Book Review: ROGUE GENESIS by Ceri London

I tend to separate my science fiction into two categories. In some SFF, the science part is just a story element used as a setting or a device to keep the plot moving forward. Then there are the tales where the science is integral to the story, almost like another main character.

Rogue Genesis is the latter, the kind of science fiction where I found myself googling terms like “geo-magnetic flux” and “ley lines” in my spare time.

But lest you be frightened away by the science, fear not, good reader! The story of Major Niall Kearey, USAF, is a great read with lots of well-developed characters and military-political intrigue. Kearey has had greatness thrust upon him, the fate of a world rests on his abilities to navigate space-time.

As a small child, Niall found his mind could slip away to what he thought was a dream world. Over time he came to realize the dream world was an actual planet on the opposite side of the universe called Astereal. Kearey travels there in the blink of an eye and is able to interact with the Astereans by taking a host body, which the Astereans gladly offer. Earth and Astereal exist in different timeflows, meaning that a very short period of time is much longer on Astereal and Niall’s visits span many generations of Asterean history.

As we enter the story, Astereal is slowly being torn apart by “dark stars” or black holes. The upside to the dark star problem is that it is also slowing Asterean time down to match Earth’s timeflow, a point called Alignment. As Alignment approaches, Niall’s powers grow beyond mind travel such that he is able to open portals in space-time and move actual things, like people. A lot of people.

Earth (understandably) is worried about the potential for a rogue super-psycho-kinetic mind traveler to transport millions of aliens to our planet. Enter the bad guys: a shadowy organization reaching the highest levels of world power who are very interested in Asterean technology. Through a series of carrot-and-stick maneuvers, they compel Kearey to cooperate.

The stakes mount for Kearey. His wife, his children, and the Asterean race all become pawns in an inter-galactic game of chicken. Major Niall Kearey, USAF, needs to use all his skills to come up with a new plan.

Geo-magnetics, flux engines, secret societies, portals, space-time slipping, aliens, mental shields, and dark stars, Rogue Genesis literally has them all, but somehow Ms. London makes it all work in this self-described “science fiction/fantasy techno-thriller.”

First in “Shimmer in the Dark” series, I will definitely be coming back for more.

David Bruns is a speculative fiction writer from Minnesota.  His latest novel, IRRADIANCE, the first book in The Dream Guild Chronicles, is available HERE.

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