what might seem like misfits. She has big dreams of success but just seems to miss the mark. Luckily for her, she has good instincts which often make up for her lack of training and experience.

Kennedy is a woman who is no stranger to violence and conflict. She serves as the first mate and advisor to Brooke and often times keeps her leader grounded and on track.

Priya is adept at understanding and working with technology. She can crack codes that open doors; some that would better had they been left closed. She is timid, and when Brooke gives her some responsibility, there is no guarantee she will be successful, but she is eager to please and works hard for the ship and her captain.

Dr. Richard Fowler does his part by patching up the other crew members when needed. He is a bit of a recluse. He prefers to be alone, but makes room in his life for a tabby cat named Max. 

Hope is a gender-neutral android with issues that appear as severe depression. They are not to be dismissed, though. Hope comes through in numerous life-threating situations.

My favorite plot point of Freelancer is the excellent character development throughout the story, but more so in the chapters that deal with individuals. I think any reader can find something of themselves in a character, or maybe in a combination of them. As I got to know the people, I found a deeper understanding of how they relate to each other and those around them.

With that in mind, I found that Dr. Fowler turns out to be my personal favorite character. His backstory is a roadmap of how one becomes a curmudgeon because of their life choices. He is a great character, in my opinion.

My takeaway from Freelancer is to remember that persistence is the path to success.

I recommend Freelancer to any reader who enjoys a good space opera, including some fine world building and well-developed characters. After a slow start getting into this tale, I found I didn't want to put it down once I got into the rhythm of it. Freelancer is a clearly written story made up of smaller stories with threads that pull the entire tapestry together in the end. I look forward to future Sci-Fi work from Mr. Jordan!

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Calvin Jordan is a writer from South West England; originally from Cornwall, now living in Bristol with his partner. He studied Theatre at the University of York and holds a master’s degree in Playwriting from the same institution. He has been writing since his early teens, whether he's wanted to or not. He has always had a love of science fiction and fantasy, and his hobbies include roleplaying games, consuming caffeine, and the colour purple.

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Bon Echo and The Competition By Colette Bos - Friendly Young Adult Sci-Fi Adventure!

Bon Echo and The Competition by Colette Bos

This book is one of the most fun young adult sci-fi novels I have ever read. At no time did Bon Echo fail to entertain me and hold my attention. Not only that, I found it to be informative on the subject of global climate change. I learned a lot reading this book, but I didn't feel like I was getting beaten over the head on that subject. It was presented as part of the narrative, mostly in one chapter, as a conversation between characters.

The characters themselves, especially the principal character, Maven, all seemed like real young people. They had lofty dreams, got into some mischief, did some good things, and made a few mistakes along the way. I think the characters make good examples for young people to aspire to. I enjoyed the way each person had not only an interest in what they wanted to do, but they had an actual passion. All the young women and men in the story are gifted in some way and are eager to share their gifts with the world.

But this tale of science, discovery, adventure, and passion isn't just for kids. I enjoyed it immensely and am looking forward to the next book in the series!

If I had any difficulty with Bon Echo, it would be a slow start to the story. The action picks up after a few foundational chapters and the pace is just right for the rest of the story. If you choose to read the book, don't give up on it, you won't regret it.

Below is the blurb for the book.

"Meet Maven, a young woman of rare brilliance and insatiable curiosity. She is a true original, and her unique perspective on the world around her makes her a captivating friend on this thrilling journey to uncover the world's most elusive secrets. Join Maven as she re-reads her much-loved diary, recounting adventures with her fellowship, her newfound love, and her awesome feathered friend, a "Hybrid Owl Technology," as she discovers ancient secrets about her family's past and the true origins of her feathered friend. These secrets may be vital to protecting the planet from some of its greatest threats. All meet while competing in one of the world's biggest high school science competitions. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a thrilling adventure story filled with captivating characters, mesmerizing natural settings, and an all-consuming romance that will leave you feeling like you've witnessed an extraordinary love. Follow us at "Bon Echo and The Competition," an exciting science-based quest filled with surprising adventures, discoveries and true love."

