Dark System: Hallan

by Jennifer Waller

In the year 2568 humans have started to settle in the newly colonized Meridia System. The three habitable planets have been long abandoned by the previous inhabitants of the system. Little do the humans know that the prior inhabitants left for a reason. Welcome to Hallan, the striking lavender waters and cobalt sands make this stunning planet a beacon for tourists and residents alike. The stunning beaches, however, are closed to residents and tourists nearly a year after the disappearance of nearly 4000 beachgoers. A team of investigators are dispatched to determine the cause for the disappearances, and to determine if the beaches are safe to reopen. What they discover is that things aren't as tranquil on the paradise planet as they seem.

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2012

About the author

Jennifer Waller is a freelance author, blogger and digital artist living in Santa Fe, NM.

Jennifer Waller has been writing her entire life. Fascinated by the the potentials of modern society she creates immersive worlds that draw the reader in. She enjoys encouraging other local authors every year during National Novel Writing Month, and finds it rewarding to see others experience the feeling of accomplishment that comes with completing a novel. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her three birds and one cat.

Reviews

[Zoë · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a somewhat slow start, the story really picked up. There is a very rich and engaging plot in here, although it is somewhat hidden under flat dialog and character voice. While it quickly becomes clear what each character's role to the story will be, their interactions read rather stilted until about halfway through the book, and even then dip back into the too grammatical style that can so easily plague young or new authors. But if you can get beyond that sort of nitpickiness, this is a great science fiction thriller. Reminiscent of the likes of Dick, Zelazny, and a bit of Rice Burroughs.

Very enjoyable.