Synopsis:
The year is 2204.
The galaxy is on the edge of conflict.
And an ancient conspiracy is about to explode.
Can two intelligence operatives with a brutal shared past and a former Lunar freedom fighter stop a dastardly plot that dates back to the lost continent of Atlantis?
Find out in The Europan Deception, the first in the epic Dark Galaxy series! Perfect for fans of The Expanse looking for a fast-paced sci-fi thriller in a gritty, realistic setting.
Review:
Ryan M Patrick wears his book heart firmly on his sleeve with The Europan Deception. This is a spy cum conspiracy thriller in space, and fans of his previous books will not be disappointed by the thrill ride he’s crafted here. Patrick has built a future where jump gates and comms work hand in hand to shorten the distances involved, while spaceships and atmospheric craft adhere to hard science physics his space-related background demands. Humanity has expanded beyond the solar system into new colonies, all of which are aligned to their country of origin, including eastern and African states. This rich background is compounded with the reliance of the Earth based countries on the mineral wealth, and in turn the colonies on support as they struggle towards self-sufficiency. This forges a hotbed of revolution and sedition, into which Mark Clancy is thrust as an operative of the United States. Once the bullets fly, and colony related assassinations start, we follow Clancy on a journey of action and discovery from planet to planet seeking the true organisation at the heart of the conspiracy. Alongside him are two capable female agents who pull him out of the fire on a number of occasions, characters with real prowess and not just along for the ride.
Fans of Tom Clancy will lap up the action and the structure of Patrick’s book, while the overarching threat that he alludes to will excite the sci-fi reader for what is to come. There are moments when we can get bogged down in acronyms ‒ the author’s vast knowledge of the US government agencies is clear to see. However, the excitement and spy thriller feel overrides those and I look forward to Book 2 in the Dark Galaxy series.
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