Debut Review: FIRST LIGHT by Casey E. Berger

Readers who love character-driven space operas need to add First Light by Casey E. Berger to their tbr. This is a very impressive start to a rapid-release sci-fi trilogy launching in September, October, and November. First Light has many strengths that compare to another 2021 sci-fi debut, The Last Watch by J.S. Dewes. Both stories feature strong female protagonists that are ranking officers of diverse teams of competent soldiers.

In the well-crafted future of First Light, planet Earth is 300 years ruined and abandoned. Humanity has colonized the galaxy, and we are not alone. There are two other galactic superpowers beside the Human Union: the Szacante Federation and Nareian Monarchy. The Szacante are a technologically advanced species with personalized artificial intelligence implanted in their bodies in infancy, acting as virtual assistants that can learn and adapt with its hosts. The Nareians have evolved from a puma-like ancestor. They are large, muscular, and can shift from a bipedal to quadrupedal gait when attacking “swift as cavalry.”

The story’s three main characters give a POV for each of these species. Lieutenant Commander Jaya Mill is the head of a counterterrorism strike team with the Navy. Dr. Tynan Vasuda is a brilliant Szacante scientist and founder of a leading biotech firm. Mara is a Nareian bounty hunter who is just as much on the run as her targets. Jaya, Tynan, and Mara all fall victim to a mysterious terrorist cell known as the Sons of Priam. They must fight together or witness a shadowy organization continue on its path of mass death and destruction.

Thank you to the author for providing an eARC in an author swap. I have pre-ordered the eBook and hope a paperback will be made available for purchase as well.