First Light

Resonance #1

by Casey E. Berger

She lost everything. Now, she's fighting back.

When Jaya Mill’s parents were killed and her brother was kidnapped in an attack on her childhood home, she saw only one future for herself: enlist in the Union Starfleet and learn to defend herself.

Now, as a lieutenant commander aboard the UNS Avalon, Jaya and her elite counterterrorism unit enlist the help of Tynan Vasuda, an alien scientist from the Szacante Federation, to investigate the potentially sinister research of the new and mysteriously well-funded Sons of Priam.

Across the stars, a bounty hunter named Marantos accepts a high-paying assassination job in hopes of putting more distance between herself and her estranged royal family. But that job draws her straight into the web that the Sons of Priam are weaving to capture the highest office of the United Human Nations.

As Marantos claws free from the Sons of Priam, her path intersects with Jaya and Tynan, and she must decide whether to keep running from her past or turn and fight this new threat. And as Jaya pushes to uncover the identity of the shadowy figure at the helm of the Sons of Priam, she begins to reveal what truly happened the night she lost her family.

What Jaya discovers will challenge everything she knows…

Don’t miss the first book in a space opera thrill ride for the ages, filled with explosive action, characters that leap off the pages, and plenty of mystery. It's perfect for fans of The Expanse and Mass Effect.

Genres: Science Fiction, LGBT, Space Opera, Queer

460 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2021

About the author

Casey is a writer and computational physicist, author of the Resonance Saga. By day, she studies the complicated interactions of subatomic particles. She lives a nomadic academic life, currently in New England, but you might find her wandering in the woods, listening to music, or endlessly daydreaming.

Reviews

[M.J. Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an ARC of this book, and allow me to let anyone on the fence about it know - come September, you're gonna want to pick this one up.

Set in a future where humanity is a space-faring, home-planetless race, FIRST LIGHT follows the stories of three main characters. First up, we have Jaya Mill. Jaya - or rather, Lieutenant Commander Mill - is a officer in humanity's navy. She is a refreshing mix of badassery and introspection, and much of her story follows her search for closure in the wake of a traumatic childhood event that left her an orphan, and left her older brother missing.

Next, our first non-human main character, a scientist of the szacante race known as Tynan. Tynan was my personal favorite character (though I loved the others as well!) If you have played the Mass Effect video game series, you'll understand what I mean when I say Tynan reminds me of Mordin Solus… but with a filter haha. He's a brilliant scientist obsessed with his research and plagued by social awkwardness and self-doubt. Relatable, lovable, and incredible.

Lastly, we follow the story of Maya. Maya is a ruthless bounty hunter who finds herself mixed up in the main story of this book by agreeing to take on a contract from the wrong people, basically. But as the story progresses, you'll find out that there is more to Maya than meets the eye as well.

This fast-paced space opera follows a group of scientists and soldiers on a mission to get to the bottom of the terrorist activities and suspicious reach of a human splinter group known as the Sons of Priam. I won't say much more on the subject there, for fear of accidental spoilers, but let's just say there are more than a few twists and turns along the journey, and I had at least one jaw-drop moment while reading.

In short, if you're looking for a sci fi with a richly developed world, complex characters, and an intricately woven plot full of mystery, action, and heart, then look no further! FIRST LIGHT is the first installment in a series, and I for one know I will be ready to click that "preorder" button for the sequel as soon as it is available!

[Jonathan Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIRST LIGHT, author Casey Berger’s debut book, is a well-written science fiction novel ideal for fans of MASS EFFECT and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. It entertains, but also dredges up themes like duty, ethics, and family. While it can be categorized as military SF or space opera, it defies many of the classic tropes. It feels different, refreshingly-new, and relevant to these times.

Complex, well-realized characters with unique personalities and traits color the pages and drive the plot. There’s an entertaining ensemble cast from the somewhat stoic Commander Jaya Mill of the human Union military forces to the darkly delectable cat-like assassin Mara of the Nareian Empire (my favorite character). I grew to like the members of Jaya’s crew (like Sal, who has a very cynical sense of humor) and I admire the way that Berger is able to balance the mechanics of the team as they go on their missions.

The storyline is a welcomed departure from many of the military SF narratives that feel so commonplace. One of the things that I appreciate about FIRST LIGHT is that it doesn’t portray the “space marines” as mindless jarheads on some glorious crusade against alien “bad guys.” We see here a willingness among the characters to challenge the official story and long-standing traditions even if that means being at odds with seemingly-overwhelming forces. We also see an exploration of class with a kind of candor that I rarely see in these kinds of fictionalized settings.

