Zero Flux (Central Galactic Concordance #2.5)
by Carol Van Natta
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Science Fiction Romance/ Space Opera
Blurb:
A couple investigating murder on a cold planet discovers their first challenge is staying alive. Forensic investigator Luka Foxe has begun a new life with Mairwen Morganthur (Overload Flux), and left his troubled past far behind. Only a plea from his old friend and mentor can lure him back to investigate a violent crime scene frozen in an ice cave. Unfortunately, Luka’s old friend knows far more than he’s telling, which could get them all killed, even with security specialist Mairwen on their side.An unexpected ice fall reveals a hidden lab buried deep in a mountain and the find of a lifetime. Now someone is trying to make sure those secrets stay frozen in time, even if it means more deaths …
Hang on for a space opera murder mystery in the far reaches of deep space—get your copy of Zero Flux today!
Zero Flux is a complete story. It can be enjoyed without having read the series, but your experience will be enhanced if you’ve read the previous books.
My Review
This was a fun short novella following Mairwen and Luka when they go to Luka’s home planet to solve a very cold case. There is a bit of mystery and I enjoyed spending a bit more time with Luka and Mairwen.
The mystery and the case they had to solve wasn’t as complex or long as the ones in the full length books, but it still was a fun read. I liked how they slowly figured out what had happened here and how far someone would go to protect their secrets.
There are some small mentions of events in the main series and Luka and Mairwen are already an established couple, but this one might work as introduction to the series. Although personally I think it works best read in order. I wonder if the events in this novella will tie in with the main plot lines as well eventually.
I really like both Mairwen and Luka and it was great to spend some time with them again in this novella. I also liked seeing how they were doing now and how the were settles into their new lives and in their relationship a bit more than at the end of Overload Flux. It was lovely revisiting them again and I hope to see them in the rest of the series too. They are just so great together and I am happy the author wrote this novella about them.
To summarize: this was a fun addition to the series. I liked spending a bit more time with Luka and Mairwen. The mystery is a bit shorter than in the main novels, but it was still a fun read and I enjoyed discovering what had happened here. I also thought it was interesting we got to visit Luka’s home planet and I liked the bits we see about how Luka and Mairwen are doing now. It can be read as standalone probably, but I think it’s most fun when read in order and it’s a great series so far. All in all this was a fun read and an awesome series so far and I like every new bit we learn about this universe and the people in it.
Links:
– Goodreads
– Amazon
– B&N
– Kobo
You can also read my review on Goodreads and Amazon.
I got this one as a freebie, but good to know that it works to read it in order with the other books to get the most out of it. I notice how each book seems to take things to a different setting and there is a mystery. Looking forward to that part. 🙂
Nice you got this one as a freebie already! Yes I think you get the most out of this one to read it in order or at least after book 1. It’s great how each book takes place somewhere else and has a mystery as well.
This one sounds like great fun, Lola – I’ll look out for these books as they sound like something I’d really enjoy:)
I would totally recommend this series! I think you would enjoy it.
I hadn’t heard of this one before now. Sounds interesting though. Thanks for the great review.
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I am making my way through this author’s books and I really enjoy her books so far :).
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That’s nice you got to see how some characters were doing and settling into their lives and relationship, especially since they sound like character you like! Mysteries in novellas are never too complex since the story is so short, but they can definitely still be fun to read, even if it’s just to spend more time with certain characters 🙂
I agree usually the mysteries in novellas aren’t as complex, but that’s okay. It was fun to spend some time with these characters again :).