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The Icarus Saga #4
The Icarus Changeling
Gregory Roarke – former bounty hunter, former Trailblazer, current agent for the ultra-secret Icarus Group – has received a new locate a suspected but as-yet undiscovered teleportation portal on the backwater colony world of Alainn.
The rival Patth are also searching for the device, and have considerably more resources at their disposal. Fortunately, Roarke has Selene and her incredibly sensitive Kadolian sense of smell. On paper, it should be a straightforward enough job.
But that was before there was a murder in the small town of Bilswift…and another one…and the discovery that the Patth are already on the scene and have narrowed the search to a heavily forested area in the hills and mountains east of town.
Most disturbing of all is the discovery that one of Selene’s people, a Kadolian teenaged boy named Tirano, is working at one of Bilswift’s fish markets. A boy who may have lost his parents before his proper socialization was completed. A boy who may be connected to both the murders and the Patth.
A boy who may be the potentially dangerous wild card that the Kadolians call changelings.
The rival Patth are also searching for the device, and have considerably more resources at their disposal. Fortunately, Roarke has Selene and her incredibly sensitive Kadolian sense of smell. On paper, it should be a straightforward enough job.
But that was before there was a murder in the small town of Bilswift…and another one…and the discovery that the Patth are already on the scene and have narrowed the search to a heavily forested area in the hills and mountains east of town.
Most disturbing of all is the discovery that one of Selene’s people, a Kadolian teenaged boy named Tirano, is working at one of Bilswift’s fish markets. A boy who may have lost his parents before his proper socialization was completed. A boy who may be connected to both the murders and the Patth.
A boy who may be the potentially dangerous wild card that the Kadolians call changelings.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 2, 2024
38 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Zahn
481 books8,515 followersTimothy Zahn attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1973. He then moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and achieved an M.S. degree in physics in 1975. While he was pursuing a doctorate in physics, his adviser became ill and died. Zahn never completed the doctorate. In 1975 he had begun writing science fiction as a hobby, and he became a professional writer. He and his wife Anna live in Bandon, Oregon. They have a son, Corwin Zahn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 11, 2024
Timothy Zahn turns in another fun mystery/puzzle-box book here, continuing the Icarus Saga.
This book has the simplest and easiest to understand mystery, as it is a murder mystery. But there end up being a ton of victims, and so the mystery becomes more complex than your average Agatha Christie novel. However, like the other Icarus books and with Agatha Christie books, Zahn spends several chapters at the end unravelling the story. There were some times that reveals happened that I actually thought "oh, that makes sense" because I had caught a few details.
Unlike the other Icarus books, this one is fairly self-contained. We never leave the planet Alainn or the area around the colony of Bilswift. As such, it feels the 'smallest' of the Icarus books. That being said, I think it worked really well, because Zahn still had ties to the greater universe of the Spiral, the Patth, and the Icari.
This book does feature a new character who I was really hoping would continue on in future books. He might show up in the future, but I was really intrigued with him in this book. For anyone who has read it, I'm referring to the "Changeling".
Speaking of which, the title is really clever, as I thought it was more straightforward like "The Icarus Job" or "The Icarus Plot", but it actually had a secret Double Meaning that I found impressive.
My continual critique is that Zahn keeps teasing us with the relationship of Selene and Gregory. This book has the absolute most eggregious usage of this "Ship-baiting". If you read chapter 5, you'll know what I'm referring to.
Overall, this book has a slight edge over the other books from the Baen Saga, but I still think its still in the same general quality of being "good". This series is still one of the most consistently "good" series I've read. 8 out of 10.
This book has the simplest and easiest to understand mystery, as it is a murder mystery. But there end up being a ton of victims, and so the mystery becomes more complex than your average Agatha Christie novel. However, like the other Icarus books and with Agatha Christie books, Zahn spends several chapters at the end unravelling the story. There were some times that reveals happened that I actually thought "oh, that makes sense" because I had caught a few details.