There’s alot to this universe in terms of world-building which I always appreciate in a lengthy SF novel. The aliens, which are always one of my favorite things in SF, are interesting and fun. The nareians are a feline species with a royal hierarchy. The Szacante Federation is a civilization dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, but is experiencing internal divisions with a growing xenophobic segment of the population (one of the running plotlines is about the tension between the alien races and governments).

We quickly get a sense of the greater complexities at work in the galaxy (it delves into politics in a way that feels grounded and relevant to today) as well as smaller individual complications that can interfere with someone’s life. The story’s antagonists have actual motivations for what they’re doing and aren’t one-dimensional caricatures for the sake of having a “bad guy.”

First Light is the first in a trilogy and worthy of a buy and read. While it doesn’t end on an unceremonious cliffhanger, it does set up the conflicts that will naturally develop from this installment of the series. What these characters step into really have complicated ramifications for the rest of the galaxy and it’ll be intriguing to see how this bomb gets defused.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5/5

I had such a fun time with this one! Thank you to the author Casey Berger for providing me with a copy of her book. Full disclosure we did meet at college years ago in the Physics department but per usual all thoughts and opinions are my own. This story focuses on three main point of views who also happen to each be members of the three main powers/species in the universe. On main character is a human special agent whose focus is on terrorist prevention and at the start of the story there is this new bioweapon being used, and this mystery was so fun to unpack, in addition to getting to know her and the team she works with. Another character is a very driven scientist who finds themselves quickly in over their head and our last is a bounty hunter who is also on the run herself. I loved watching these three storylines intersect and it was the perfect blend of action and character development for my taste. I cannot wait to read the sequels and am so happy the entire trilogy is being released this fall so I can binge it properly!

[Jaye Viner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even in the midst of life chaos, I found time to plow through this space opera thriller. I love a book like this that simultaneously does all the things I expect while also surprising me and giving me new possibilities. I loved the way women's relationships--professional, familial, and intimate were highlighted as part of this story. I loved the easily-accessible world of humans and aliens, how they existed together but with their biases and cultural differences that felt so lived in. Can't wait for the story to continue in book two.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Debut novel by a computational physicist and "endless daydreamer." Self-published, $1 ebook. Maybe? See the neggies, such as "SF where the reader must ignore what they know of astronomy, physics, biology, and other such." Um, maybe not. Published September 14th 2021.

Well. I tried and didn't get that far. Writing is OK, but no spark, for me anyway. Not for me!

[Noah Lemelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this wonderful novel! A thrilling sci-fi debut, action and intrigue within a fascinating universe. The story largely follows Jaya, a soldier in the United Human Nations, as she tracks down and investigates an interstellar bioterrorist cell. However the plot quickly expands, with narratives following alien POV’s, such as a disgraced scientist and a hardened bounty hunter. Each has a very strong voice, and their contrast works well. I appreciate that even with all the action and mystery, we’re still given a lot of time to focus on the characters and their individual emotional journeys. I’ll leave it to future readers to see how they all connect, but its a satisfying adventure, leading up to a sequel (or sequels) that I’m very excited for!

[Claire Holroyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers who love character-driven space operas need to add First Light by Casey E. Berger to their tbr. This is a very impressive start to a rapid-release sci-fi trilogy launching in September, October, and November. First Light has many strengths that compare to another 2021 sci-fi debut, The Last Watch by J.S. Dewes. Both stories feature strong female protagonists that are ranking officers of diverse teams of competent soldiers.

In the well-crafted future of First Light, planet Earth is 300 years ruined and abandoned. Humanity has colonized the galaxy, and we are not alone. There are two other galactic superpowers beside the Human Union: the Szacante Federation and Nareian Monarchy. The Szacante are a technologically advanced species with personalized artificial intelligence implanted in their bodies in infancy, acting as virtual assistants that can learn and adapt with its hosts. The Nareians have evolved from a puma-like ancestor. They are large, muscular, and can shift from a bipedal to quadrupedal gait when attacking “swift as cavalry.”

The story’s three main characters give a POV for each of these species. Lieutenant Commander Jaya Mill is the head of a counterterrorism strike team with the Navy. Dr. Tynan Vasuda is a brilliant Szacante scientist and founder of a leading biotech firm. Mara is a Nareian bounty hunter who is just as much on the run as her targets. Jaya, Tynan, and Mara all fall victim to a mysterious terrorist cell known as the Sons of Priam. They must fight together or witness a shadowy organization continue on its path of mass death and destruction.

Thank you to the author for providing an eARC in an author swap. I have pre-ordered the eBook and hope a paperback will be made available for purchase as well.

