The setting is Capsun 23, an uncharted planet that by first glance is almost an Eden-esq environment with crystal clear lakes and clean skies. Too bad there are stranded scientists, malfunctioning search drones, and lack of comms. It is a discovery and rescue mission with a small team in an unknown environment....what could possibly go wrong?
Just like the series launch, Harper's 10 introduces a full cast of characters, and through a great deal of action, you get a feel for each player as you see how the adventure unfolds. It is character driven, but also action driven, which any good Space Opera needs to keep readers engaged.
At this point in Callum's life, he isn't the Reluctant Hero which is so formulaic in this genre. He is simply a soldier, a leader with conflicting human emotions. He does the right thing, eventually, and works hard to keep his team and others inline and alive.
I truly enjoyed Star Splinter Fractured Space Series Book One so I happily read a prequel to the series. Most prequels often come out after a series is established, but having enjoyed the character, Callum Harper, it was fun to get his back-story. And boy do you get it. Harper's 10 takes you on Harper's mission right before he returns to have a chat with his CO, Captain Decker.
Solid action and characters with a couple percentage points knocked off for the chosen antagonist (I agree with Indiana Jones, so there is the ONLY hint of a non-spoiler).
I stayed up two long nights and flew through this prequel. The author was nice enough to send an advance review copy..
4.6 of 5 stars. ARC provided by author From the Publisher:
Harper's Ten is the prequel to the Fractured Space series. What happens when technology fails and nature bares its teeth? Lieutenant Callum Harper knows that his team are as tough as they come: nine highly trained men and women and one battle robot who’s eleven feet of pure, cybernetic muscle. But as they drop through the atmosphere of the uncharted planet Capsun 23, Cal can’t shake the feeling that something is off about this mission. Three data drones have previously touched down but soon went dark. And now, all communication with a group of civilian researchers has been lost. Intel suspects scavengers are to blame—or at worst pirates. But Cal’s instincts are telling him otherwise. All that’s known about Capsun 23 is that the gravity is within acceptable limits, the air is breathable, and water is abundant. Three things to encourage life…but what kind of life? Cal has never been one to back away from a potential fight, but if his instincts are right, a lone team simply won’t cut it. Not by a long shot.
