Interesting book that I felt would have benefited from more characters and stronger character development. This felt like half the book was missing and while it was interesting to drop right into the plot and go running off with two interesting characters I felt the book missed filling in more of the characters and motivations. The antagonists also felt half baked and the deus ex machina end wasn't particularly fun.

Dark Space is a captivating interstellar espionage thriller filled with deception, intrigue and heart. A story that’s equal parts science fiction entertainment and cautionary glimpse into our future. A stellar novel that has emerged with a big bang from the creative minds of Rob Hart and Alex Segura.

The Mosaic is a spaceship manned by a half American, half Chinese crew that’s on a critical mission to ascertain the habitability of a planet outside our solar system. But when the ship experiences malfunctions, and the distress call and systems checks are wiped from the system, former best friends – pilot Jose Carriles and spy Corin Timony – independently realize this mission isn’t what it seems. As they seek answers and attempt to determine the true nature of the mission, they become entangled in a conspiracy and intergalactic conflict that threatens the very existence of humanity.

Dark Space is a wonderfully engrossing story with characters worthy of the investment of your time and emotional capital. It’s a well-written book that checks all the boxes of a traditional espionage novel, filled with suspense, political maneuvering, hidden agendas, misdirection, and trying to outwit your opponents. But the sci-fi aspect adds an extraordinary dimension, painting an incredible picture of the possibilities the universe possesses that we might one day be able to realize – for better or for worse.

There are also many lessons to be learned from this book. Starting with an acknowledgement that human nature and the trajectory of our current world will need to be reckoned with at some point in the future. But the lessons that really resonate, and my favorite part of the book, are the stories of redemption and hope. Falling down but picking yourself up. Stepping up and making difficult decisions when the need arises. And being part of something bigger than yourself, selflessly putting it all on the line for the benefit of the collective. Beautiful stuff intertwined in an enjoyably tense yet fun novel.

This book is fantastic! Kudos to Hart and Segura for teaming up to deliver this cosmic tale. Hopefully there’s more to come. Because I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters and the worlds they inhabit.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it had a strong scifi feel to it and enjoyed the tense atmosphere that I wanted from this. I enjoyed that it uses the spy element in a way that worked with the space element. I enjoyed the overall story and how the characters worked in this universe. I could see the elements of other space stories but still be its own unique thing. Rob Hart & Alex Segura has a great writing style and enjoyed what I read.

I found Dark Space to be a readable if formulaic space opera. There are two intertwined strands: a space officer from a privileged background proves his mettle and his former friend, a disgraced spy, searches for truth in a murky undercover world. I found the world building a bit clunky, the conspiracy unlikely, and the resolution unconvincing. It is a quick read but could have used more time to lay out a better story.

This is an honest review in return for the opportunity to read the ARC for DARK SPACE.

It was an interesting novel, with two distinct point of view characters. I was thoroughly engaged in trying to figure out the truth behind what was happening, and I loved that it kept me guessing all the way to the end.

The characters were believable and relatable, even when they weren’t good people. The world building was fantastic, too. There was enough science that it felt realistic, without feeling overwhelmed with jargon.

There were a few issues with formatting, but I trust that will be resolved before the final release date.

Overall, I definitely recommend it.

I really really enjoyed this book! It was fast paced, unexpected, and the two points of view don’t come together until the very end. Very very satisfactory! Thank you for the ARC!!

But what’s this book about? You ask me. Well. On the Mosaic ship, things are not good. At the opening of the story, pilot José Carriles has just noticed that (1) the engines are failing and (2) the alarm didn’t go off. Not great, especially for a planetary exploration mission lightyears from home. At home, ex golden spy Timony Corin receives a distress signal. Maybe. Long story short: something is very wrong, very few people are as worried as they should, and it’d be good if someone looked into it.

I liked the general pacing of the book, the big questions and the alternating storylines and points of view. I found it adventurous, reflective, and inspiring. Personally, I could have used ‘new players’ instead than the US, Russia, China and the others usual suspects. I just think it would have given some more distance to the story, a bigger feel of ‘a far future’.

I’d really recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and rompy spy-story set in space. The stakes are high, but it is not (too) anxiety inducing, so it’s a very good relaxing book, while keeping you stuck to the page at the same time.

Content Warnings: Death, War, Alcohol Abuse, Overdose.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Interstellar conspiracies, government politics and first contact all come together in this new collaboration. I was already a Rob Hart fan from The Warehouse, Hotel Paradox and the upcoming Assassins Anonymous so I jumped at the chance to read a new scifi book.

The plot picks up pretty quickly and is jumps back and forth between Jose Carilles on the Mosaic that is visiting the first planet outside the solar system and Corin Timony back home at New Destiny, a world created when we wore out Earth and is already being stretched to limitations. As we slowly learn about Corin and Jose's backgrounds they both narrowly escape death and independently start investigating why things are falling apart around them.

Thoroughly enjoyed the story and it came together great in the end with a very satisfying climax. There is definitely a lot more to explore in this world Hart and Segura have built and I hope this is the start of a series.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this early. I've been a fan of both authors, so I jumped at the chance to read this book. I thought it was good, but not great. I enjoyed the premise behind book and the combination of space exploration and spy genres. This story was basically what happens if you take Star Trek and mix in some Jack Ryan. I felt it to be a bit predictable though, and the writing was somewhat pedestrian at times. I was still entertained by it, and I can't give anything entertaining a negative review. Maybe a little more polish would have gotten this book a slightly higher rating from me. Still, I'll continue to seek out these authors and read whatever comes next from them. I'd give it 3.5 stars if the site allowed that.

There was nothing new here. However there was a lot that did not whole together. I enjoyed the book while picking out what did not make sense. Give it a try to see if you do the same.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Blackstone Publishing for the ARC of Dark Space by Rob Hart and Alex Segura in exchange for an honest review.

I read both Paradox Hotel and Secret Identity back when both first came out, and was intrigued by a pairing of Hart and Segura in a space opera environment. This is an entertaining romp of a book - a lot of action, action, action which is really easy to fall into and engage with. We follow two main characters Jose Carilles, the son of a senator and now the pilot of the ship making Earth's first attempt to finding a new home world, and Corin Timony, Jose's childhood friend and now disgraced and demoted spy.

When Corin is monitoring the networks during her night shifts, she receives and logs a distress call from Jose's ship which she is told to ignore. Jose, also noticing the removal of the distress call record is similarly told to forget the same. Working apart the two stumble into a conspiracy larger than either could imagine.

Again, very entertaining plot and a fun read. I did feel there were a lot of significant plot holes throughout that took away from the story for me - perhaps with how short the novel is it just didn't have time to dive into solving all the given problems / pieces?

I love Sci fi, and something about two authors coming together to create a world scratches an itch for me. This book takes you on a journey in a semi realistic way that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I appreciate the chance to read this book! And will be keeping an eye on this team for future projects