Netherspace by Andrew Lane and Nigel Foster is good science fiction. It reminds me of the classic sci fi books I read as a child, sci fi from the 50’s and 60’s, from which I gained a love of the genre. Lane and Foster introduce us to a world where first contact has been made with several alien species, but strangely, there is no real communication. The aliens just come to trade, pointing to what they want and leaving an item of technology, including technology to travel between the stars. But the items they trade for is a total mystery — it could be a broken bicycle wheel or a human being.
In Netherspace, we become acquainted with Kara, an ex-army sniper, and Marc, an artist who has traded with aliens in the past. These two are recruited to travel to an alien planet to resolve a hostage situation. They’re given all the information they need through a machine which puts the information into their heads, but what they don’t expect in treachery on board the ship.
I loved this book! No only does it remind me of sci fi of old, it brings its own take on what first contact could really be like. The technology is wonderful, the characters are well-developed both individually and in their relationships with each other. The aliens are also quite fun. And in classic sci fi tradition, there is a big reveal at the end that is well worth the wait. Pick up Netherspace. You’ll thank me.