Ever since I heard that Lyn Alden was gonna be writing a sci-fi novel I was thrilled and overcome by anticipation. I knew it would be beautifully written but had no idea the universe she was going to be immersing us in, and now that "The Stolguard Incident" is finally out I must say: what an unexpected treat!
(There are not many spoilers below, but if you want to be caught off guard by what Lyn has chosen to immerse us in, stop reading now.)
THE STOLGUARD UNIVERSE
Upon reading the first pages I was immediately brought back to reminisce of a TV show I adored from the beginning of the millennium: James Cameron's Dark Angel. Kids and teenagers part of a government program to create supersoldiers through mutations: you got my attention. And although The Stolguard Incident is very different from Dark Angel, I couldn't help myself from drawing the parallel.
The best thing is that from that premise, Lyn makes us dive into a "not so distant future" weaving into the narrative storylines that utilize different kinds of technologies like AI, VR or biotech, to deliver a great cautionary tale. Filled with governmental blockades and a mystery that keeps pulsing in the hands of a beloved noir-type cliché of a detective, Asim Rahal, we'll try to discover the identity and motive of the terrorist responsible for a growing series of deadly supernatural attacks.
THE COUNTDOWN TO THE EVENT AND THE IDENTITY OF THE TERRORIST
One of the things that accentuates the frenetic rhythm of this novel and makes the reader experience so inviting is the coexistence of two timelines:
the "present" in which investigator Asim Rahal starts looking into the violent and gory terrorist acts by an attacker with very strange abilities.
and the past in "countdown mode" that leads us through the points of view of different inhabitants of the mysterious Stolguard facility and their day-to-day routines until we reach the moment of the first terrorist attack.
Not knowing the identity of the terrorist attacker, the way these two timelines are intertwined works beautifully in maintaining a thrilling pace and having us readers constantly guessing on who is creating the havoc and why.
Filled with charismatic characters, prescient human conflicts and an investigation that must get resolved asap having to overcome so much governmental friction simply makes the experience of reading "The Stolguard Incident" a delight.
WINKS TO DECENTRALIZED FREEDOM TECH IN A VERY MASS AUDIENCE STORY
Another layer I loved about the book was the subtle winks to freedom tech and the decentralization ethos that are part of its background. Brief mentions to #bitcoin , privacy, freedom tech, decentralized "edge realms" reminiscent of NOSTR, and other comments on the topics bitcoiners are used to hearing Lyn talk about, make these small "easter eggs" especially fun to find throughout the novel.
Without ever taking a front row position, they impregnate the story of concepts that are alien to most mass readers but are delightful to find in the book for many of us fans from "the edge realms". Making this story a great book that can appeal to a very wide audience, satisfy sci-fi readers and give the nostriches and bitcoiners a smile.
Congratulations Lyn and thank you for a powerful and entertaining journey through "The Stolguard Incident". I wouldn't be surprised if very soon it is optioned by a big streaming platform to be adapted into an original TV series that we can all enjoy. Can't wait. Yes, it is that good.
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