Book Review: Beyond Asimios: Book One by Martin Fossum
Dr. Martin Graf has come to think of Asimios Station as his home. The first extrasolar planet that Earthlings have found possible to terraform, Asimios is almost survivable by humans for short periods. A lot of scientific advancement has come out of the project, and Dr. Graf’s wife is buried there. So he’s not pleased when ESCOM, the megacorporation that owns Asimios Station, abruptly announces they’re shutting the whole place down, abandoning the planet, and blowing up the wormhole behind them. Dr. Graf hatches a scheme to be left behind to die where his heart is.
Preston Wolfe is a high-ranking Security executive for ESCOM, soon to become Security Chief. Much as he knows how important Asimios is, he has information that suggests that keeping it might be more dangerous than it’s worth. He also seems to have some personal enemies, if the assassination attempt on Phobos is any indication. Furthermore, there’s a big meeting of Earth’s megacorporations to address.
Nava Wolfe is estranged from her father since she joined the non-violent resistance group known as the NLA. The megacorps are cracking down on protesters again, and she’s heavily pregnant. So she and her partner Michael have come to a refugee camp in Germany in search of an obstetrician who can be trusted. It’s relatively easy to enter Zeltstadt 483; escaping is the problem.
These three may soon have bigger problems to face, as a menace comes from beyond Asimios.
Good: The three main protagonists (we briefly dip into other points of view) have very different personalities and priorities, changing the narrative voice somewhat. There’s some interesting worldbuilding going on, with cultural touchstones after the early 21st Century that make the setting feel more real.
Each of the three plot threads has suspense and interesting supporting characters. The AI characters are distinct from each other and the humans, and no group is homogenous. (One of the NLA members loves to go into detail about the horrific injustice and suffering he received from the corporate oligarchs, but has no interest in anyone else’s tragic backstory.)
Preston Wolfe seems to have left some of his humanity behind in favor of promotion, since he doesn’t seem to grok how other people don’t forgive being screwed over or have higher priorities than serving the company and getting ahead.
Less good: This is very much the first half of a book. We are delivered to a perilous state for each of the main characters, and then left to wait for Book Two (which a note states will definitely complete the story.) Most unsatisfying.
Content note: rape in the backstory, Dr. Graf attempts suicide.
Overall: A promising first half of a book, but can it stick the landing? Recommended for those willing to wait to find out.
