RED NOVA

Centeno’s debut sci-fi novel follows a group of human soldiers on an intergalactic adventure in the 27th century.

Under the command of surly Adm. Bisel, the soldiers capture a notorious alien fugitive and travel outside the borders of the Milky Way into uncharted territories controlled by hostile aliens. Vowing revenge, the alien prisoner escapes and the crew become trapped in a distant, dangerous galaxy. From here, the book kicks off on an epic adventure filled with dueling spaceships, fast-paced chase scenes and all manner of alien vs. human combat. This title doesn’t break any new ground in the sci-fi genre; readers will recognize familiar images and ideas from iconic works. However, Centeno does an admirable job of creating a dense and believable futuristic world. Fleshed out with careful detail, the 27th century becomes evocative and real under Centeno’s stewardship. The novel is expertly paced with enough dramatic twists, cliff-hangers and sudden reversals of fortune to keep readers’ pulse elevated. The novel is less successful, however, when attempting philosophical explorations. Curiously, the author states his thematic intentions on the very first page after dedicating the novel to philosophy. “I also want to dedicate this novel to those of you who seek truth,” he sternly declares. Throughout, characters make clunky reflections about the significance of their circumstances; these underwhelming passages tend to detract from the breakneck pace of the novel’s action. Despite its flaws, the book succeeds as an entertaining adventure.

A familiar but exciting sci-fi epic for readers of all ages.