The story unfolds as Maven reads a journal she has written, and the reader gets to listen in on her thoughts and kind of read over her shoulder as she reads.

Maven is an above-average senior in high school who is facing many of the normal questions a young person might ask themselves. She goes on a journey of self-discovery and expands the world around her. When she discovers her passion, her purpose becomes clear; the world is suffering from climate change, and she wants to find a way to fix the problem. It is a huge undertaking, and it would be a huge task for one young woman to take on alone. She, along with her brother and their friends, form a pact to work together, each with their own talents, to make the world a better place for themselves, and for all who are alive and those who follow.

My favorite point of plot, aside from the incredible characters, is the backdrop Cosette creates for her characters to perform in. In the afterword, the author describes a place she has visited numerous times in her life. What she adds to the story is some of the most vivid world-building I have esperienced. The reader will feel the atmosphere of the story's scenes through Maven's eyes. I could recommend this story for this reason alone.

One theme that stands out in this story is the coming-of-age story. Maven and her fellow students have some lofty goals for themselves, and they are accompanied by their drive to learn about the world around them. But what really stood out to me is the part of the story where the characters are searching for a purpose in their lives. The reader shouldn't be surprised when they find themselves cheering the character on to success!

Another theme concerns climate change. As I am sure we can all agree, this is a very controversial subject, no matter what side of the argument one comes down on. As I mentioned before, the author doesn't treat her book as a bully pulpit to present her views on the subject. It isn't preachy. But the subject is presented in ways that, should the reader choose to, can verify much of what she presents. It's pretty obvious where Colette stands on climate change, but the way it is presented will also allow the reader to hold on to their own opinions and maybe learn something.

My Takeaway from Bon Echo and the Competition: The problems created in the past and those being created now will have to be cleaned up by our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Is this the legacy we want to leave them?

Bon Echo and The Competition is an excellent story. It is nonviolent, informative, and a relaxing read. Young adults from about eighth grade and up would probably get the most out of it. If my kids were younger than that, I would gladly read this story to them. This book should also appeal to adult readers who have an open mind on the more controversial subject matter. It is excellently written and accessible. I give Bon Echo high recommendations!

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Colette is a talented web developer who has turned her passion for science fiction and environmental causes into a new creative writing direction. With a background in geography, she has taken a more focused approach to exploring ecological themes in her work. Her debut book, Bon Echo and The Competition, the first in the Bon Echo Science Fiction series, is a captivating blend of science fiction, fantasy, and romance. Set in a world where environmental issues are at the forefront, Colette weaves a beautiful story of adventure and love that will captivate readers until the end. With her remarkable talent for storytelling, Colette is sure to leave a lasting impression on the science fiction genre.

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The Alcuin Rift: Cosmic Science Fiction by Charleston Lim - This Debut Novel Deserves A Look

The Alcuin Rift: Cosmic Science Fiction by Charleston Lim

I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Alcuin Rift is the title of a debut novel from Charleston Lim. It is a hard science fiction space opera that presents readers with something to think about. I enjoyed this tale of scientific discovery and a first contact situation, but there are no aliens revealed in this story. It is a fast read. I got through it in three sittings. While I have one reservation, mostly, I found it a solid story and I look forward to reading his next novel. Alcuin Rift is a complete story in itself, but it leaves room for a sequel, should the author choose to write one.

The following is the blurb describing the plot...

"An experiment in quantum reality draws the attention of something vast, unknowable, and indifferent."

"Dr. Elena Kade spent her life unraveling the mysteries of the universe. But when her experiment sends an unexpected signal into the void, the answer that returns is beyond comprehension—and devastating."

"Time is running out. If Kade cannot find a way to communicate—to make them understand—then humanity’s reality may cease to exist."

"The Alcuin Rift is a gripping debut science fiction novel written by a Filipino author exploring hard science, cosmic horror, and first contact. It's perfect for fans of science fiction books such as The Arrival and The Three-Body Problem."

