Continuum

by Gregory Rizzi

Continuum is the story of a young soldier, Lt. Jakob Daedalus, who lives in a walled city on a distant planet. The alien planet of Ares is home to strange creatures inhabiting a dangerous, untamed Wilderness. One day, while protecting a high ranking politician from assassination, he uncovers the plot of rebel invaders seeking to destroy the city. Now, with his robot protector, DEC, Jakob must journey out into the treacherous Wilderness of the alien world to save his home. He fights for survival as he tries to unlock the mysteries of the alien world and find the rebel army before it's too late.

264 pages, Hardcover

Published February 7, 2025

Reviews

[Neena]

A controlled, unsettling vision of societal decay, Rizzi's SF tale explores how fear reshapes progress into oppression. Humanity crash-lands on Ares and builds a fragile city beneath a hostile sky, where children with extraordinary powers—the Creators—transform survival into prosperity, only to be feared, exiled, and turned into enemies. As danger rises beyond the walls, a Praetorian soldier must venture into the wilderness to uncover a truth that could unravel everything.

The book's premise; a civilization built by gifted individuals who are later persecuted, unfolds with mythic weight and quiet inevitability. Both a triumph and a caution, Rhea reflects a society where gratitude has soured into suspicion. Patterns emerge: order-driven soldiers, fear-driven leadership, and lives divided by policy. Daedalus stands at the center, his disciplined resolve tested by the cracks forming beneath him. The novel’s strength lies in its thematic cohesion. Creation and destruction exist as inseparable forces, mirrored in both the Creators’ abilities and the city’s evolution. Though occasionally dense, it delivers a bleak, plausible future that feels uncomfortably familiar. A gripping, cerebral, and haunting vision of a future where fear turns progress into ruin.

[Donna]

Continuum is a standout, character‑driven sci‑fi adventure that hooked me from the first chapter. Lt. Jakob Daedalus is a flawed, compelling protagonist whose fall from the Praetorian Guard sets him on a journey of danger, discovery, and redemption. His relationship with DEC — a robot protector with surprising depth (and a motorcycle form!) — is one of my favorite parts of the book. Their bond grows through shared challenges and quiet moments that reveal Jakob’s heart and humanity.

Gregory Rizzi’s worldbuilding is exceptional. The alien planet Ares is breathtaking, brutal, and imaginative, filled with strange wildlife, futuristic cities, and the powerful Creators whose abilities shape the land in beautiful and sometimes devastating ways. The pacing is fast, the action intense without gratuitous gore, and the themes of prejudice, empathy, and trust are woven in with real emotional weight.

Clean, YA‑friendly, and visually cinematic — I could easily see this as a film. A top‑ten read for me this year.

[Tanya]

He lives on a strange alien planet where he lives in a walled town. A very good read about how he will deal with the threat of an attack. Watch as he tries to save his home from danger. See how he gets on.
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read

[Mik Wasiak]

will build written story and world fun read wish there more by writer