What do you think?
Rate this book
Outbounder Chronicles #1
Metamorph: The Outbounder Chronicles
The deep space prospectors take the risk. The mighty Pendra Consortium reaps the profits. That’s the way it is on the Hub, a crossroads to distant planets and limitless opportunity.
When two alien visitors hire the prospector ship Nefer to find a long-lost migrant vessel, the crew uncovers secrets buried deep in Pendra’s history that now threaten to destroy the humans who have made new homes on distant planets.
Pendra agent Laryn Ash, assigned to the expedition, discovers distant worlds far more alien and dangerous than the patrons who brought them there, and she soon wonders on whose side she is fighting.
By the author of The Targon Tales.
When two alien visitors hire the prospector ship Nefer to find a long-lost migrant vessel, the crew uncovers secrets buried deep in Pendra’s history that now threaten to destroy the humans who have made new homes on distant planets.
Pendra agent Laryn Ash, assigned to the expedition, discovers distant worlds far more alien and dangerous than the patrons who brought them there, and she soon wonders on whose side she is fighting.
By the author of The Targon Tales.
- GenresScience Fiction
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2016
About the author
Chris Reher
24 books108 followersChris Reher writes character-driven space opera set on the turbulent frontier of the Targon system—where pilots, spies, and rebels navigate loyalty, power, and relationships that are rarely simple.
Her work blends action, moral gray zones, and a healthy disregard for the laws of physics (which, to be fair, had it coming). The Targon Tales follow Nova Whiteside, a pilot whose inconvenient humanity keeps interfering with military protocol, along with a cast of allies and adversaries who rarely stay in neat categories. A spin-off series features Sethran Kada, a man of questionable loyalties and with friends in low places.
Chris has been writing science fiction for over a decade and is currently working on new projects, continuing to explore the edges of the Targon universe—and occasionally beyond it.
When not inventing new ways to complicate her characters’ lives, she can be found avoiding Canadian winters, hiking Ontario trails, or looking up at the night sky, hoping for a convenient wormhole to appear.
Her work blends action, moral gray zones, and a healthy disregard for the laws of physics (which, to be fair, had it coming). The Targon Tales follow Nova Whiteside, a pilot whose inconvenient humanity keeps interfering with military protocol, along with a cast of allies and adversaries who rarely stay in neat categories. A spin-off series features Sethran Kada, a man of questionable loyalties and with friends in low places.
Chris has been writing science fiction for over a decade and is currently working on new projects, continuing to explore the edges of the Targon universe—and occasionally beyond it.
When not inventing new ways to complicate her characters’ lives, she can be found avoiding Canadian winters, hiking Ontario trails, or looking up at the night sky, hoping for a convenient wormhole to appear.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 17, 2017
An ARC of Metamorph was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
As much as I liked Nova's books, I liked this one much more!!!
A wonderful, interesting, very well written space adventure!!!
Since I love Star Treck, I just couldn't NOT love this! I was biting my nail while turning pages, burning to know what will happen and how our heroes will solve the problem, come out of a tight situation!
I loved how the nattive flowed - so easy and so evocative, with just enough descritions to make things interesting and get you a visual, and great dialogue with enough banter to make you chuckle!
Just how I like it!
What to say about the sotry without spoiling it? And, above all without going into everything? Because otherwise you'll know all there it is and you'll loose ineterst in the book and that would be such a shame!
Because this is such an action packed, every page a new development that you simply MUST read it!!!
Ah, for all you my romantically inclined friends, here the romance is non existant! Maybe in the future there will happen something between Ryle and Laryn for there are some very subtle hints, but here they're just an excellent working pair!
And let's not forget all the secondary characters: Toji, the endearing alien, Azah, the amazon, Nolan, the engineer...
Just plain wonderful read for all the fans of adventure-type SF!!!
I'm so looking forward to the next one!
As much as I liked Nova's books, I liked this one much more!!!
A wonderful, interesting, very well written space adventure!!!
Since I love Star Treck, I just couldn't NOT love this! I was biting my nail while turning pages, burning to know what will happen and how our heroes will solve the problem, come out of a tight situation!
I loved how the nattive flowed - so easy and so evocative, with just enough descritions to make things interesting and get you a visual, and great dialogue with enough banter to make you chuckle!
Just how I like it!
What to say about the sotry without spoiling it? And, above all without going into everything? Because otherwise you'll know all there it is and you'll loose ineterst in the book and that would be such a shame!
Because this is such an action packed, every page a new development that you simply MUST read it!!!
Ah, for all you my romantically inclined friends, here the romance is non existant! Maybe in the future there will happen something between Ryle and Laryn for there are some very subtle hints, but here they're just an excellent working pair!
And let's not forget all the secondary characters: Toji, the endearing alien, Azah, the amazon, Nolan, the engineer...
Just plain wonderful read for all the fans of adventure-type SF!!!
I'm so looking forward to the next one!
April 9, 2025
Metamorph is a fun little book that doesn't seem written in 2016 at all. It features what are basically fearless space pirates with a heart of gold, energetic young people living their lives to the fullest and even some romantic tension between a man and a woman who mutually appreciate each other. The technology is basic, the politics and the portrayal of alien contact are naive and overall it's all a hopeful lively adventure that throws back to the age of Star Trek Deep Space 9 or maybe Firefly. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this book was a repurposed DS9 fan fiction draft.