The above description greatly simplifies what is between the covers. The story itself is far more complex, but is within the grasp of the average reader.

The only problem I had with this tale is with the characters. They felt one dimensional and stereotypical. There were scientists that included a lead scientist and an ambitious scientist who thought they knew better than the lead and was a little jealous. There were a few military persons who asserted themselves as one might expect commanding officers would. My problem is that I wanted to learn more about the people involved and find at least one character I could care about. For me, I found myself not really caring about what happened to the people in the story.

My favorite point of plot in Alcuin Rift was the science. I'll be the first to admit, I know very little about quantum physics or the properties of gravity waves. I do know they are phenomena that exist. Author Lim made it obvious he had done his homework to prepare for the writing of the story. I cannot tell where the real science versus made-up science - if there was any made-up - begins and ends. But my hat is off to Lim for his use of either type of science in the story! It made it a fun story to read and added elements of suspense and surprise to the tale.

There are numerous themes woven into the tapestry of this narrative. One that stood out to me is how solving problems on a universal scale must be very carefully thought out before they are executed. Who knows, in the distant future, we may run into some situations presented in Alcuin Rift, and lives, or even the entire existence of the universe as we know it, could be at stake.

My takeaway is to remember that it isn't a good thing to play around with things we don't understand. It's not nice to try to fool Mother Nature!

The Alcuin Rift is a fine, accessible first effort from author Charleston Lim and worth the time to read. I will be watching his future work and am eager to see growth in this writer. I recommend this book to those who enjoy some heavy-duty science content intermixed with high stakes risks in the exploration of the unknown.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Charleston Lim was born and raised on the island of Cebu, Philippines. Charleston has a deep passion for storytelling, science, and exploration - both in the real world and the vast expanse of fiction.

A Computer Science graduate, he has worked across multiple fields, including web development, design, news writing, and marketing, each experience shaping is perspective on technology and human creativity. Beyond his work in the digital space, he is also a photographer and musician, constantly seeking new ways to capture emotion and atmosphere, whether through images, music, or the written word.

Writing science fiction in the Philippines presents a unique challenge. In a country where mythology and folklore dominate popular storytelling, and where religious beliefs often shape public perception of science, speculative fiction that explores hard scientific concepts struggles to find mainstream acceptance.

Science fiction is often seen as a Western genre, associated with Hollywood blockbusters, superhero films, or anime, rather than a serious form of literature. Despite this, Charleston believes that science fiction has a place in Philippine storytelling - not as an outsider's genre, but as a means to explore the future of humanity, technology, and our place in the cosmos.

The Alcuin Rift is Charleston's debut novel. It blends hard science fiction with the mystery and the unknowable depths of first contact.

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Guilty But Aberrant: Hard-Boiled Sci-Fi by Michael Listen - A Must Read Novel Of Horror, Noir Crime Drama, and Humor!

Guilty but Aberrant: Hard-Boiled Sci-Fi by Michael Listen

I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Guilty but Aberrant is the third full-length novel by Oklahoma based author, Michael Listen. This story covers a wide range of subgenres under Science Fiction, including Noir, Horror, Crime Drama, and Humor. All of these combine to make what I found to be an amazing work of fiction that jumped off the pages and seized my attention from the first paragraph. In his two previous novels, and one novella, I have come to look forward to Michael's work as I eagerly await his next effort. Guilty but Aberrant is an excellently crafted story about a pair of detectives who go in search of suspects with seemingly supernatural abilities that are both horrific and deadly to those who come into contact with them. This story will always have the reader guessing what will happen next. Then there's the plot twist near the end! It blew my mind and left me wanting more! This book is a masterpiece, and it's only this author's third novel!