Unlike the other Icarus books, this one is fairly self-contained. We never leave the planet Alainn or the area around the colony of Bilswift. As such, it feels the 'smallest' of the Icarus books. That being said, I think it worked really well, because Zahn still had ties to the greater universe of the Spiral, the Patth, and the Icari.
This book does feature a new character who I was really hoping would continue on in future books. He might show up in the future, but I was really intrigued with him in this book. For anyone who has read it, I'm referring to the "Changeling".
Speaking of which, the title is really clever, as I thought it was more straightforward like "The Icarus Job" or "The Icarus Plot", but it actually had a secret Double Meaning that I found impressive.
My continual critique is that Zahn keeps teasing us with the relationship of Selene and Gregory. This book has the absolute most eggregious usage of this "Ship-baiting". If you read chapter 5, you'll know what I'm referring to.
Overall, this book has a slight edge over the other books from the Baen Saga, but I still think its still in the same general quality of being "good". This series is still one of the most consistently "good" series I've read. 8 out of 10.
February 27, 2025
More of a murder mystery vibe with significantly smaller stakes/scope (e.g. mostly occurs on a single planet) compared to other novels in the Icarus Saga series of books. I appreciated the fact that Selene was more independent in this one, although I did not especially care for the “changeling” character.
The most compelling part of this one for me came at the end with the further revelations/speculations about the big picture—where did these alien artifacts come from, who were the builders, etc. I’m hoping the next book in the series spends more time unraveling the big mystery.
Also, Marc Thompson again does an excellent job narrating the audiobook!
The most compelling part of this one for me came at the end with the further revelations/speculations about the big picture—where did these alien artifacts come from, who were the builders, etc. I’m hoping the next book in the series spends more time unraveling the big mystery.
Also, Marc Thompson again does an excellent job narrating the audiobook!
March 23, 2025
This is book four in the series and the first one I've read. The story stands on its own and I didn't feel lost.
I've read many of Timothy Zahn's books, so I had high expectations for this one. It reminded me of the Quadrail series but wasn't as good. The basic plot is the same. You have a man and woman teamed up to locate an artifact. The woman has a specialized skill and people start getting murdered. The details vary between the two series but the formula is the same. Quadrail is much better, however.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but not as much as other works by Zahn.
I've read many of Timothy Zahn's books, so I had high expectations for this one. It reminded me of the Quadrail series but wasn't as good. The basic plot is the same. You have a man and woman teamed up to locate an artifact. The woman has a specialized skill and people start getting murdered. The details vary between the two series but the formula is the same. Quadrail is much better, however.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but not as much as other works by Zahn.
December 24, 2024
Another great book in the Icarus series! This one was a fun change of pace with the entire book taking place in one small town on one backwater planet. Even so, it does not neglect the wider scope of the series and even sets an ominous ending regarding the future of the Icarus Group.
July 8, 2024
Not horrible, and I’m determined to finish the book, but I’ve increased the narration speed, which tells you how much I’m ready for this to be over.
Update: I wanted to like this book, but...I didn't. Leaving my 3 star rating because I didn't hate it. It was just annoying. How so, you ask?
1- This felt like a cheesy western in space. I knew that going in, but by the end I just wanted to book to be over.
2- The narration of the female partner’s voice surprised and then irritated me. Sometimes breathy like a sexy sidekick, but most of the time the narration came off as whiny to me. As my mother always told me, ‘When you use that tone of voice it makes me want to do the opposite of what you’re asking.’
3-The number of times the main character says (verbatim): “As my father always told me…” We get it. He imparted so much wisdom to you. Author, please mix up the phrasing a bit.
4-Towards the end of the book there was a lot of: “Just trust me” and “It’s easier to show you where we’re going than tell you” from the main character, and then intelligent, previously suspicious people go along with him. I didn’t buy it. It would have been more believable for him to give a cryptic partial answer.
5-The dramatization in the narration added to the cheesy flavor. A bit too much cheese, which I never say about food, but is true of this book.
