Descent into Darkness by Andrea De Magistris and Michele Perni

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The novel “Descent into Darkness” by Andrea De Magistris and Michele Perni was published for the first time in 2021. It’s the second book in the Velera-Exi: mysteries of the paradox planets series and follows “Murder on Autarch 1”.

Agent Frank Harden of the Investigation Detachment has recovered physically but is still mentally affected by all the things that happened to him. He intends to continue his investigation even though his boss told him very clearly that nothing can be done, at least officially. Consequently, he must proceed on his own, also in agreement with Lester Devon, the boss of the Clan, because even such an important criminal wants to understand who is working in the shadows.

A lead brings Frank Harden to the planet Mine, so called because it’s essentially a cosmic mine where workers dig the mysterious mineral NR14. Arriving on Mine undercover, Harden soon realizes that he has ended up in a hellish place where miners are exploited to the point of death and strange things happen.

The Serpent's Tongue by Jonathan Macho

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The novel “The Serpent’s Tongue” by Jonathan Macho was published for the first time in 2020.

A school trip to Stratford-upon-Avon becomes another fight against aliens for Lucy Wilson and Hobo. Thanks to the ring given to her by Anne Travers, Lucy manages to travel through time and together with Hobo manages to defeat the Ursinians. The two of them also find time to make a new friend in Louise, a local girl who is a big William Shakespeare fan and is celebrating the Bard’s jubilee.

When Louise joins her new friends and follows them on their journey back to the 21st century, her presence becomes a problem, as she raises questions from parents and teachers. It’s hardly the biggest problem because two entities using the names Prospero and Puck are watching over them.

Ballistic by Marko Kloos

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The novel “Ballistic” by Marko Kloos was published for the first time in 2020. It’s the second book in The Palladium Wars series and follows “Aftershocks”.

Aden Robertson joined the crew of the merchant spaceship Zephyr but things get complicated when they agree to transport a cargo without knowing its nature. On the planet Gretia, Color Sergeant Idina Chaudhary must pay attention to new possible acts of terrorism, and finding a boy in possession of an army-issued gun opens a new front of investigation.

When Lieutenant Commander Dunstan Park discovers a spaceship far more powerful than the one he commands half-destroyed with no trace of survivors, he quickly realizes that he may face a battle with an unknown enemy. Solveig Ragnar is adapting to her new job but her relationship with her father is complicated and a trip to the planet Acheron for a very important business meeting offers her the opportunity to escape his control.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

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The novella “A Psalm for the Wild-Built” by Becky Chambers was published for the first time in 2021. It’s the first book in the Monk & Robot series. It won the Hugo Award for best novella of the year.

Sibling Dex is a tea monk who sought a spiritual life. They still feel a certain dissatisfaction but can’t understand what they need. They decide to change their travel routine by venturing on paths different from the ones they usually take, where humans let nature grow wild again.

During their new journey, Sibling Dex comes across a robot who tells them its name is Splendid Speckled Mosscap. Despite its completely friendly attitude, Dex remains dumbfounded because generations have passed since robots decided to live on their own. Splendid Speckled Mosscap has a very simple and yet damned complex question: “What do people need?”

The Long Sunset by Jack McDevitt

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The novel “The Long Sunset” by Jack McDevitt was published for the first time in 2008. This is the eighth novel in the Academy series, set in the 23rd century and starring the space pilot Priscilla “Hutch” Hutchins.

When an alien signal is detected on Earth, a new interstellar expedition is set up with Priscilla “Hutch” Hutchins as the starship’s pilot, also due to her experience in first contacts with alien species. However, humanity’s isolationism is growing and the mission is in danger.

Derek Blanchard, who runs the new mission, is determined to leave but even the authorities seem to want to prevent the starship from leaving for purely political reasons. More and more people seem terrified of encountering hostile aliens, and this forces the team to leave hastily.