Phobos

Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this one
Review: I can't believe this book is not selling better. Somehow word of mouth is just not getting out. This is a great story. It's fun, exciting, and everything you want in an SF novel. The mystery part keeps it moving, the characters are fully developed and interesting. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. It's a great read and I can't wait for whatever Ty Drago comes up with next.

Rating:
Summary: A Classing Space Saga
Review: In the classic style of Asimov and EE "Doc" Smith, Ty Drago creates a rich future filled with strong personalities, grand schemes and deadly conflicts. With a fast start, we are dragged into situations of grave danger, and follow our hero as he faces off against defiant rebels, overbearing global corporations, and meglomaniacs aplenty. While we fit together many of the pieces ahead of time, there remains surprises up to the end.

A great story, from start to finish, with characters of impressive depth. I can't wait for more adventures of Lieutenant Brogue and the Hammers.

Rating:
Summary: Strange world, strange case
Review: The biggest mystery in Phobos may not be the case Peace Corps lieutenant Mike Brogue is sent to solve, but the universe in which Phobos is set. Some of the backstory is filled in, but many questions remain unanswered (at least for now--the ending suggests a sequel).

The mystery itself is an engaging one, reminiscent of another debut novel, Matthew Delaney's Jinn. While that novel used writing gimmicks to create shocks (such as withholding necessary information), this one doesn't. If anything, the book reminded me of an episode of "Scooby-Doo" (and this is a compliment): before long it is clear that there *is* a rational explanation for everything that's happened; it's up to Brogue et al. to find it.

The book moves along at a fair clip, with enough suspense and intrigue to carry you through to the last pages. If Drago writes a sequel, I'll definitely read it.