Update: I wanted to like this book, but...I didn't. Leaving my 3 star rating because I didn't hate it. It was just annoying. How so, you ask?
1- This felt like a cheesy western in space. I knew that going in, but by the end I just wanted to book to be over.
2- The narration of the female partner’s voice surprised and then irritated me. Sometimes breathy like a sexy sidekick, but most of the time the narration came off as whiny to me. As my mother always told me, ‘When you use that tone of voice it makes me want to do the opposite of what you’re asking.’
3-The number of times the main character says (verbatim): “As my father always told me…” We get it. He imparted so much wisdom to you. Author, please mix up the phrasing a bit.
4-Towards the end of the book there was a lot of: “Just trust me” and “It’s easier to show you where we’re going than tell you” from the main character, and then intelligent, previously suspicious people go along with him. I didn’t buy it. It would have been more believable for him to give a cryptic partial answer.
5-The dramatization in the narration added to the cheesy flavor. A bit too much cheese, which I never say about food, but is true of this book.
July 9, 2024
Didn't like it quite as much as the others in the series. Not sure if I just wasn't paying enough attention while listening to the audiobook, but the final reveals seemed overly confusing to me. Still love Rourke and Selene! Will never stop being amused by every "As my father used to say..." 😂
March 23, 2025
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
Roarke and Selene, retired bounty hunters, are on the lookout for the matter transmission portal left by the mysterious Icari. Unfortunately, their rivals the Patth may have gotten there first. But the investigation is almost derailed by their discovery of another Kadolian like Selene, but one raised without the traditional protections of Kadolian society, making him a potentially dangerous loose cannon.
Review
I have a relative who’s a Timothy Zahn fan, but the magic has never drawn me in; the plots just didn’t interest me. My one actual Zahn read was a Star Trek tie-in that didn’t impress me. This book, however, brought me much closer.
This is book four of a series, but Zahn initially does a very good job of setting it up, letting newcomers know what’s what without flooding us with unnecessary information. There are gaps, such as exactly how people apparently communicated complex information through their pupils, but generally it works. Unfortunately, that falls apart quite a bit toward the end, when references to things outside this book begin to come hard and fast, and leaving the resolution a bit unclear for late arrivals.
The beginning of the book is solid. It’s more action thriller than character study, but I found it an easy and appealing read; I was always happy to pick it up, if not necessarily eager. The protagonist was interesting enough, though his relationship with a key supporting actor remained unclear.
That thriller appeal holds through much of the book, though the weave gets thinner and thinner the further it goes, the plot holes beginning to undermine the basic story, and the happy coincidences undermining the credibility of the thing. It went from an early, “Hey, I’m really interested to read the rest of this series!” to more of a “I’m mildly curious about the characters.”
I’d say that overall, the book increased my interest in Zahn’s storytelling, but not necessarily my confidence in his writing. A decent installment if you’re a fan of the series, but not a strong enough enticement to definitively say it’s worth picking up.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Summary
Roarke and Selene, retired bounty hunters, are on the lookout for the matter transmission portal left by the mysterious Icari. Unfortunately, their rivals the Patth may have gotten there first. But the investigation is almost derailed by their discovery of another Kadolian like Selene, but one raised without the traditional protections of Kadolian society, making him a potentially dangerous loose cannon.
Review
I have a relative who’s a Timothy Zahn fan, but the magic has never drawn me in; the plots just didn’t interest me. My one actual Zahn read was a Star Trek tie-in that didn’t impress me. This book, however, brought me much closer.
This is book four of a series, but Zahn initially does a very good job of setting it up, letting newcomers know what’s what without flooding us with unnecessary information. There are gaps, such as exactly how people apparently communicated complex information through their pupils, but generally it works. Unfortunately, that falls apart quite a bit toward the end, when references to things outside this book begin to come hard and fast, and leaving the resolution a bit unclear for late arrivals.
The beginning of the book is solid. It’s more action thriller than character study, but I found it an easy and appealing read; I was always happy to pick it up, if not necessarily eager. The protagonist was interesting enough, though his relationship with a key supporting actor remained unclear.