Chris Reher is a decent writer, I can't complain. The characters are quite basic, though, they only reveal themselves through their actions and occasional thoughts, so you either like them or ignore them. Luckily, no flashbacks in the book, which is a relief. Better to have cardboard characters than flesh them out with past histories no one cares about.
The plot is classic space adventure: aliens, pew pew, clumsy plots in barely built worlds, a lot of action. I realize that when I write it like that it doesn't feel like I endorse it, but it was actually a pleasant read. It wasn't great, though, by any means. It's pulp: if you go in without expectations you're going to have a good time.
Bottom line: when the book ended, I kind of wanted more, like a light sci-fi series that I am curious to continue watching, even if it's not great. I probably won't, I have too many books in my list, but maybe give it a try when you don't feel like a book that requires effort to read.
Chris Reher is a decent writer, I can't complain. The characters are quite basic, though, they only reveal themselves through their actions and occasional thoughts, so you either like them or ignore them. Luckily, no flashbacks in the book, which is a relief. Better to have cardboard characters than flesh them out with past histories no one cares about.
The plot is classic space adventure: aliens, pew pew, clumsy plots in barely built worlds, a lot of action. I realize that when I write it like that it doesn't feel like I endorse it, but it was actually a pleasant read. It wasn't great, though, by any means. It's pulp: if you go in without expectations you're going to have a good time.
Bottom line: when the book ended, I kind of wanted more, like a light sci-fi series that I am curious to continue watching, even if it's not great. I probably won't, I have too many books in my list, but maybe give it a try when you don't feel like a book that requires effort to read.
June 7, 2017
"Metamorph; the Outbounder Chronicles"
Chris Reher
Great Start to a wonderful Series. With the same flavor as Star Wars and StarTrek. The Space Ship "Nefer" with Captain Ryle, Mediater Laryn, First Mate Azah undertake a mission to take two alien "Kalons" on a treasure hunt. A search for a missing ship and undiscovered planet starts this wild Adventure. Space Battles, Planet survival, New Friends and enemies along the way keep the story moving. The intrigue on the Space Station with the Government and the ship companies just adds more excitement. I think you will enjoy this book and the stories to follow.
So for a Good Read try "Metamorph"
Santa Mike
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2018
In “Metamorph” Laryn Ash is the agent of an organization that controls space exploration. She is assigned to the space ship “Nefer” when its crew is hired by two Kalons, an alien species, to find a vessel that disappeared several years before.
When the ship is found it becomes clear that another mysterious alien species is involved.
“Metamorph” is a well plotted space opera novel with plenty of action and interesting twists. The characters are likeable and well developed. Laryn starts as the outsider sent by a powerful and controlling organization. She has to win the trust of the crew and demonstrates that she’s not just a spy.
Quite enjoyable.
When the ship is found it becomes clear that another mysterious alien species is involved.
“Metamorph” is a well plotted space opera novel with plenty of action and interesting twists. The characters are likeable and well developed. Laryn starts as the outsider sent by a powerful and controlling organization. She has to win the trust of the crew and demonstrates that she’s not just a spy.
Quite enjoyable.
April 15, 2023
This book is truly amazing, with only one downside – there is currently no sequel, and no information on whether one will ever be released. However, the story is self-contained, with no cliffhangers or loose ties, so it could easily stand alone as a single novel. Still, I can't help but feel a desire to follow up with the other stories of Nefer's crew.
Btw. I had to check twice that it was really published in 2016, as it incorporates many elements related to AI that seem, in small parts, almost prophetic given the current "AI fever".
Btw. I had to check twice that it was really published in 2016, as it incorporates many elements related to AI that seem, in small parts, almost prophetic given the current "AI fever".
November 21, 2017
Gosh! I would have thought
that this book would be so impressive. Mr. Rerhrer has surpassed any book I have read in a long time. The characters are well developed and exciting. The plot is absolutely astounding with an unexpected but exciting twist. I have not read his books before, but I am hooked now, can't wait for the sequel! This book is a must read and well deserving of a five star thumbs up! Read it, you will not be disappointed!
that this book would be so impressive. Mr. Rerhrer has surpassed any book I have read in a long time. The characters are well developed and exciting. The plot is absolutely astounding with an unexpected but exciting twist. I have not read his books before, but I am hooked now, can't wait for the sequel! This book is a must read and well deserving of a five star thumbs up! Read it, you will not be disappointed!
October 28, 2017
This is a great 'first in series' I like Chris Reher's books, but I think this one is a keeper. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of series.
November 18, 2016
Chris Reher has become one of my favorite science fiction authors. She handles aliens, and other non-human characters in a sensitive way, nuanced, and full of surprises. Her science is crack on for some suspenseful story telling, with adventure high on the spectrum of "what if." Who knew that evolution could be forced intentionally at such a rapid pace? But why not? The cliffhanger at the end of this book is delightfully vague, and carries more than a smidgen of possibility for a sequel. Refer does sequels well, too.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews