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Zedgur starts out with a female character named Alice Winters. However, this is no ordinary character and she does not live in an ordinary world that we find ourselves in. Alice is a stubborn private detective (though, she tends to forget the "private part"), previously enlisted in the Martian Military. She currently resides on the northern hemisphere of Mars, but it is not before long that the world she thought she once knew would be torn out from under her. When individuals, who seek her help, take her captive, she is given a mission that will unveil the sinister politics that corrupt the interstellar society.
With Alice’s sassy accomplice, Marigold, in the picture, the mission ensues as they travel to the planet of Zedgur to uncover the truth about a scandal concerning the Trade Minister Bishop’s daughter, Samantha. As the heat of a Treaty Ceremony arises, however, Alice must be discrete in how she exposes evidence to prove or disprove the allegations for certain crimes. If she is not careful, the news could interfere and cause trouble with her, to the detriment of her employer. Along the way she confronts various races, from robots to humans and from feline beings to lizard-like people. She befriends a few throughout the story, including a mechanid named Nix and an aqua man named Ezer who help her as she pursues the answers that she knows deep down must be unveiled. Topics of racism, politics, morality, and others flood this unique story, transforming it into a brilliantly crafted novel.
What I loved about this book was the author’s style of writing. Nienow didn’t necessarily explain certain aspects about the setting, but elaborated on them. Sometimes it reminded me of the distracted narrative in "The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy", but more instructive than humorous. This book was brilliantly imagined. Going farther than the comfortableness of our planet Earth, Nienow explores space in a tangible way. Though we may never experience the true pleasures of the galaxy, the author describes with detail to give you the impression that you are among those that live off of earth. At times, it also reminded me of Ender’s Game in the world creation sense and Speaker of the Dead in the philosophical sense. Both being great books, is a huge compliment to Zedgur as a new novel.
What I didn’t like about this book was that once or twice the author would take away the suspense by having a character reveal what would happen before something dramatic occurred. Also, Marigold’s character was kind of an unnecessary addition. Even though she had some role at the end, her character could have been more developed. Other than that, the story was pretty good. The grammar was well edited and the flow consistency and creativity of the book were well planned out. The only thing I wish the author had done was prolonged the story. There could have been a lengthier investigation and perhaps more anecdotes to increase the anticipation of the story. Otherwise it was a great story that I do not regret reading. Perhaps that gives the author a reason to make a series out of Alice Winter.
I rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars. I give it nothing less than a four because as a writer, Nienow commands diction and grammar artistically and masterfully. This author shows proper skills with the arrangement of phrases and exhibits fine writing skills in creating an original science fiction story. Though this story could have improved in some aspects (what book can’t?), it was well written and a great story for anyone who enjoys the thrilling suspense of crime or who desires to explore the unknown universe through an author’s eyes! This book leaves you with as much suspense as the first scene! I would read it again and would definitely be interested in reading sequels. If you enjoy a good science fiction adventure, make sure to check this one out!
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Very amazed by the author, he or she uses good details in a lot of action thoses are the most fun books .