That thriller appeal holds through much of the book, though the weave gets thinner and thinner the further it goes, the plot holes beginning to undermine the basic story, and the happy coincidences undermining the credibility of the thing. It went from an early, “Hey, I’m really interested to read the rest of this series!” to more of a “I’m mildly curious about the characters.”
I’d say that overall, the book increased my interest in Zahn’s storytelling, but not necessarily my confidence in his writing. A decent installment if you’re a fan of the series, but not a strong enough enticement to definitively say it’s worth picking up.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2024
I read the eARC of The Icarus Changeling which is expected to be published in July 2024. This is the fourth book in the Icarus Saga, but the first that I have read; I did not find it problematic that I had not read the previous books, but it did make me want to read them. I have previously read his Quadrail series (about 10 years ago) and the 3 book Cobra series. I enjoyed both of these series, and don't remember why I stopped with those, except that they probably got buried in my TBR pile.
The Icarus Changeling have former bounty hunters Gregory Roarke and his alien partner Selene working as trailblazers, hunting for new worlds with potential, but are actually agents for an ultra secret organization. They are in competition with another race, to find portals built by a previous race, which come in two types: one is a fixed point to point portal, and the other is a portal that can transport you to any other portal of that type.
In hunting for a portal, Roarke and Selene get involved in a number of murders, which they must solve in order to keep suspicion off themselves. Selene has an incredible sense of smell, which is extremely useful to them in their endeavors. They end up involved with sentient trafficking. This story is a combination of interstellar intrigue and a crime story; both are integrated well. By the end of the book, things seem very open ended as to where this series can go.
Roarke quotes aphorisms that he learned from his dad a lot, which is humorous, but I think that some readers might find tiresome.
I would like to thank the author and Baen for this eARC, in return for an honest review. I intent to go back and read the first three books in this series.
The Icarus Changeling have former bounty hunters Gregory Roarke and his alien partner Selene working as trailblazers, hunting for new worlds with potential, but are actually agents for an ultra secret organization. They are in competition with another race, to find portals built by a previous race, which come in two types: one is a fixed point to point portal, and the other is a portal that can transport you to any other portal of that type.
In hunting for a portal, Roarke and Selene get involved in a number of murders, which they must solve in order to keep suspicion off themselves. Selene has an incredible sense of smell, which is extremely useful to them in their endeavors. They end up involved with sentient trafficking. This story is a combination of interstellar intrigue and a crime story; both are integrated well. By the end of the book, things seem very open ended as to where this series can go.
Roarke quotes aphorisms that he learned from his dad a lot, which is humorous, but I think that some readers might find tiresome.
I would like to thank the author and Baen for this eARC, in return for an honest review. I intent to go back and read the first three books in this series.
August 28, 2024
I have really enjoyed the Icarus series by Timothy Zahn. These books are space opera PLUS murder mysteries. Our intrepid heroes Roarke & Selene are sent off on missions a la James Bond. Soon the bodies start dropping. It is up to Roarke to solve the puzzle of not only what is going on, but will they be next on the hit list? And can they beat their rival the alien Patth to the prize both races are desperately searching for?
We learn more about Selene's people in Icarus Changeling, book 5 in the Icarus Saga. Turns out that if a Kadolian loses his (or her) parents at a critical age, his (or her) socialization (yes, instilling a moral code of behavior) may not be completed. That child could go rogue and become a sociopathic killer, who the Kadolians call Changelings.
The action never stops, and the book keeps you guessing until the very end, as a good murder mystery does.
Highly recommended for all space opera fans, murder mystery fans, series fans, Timothy Zahn fans, and fans of books which respect other cultures. In other words, no cookie-cutter aliens but rather various alien species which have their own cultures and ways and are not JUST seen as "the villains" of the piece.
