Terminal Velocity

by Josef Kainrad

Terrorists have attacked the embassy on Jupiter’s largest moon. All evidence points to a former colony, but they claim innocence. To uncover the truth, Asher Cohen will have to risk it all. What if the truth is more dangerous than the lie?

To prevent the outbreak of war, he must uncover who is responsible. When the next attack could happen at any moment, time is running out.

Book

264 pages, Paperback

Published August 10, 2025

Reviews

[Ricardo Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrorist attacks in the Jupiter interplanetary system

The premise of this complex but impressively well-executed novel starts with a terrorist attack in the major city of Ganymede, the biggest moon of Jupiter. The story then follows the thorough investigation to find the culprits behind the attack and uncover their reasons.

Told through multiple points of view and characters, the narrative keeps expanding with threads of politics, investigation, and military operations, all woven together in such a beautiful way that any lover of Tom Clancy’s books will find this a true jewel to read.

The glossary of terms at the end of the book were super useful for the reader to better understand the definitions used by the author and the different astrophysical elements used in the novel.

My congratulations to the author for such a complete and thorough novel, and for providing clear space-related explanations that make the reading easier for everyone.

[SLD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interplanetary Whodunit

Fans of fast-paced sci-fi space operas will appreciate this interplanetary whodunit. You will be quickly drawn into the mystery of which faction was responsible for an attack on a population center on one of Jupiter’s moons.

The writing is hard-hitting, with loads of quick dialog exchanges. The story is brimming with a wide range of planetary locations, space politics, corporate intrigue, and a myriad of named characters. The complex world-building can be a bit of a challenge to keep track of at times; however, quick scene cuts between usually brief chapters keep the overall momentum moving forward.

If you enjoy detailed action sequences featuring hand-to-hand combat using traditional military tactics and weapons, this book will appeal to you. Commando squads undertake perilous missions, described in gritty detail. Political intrigue abounds, and hard-nosed operatives seek out the truth (by any means necessary) amidst an intricate web of competing factions on Jupiter’s moons and beyond.

This is a great read for anyone who craves a mix of military sci-fi intensity and space opera intrigue.

[Bryan M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the plot depth, setting, and action of Terminal Velocity. The author provided an intricate story with twists and turns that unfold in a way that kept me reading. The outer space setting is done well, is well researched, and supports the story being told. The author has definitely envisioned and portrayed what a future of humans colonizing the solar system might look like.

The tale is strongly science fiction, while adding elements of military and political thriller, as well as action. It sports a deep cast of organizations and individuals.

If these are your genres, I don’t think this story will disappoint.

For me, what detracted from the momentum at times were the occasions when the author dwelt too much on some of the technical details. These instances, for me, didn’t provide enough bang for the buck, but slowed the story. Also, because of the depth of plot, I felt the author occasionally went a bit too far to ensure the reader was following. In my opinion, the work would benefit from stronger editing.

While there were a couple of items that detracted from the story for me, I believe it will scratch the itch for many readers.

[James Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terminal Velocity hurtles readers into a breathtakingly realized vision of the near future—a universe where espionage, warfare, and artificial intelligence collide in a high-stakes game of survival. Equal parts Tom Clancy–style geopolitical thriller and Isaac Asimov–inspired sci-fi odyssey, this novel delivers a relentless narrative that never slows down long enough to let you catch your breath.

From the opening pages, the story explodes into motion. When terrorists commandeer Ganymede’s orbital defense satellites and obliterate a major city, the shockwaves ripple across the solar system. Blame falls squarely on the Ganymede Republic, but the Republic insists on its innocence. What begins as a localized act of terror soon unravels into an intricate web of deceit, shadow politics, and interplanetary brinkmanship.

Rather than centering on a single hero, Terminal Velocity thrives on its ensemble cast—a mosaic of soldiers, analysts, agents, and revolutionaries whose converging missions create an ever-tightening spiral of tension. DIA analyst Asher Cohen’s hunt for truth reveals the first cracks in the official narrative, while Ganymede operative Elsie Harper’s pursuit of a mysterious signal beyond Callisto introduces a chilling, almost cosmic dimension to the mystery. Their paths cross amid chaos, but in a world driven by misinformation and power plays, truth itself becomes the rarest commodity.

The novel’s strength lies in its cinematic pacing and hard science realism. Every scene feels engineered for intensity—tactical strikes, encrypted transmissions, deep-space skirmishes, and political negotiations that could ignite an interplanetary war. Yet beneath the pulse-pounding action, Terminal Velocity poses sharp questions about loyalty, technology, and the nature of control. Who pulls the strings when AI, governments, and corporations all share the same thirst for dominance?

[Curious Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terminal Velocity is a fast-paced sci-fi novel that intentionally focuses on action, rather than character development. Because of this, it was challenging for a while to determine who I thought should triumph in the conflict since initially, vignettes aren't all clearly established as to which “side” or their virtues are being put forward. This is inherently understood for books set in the modern day, but in a future world, not so much.