Detectives Costal Crux and his young, energetic partner, Leanna Daylee of the Aberrant Crime Unit, are charged with tracking down and apprehending Displacers - rare young people who have a dangerous ability to manipulate any material or substance they touch. They can touch an object and mutate it into other shapes, or they can touch flesh and cause bizarre changes in people, usually resulting in debilitating injuries or death. They are outcasts who are subjected to life in a "rehabilitation" facility that usually becomes a life sentence. 

Together, Costal and Leanna work in and around Crescent City where they discover crimes that will make the reader shiver as they pursue a string of murders committed by perps who can perform seemingly impossible feats. One has to wonder if they haven't bitten off more than they can chew.

The characters in Guilty but Aberrant are among some of the best developed I have ever read! Their backgrounds are woven into the story and revealed over time, giving the reader a sense of getting to know and care about them over time. Even the antagonists have backstory to help the reader not only loathe their activity, but to also understand what made them how they are. Character development is one of the major strengths Michael displays as he spins this tale.

Costal and Leanna are complete opposites in their approaches to solving the mysteries presented in this story. Costal is an old-fashioned kind of gumshoe detective in the noir style. He likes to plod along, gathering information as he gets it to track his progress, bringing him closer to a conclusion. His methods are proven to be tried and true, and they work well for him. On the other hand, Leanna relies heavily on technology and her idealism to get results. While they are both excellent at their jobs separately, their skills mesh well, even when their personalities don't.

One thing they do have in common is things that happened in their pasts haunting them. Neither one wants to revisit the events that cause them pain, but the nature of their job often takes them back to recall painful memories, but those memories also spur them to continue on.

One plot point that stands out to me is the humor in the story. It often gives some comic relief to the otherwise gruesome aspects of the narrative. Costal and Leanna are partners, and as such, they get to know each other than most people in a typical workplace. Their situation also makes room for them to get on each other's nerves occasionally. In the story, they exchange a lot of friendly as well as not so friendly barbs back and forth. There were numerous times in the story I found myself laughing out loud at their clever remarks, but I also felt a lot of tension between them, mostly on a philosophical level. It was fun to read their exchanges, which added to their depth as people.

There are numerous pop-culture references in the narrative that caused me amusement as well.

Another aspect standing out for me were the descriptions of the crime activity. It was detailed and quite macabre at times, and some readers who don't care for graphic scenes depicting violence might take warning. At no time were any of those violent scenes or descriptions of crime scenes gratuitous, nor did I think they didn't add a feeling of horror to the narrative.

The theme of friendship was the most palpable to me in this tale. The two principal characters are friends who agree, disagree, and show a lot of tolerance for one another, but they also genuinely care about one another. 

There is also a thematic aspect of what causes someone to behave in ways they do. While that cannot be an excuse for someone to do harm to others, it can help with understanding, and perhaps intervention. All the principal characters in this story appear to suffer from some level of PTSD, and there are different ways each deals with their trauma.

My takeaway from Guilty but Aberrant is to remember that what we see in a person at the superficial level isn't that person's entire story. Everyone carries some level of baggage from their past. Some a lot more than others.

I give Guilty but Aberrant my highest recommendation for a stupendous Sci-Fi novel that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat with the action. The characters are marvelously developed and jump off the page feeling like one is reading about real people. It is a complex story so masterfully written that it flows into the mind like a movie. The scene descriptions are vivid and clear and provide an excellent backdrop for the characters to play in.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I should also point out, there is a novella written in this universe one should read. It introduces the characters and gives one an insight into what to expect going forward. It is entitled Displacer: A Novella From The World Of Guilty But Aberrant. You can find more information on the novella from Michael's website, or on Amazon and Goodreads.

Michael Listen lives in Oklahoma with his wife and two children. After his time in the Navy, he moved into the Information Technology profession. However, Michael has always had a passion for art and creativity. He enjoys crafting stories for role-playing sessions with friends or writing short stories for his wife. His first full-length published book was a two-part science fiction space opera titled Echo.

You can connect with Michael at https://authormichaelliste.wixsite.com/authormlisten, or on Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon.

Well, there it is.

Qapla!