We learn more about Selene's people in Icarus Changeling, book 5 in the Icarus Saga. Turns out that if a Kadolian loses his (or her) parents at a critical age, his (or her) socialization (yes, instilling a moral code of behavior) may not be completed. That child could go rogue and become a sociopathic killer, who the Kadolians call Changelings.
The action never stops, and the book keeps you guessing until the very end, as a good murder mystery does.
Highly recommended for all space opera fans, murder mystery fans, series fans, Timothy Zahn fans, and fans of books which respect other cultures. In other words, no cookie-cutter aliens but rather various alien species which have their own cultures and ways and are not JUST seen as "the villains" of the piece.
July 16, 2024
I think that The Icarus Changeling is an OK entry point to the series if you haven't read The Icarus Hunt and The Icarus Plot--although you really should read the preceding four novels. It's more of a traditional murder mystery (many murders by the end), and everything takes place in the same small town.
I liked getting a little more insight into Selene and her people, and she felt more active in this book. Roarke was really winging things, though, and I would have expected more pushback from hostile parties but instead everyone just went along with it?
Everything is revealed by the end, and I don't think this reached the complexity of the previous novels--but then again, I felt like the previous novels were at times needlessly intricate, so that's fine with me!
I liked getting a little more insight into Selene and her people, and she felt more active in this book. Roarke was really winging things, though, and I would have expected more pushback from hostile parties but instead everyone just went along with it?
Everything is revealed by the end, and I don't think this reached the complexity of the previous novels--but then again, I felt like the previous novels were at times needlessly intricate, so that's fine with me!
August 8, 2024
Gregory Roarke and his Kadolian partner, Selene, have been bounty hunters and trailblazers. Now, they are employed by the Icarus Group, tracking down lost teleportation portals once belonging to a mysterious ancient alien species. They were sent to Alainn, a backwoods colony world, in hopes of finding one of these lost portals. Their first surprise on Alainn was the discovery of a young Kadolian changeling. The next several surprises put them in the middle of a multi-murder mystery.
The Icarus Changeling is the fourth and latest novel in Timothy Zahn’s Icarus Saga. Even though this is part of a larger story, this book, more than others in the series, could work as a stand-alone novel. In this noir-style crime drama, the murders keep piling up while Roarke and Selene try to figure out who is doing the killings. Zahn strings along just enough clues to keep Roarke and the readers guessing.
The action comes quickly and often in this space opera murder mystery. Fans of Zahn’s previous works will find familiarity and plenty of thrills in this book. Readers of sci-fi crime dramas will enjoy the detective work on the alien planet.
this review was originally published at https://portlandbookreview.com/produc...
The Icarus Changeling is the fourth and latest novel in Timothy Zahn’s Icarus Saga. Even though this is part of a larger story, this book, more than others in the series, could work as a stand-alone novel. In this noir-style crime drama, the murders keep piling up while Roarke and Selene try to figure out who is doing the killings. Zahn strings along just enough clues to keep Roarke and the readers guessing.
The action comes quickly and often in this space opera murder mystery. Fans of Zahn’s previous works will find familiarity and plenty of thrills in this book. Readers of sci-fi crime dramas will enjoy the detective work on the alien planet.
this review was originally published at https://portlandbookreview.com/produc...
July 9, 2025
🧠🔪🌌
“Some aliens evolve. Some… unravel.”
🧠🔪🌌
4 out of 5 Interstellar Ghosts
The Icarus Changeling tightens its grip with a backwater murder mystery where the stakes are quiet—but the danger hums beneath the trees. Zahn pulls a rare trick: shrinking the scope while deepening the cut. Selene finally steps forward, and the introduction of a feral Kadolian teen (“changeling” hits harder than you think) adds just the right kind of wild card.
Roarke still Roarkes, dodging bullets with dad quotes and trailblazer swagger, but by book four, the formula’s showing some seams. The reveals land, mostly. The world still sings, mostly. But the high-gloss mystery spark fades by the third autopsy. Still, if you’ve followed this far, this is a worthy stop on the spiral arm.
