After a catastrophe on Charlie’s home world, she awakens in a hospital on a strange planet. She can’t remember enlisting, but she’s compelled aboard the Magnetar, assigned for covert transportation of a dangerous octopod terrorist. This hard sci-fi novel warps through basic training and crew alliances while Charlie confronts her mysterious past and tries to disentangle a terrorist plot. Author Jo Boone explores the dynamics of a bio-diverse spacefaring alliance and the marvels of its flagship. A galaxy of four distinct species and complex plotting makes for a fantastic read.

Best for: Fans of hard sci-fi, futuristic military, and space opera.

Discern: Some mild profanity and themes of trauma.