A military spaceship crew investigating an abandoned research base on a desolate planet uncovers deadly secrets and faces monstrous threats, while escaped prisoners and a mysterious ship complicate their mission. Blending fast-paced action, dark humor, and elements of survival horror, the story explores teamwork under pressure and the unpredictability of life—and death—in deep space.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a militarized future, the story follows the crew of the IFSS Mythos, an advanced spacecraft of the Interstellar Federation, as they respond to a distress signal from the desolate planet Migo. The planet, home to a secret research base called Světluška, appears abandoned when the landing party—composed of characters like veteran Knut Björgensson, corporal Li-Hong, and medic Liv Montoya—arrives. As they investigate the empty base, the crew faces unexpected dangers that test their training and survival skills. Meanwhile, in orbit, two special forces prisoners, Jocelyn Lancaumová and Jerzy Satanski, escape custody just as an unknown ship emerges from warp, compounding the crisis. The narrative blends elements of action, survival horror, and dark humor, and is interspersed with graphic elements such as in-universe advertisements and supplemental information.

Readers appreciated the book's fast-paced, action-driven plot and the integration of humor, including sarcasm, black comedy, and irreverent banter among the crew. The character dynamics, particularly duos like Gygax-Jocelyn and Li-Hong-Knut, were highlighted as engaging, with readers noting that the personalities were distinct enough to foster attachment. The book's graphic design, including illustrations and chapter interludes with fictional ads, was also praised for enhancing the reading experience. The gradual world-building and the avoidance of overwhelming exposition were noted as strengths, as was the book's ability to maintain tension and suspense, especially regarding the survival of various characters.

Some readers found the large cast of characters initially confusing, with inconsistent use of names and nicknames making it difficult to keep track of who was who. There were criticisms of the humor, with some jokes and absurd situations feeling forced or lacking proper setup, and issues with the timing of comedic elements. The writing was occasionally described as rough, with awkward sentences and minor errors. The pacing was also a concern for some, particularly in the second half of the book, where the exploration of the base was seen as drawn-out and the narrative lost momentum. The depiction of the mysterious entity was found to be vague, and the ending was described as hectic and somewhat unsatisfying in terms of resolution.

The book is the first in a planned series, ending with a cliffhanger and leaving several plot threads unresolved, though the main storyline is largely concluded. The tone and style have been compared to 1980s and 1990s action films, as well as to other Czech space operas like the Legie series, though some readers felt it did not reach the same level. The book is visually distinctive, with illustrations and creative formatting, and is intended for readers comfortable with coarse language and irreverent humor. The next installment is expected in the following year.