Close attention must be paid in order to follow the story since multiple locations and points of view are utilized. And honestly, I'm not entirely sure I did follow everything. Often there is little to make characters stand out to readers, or clarity about their allegiances. The most distinctive characters are ones who behaved with cold-blooded brutality, with the exception of Maria Ramirez. I was just starting to connect with Ramirez as a character, when she drops from the story with only one reference afterward. This isn't my favorite type of storytelling, but it has many fans.  

The book is written in a mix of omniscient, third-person, first-person, and first-person present. In a number of places, the first-person and first-person present styles are intermixed in the same scene.

There's a saying that history is written by the victors. Ultimately, the side that wins in Terminal Velocity is the one behaving more honorably. But in war, that's all by degrees. Perhaps that's the point in this novel.

Fans of this type of sci-fi and storytelling should really enjoy Terminal Velocity. 

[Kelvin Ray Oxendine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terminal Velocity is an edge-of-your-seat sci-fi thriller that blends the intensity of espionage with the wonder of space exploration. From the opening pages, the stakes are sky-high: a hijacked defense satellite, a city on Ganymede under threat, and two investigators caught in the crossfire of governments, splinter groups, and corporations teetering on the brink of war.

What sets this book apart is how seamlessly it weaves political intrigue with hard science fiction. The action is relentless, but never at the expense of the worldbuilding. The descriptions of Jupiter’s moons, orbital stations, and the dangers of living and fighting in low-gravity environments feel authentic and vivid. Each subplot adds a new layer of complexity until everything converges into a larger picture that’s both surprising and satisfying.

Asher Cohen’s perspective as an intelligence analyst contrasts sharply with Elsie Harper’s work for the Ganymede Republic, giving the story balance and depth. Both characters are compelling in their own right, and the tension of not knowing who they can trust keeps the pages turning.

If you enjoy stories that combine the tactical detail of Tom Clancy with the expansive imagination of Isaac Asimov, Terminal Velocity delivers. It’s fast-paced, smart, and full of twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.

[Izzy Bond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terminal Velocity is a gripping blend of hard science fiction and high-stakes espionage — a must-read for anyone who loves the intensity of Tom Clancy combined with the speculative depth of Isaac Asimov. From the very first chapter, the story launches into motion and never slows down. The world-building is exceptional: Kainrad creates a believable future where human colonies on Ganymede, Callisto, and beyond feel as real and politically complex as Earth itself.

The dual perspectives of Asher Cohen, the intelligence analyst, and Elsie Harper, the Ganymede investigator, add a compelling dynamic. Both characters are sharp, flawed, and utterly human, caught in a web of deception that spans planets and governments. The tension builds beautifully as they uncover layer after layer of conspiracy, leading to twists I didn’t see coming.

What makes this book stand out is its balance — thrilling action, intricate political intrigue, and thoughtful reflections on power, technology, and truth. The updated 2025 edition reads smoothly, with tighter pacing and richer detail.

If you enjoy smart, cinematic science fiction that feels both urgent and plausible, Terminal Velocity delivers from start to finish. A stellar addition to the genre and one that deserves a place on any sci-fi fan’s shelf.

[J.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terminal Velocity is an action-packed adventure spread out over the Jovian system (Jupiter and its moons). There are space battles, terrorist attacks threatening the lives of people trapped in a self-contained city on a lifeless moon. Biological experiments are being conducted to produce hideous monsters.
This sounded a lot like The Expanse, the TV show, which was inspired by the books from James S.A. Corey. I never read the books, but I watched the show. It took me a few tries before I got into it.
Terminal Velocity felt like it was stuffing a lot of action into a relatively shorter book. Too many names were being thrown around. I suppose I like to connect with the characters before rushing into the action with them.
Perhaps some people would be able to connect with the action more; for those people, the place moves along fairly quickly, enough to tell the complete story in 250 pages. For those people, I would recommend it. Personally, I would wait until the extended edition comes out, which fleshes out more about the characters and their relationships.

[Matthew Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this one pulled me in from the first page. Easy to do with a kinetic kill strike on a domed scifi city! Then we jump around to various characters reacting, trying to understand what happened. A good intro that pulled me in.

The novel managed to keep that pace for the most part. The biggest flaw I found was the occasional confusion of tenses. This is third person omniscient, jumping around from character to character. Yet at a few points instead of “Character X was” it goes “Character X is”. A relatively petty problem but a noticeable one.

I can ignore the usual stuff you have to in scifi based CENTURIES from the present. Where mankind is still using recognizable tech like VPNs or western style intelligence agencies. It’s all in good fun. My biggest complaint is that a few places needed more polish. Like most good scifi, it’s telling a modern story about terrorism, nationalism, state surveillance and so on.

Overall this is a solid 4.5 out of 5 if you need an arbitrary rating. But I enjoyed this so I’m rounding up to a rough 5.

