Pros
- Interesting premise that while not unique, is still executed well for an engaging story
- Protagonist has more friends working with him toward the goal
Cons
- Some questions regarding certain characters are not answered
- Mystery of the “other side” not resolved quite to satisfaction
The Scavenger Door Review
The Scavenger Door by W Palmer is the third book of an exciting series starring Fergus Ferguson, a man with a unique ability to find people and things. However, Fergus’ ability to find things isn’t always intentional.
While relaxing on Earth with his cousin, Fergus takes on an innocuous task of searching for a lost herd of sheep. Along the way, he stumbles upon a strange piece of foreign material sticking up through the ground. He picks it up, and without much thought, pockets the curious item.
That’s when the trouble begins: an email to a friend who works at the shipyard prompts a visit from a mysterious alien who warns him of the now alien fragment he has discovered, and this warning sets Fergus off on a journey to find the rest of the remaining pieces that make up a key that opens a dimensional door holding back a swarm of hungry alien devourers who don’t discriminate between between lifeforms and inanimate objects.
But Fergus is late to the game—there are at least three other organizations who have a head start in finding these fragments, and they all have more resources, especially manpower. Whereas these organizations see the profit and power in these alien fragments, Fergus sees their potential to destroy humanity, the solar system, and perhaps the galaxy beyond.
The thrilling story follows Fergus as he searches Earth for the locations of the fragments, and he teams up with familiar friends and a newfound sister in order to save the galaxy. Along the way, Fergus reunites with his old Martian friends and perhaps is able to bring some closure to a chapter of his life that was left unfinished.
While the premise of the story isn’t new—aliens behind a dimensional door was recently explored in a Star Trek Picard and other Star Trek series like Voyager—the execution of the story is still engaging once the story picks up and Fergus learns about the real origins of the fragments.
Gradually, more and more obstacles are introduced that Fergus must overcome—the cultists, a private security firm, the military, and even his own past—and these obstacles require some fun solutions while revealing more about the who and why of Fergus Ferguson.
As the story draws to a conclusion, not all of the answers regarding the fragments are revealed. There are advanced alien species, perhaps guardians, who protect other species from the dangers of the dimensional gate, and the bits of technology revealed to readers is also intriguing and awe-inspiring. For instance, the gate or tunnel that Fergus and his alien friend travels through brings them thousands of light years away from Earth.
The glimpses of the technology and the powerful aliens that readers get only whet their desire to learn more about this fascinating universe that Palmer has crafted. The few answers readers are given with regards to the fragments, the deadly aliens, and the powerful guardian aliens are not satisfactory even if the conclusion is.
The Scavenger Door by Suzanne Palmer is an engaging and thrilling adventure that thrusts Fergus and his fans into an adventure that threatens the existence of humanity and the galaxy at large.
Read other exciting science fiction stories below.