Best for: Space opera fans craving murder in the margins and alien cultures that don’t feel like carbon copies.
Skip if: You need big stakes, fast ships, or fresh romantic payoff—this one lingers in the woods.
“Some aliens evolve. Some… unravel.”
🧠🔪🌌
4 out of 5 Interstellar Ghosts
The Icarus Changeling tightens its grip with a backwater murder mystery where the stakes are quiet—but the danger hums beneath the trees. Zahn pulls a rare trick: shrinking the scope while deepening the cut. Selene finally steps forward, and the introduction of a feral Kadolian teen (“changeling” hits harder than you think) adds just the right kind of wild card.
Roarke still Roarkes, dodging bullets with dad quotes and trailblazer swagger, but by book four, the formula’s showing some seams. The reveals land, mostly. The world still sings, mostly. But the high-gloss mystery spark fades by the third autopsy. Still, if you’ve followed this far, this is a worthy stop on the spiral arm.
Best for: Space opera fans craving murder in the margins and alien cultures that don’t feel like carbon copies.
Skip if: You need big stakes, fast ships, or fresh romantic payoff—this one lingers in the woods.
August 21, 2024
As usual, we are having a good time! I can’t really complain since in previous installments of this series I wanted there to be more for Selene to do, and she certainly gets stuff to do in this book. No notes!
Plot-wise, this one sort of takes a left turn from the main story/goal of the series for some regular being-based murder, mystery, and intrigue. The suspects and motives and methods are all still Zahn’s usual flavor of twisty thrills. The worldbuilding continues to be consistent and expansive. I appreciate the rich playgrounds this author sets up to splash around in!!
The overarching plot (looking for Icarus portals) gets practically sidelined in this one, and then more questions are raised than answers given. Presumably these will come up in later installments. At the end of the book some extremely interesting world building questions are posed and I look forward to their exploration in later books!
As usual, I am impatiently waiting for the next in the series.
Plot-wise, this one sort of takes a left turn from the main story/goal of the series for some regular being-based murder, mystery, and intrigue. The suspects and motives and methods are all still Zahn’s usual flavor of twisty thrills. The worldbuilding continues to be consistent and expansive. I appreciate the rich playgrounds this author sets up to splash around in!!
The overarching plot (looking for Icarus portals) gets practically sidelined in this one, and then more questions are raised than answers given. Presumably these will come up in later installments. At the end of the book some extremely interesting world building questions are posed and I look forward to their exploration in later books!
As usual, I am impatiently waiting for the next in the series.
April 11, 2025
An entertaining, old-fashioned space-opera with aliens. LOTS of aliens. As always, read the publisher's introduction first. Nonstop action-adventure on a backwater planet that might have a link in an ancient network of interstellar portals. Humans and at least one other alien race are competing to find these. A series of murders, and lots of hugger-mugger. Zahn is an old pro at this sort of thing. This was a chance pickup from the new-books shelf at the library, and I enjoyed it. For me this was a 3.3 star read. I'm new to the series, but this one was reasonably self-contained. It does end on a cliffhanger, and the male lead's endless supply of aphorisms from his Dad got a bit tiresome.
I'm likely to continue on in the series, and perhaps catch up on earlier books. If you are in the mood for a light space-opera, you might like it too, especially if you have liked other books by this author.
I'm likely to continue on in the series, and perhaps catch up on earlier books. If you are in the mood for a light space-opera, you might like it too, especially if you have liked other books by this author.
October 17, 2024
The Icarus Changeling is the fourth book in this series, although it's the first one I've read. It's a bit like The Falls which is a book in the Diving Universe series, so if you enjoyed that one, you're likely to like this one as well. I liked this one, even though I wasn't up to speed on the characters (obviously), but that was only a secondary consideration, as this book faired pretty well, even though I'd not read any of the other books in the series. Very well done, and I look forward to reading more in this series.
