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The Triple Stars #0

by Simon Kewin

The unfolding mystery
Three warring worlds attempt to resolve their differences over a disputed planet, but the peace talks upon the central Nexus world of Coronade are thrown into chaos when one of the delegates is brutally murdered. Conciliator Magdi, an empath from Periarch, pursues the killer in a desperate attempt to keep the peace talks alive.

Meanwhile, confused rumours circulate about the discoveries made by the Magellanic Cloud, a ship thought lost in the galactic core. Wild rumours warn of a biological or technological discovery that threatens the very existence of interstellar civilisation.

Magdi sees an opportunity to use the rumours as a way to encourage the three worlds back to the table. But has she underestimated the risks she faces?

And has she made the mistake of not taking the troubling rumours seriously enough?

Genres: Science Fiction

133 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2020

About the author

Simon Kewin is a fantasy and sci/fi writer, author of the Cloven Land fantasy trilogy, cyberpunk thriller The Genehunter , steampunk Gormenghast saga Engn , the Triple Stars sci/fi trilogy and the Office of the Witchfinder General books, published by Elsewhen Press.

He's the author of several short story collections, with his shorter fiction appearing in Analog, Nature and over a hundred other magazines.

He is currently doing an MA in creative writing while writing at least three novels simultaneously.

Reviews

[Mayhem-RW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conciliator Magdi is not of this planet; she is from another. She is here to broker peace between three warring planets. The three worlds each claim a fourth in their system. Yes, three worlds in one system are inhabited by sentient species that evolved on each of those worlds. Their claims on the fourth world range from religious beliefs to mineral rights. There is so much animosity between the races that war between them has broken out more than once. This summit of peace talks has been years in the making. No matter how fragile these talks are, Conciliator Magdi has a few things going for her. First of all, she was an empath, and that led to her knowing how those around her felt. Another is the mystery of the Magellanic Cloud, which at first was thought to be lost in the galactic core but appeared unexpectedly at the Ormeray Ten outpost. Half of the ship’s crew remained, and not much is known, but they said they were being followed by some force out to kill them all. She planned to use this information to stoke their fears if need be so they would come together against outside forces. Then, of course, the world minds as they are called. The artificial intelligence created by each species to help the worlds they were created upon. They lived indefinitely and communicated with each other. They called themselves or the cooperation among them as the Nexus. This long life made them wise and full of knowledge, and on this planet, the mind was called Coronade, and Coronade was at her disposal.

This read is obviously a prequel to the series, as the next book is three hundred years later. And by its length, it is, at most, a novella. But beyond these two marketing oversights, this book is a good read. The physical world-building is full and descriptive when it needs to be. The ethereal world-building gives you more than just personal reactions to the environment. The character interactions are done very well. However, individual histories are not given for a person of the race unless it is necessary. The history of characters is more of a history lesson of how the population of the race reacted to certain stimuli.

This book was short enough that I reread it before I knew that I had hit the end. I give this sci-fi read five stars out of five stars.

[Faith Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this story and it flowed well with only two typos, but I was jolted a bit by the ending, just when I thought the thing had been solved and was winding down restfully. This first book of the series is really a whodunnit, with three suspects representing their respective species' interests and a neutral inspector whose 'assistant' is a magnificent artificial intelligence planetary mind. The planetary mind has of course been done before, with many examples including funky ones like Terry Pratchett's Dark Side of the Sun or STNG's Encounter at Farpoint, but there are hints that this ai character might have transcended its original job of serving the people of the planet and perhaps keeps information from them. Does the inspector trust their own assistant to not be playing a double game? As said, this is a detective process story but with the added spice of alien context and the arena of diplomacy, where no one's laws apply to the negotiation meeting space but great offence can be taken. Religion and potential for agression make negotiations precarious. It isn't meant to be any heavier than an entertaining piece of science fiction, so I won't over analyse it, although it does do the job as a stimulating read.

[Christine Rains · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conciliator Magdi has the difficult task of acting as mediator to resolve the planetary disputes between three warring worlds. The talks are due to take place of Coronade, the crown jewel of the the Nexus with thousands of worlds in the galaxy. Yet before the talks can start, one of the delegates is killed, and Magdi must try to solve the murder. There are also rumors from the distant edge of the galaxy about an unseen threat. It might be something Magdi can use to bring the three worlds together, if no one else dies.

The is a prequel for the science-fiction series, The Triple Stars. Excellently written with fantastic tension and mystery. There's a lot of politics and maneuvering, but even without a bunch of action, it's an enthralling read. Amazing characterization, even with the AI of Coronade itself. Oh to be able to talk to my planet!

[Honey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I expected this book to be more than it was.

The selling point for me was really the murder mystery which was probably the best aspect of this book. I loved the futuristic elements of it in terms if evidence etc and also how the different cultures connected with this.

In terms of the other stuff honestly I didn't find it interesting enough to care too much. I wanted to stop reading at the beginning but then the murder happened and peaked my interest. I think I had too much trouble getting to grips with the peace talks and the relevant things surrounding it.

I just think that without the context it was a pretty complicated and big story to fit into a short book but I didn't hate it so yeah. 

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful descriptive story, the author has developed a uniquely set up world that helps the unfolding mystery feel even more urgent to solve. The three warring worlds that are seeking peace are vastly different in their motives and cultures that makes peace far from certain as their history of conflicts are deeply intertwined that separating it apart is exhausting. There is a lot of potential with this series and its characters have plenty of perils to face. Highly recommended.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining listening

Due to eye issues Alexa reads to me, a will written fantasy thriller novella interesting characters. The story line is complicated as three planets meet to reach a peace agreement. But murder happens and war not peace maybe the conclusion. I would recommend this novella to fantasy readers. Enjoy reading 🔰2021😕

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little tedious at first, but the investigation suddenly took top billing over the peace talks. I felt there was something too obvious around half way through the investigation about the actual culprit. Pretty sure it was one of the interviews that gave it away. Otherwise, a good story. The series has different considerations, however.

[Nick Rollins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really nice worldbuilding, but ultimately this is a bog-standard murder mystery novella. Dignitaries from 3 planets meet on a mediator planet, and one of them ends up dead: whodunit?

I generally just go along for the ride on these and don't try to solve them (or I'm not smart enough to solve them), but this one was so obvious even I got it before the investigator did.

[Elmer Pond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay at best.

It did not proceed well lost interest at times. Was very slow read. All in all if you are looking for quick action pack read try a different book. If you want a who done it this is it.

[Tom Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst not a fast-paced action sci-fi book, more of a whodunit, this is only the introduction to The Triple Stars trilogy and is still a great story. It's not very long and is well worth reading to set the scene for Book 1 of the series.

[Anne Turnley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mystery

A future seen through the eyes of an empath engaged in a mediation between three planets. The empath is determined to bring the three representatives to a meeting of minds.

[Marc Therrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this novel. This is the kind of science fiction that asks who we should trust, and how we should trust them, in an era of artificial intelligences, technologies watching our every steps, and species ready to go to war at any moment.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good sci fi story! Well worth a read! Great twist at the end! Well written, good ideas! I will look for more by this writer!

[John Autero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good who-done-it. Lots of discussion and strategy. Would have liked to have seen the action associated with the murder. I liked it.

[Torfinn Ingolfsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it.