The Kasari Nexus

The Kasari Nexus

by Richard Phillips

Published: 47North (2016)

                   

The opening instalment of Richard Phillips’ upcoming Kasari Rho Agenda Assimilation series, The Kasari Nexus is a fast-paced political thriller on an intergalactic scale. Stranded on an alien spaceship, countless light-years from Earth, Jennifer Smythe and Raul Rodriguez have only their wits to keep them alive. With no hope of returning home, and a ship in desperate need of repair, their only solace is a small, inhabited planet their ship has targeted as its next destination. But as Scion draws ever nearer all hope of shelter is crushed when scans indicate that the malevolent Kasari Collective already has a foothold on the planet.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, their opposition to proposed intergalactic dealings with the Kasari have made Mark and Heather Smythe enemies of the UFNS. Alongside their security team of Mark Gregory, Janet Price and their son Robby they flee North America intending to reach New Zealand via Lima, Peru. But a crack force of Special Forces, led by Daniil Alkaev is on their tail, and if they’re caught the future of the Earth itself hangs in the balance.

Fast-paced and exciting, The Kasari Nexus is a gripping read. The author’s military background comes to the fore, packing the story with gripping battles that draw the reader in. Of course the nature of science-fiction ensures that not all these battles take place with ‘recognisable’ weapons, but Phillips expertly overcomes this ensuring that the battles on Scion seem just as plausible as those that occur on Earth.

With so much detail going into these encounters, the novel could be forgiven for neglecting character development, but The Kasari Nexus doesn’t fall ito this trap. Each of the characters is well rounded, with their own unique personality that doesn’t falter. Each character reacts to their situation as their personality dictates and this helps engage the reader in the story. I’ve found in the past that some science-fiction neglects this aspect and distances the reader when someone acts out of character.

If I was to have one issue with The Kasari Nexus, and it is a minor problem, it comes in the form of the book’s place in the overall Kasari story. Coming, as it does, after a previous trilogy there has already been a detailed history built up for the characters. So as not to alienate new readers, Phillips occasionally has to refer back to events that have already happened to explain characters’ actions. This unfortunately breaks up the flow of the story from time to time, providing a minor irritant; that aside, I would recommend giving The Kasari Nexus a read. An entertaining read, and a definite thumbs up from me.