Refractions: A completely gripping space opera

“Twisty, suspenseful, and well told… M V Melcer is a talent to remember.” Walter Jon Williams, bestselling author of Hardwired and The Praxis

A DISTANT COLONY SHROUDED IN SILENCE. In the vast expanse of space, Bethesda – humanity's first extra-solar colony and home to a thriving population of adults and children – has ceased all communication with Earth.

A DEADLY RESCUE MISSION. Nathalie Hart only joined the New Horizons interstellar rescue expedition to escape the pain and guilt after her sister’s senseless death. But when she’s wrenched out of cryo-sleep far too early, she realises something has gone very wrong on board…

SABOTAGE. MURDER. BETRAYAL. As the ship's alarms blare and smoke fills the corridors, Nathalie finds herself thrust into command amidst a crew of strangers, each harbouring their own secrets. A scrawled threat in her cabin, written in a language only she knows, confirms her suspicions. Someone on board will do anything to stop them reaching the colony and revealing Bethesda’s secrets.

Surrounded by deceit, and with Earth a distant memory, Nathalie must decide who she can trust as they desperately race towards the unknown horrors of Bethesda.

A deadly secret threatens everyone back on Earth. And if their mission fails, five-thousand innocent lives hang in the balance…

If you loved The Expanse and anything by Ann Leckie or Arkady Martine, you won’t be able to put down this gripping tale of betrayal and survival in the vastness of space.

Praise for Refractions:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is a great, tense, imaginative read… kept me reading with its double-pronged mysteries and pivotal character conflicts… it's a damned good read… Highly and enthusiastically recommended.” Deborah Davitt, author of The Sage Of Edda-Earth

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A compelling story in the vastness of space… I would absolutely recommend picking this up." Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This book as earned a place on my favorites… The world building here was absolutely fantastic… totally pulled me in (well done) with some great twists at the end that I didn’t see coming.” Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Action, tension and discovery culminates with an unexpected, yet perfect ending. A truly enjoyable and satisfying read.” William Ledbetter, Nebula winner and author of Level Five

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Refractions surprises you. The tautly plotted mystery evolves and deepens into an examination of the best and worst human behavior and impulses. Melcer's characters are complex and messy; her setting feels all too real... Recommended!” K. Eason, author of Nightwatch Over Windscar and The Thorne Chronicles

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Wonderful page-turning space opera!… Starts at an intergalactic travel novel and turns into a whirlwind mystery of sabotage and colony collapse. Truly surprising twists and turns and a satisfying conclusion. What more could you ask for?” Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Refractions is a page-turning mystery that drills straight down to the human heart of a crisis... Melcer's complex, dynamic cast of characters move together through a direly realistic future: there's hope to be had, as long as someone's willing to pay its cost.” Aimee Ogden, author of Emergent Properties

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “An epic space adventure... This story is both majestic in scope and introspective in tone, as the diverse cast of characters careen through a sweeping space adventure.” TJ Berry, author of Space Unicorn Blues

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Filled with descriptively vivid and vibrant world-building… an outstanding story filled with action, tension, drama and emotion… I thoroughly enjoyed this enthralling, exciting piece of escapism.” Reader review

© 2023 Storm Publishing (Audiobook): 9781805082774

Release date

Audiobook: 16 November 2023