[Katherine Forrister · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Light is a military sci-fi epic that you don't want to miss! I loved Berger's attention to detail with her characters' internal struggles and how they cope with and overcome them. Jaya's deep love of music and Tynan's dependence on science were touching and effective in helping me really connect with them throughout the story. First Light's action sequences are intense and thrilling and were some of my favorite parts of the entire story. Overall the book is fast-paced and full of mystery and intrigue, and I can't wait for the sequel!

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good read, but you should know going in that this is a prime example of what I’ll call science-free science fiction. Not soft science fiction with a focus on persons or the soft sciences, but rather SF where the reader must ignore what they know of astronomy, physics, biology, and other such. I hesitate to start a list so I will give only two examples: constellations are stellar neighborhoods and aliens have human personalities and biochemistry.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating story, and very unlike the books I usually read. Berger is a master plotter and world builder who kept me gripped from the first page to the last. I can't wait to see what she does next!

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not a bad story, and the reveals certainly would shake up the reader's concept of the story if there wasn't so much foreshadowing that it's hardly a surprise once the identies are revealed. Still, it's a reasonably well done story, and most scifi fans will probably like it.

[Leslie Baptiste · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent first book in a new series, maybe it should be more than three books.

I enjoyed this book tremendously. A great and interesting cast of characters, unique situation, twists and turns and many intricate plot threads. This book wove me and it did not let me go until I finished. Very well done. There are some issues that caused me not to give it a five. You’re a spacefaring race can travel faster than light speed but use needles instead of something like hypo sprays. The other issue that bothered me was that you have a jacket full of vomit and you cannot toss it into an auto laundry system? Besides those two things that bothered me this was an excellent first book in the series, read it you will not be disappointed.

[Shamim Sinnar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ideas but writing and characters for me were lackluster.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good! I'm very intrigued by this world. I would write a longer review, but I'm off to start the next book in the trilogy!

[Mick Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting start to what I think will be a great series

I have enjoyed reading the first book of this series, it started where a It Commander Jaya is part of the union forces hunting the Sons of Priam. But she also has her own secrets, but there is still more surprises for her and the crew of the Avalon.

[Robert Creamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent original military sci-fi novel.

First Light is book one in a new military sci-fi
series, and it is excellent. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is solid, enjoyable space opera. Varied cast of characters with vivid back stories and a plot which was fun, and not too conventional. Well-written, nicely-paced debut from Berger that kept me avidly turning pages. There were a few moments that shook my immersion in the story, but none serious enough to turn me off or break my engagement. This was a solid, enjoyable book and I'm looking forward to the next pair in the series.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook and ebook)
"You are destined for more."
Jaya Mill had joined the United Starfleet some 15 years before, her salvation from poverty. Orphaned as a child and her brother missing, she had been brought up by her uncles. She had an affinity for the military life, however, and had risen to Lieutenant Commander on the prestigious ship, Avalon They were hunting a terrorist group calling itself The Sons of Priam. The first book in a new series, First Light seizes the reader's attention from the very beginning.
It follows the careers not only of Jaya but also of other key figures destined to come together in a foundation for future novels. The characters are developed slowly over time, fleshing them into believable beings, and the action is frequent and ongoing. However, as the story evolved, although still good, it became more predictable.

Narration on the Audio production was also good but needed just a little bit more to make the performance fit lerfecfly. Megan Taxing has a very pleasant on the ear voice and she reads well with good timing and intonation. However, her differentiation between characters is, at best, slight, everyone's conversation sounding almost the same. Fortunately, her initial rather breathy rendering of excitement is mostly only present in the opening chapters and her performance is otherwise good.

At over thirteen hours, this is a substantial read and an enjoyable one. The scene is now set for future adventures and I look forward to following this series.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Completely average space opera. I'm not saying that like it's a bad thing, but it's exactly what it is. It's not bad, but it's not great either.

The writing is competent and easy to read. Sometimes there are some shortcuts where you may wish some more detail though. The world building is again entirely average. It's solid and interesting, but nothing memorable. Same with the characters. The foreshadowing is very heavy handed and you can see a big revelation coming far in advance. I don't even know if that's a bad thing. Do we truly read a book like this to be completely surprised? Another twist is less predictable though.
The aliens are often just a bit too human. Especially in the way they talk. Just not using human idioms would have helped there. But for this kind of generic space opera it's probably adequate. In some ways this is a genre convention. But compared to certain other books it can feel lacking. Becky Chambers's Wayfarers series for example also has mostly humanoid aliens, but they feel more different. And Adrian Tchaikovsky managed to inhabit Shards of Earth with some truly bizarre and/or hard to understand species. But it's generally ok and not worse than many other similar books.
The science parts can be a bit sparse, at least when it comes to astronomy. At one point the characters correlate flight plans to find a location and somehow they pinpoint it down to a star, as if there isn't a huge amount of empty interstellar space. Then the station they seek is found within literal seconds in orbit of the star, rather than anywhere else in the system. That just makes space seem extremely small. But stuff like that isn't omnipresent - another meeting takes place in deep space - and there are certainly worse books in regards to this.

