Declared mutineers, the Team Shadow is exiled to a hostile prison planet to find Jonas, a former ally who may hold vital secrets about the enigmatic Atils, only to discover he has been reconditioned and now torments them, especially Milla, through psychological torture. As they struggle to survive cannibalistic humans and Jonas’s betrayal, the team edges closer to uncovering the Atils’ true motives, exploring both the darkness of the universe and the human psyche.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a hostile universe, the story follows the Team Shadow, now declared mutineers and exiled to a prison planet overrun with dangerous vegetation and cannibalistic humans. Their mission is to locate Jonas, a former comrade who may hold vital information about the mysterious Atils. Upon arrival, the team narrowly escapes danger with the help of Eva, an old acquaintance, and is led to a crashed ship where Jonas now leads the surviving inmates. However, Jonas, having been reconditioned by the Atils, betrays the team, subjecting Milla to intense psychological torture in a virtual stasis chamber as he attempts to extract information about Team Shadow. The narrative explores both the physical and psychological challenges faced by the characters as they edge closer to uncovering the Atils' true intentions, blending elements of space opera and psychological drama.

Readers appreciated the book's immersive setting, particularly the depiction of the prison planet's dangerous environment and the tension created by the presence of cannibalistic humans. The dynamic between the characters, especially the re-encounter with Jonas and the introduction of Eva, was noted as a strong point, adding layers to the narrative. The psychological aspects, such as Milla's ordeal in the virtual stasis chamber, were highlighted for their intensity and contribution to the suspenseful atmosphere.

Some readers expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the book. The average rating of 3.67 out of 5 suggests that while the book was generally well-received, it did not fully meet all expectations. Specific criticisms were not detailed in the available information, but the lack of full reader reviews may indicate that the book did not strongly resonate with all readers or that some found elements lacking in execution or depth.

The book is part of the Colonisation series and is described as a modern science fiction space opera in the tradition of works like The Expanse. It is authored by Vincenzo Cucca, Fabio Marinacci, and Denis-Pierre Filippi, and is scheduled for publication on February 5, 2025. With only three reader ratings and no full reviews at the time of reporting, the book's reception is still emerging.