Off Midway Station by Marc Alan Edelheit ~ a Review

by MK French

A mysterious alien race attacks and seizes star systems within the human expansion into space every fifty years. They attack, seize star systems, and then disappear before coming back. Captain Jim Garrett joined the Navy to fight this force but took the blame for a mission gone wrong and lost his career. His only command now is the construction of a ship at Midway Station. When the aliens attack early, every ship will be needed. Garrett is now thrust into command of the half-built ship and a motley crew.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

September 2024; Second Sky; 978-1835259863
audio, ebook, print (416 pages); science fiction

We open with the attack that disabled the ship where he was a lieutenant and the actions he took to save civilians that made him persona non grata. He wasn't wrong, which helped him get a job afterward within the navy, but not as a fleet captain as he previously hoped. He still takes this job seriously, as he's a captain and carries the weight of that rank even if it's in a shunted-off area of the navy. He still meets with his friends, which gives us a view into the rest of the navy, the war in the outer rim, and how devastating it can be on the captains and the ships they command. We also meet Tabby, leader of her own crew about to get some R&R on the station before they depart for the front, and many of the station crew.

The first third of the novel slowly introduces the characters, the naval command structure, the ships, and their capabilities, and even more slowly drips in mention of the war. We get to almost halfway through the book before news of an early Push comes in, and then multiple warnings and failures on the station. I was impatient to get the action, which kicks up in the second half. Everyone scrambles for resources, and we see the best and worst in people before the battle actually breaks out. That part is exciting, and this sets up the world for the characters to fight in. I'm sure future novels won't need as much world-building and can dive right into the action.

Buy Off Midway Station at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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