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dawn_marie's review
4.0
The Nova Incident is the latest installment in Dan Moren’s highly entertaining Galactic Cold War series. In this installment, the Special Projects Team lead by Simon Kovalic is tasked to investigate a domestic terrorist attack on the capital city’s communication hub.
Although set in a future world against a science-fiction backdrop, the novel has a good old fashioned spy thriller/espionage vibe. The novel starts with a literal bang when Kovalic witnesses the bombing of a building in Salaam the capital of the Commonwealth and doesn’t let up until the end. As Kovalic and his team work to unravel the mystery of the bombing, they uncover more secrets, conspiracies, and cover-ups, making them question everything they’ve been told.
While the world building is great and the story telling top notch, I really think the wonderful characters make the stories come alive. Each member of the team (Kovlaic, Tapper, Taylor, Brody), even newest member Addy Sayers, is a fully realized character with an interesting and complex history. I enjoy reading of the interactions between the team members, they feel very realistic and relatable.
The mystery/plot element of the novel was entertaining, filled with enough twists and turns to keep you (and the characters) guessing until the very end . . . and even then you’re still not one-hundred percent sure who to trust.
The Nova Incident has been described as “Mission Impossible in space” and that is a great description. It is a fast pace, enjoyable read filled with memorable characters, humor, and engaging plot. I look forward to more Galactic Cold War stories.,
Although set in a future world against a science-fiction backdrop, the novel has a good old fashioned spy thriller/espionage vibe. The novel starts with a literal bang when Kovalic witnesses the bombing of a building in Salaam the capital of the Commonwealth and doesn’t let up until the end. As Kovalic and his team work to unravel the mystery of the bombing, they uncover more secrets, conspiracies, and cover-ups, making them question everything they’ve been told.
While the world building is great and the story telling top notch, I really think the wonderful characters make the stories come alive. Each member of the team (Kovlaic, Tapper, Taylor, Brody), even newest member Addy Sayers, is a fully realized character with an interesting and complex history. I enjoy reading of the interactions between the team members, they feel very realistic and relatable.
The mystery/plot element of the novel was entertaining, filled with enough twists and turns to keep you (and the characters) guessing until the very end . . . and even then you’re still not one-hundred percent sure who to trust.
The Nova Incident has been described as “Mission Impossible in space” and that is a great description. It is a fast pace, enjoyable read filled with memorable characters, humor, and engaging plot. I look forward to more Galactic Cold War stories.,
drquadfather's review against another edition
5.0
I have enjoyed all the previous Galactic Cold War novels, and this one is my favorite. There is more of a focus on Kovalic as the main character, but new characters, such as Addy Seyers, continue to be well fleshed out and are interesting additions to the group.
While set in the future, in a setting of science fiction, this is still definitely a spy thriller at its heart. As such, I think it would appeal to fans of either or both genres. The story moves along at a thrilling pace, with enough breaks that it never feels out of control (the entire story takes place over the course of only a couple of days). As a novel, it wraps up satisfyingly enough that it was enjoyable, but ends with its hooks deep in you, wanting more. Hopefully the story will continue!
While set in the future, in a setting of science fiction, this is still definitely a spy thriller at its heart. As such, I think it would appeal to fans of either or both genres. The story moves along at a thrilling pace, with enough breaks that it never feels out of control (the entire story takes place over the course of only a couple of days). As a novel, it wraps up satisfyingly enough that it was enjoyable, but ends with its hooks deep in you, wanting more. Hopefully the story will continue!
amcintosh's review
5.0
I have enjoyed each previous book of this series and this one was no exception.
I felt like this was a bit of a cross of the previous two in feel. The Bayern Agenda was a spy-thriller with a good side of politics, The Aleph Extraction was a spy-heist, and The Nova Incident had the thriller, the politics, and some heist-like feel as well, but with a lot more conspiracy and paranoia thrown in for a fun. You really have trouble at times knowing who to trust.
The setting was as full and detailed as the previous outings, and some of the places you could really picture perfectly in your head. I would absolutely love to see these novels adapted to a screen.
Like Aleph there were some good twists that I felt had a good balance of being surprising while still guessable. You think you know where things might end up, but you're never quite sure until you get there, and sometimes you may just be plain wrong.
I enjoyed Addy as an additonal point of view character in The Aleph Extraction and The Nova Incident continues with her, Kovalic, and Eli as the central points of view.
Great book.
I felt like this was a bit of a cross of the previous two in feel. The Bayern Agenda was a spy-thriller with a good side of politics, The Aleph Extraction was a spy-heist, and The Nova Incident had the thriller, the politics, and some heist-like feel as well, but with a lot more conspiracy and paranoia thrown in for a fun. You really have trouble at times knowing who to trust.
The setting was as full and detailed as the previous outings, and some of the places you could really picture perfectly in your head. I would absolutely love to see these novels adapted to a screen.
Like Aleph there were some good twists that I felt had a good balance of being surprising while still guessable. You think you know where things might end up, but you're never quite sure until you get there, and sometimes you may just be plain wrong.
I enjoyed Addy as an additonal point of view character in The Aleph Extraction and The Nova Incident continues with her, Kovalic, and Eli as the central points of view.
Great book.
techxplorer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
itheory's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Still fun looking forward to the next one.,
julie_bonjour's review
5.0
These books are just so fun to read : fast paced, great characters, good intrigue.
megatza's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Great character development and intrigue in this space spies novel! The stakes seem to keep growing ever higher for Kovalic and his team.
beardedbooknut's review
5.0
This series gets better and better! The Nova Incident is more spy thriller than any of the earlier books in this series. Great story that rarely lets up, character progression for most of the regulars, and a promising ending. I don't need more than that in my books, to be honest.
jbrooxd's review
4.0
[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
4.5 stars = I loved it! Would re-read.
My favorite book in the series (so far)!! The story is thoroughly engaging, the pacing was consistent and "just right." There are some fun surprises and tons of action - and an epic cliffhanger. I need the next book in my hands NOW!
These books are definitely best read in order. You could skip the "prequel" (Calledonian Gambit), but I did at first and felt like I was missing bits, so I recommend starting from the beginning. The books get stronger as you go along. Sci-fi fans should give this spies-in-space series a try!
4.5 stars = I loved it! Would re-read.
My favorite book in the series (so far)!! The story is thoroughly engaging, the pacing was consistent and "just right." There are some fun surprises and tons of action - and an epic cliffhanger. I need the next book in my hands NOW!
These books are definitely best read in order. You could skip the "prequel" (Calledonian Gambit), but I did at first and felt like I was missing bits, so I recommend starting from the beginning. The books get stronger as you go along. Sci-fi fans should give this spies-in-space series a try!