A wrecked spaceship and missing alien princess have called the Space Warfare Group into service. Major Malcolm “Mac” Lambert leads his squad on this mission Into the Darkness, exposing interstellar secrets and his own character. After losing his close friend and fellow soldier, Mac struggles to balance the mission with his desire for vengeance. Hack explores complex themes of loyalty and coping with loss while continuing one’s mission. Charles Hack’s Into the Darkness summons a close-range science fiction story, focusing on the personal challenges of space warfare among alien cultures with a steady pace and serious tone.

Best for: Young adults, fans of military sci-fi.

Discern: Light descriptions of combat-related violence.