For a truly positive thing I'll say that while being advertised as military sci-fi (which it is) it doesn't have the usual stereotypical characters and blind military worship. There is political corruption, but unlike so often the military isn't portrayed as the only virtuous institution left. And it doesn't just copy modern American military customs into a sci-fi setting.

I'm actually interested in reading the sequel, just not right away.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this book up because I love sci-fi and especially strong women as main characters. OMG this book was amazing. The prose was brilliant and I need to sit down and actually study how the author pulled it off so well. It wasn't an insta-love, but by the end I was so invested that my life felt so...empty after reading the last page. Jaya is such an awesome character; her leadership, family history, abilities, and her incredibly nuanced relationships were just *chef's kiss*. Tynan was a wonderful addition of a scientist so unused to any interaction, much less with humans, and certainly unprepared for anything resembling a fire fight. Mara could have easily been overdone, but she, too, was perfectly nuanced and felt real, relatable, and believable. One major twist was easy to spot a mile away, and I was disappointed it took 60% of the book to reveal it, but surprise! There were more twists, and really, the timing of it wasn't all that bad.

I'm definitely picking up the rest of the series. This hit all my sci-fi buttons and I cannot wait to read every scrap this author puts out.

[Graff Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good start for a series in Space Opera. It isn't easy to build a universe, aliens, interesting story and then execute it well. 

Casey E. Berger has done that.

I really enjoyed the multiple narratives and the intrigue that came by learning about the characters, then later...learning their motivations and desires...and how THAT has impacted the story.

I'm not a visual reader, so I don't always SEE the aliens and what they look like, but she built their characters SO well, that eventually I could picture them in my mind...and that was impressive.

I'm excited for to read the sequel. This will obviously be the BIG test, to see if she can punch up the action, carry-over the characters, add characters...BUT most importantly, to keep the tone of the story.

I think she's laid an incredible foundation, and am excited to finish this short review...so that I can start the second book.

Thanks

[Linda F. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Light, the first part of a trilogy space saga, is a well crafted and intelligent story by physicist Casey E, Berger, which is layered with adventure, political strife, personal tragedies, and the developing relationships between humans and aliens. The saga melds military strategy and political intrigue within a rich tapestry of music, classical literature, and scientific research to build a world of good against evil. Her characters are painted with a confident brush, revealing themselves as complex beings as their universe unfolds. It has a generous dose of action, battles and hand to hand combat. A rich, intelligent and intricate story that left me excited to read her second installment, Ursa Major!

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casey is a friend of mine but my enthusiasm for the book is sincere. It's good.
Protagonist Jaya Mills is second in command on a space battleship, an incredibly tough, combat-hardened fighter with secrets in her past. She's on the front lines of the fight against the Sons of Priam, terrorists wiping out entire colonies with a mysterious bioweapon. Tynan is an alien scientist whose bio-research has been stolen out from under him, legally. Mara is alien royalty who dropped out of her planet's dynastic conflicts by going rogue as a bounty hunter. It won't surprise you that all three turn out to be fighting different fronts in the same war.
This is a solid, well-told space adventure with interesting, engaging protagonists. I look forward to getting V2.

[Maegen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good and interesting space opera! I loved the various alien races we got in this story (and that TWO were main POVs) as well as the added bonus of military sci-fi as well (and that the main solider was a woman). I also liked the twists at the end and I'm excited to see where this all goes! :)

[Richard T. Kotomori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Interesting story with interesting characters that are gradually introduced through diverse background stories. This is a space war revolution against corrupt government religious zealots and the “people”. Should be an interesting series.

[Steve Horowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Syfy Adventure

I really enjoyed this novel. It had lots of action and interesting characters. I'm looking forward to learning more about Jaya's phenomenal physiology and how her crew fares against the might of the powerful union.

[Sylvie]

DNF at 30%

[Christopher · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Disjoint plot, inconsistent pacing, two-dimensional characters.

[Tufty McTavish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced military-SF which skips the travel, but mixes in alien races that I struggled to separate. Sits well alongside Marko Kloos, Evan Currie and Craig Alanson

[Shelby Kilmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad story but the publisher pulled the dirty trick of no ending. Stopped right in the middle of the story.