Ratings8
Average rating4
The rollicking first entry in a unique science fiction series that introduces the Near-Earth Orbital Guard--NeoG--a military force patrolling and protecting space inspired by the real-life mission of the U.S. Coast Guard. For the past year, their close loss in the annual Boarding Games has haunted Interceptor Team: Zuma's Ghost. With this year's competition looming, they're looking forward to some payback--until an unexpected personnel change leaves them reeling. Their best swordsman has been transferred, and a new lieutenant has been assigned in his place. Maxine Carmichael is trying to carve a place in the world on her own--away from the pressure and influence of her powerful family. The last thing she wants is to cause trouble at her command on Jupiter Station. With her new team in turmoil, Max must overcome her self-doubt and win their trust if she's going to succeed. Failing is not an option--and would only prove her parents right. But Max and the team must learn to work together quickly. A routine mission to retrieve a missing ship has suddenly turned dangerous, and now their lives are on the line. Someone is targeting members of Zuma's Ghost, a mysterious opponent willing to kill to safeguard a secret that could shake society to its core . . . a secret that could lead to their deaths and kill thousands more unless Max and her new team stop them. Rescue those in danger, find the bad guys, win the Games. It's all in a day's work at the NeoG.
Reviews with the most likes.
While a fun ‘found family' sci-fi story it seemed to have gotten in it's own way - Full review here:
https://youtu.be/IC_GKJOvow0
How have I never heard of this book before??? People are seriously sleeping on an incredible sci-fi story.
A Pale Light in the Black is an absolutely wonderful character-driven LGBTQIA+ story featuring one of the best and most believable found families I've ever read about. Wagers writes fantastic character development and never info dumps. I would recommend this book to fans of the Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers, especially fans like me who wanted a bit more of a plot in The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet.
The only criticism I have is that I would have liked to have more time experiencing the Big Game, the final puzzle team event, with the crew during the Boarding Games. I ended up liking the Games way more than I expected, and I was disappointed to miss out on that event in the final Games. The team works so well together and their dynamic really shines when shown on the page.
I love Jenks and Max with all my heart, and their friendship makes me so happy. It had such a realistic and natural progression. I cannot wait for the next book to be able to read more about these girls and the rest of the crew of Zuma's Ghost.
An emphasis on the characters and their interactions, which I enjoy, with a mystery in the background, which they leave pretty cryptic and wrap up, rather suddenly, at the end.
I honestly just had trouble keeping track of the characters. I did like the story though
Series
3 primary booksNeoG is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2020 with contributions by K. B. Wagers and K.B. Wagers.