The Lab

by D.L. Cross

Kindle Edition

Published September 28, 2020

About the author

D.L. Cross has loved science fiction ever since she was a young girl and fell for Major Don West on television's Lost in Space. To this day, she still quotes the show, though her favorite lines were spoken by the robot and the antagonist.

Parallel universes or alternate realities, aliens or dinosaurs, superpowers or super viruses, time travel or AI... no sci-fi theme is off limits and all of them fascinate her.

D.L. Cross also writes other genre fiction under the name Staci Troilo, and you can find more information about all her identities and all her work at her website: https://stacitroilo.com.

Reviews

[Mae Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

After breathlessly following this series from Book one (and the prequel), I found myself riveted to the closing novel. The Astrals have found humanity lacking and it’s only a matter of time until they release their judgement on Earth.

Each chapter and each plot thread—of which there are many, expertly woven together—are ticking time bombs. Catch your breath on one, and Cross plunges you into another maelstrom of danger, action, and double-crosses. The sense of urgency in this novel is a pot-boiler.

All of the plot lines that have been steadily building through the previous books meet head-on in an explosive conclusion. It’s difficult to say much without giving away spoilers, but I find myself startled to note how my opinions altered regarding certain characters.

It’s difficult to name a single standout character (each are deftly drawn and multi-faceted with plenty of gray areas) but the relationship between Nadia and Beck—how it changed and grew over the course of the books—was a highpoint for me. By book five, I’d also started to look at reptars differently, especially one in particular. Journeying through five books in a world populated by Titans, Mullahs, the Separated, the Nine, Reptars, Lightborn, and humans has been a astounding adventure.

In the end, not everything is wrapped up with a tight bow. It makes me wonder if there is more planned, or if the author chose to leave certain elements open to the readers’ imagination. All of the major storylines and events are concluded, but there are a few surprises that leave the door cracked slightly ajar.

For anyone who enjoys intelligent and fast-paced science-fiction mixed with vast dollops of mystery, suspense and brilliant character development, I highly recommend this series. It stands among my top reads for 2020!

[Harmony Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mind-Blowing Series

Wow. Absolutely fantastic set of five books. I’ll be devouring these again at some point. Such a lot to process. Brilliantly imagined and written. Excellent world building and characterisation. If you love aliens or sci-fi or just plain politics and machinations on a global level, read these books.

The whole Astral Conspiracy series from D L Cross is a must-read 5 star epic tale.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading the Astral Conspiracy with book one, “The Gate” and was immediately pulled in with the fast pace and amazing characters. I was excited to see how this story of conspiracies, aliens, and relationships was going to end. There were a few twists and surprises to navigate through to arrive at an ending that was not only satisfying but might have left the door open a crack to continue. Landon Thorne was the first to capture my heart as the unwilling hero whose theories had been shunned until the aliens came, and suddenly his expertise became valuable. I loved his character’s progression through the books, along with the introduction of new characters. Some I loved, especially the twins, and some I didn’t, but there was a couple that changed my opinion of them by the end. The research and thought that went into this made it feel very real to me. If you love a good sci-fi story with well-written characters, along with some mystery thrown in, this is the perfect read for you. I highly recommend reading all the books in order, so you don’t miss a thing.

[Jan Sikes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Astral Conspiracy series and the way the author wrapped up the story was satisfying. In this book, the children we met in book 4 are instrumental in helping save the others. Their ability to communicate through thoughts is a valuable tool. Professor Landon Thorne gets to meet his father at long last. But it is no happy family reunion. The man is a monster. How the book plays out and ends is sad at times, with so much death, but also keeps the entire theme of the series front and center. One of my favorite characters is a Separated, Nixon Beck, and he plays a big part in this book. I highly recommend this entire series to anyone who loves a good story filled with action, memorable characters, and believable science fiction!

[Joan Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! The action began on page one of The Gate and didn’t stop until the last page of The Lab. In this fifth book of the Astral Conspiracy series, things are coming to a climax. Will Landon, Reverie, and their cohorts be able to save the earth from aliens?

This book had some surprising twists – a few things I didn’t expect, but the author did a superb job at weaving together the plot lines. At the beginning of the series, there were one or two characters I hated, but I found myself “almost” liking them at the end. Likewise, some characters I thought I
liked didn’t turn out quite the way I envisioned.

The ending brings a satisfying conclusion, yet leaves things open for the reader’s imagination. If you like fast-paced, high tension, and character-driven fiction in the science fiction genre, I highly recommend this series.

[Judith Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last book in D.L. Cross's Astral Conspiracy series, and I never thought I'd get attached to another reptar, but I did. This has been a great series. The characters have sucked me in. I have to admit, though, the ending didn't quite do it for me. The writing, as always, is wonderful. The tension built to the final fight for survival. This was an exceptional five-book character and plot arc. Highly recommended if you love sci-fi, action stories, suspense, or strong characters. Exceptional writing.

[Chris The Story Reading Ape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as part of the Astral Conspiracy 5 Volumes Complete Series Bundle
The action, sub-plots and twists continue apace, right up to the last page, which leaves the reader wanting more...

See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...

[Dchamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, but one of the worst endings on any book I’ve ever read!

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just didn't especially like this last book, disappointed in the ending. It felt rushed.