[Wes Hubert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not to be confused with the book Terminal Velocity by Tom Clancy. This is a science fantasy book, dipping into science fiction. The “world” that Kainrad creates is in our solar system, which I really liked. It’s nice to have familiar planets and moons. Many of the planets and moons have been settled, leaving a lot of room for interactions and politics. Also, you are dealing with smaller distances (relatively speaking) which also makes it feel more familiar. The chapters jump around a lot in location and characters. This is often a technique to build suspense as you have to wait to find out what happens in any particular setting, but I found it disorienting. Perhaps my brain power isn’t enough to keep track of all the different places. The story is well written, although at times it did feel a bit slow. Toward the end, the action picked up as the main character honed in on the antagonists. There were some great fight scenes and a good conclusion.

[Tipper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hits fast. Asher and Elsie show up and things just go. It’s full of action, like stuff’s always happening and you don’t get stuck in slow scenes much. The space details are cool, not too dumb, kinda felt like I learned something while reading without it being schooly. The world feels big, satellites, governments, secrets, but you’re never drowning in it, just riding the fast stream. Asher comes off like he’s being thrown into stuff he didn’t ask for. Elsie seems on a mission, pulling on threads that unravel more stuff. The story jumps a bit, but it doesn’t drag, and even when it slows you kinda hope it picks back up, and it does. It’s darker and more serious than most sci-fi I’ve skimmed. It doesn’t hold your hand, but the puzzle-feeling keeps you going. Messy pacing, but in a good way. It stuck with me after I closed the book. Better than a bunch of other thrillers I’ve read.

[Melissa Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The largest moon in Jupiter is Ganymede of the United Jovian System, and the children are dying there at Kepler City. Dr. Michael Walker is trying to save the victims. Journalist Kate Abara of Jovian National News (JNN) believes that the embassy was attacked. Elsie Harper of Special Intelligence Service (SIS), and she is checking the monitors for TPS reports of possible virus or hacking. Orbital Patrol (the police) are retrieving survivors.

The police attempted to catch the bomber. Timothy Jones, the suicide bomber, goes to report progress to a priest, "Forgive me father for I have sinned," and then goes to confess all of the destruction, upset with the false priest, Timothy calls him out as a fake. Clark Andrews is a sniper and is going to his designated coordinates, makes a hit and escapes. It appears they are dealing with a terrorist network. Will Asher Cohen be able to stop the violence? Everyone who finds clues successfully ends up dead.

[Alan Poon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a political space thriller, expertly combining the military geekiness of a Tom Clancy novel with hard sci-fi world building. Centered around the moons of Jupiter and the asteroid belt feels, the complex political dynamics of the various nation states in the region is riveting and never convoluted to a point where I felt lost. The world is very believable, both from a scientific standpoint and in its portrayal of interplanetary politics. It is realpolitik at its best (or worst, depending on your point of view).

The plot was fast-paced and full of twists. There were a handful of chapters that get bogged down in technical military specs, at least for my taste, but fans of Clancy will feel right at home. The unique scientific considerations required to conduct military operations in space was obviously well thought out.

[Andres · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this expecting it to be another space war book, but I was surprised at how good and fast it was. Asher Cohen and Elsie Harper find themselves caught up in this whole mess between the Ganymede Republic and whoever is toying with their satellites, and I honestly couldn't put it down once the plot really began to take off.

The worldbuilding is actually super detailed, like i would have been able to see the Ganymede battles. Loved how the political wasn't too heavy, just enough to make the stakes real. The writing is also super clean and pretty easy to read, which is awesome because I'm not an English native speaker. And the pacing is insane, seriously, no breathing time.

Maybe I just wished we saw more about the characters emotionally. Still grieving Maria departs half way through, I adored her! But I can understand why she dies, from a storytelling perspective.

[Shuo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terminal Velocity is a gripping debut that blends military sci-fi, political intrigue, and sharp character work into one thrilling package. Set in the colonized Jovian system, the story explores warring factions, acts of terrorism, and counterterrorism hundreds of millions of miles from Earth. The world-building feels authentic—you can almost taste the recycled air of the space stations—and the political tensions echo real-world struggles, making the story both futuristic and eerily familiar. The author sets an outstanding balance between adrenaline-pumping action and believable characters. Asher Cohen and Elsie Harper aren’t invincible heroes; they’re human, with doubts, loyalties, and moments of moral conflict that elevate the story beyond a simple shoot-’em-up. The pacing is tight, the science feels grounded, and the tactical combat scenes have the precision of a special ops thriller. While the militaristic tone might not be for everyone, fans of The Expanse or near-future war dramas will find plenty to love. It’s an exciting start to what promises to be a compelling series, and I can’t wait to see where Kainrad takes us next.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A complex and thrilling story of espionage and science fiction that really puts you in the action. A bit heavy on the military jargon but if you can get past that, it’s an interesting read. There were also a few plot holes and it all felt kind of unresolved despite all of the action.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Fun Read!

This was some really great world building and a super propulsive story! Clearly well thought out and a blast to read.