The Bookwyrm's Review of A Glimpse Beyond by J.D. Sullivan

 

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Rating: 9.5/10 Stars

Synopsis

A lot has changed for Dillon Mackey in just a few months in space.

Solving the mystery of who wiped out his mentor's people has closed one chapter, but if anything, life has become more complicated on that front.

An attack upon their Kwaagi friends adds a new wrinkle to things, but that's hardly the worst of it as a mysterious black ship begins pursuing Dillon and Sherisza across space-time to issue a deadly warning.

What lies beyond the veil of space-time, and what new dangers will it bring into their lives as they try to save her species?

Review

I'm always interested to see where an author takes a story after the initial book's setup. This is one of those series that had a lot of potential, and I'm gad to see that potential being realized. This is definitely not suffering from any sophomore slump.

The world building is excellent yet again. Expanding on the first books setting, we get a better look at Sherisza's home planet as it starts in it's recovery and it is heartwarming to see after the tragedy of the genetic plague that killed the inhabitants. We get a bigger picture of the various galactic powers, especially the Kwaagi Empire. The introduction of a mysterious destructive galactic force was also a great add, and keeps you guessing throughout.

The characters are again a real strength. Dillon and Sherisza have grown as both people and a couple. The struggle to repopulate Sherisza home 

world is unorthodox, but really helps round out their character arcs. The fact that they are also now dealing with an unknown alien invasion in the areas they work, which may be tied into the efforts to stop their repopulation program is also a troubling development for them. Their relationship arc is growing as well, as they have a much closer working and emotional relationship, really showing Dillon's  growth and maturity. A nicely satisfying bit of character growth.

The various secondary characters are nicely fleshed out as well. We are introduced to some new characters, including a female Kwaagi scholar who becomes friends with Dillon and Sherisza, trying to help them solve the mystery of who is attacking the Kwaagi empire. The antagonists in this one aren't as clear cut as book one, being much more of a mysterious threat, although they seem more dangerous to the galaxy at large. We are getting the slow reveal for their true motives, but it is set up very well. I'm very much intrigued to see where it goes from here.

Avoiding the dreaded sophomore slump, This book takes what worked well in the first book and ran with it to continue a storyline that just keeps pulling the reader in. With an existential threat that seems to be a threat to the wider galaxy, you can't help but wonder where it will go next. This is a book that should have great appeal to fans of space opera who like an action packed story, with a diverse cast of alien and human characters who the reader can really empathize with. If you are looking for your next great sci-fi read, I highly recommend giving this series a look.