Velocity Weapon, Megan E. O’Keefe

[netbard]

Velocity Weapon, Megan E. O’Keefe

Velocity Weapon is very much a thriller space opera, and one whose impact is predicated on several surprises that are revealed over the course of the book. That makes it tricky to write about since giving those twists away would, to a certain extent, ruin the first read experience.

The basics are simple, though. In the future, humanity has expanded to the universe using Casimir Gates. The technology and manner of building these is kept secret amongst an organization called “Keepers”. These Keepers all have chips in their head which hold that information; chips that cannot be removed without killing them.

In one system, another government has developed - the Icarions. They want access to the gates without paying transit fees, and are willing to go to war to get it. Sergeant Sanda Greeve is sent out as part of a fleet to confront the problem. Icarian attacks, her ship is destroyed, and she ends up in an escape pod.

Meanwhile, somewhere else, Jules Valentine leads her small street crew in a Shadowrun-esque raid. What they find will upend their lives entirely.

Velocity Weapon is very well-written and paced. This isn’t a book of huge space battles, but one of a building mystery that only gets deeper the further you get in it. The characters are extremely well-developed and carry the weaknesses of their strengths throughout the story. All the plot threads come together in a series of reveals that changes much of what you previously thought of as the status quo.

All in all - highly recommend. Will likely purchase the next in the series.