Wardens by Jonathan Staten

Fast-forward to the war-torn future of the solar system in Wardens by author Jonathan Staten. An unlikely hero is forced into the heart of a shadowy, interplanetary war, but also into the middle of his own mysterious family secrets. As he learns more about the Wardens – essentially sci-fi super-soldiers of the future – he becomes embroiled in the deadly deceptions and the savage conflicts that may have taken his father’s life.

This is a classic adventure Bildungsroman of training, failure, revelation, and meaningful battles against increasingly impossible odds, but there are also splashes of humor and connection, a strong secondary cast, and a consistent, easy-to-read style. The action-heavy plot keeps the pace high, while strong character development gets readers engaged, for an ambitious and entertaining space drama.

A setting more than a thousand years in the future gives the author plenty of room to play and create, and the world-building is enjoyable, but most of the choices feel quite safe, in line with other visionary sci-fi futures. Thorough editing throughout the book is also lacking, not only on a technical level, but also in the simplicity of certain passages, so many details and finishing touches are missing.

However, the strengths of the novel overwhelm these issues, as the story plenty of high points, with fast-paced action, memorable lines, and an absorbing storyline that will satisfy readers of the genre.