Pros
- Writers deliver on the expected battle scenes
- Fun collaboration between Richard Fox and the writers of the Galaxy’s Edge universe
- Expands upon and provides more insight into the Galaxy’s Edge universe
Cons
- This isn’t quite a negative aspect of the book, but it may be difficult to separate the Ember War universe from the Galaxy’s Edge universe
Through the Nether does a great job of providing one Nether Ops operation couched in the Galaxy’s Edge storyline. What I enjoyed about this story is that it gives readers a look into how Nether Ops works.
Fans of Richard Fox will recognize some of the writing style, particularly the writing style in some of the fighting scenes. If I wasn’t paying attention, I would have believed I was reading a book in the Ember War universe.
Plot
Soren Voss, a Nether Ops agent, investigates the dark underworld of the Republic, encountering characters like the underworld boss Scarpia and corrupt politicians and legionnaires. Soren uncovers a large conspiracy to overthrow the Republic, and he must convince those with power to stop the conspiracy from succeeding.
Characters
Soren Voss is a Nether Ops agent whose investigation uncovers a conspiracy to overturn the Republic.
Setting
The story takes place in the Galaxy’s Edge universe, within the Republic empire.
Through the Nether Review
There’s a lot to like about Through the Nether. Readers will get a rare glimpse into the shadowy workings of Nether Ops, along with how such an organization is well-deserving of the blurred areas where they operate.
What I particularly like about this story is that it’s couched in the Galaxy’s Edge universe, with a small window into one aspect of the greater, galactic events that take place in the main story line.
Fans of Richard Fox and his writing style will also get to see how he exercises his penchant for writing engaging fight scenes. Fox’s writing style adds another interesting layer to a universe that is fraught with strife.
The one downside while reading was that while the names of the places and characters were clearly Galaxy’s Edge, I couldn’t help but feel at times I was reading an Ember War story. So recognizable is Fox’s writing style with the descriptions of action that I discovered myself lapsing into the Ember War universe on more than one occasion if I my attention wasn’t completely devoted.
As far as the book’s contribution to the larger Galaxy’s Edge universe, I believe the story does a great job in illustrating the rot in the Republic. Readers get a sense of the dealings, double dealings, and spy vs. spy type of shenanigans going on in the background. While soldiers are dying on the front lines and ordinary people suffer on a day-to-day basis, politicians concern themselves more with the harvesting of influence, power, and wealth than with improving the lives of the people they’re supposed to govern.
That corruption shouldn’t be news to fans of Galaxy’s Edge. Indeed, book after book references the rot of the Republic, though that’s usually implied through the appointed legionnaire posts.
As a result of the corruption, the story’s path and Soren’s ultimate decision makes sense. In fact, Soren’s story and the events that lead him to make his choice give readers better insight into why the primary antagonist in Galaxy’s Edge was able to gather such a dedicated and passionate gathering.
I enjoyed Through the Nether by Richard Fox, Jason Anspach, and Nick Cole. It’s not just another mindless, action-packed story separate from the universe. Instead, it enriches the science fiction universe the authors have created, giving readers a more fulfilling reading experience than a standalone book would otherwise provided.
Read reviews of other books in the Galaxy’s Edge universe:
