Review of Nowhere to Hide

[Sarah Schmidt]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Nowhere to Hide" by Jude Austin.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Continuing the Five Worlds series, Nowhere to Hide by Jude Austin is a delightful contribution to the science fiction genre. It revolves around Tau and Kata, two young men trying to navigate their new lives after suffering together through a harsh past.

Kata, previously known as Kalin Taylor, has a hard time trusting people—and with good reason; after being experimented on and tortured by money-hungry scientists, he’s grown used to people using him for their own ends. The only person who can even remotely understand him is Tau, a Project from the same GenTech labs. Just when they think they are finally free, they discover Core Central has something in the works for them. Determined to avoid their clutches, Kata hides with Alan from the agents sent by a Trandellian vasari, while Tau sticks with Kurai on Atthiras. But who is the true target, and what could this mean for the future of the five worlds?

I just love the way Nowhere to Hide was written. Austin’s style is a meld of rich worldbuilding, snappy and witty humour, convincing dialogue, and a plot that never gets dull. If that’s not enough, I have no doubt this book has been professionally edited—having only two errors throughout the entire 485-page story is a definite sign of this. It’s a little heavy on the profane content, but this is mostly in line with the other themes present.

As for the characters themselves, they too deserve a round of applause. The profanity mentioned earlier? Almost all of it can be laid at Kata’s feet. Kata, who is brash and defensive, gets most of the limelight. Austin’s writing makes his attitude so real that one gets frustrated simply reading some of his reactions, but then two pages later you’re left rooting for him after getting a glimpse of his past. Tau’s a little harder to understand, though readers will still experience sympathy for him because of his situation. I found Kurai, Alan, and Nyberg equally fascinating. Diran Nasceri is a character I’ll watch out for The Worlds We Know, the sequel to this one.

How abuse, torture, and trauma victims cope in the aftermath of their pain and how they heal were done in such a believable way. Kata’s coping mechanisms and mindset may seem irrational to the observer, but, considering what he had to endure, it was very realistic. Toward the end of Nowhere to Hide, a choice is made by Tau that may shock some and put off others. However, I circled back to how he was treated after leaving his abusive handlers and juxtaposed that against how Kata fared, and it made sense. Without revealing the nitty-gritty of said choice, I can promise that it will leave readers anticipating the upcoming book.

It’s no surprise that Nowhere to Hide gets a rating of five out of five stars. Nothing detracted from the novel, making it a fitting addition to the series. The cast of characters displayed intriguing complexity, and the plot kept me engaged, even with the significant length of the book. Interstellar travel, action, and inhabitation, augmented beings, and the recovery process of abuse and trauma victims are the overarching tropes present, so readers craving something of the like will be delighted. This is a series, and a lot of context is needed for the events taking place in the book. I honestly believe reading Project Tau and Homecoming will allow for a greater enjoyment of the story.

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Nowhere to Hide
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[Fatima ilyas]

As for the characters themselves, they too deserve a round of applause. The profanity mentioned earlier? Almost all of it can be laid at Kata’s feet. Kata, who is brash and defensive, gets most of the limelight. Austin’s writing makes his attitude so real that one gets frustrated simply reading some of his reactions, but then two pages later you’re left rooting for him after getting a glimpse of his past. Tau’s a little harder to understand, though readers will still experience sympathy for him because of his situation. I found Kurai, Alan, and Nyberg equally fascinating. Diran Nasceri is a character I’ll watch out for The Worlds We Know, the sequel to this one.

[Cara Wilding]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Nowhere to Hide" by Jude Austin.]

How abuse, torture, and trauma victims cope in the aftermath of their pain and how they heal were done in such a believable way. Kata’s coping mechanisms and mindset may seem irrational to the observer, but, considering what he had to endure, it was very realistic. Toward the end of Nowhere to Hide, a choice is made by Tau that may shock some and put off others. However, I circled back to how he was treated after leaving his abusive handlers and juxtaposed that against how Kata fared, and it made sense. Without revealing the nitty-gritty of said choice, I can promise that it will leave readers anticipating the upcoming book.

I'm currently reading Project Tau, and in one sitting, I've read nearly 80% of the book. Needless to say, I also enjoy this writer's style! After reading your review, I can tell the series builds well and has a strong sense of continuity. I'm very excited that she has multiple books, and they are all receiving favorable feedback like yours. I am most glad to see that the trauma introduced in the first book is getting addressed and not taking a backseat to the rest of the plot. Thanks so much for your thoughts and for giving me so much to look forward to!

[NetMassimo]

I read the first two books of this series and I appreciated them. The themes connected to various types of abuse are not easy to read sometimes, as some parts are quite brutal, but they give you food for thought on important issues, so I plan to read this book as well. Thank you for your great review!

[Kelvinna]

I appreciate the well-structured review. The author's excellent book and its intriguing title have piqued my interest, prompting me to add it to my bookshelf without a doubt.

[Kelvinna]

The reviewer's critique stands out for me, appreciating both the well-written review, the rating given, and the recommendation provided. I must emphasize the quality of this piece, thoroughly enjoying the content while reading it.

[Kibet Hillary]

Indeed, it would seem that Kata's actions and behaviors are understandable based on his past. I read the first book and I cannot wait to follow his story in this one. Thanks for the review.