The Comet’s Curse: A Gallahad Book by Dom Testa
A strong opening to a new sci-fi series. With the world’s population dying of a mysterious plague brought by a comet, the Gallahad project launches 251 of Earth’s best and brightest teenagers into space to look for a new home. The premise is not unique, but the writing is strong and the tale is a well-structured mystery. There is an extra passenger aboard the ship with murderous intentions who causes the first big dilemma for the ship’s young ruling council. The mystery is only part of the story, the book follows the back story of the creators of the project as they assemble the ideal crew. Several of the crew members’ stories are told filled with angst, loss and the power of being chosen for the Gallahad project. There is shipboard romance brewing and a computer with a very real sense of humor about the antics of his teenage charges.
The book will appeal to sci-fi fans, but also to mystery fans as the identity of the stowaway is sought. The addition of humor and romance make the pages fly by. 240p., 2009