April 16, 2024: Dead Space by Kali Wallace (Annotation Style)

  Author: Kali Wallace

Title: Dead Space

Genre: Science Fiction Mystery 

Publication Date: March 2, 2021

Number of Pages: 322

Geographical Setting: Space

Time Period: N/A

Series: Standalone

 

Plot Summary: 

Hester Marley was the victim of a catastrophic attack that left her united and stranded away from her home. Her circumstances forced her take a security job in the Astro world at a mining company that was destined to be a dead-end job. She spends her days investigating low level crimes in order to create a larger profit for her employer. She hears from an old friend and fellow terrorist attack survivor who claimed he discovered something suspicious about their shared tragedy. Before Hester can ask any more questions and get any answers, her friend is murdered at one of the remote mines. Hester is now investigating her friends murder as well as searching for the truth of what happened to them on that historic moment that changed their life. However, investigating is just the beginning of Hester’s journey as she discovers more about the mines, the miners, her dead friend, and the locations that she now calls home. She uncovers secrets that powerful people want hidden. How will she proceed?!

Subject Headings: 

Horror

Mystery

Fiction

Science Fiction

Science Fiction Appeal:

Compelling Writing: Many reviews touch base on the compelling writing style of Kali Wallace. She is able to keep readers involved and entertained throughout the twists and turns and shocks throughout the book. After experiencing a devastating terrorist attack, the main character goes through many challenges that keep the storyline interesting.

Setting: Although the setting for this book is generalized to “space”, the majority of it takes place in a fictional asteroid mining colony. Most of the action is packed into a 24 hour period when Hester Marley, the main character, works to solve what has happened to her former colleague. The thrilling action and immersive mystery keeps readers firmly in the setting of the story. 

Relatable Characters: This wouldn’t necessarily seem like the type of book that would have a relatable character, but I feel like Hester Marley has traits that make her relatable. The storyline is obviously not relatable to pretty much any reader, but the emotions that Hester goes through are. Hester experiences flashbacks and trauma from past experiences while trying to solve the murder at hand.   

Three Terms that Describe the Book: Compelling, Suspenseful, Action-Packed

Science Fiction Readalikes:

Godfall by Van Jensen

Common Appeals: murder investigation, suspenseful tone, quick-paced and intensifying

Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty

Common Appeals: science fiction mystery, women detectives, 

The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei

Common Appeals: suspenseful, takes place in space, murder

Non-Fiction Readalikes:

StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Common appeals: space, engaging writing, life on other planets

Stellaris: People of the Stars by Les Johnson and Robert E. Hampson

Common Appeals: Space exploration, thought-provoking writing, science-fiction

Broken Places & Outer Spaces: Finding Creativity in the Unexpected by Nnedi Okorafor

Common Appeals: female authors, compelling writing style, science fiction authors