When a series of linked murders forces GalCop to outlaw the shadow organisation known as â??The Dark Wheel', a mysterious top secret document must be found in order to stave off a galactic conflict. The document contains a devastating secret; the key to domination, power and control. A secret as old as space itself, the location of the legendary planet â??Raxxla'.
Drew Wagar is a science fiction and fantasy author, living in the UK. He is the author of the Hegira Series, the Shadeward Saga, The Midnight Chronicles, the Elect Saga and the official Elite Dangerous novelisations.
You can join a mailing list and discover more about Drew's books at his website.
This instalment has our pair of heroes searching for the mythical planet Raxxla while being hunted by one of the galaxy's most fearsome bounty hunters. The Galactic Co-operative of Worlds is under threat of collapse and for peace and stability to continue across the galaxies it must be defended, but at what cost? Fearsome alien Thargoids, the mighty Imperial and Federation Navies and a shadowy secret organisation called The Dark Wheel all become entangled in in a time-twisting tale that will determine the fate of our protagonists, GalCop, and even the future of intergalactic travel (The so called 'Selezen Crisis').
Space opera at its best! While the first book in the series was rather a light fare, Mutabilis goes deeper into the characters and delivers a plot that is enjoyable and entertaining. There are fewer "in-jokes" to take you out of the story than there were in the first novella, which I also liked. I'd go so far as recommend this book also to those space opera lovers who are unfamiliar with the Elite and Oolite games, although some pre-reading might be in order then (such as Holdstock's original Dark Wheel).