REVIEW: Zero World by Jason M. Hough
Publishing information: Hardback; 592 pgs
Publisher: Del Rey; 18 Aug 2015
ISBN: 978-0553391268
Standalone
Copy: Provided by Publisher
Reviewer: Tyson
Amazon
Synopsis: "Published in rapid succession, Jason M. Hough’s first three novels, The Darwin Elevator, The Exodus Towers, and The Plague Forge, earned mountains of praise and comparisons to such authors as James S. A. Corey and John Scalzi. Now Hough returns with a riveting near-future spy thriller that combines the adrenaline of a high-octane James Bond adventure with mind-blowing sci-fi speculations worthy of Christopher Nolan’s Inception.
Technologically enhanced superspy Peter Caswell has been dispatched on a top-secret assignment unlike any he’s ever faced. A spaceship that vanished years ago has been found, along with the bodies of its murdered crew—save one. Peter’s mission is to find the missing crew member, who fled through what appears to be a tear in the fabric of space. Beyond this mysterious doorway lies an even more confounding reality: a world that seems to be Earth’s twin.
Peter discovers that this mirrored world is indeed different from his home, and far more dangerous. Cut off from all support, and with only days to complete his operation, Peter must track his quarry alone on an alien world. But he’s unprepared for what awaits on the planet’s surface, where his skills will be put to the ultimate test—and everything he knows about the universe will be challenged in ways he never could have imagined."
Zero World has been sitting on my shelf for well over a year. Aside from the fact that it is a pretty hefty doorstopper, I didn't really care for Hough's first book Darwin Elevator (review here). So, I was really hesitant to read Zero World. However, I got tired of it staring at me, daring to pick it up and give it a shot. Finally, I took a shot and glad I did as it is a riveting book.
Peter Caswell is an assassin who has his memory reset after every assignment. He has no memory of what occurs and only knows that people have lost their lives through a hidden message only he knows. He last assignment saw half a dozen individuals lose their lives to his handiwork. That guilt does stay with him for long as he is needed again. His handler has the ability to wipe his memory as well as keep him on his toes while he is on mission. His latest mission is to head up to a scientific space station that has gone dark and recover the information the station uncovered before all contact was lost.
Zero World starts off as a futuristic assassin novel and quickly becomes something completely unexpected as Caswell is thrust into the unknown and just when readers think they have everything figured out Hough turns everything you thought you knew on its head again. I don't want to give too much away because to do so would ruin the story for you. I will say that I don't get thrown off guard very often with a novel but I was with Zero World. I went in with the expectation of one thing and came out with something completely different, a very good different. In all honesty, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this novel as Darwin Elevator left a bad taste in my mouth but Hough has completely redeemed himself with Zero World. His writing vastly improved and he kept me guessing all the way until the end. While I don't know if there are plans for a sequel, he has left some wiggle room if he chooses to do so.
Zero World has a lot of action and intrigue that should have a little something for everyone. If it wasn't on your radar, and you can lift the giant tome that it is, I recommend giving it a shot.
Overall 8/10
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