January 5, 2025
A fun, quick read. Fast paced action. Easy as a standalone — I haven’t read the other Icarus novels. More a noir whodunnit in space than a sci-fi. There’s a fair bit of annoying patriarchal narrative that is in stark contrast to modern sci-fi authors (e.g. all unknown beings are presumed to be male — in fact there are only two female characters and no third or non gender; Roarke is always trying to protect Selene even when he acknowledges that she can clearly protect herself). The alien races and some of the concepts around them are interesting and inventive.
July 2, 2025
Exciting sci-fi adventure!
Gregory Roarke and Selene return in this new sci-fi adventure mystery. Their assignment? Find another portal the Icarus Group suspects is hidden on Alainn before the Paath do. They have barely landed at the Bilswift spaceport when they find themselves up to their necks in conspiracy, murder, trafficking, and administrative bureaucracy.
This is another great addition to the series. It kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. I received a free copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.
Gregory Roarke and Selene return in this new sci-fi adventure mystery. Their assignment? Find another portal the Icarus Group suspects is hidden on Alainn before the Paath do. They have barely landed at the Bilswift spaceport when they find themselves up to their necks in conspiracy, murder, trafficking, and administrative bureaucracy.
This is another great addition to the series. It kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. I received a free copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.
February 21, 2025
This is the first Zahn book I have ever actually disliked. I wanted to drop it half way through; the constant outlandish situations the protagonist kept gambling himself into, and them all turning out right, just seemed really unpleasant. I only pushed through to the end because I knew he would tie this side-plot back into the overall Icarus arc at the end, which he did in the last couple chapters. I'd never thought I'd see a miss from my favourite fiction author, but here it is...
July 19, 2024
Great sci fi adventure
The worldbuilding in this series is excellent with fascinating planets and interesting non-humans. Bad stuff happens, which is almost guaranteed when Roarke is around. Selene has secrets. The plot twists were amazing, and this addition to the series is a thrilling, fast read.
The worldbuilding in this series is excellent with fascinating planets and interesting non-humans. Bad stuff happens, which is almost guaranteed when Roarke is around. Selene has secrets. The plot twists were amazing, and this addition to the series is a thrilling, fast read.
January 13, 2025
This is my first book by Zahn and I was thoroughly disappointed. The novel began okay and by the middle it became confusing and the plot began to go around in circles. I found the tone of the story to be flat as well as the characters. And I absolutely hated reading "As my father used to say" um teen times. It became annoying and turned me off the novel
August 13, 2025
As much as I like this series and these characters, I found my mind wandering too much. I got confused at some points and it was hard to keep track of the many events of the book. There were to many things happening in this book for me. I wish he had kept it to one or two storylines. I liked that we got to find out more about the Patth and the Icarus group.
August 21, 2025
First time reading a book by this author. I might give another one of his books a go when I’m in the mood for sci fi.
This book was good but not great. Many parts were slow and it’s a rare instance where I wish the book would hurry it along. First half was enjoyable but the second half was not grabbing me. The audiobook narrator is fantastic.
This book was good but not great. Many parts were slow and it’s a rare instance where I wish the book would hurry it along. First half was enjoyable but the second half was not grabbing me. The audiobook narrator is fantastic.
July 8, 2024
Good story, curious ending
No spoilers, but the ending was unexpected. There were hints at the end that there will be another installment. We'll see.
No spoilers, but the ending was unexpected. There were hints at the end that there will be another installment. We'll see.
July 28, 2024
Reading time: 9h 45m
August 7, 2024
It's another adventure/mystery from a master.
August 23, 2024
Great story line - but the portal hunt was hardly ever mentioned and this book is more of a Selene side quest/murder mystery.
December 23, 2024
I'll never get over my problems with the writing/character ticks of this series, but I'm too invested in the overarching plot to quit, either...
January 4, 2025
An interesting turn in the Icarus series, but the story moves slowly.
April 21, 2025
Really enjoyed this one. Along with the portal quest, we get a murder mystery. And we're left with an interesting setup for the next book. (This one does fully resolve its own plot.)
July 3, 2025
Almost too many murders to keep track of.
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