This book shows a big step up from his previous works. The writing is tight, the characters have their own voices, no mcguffins, no Mary sues.
In the Frontlines series, while i enjoyed it, I didn't believe the universe created and the characters living in it. By the end of the latest i was just reading to finish.
Aftershocks treats the reader intelligently, doesn't give away the whole story, the background and tell me everything up front. Still plenty of mysteries to resolve and character development moves along at a nice clip.
I say tight and that is a great thing. Nothing pulls me out of a story like obvious plot holes, unexplained reasons for character motivations and super heroes that can do anything and everything.
Really a fantastic upgrade for Mark Kloos. I look forward to the next one.