David Gittlin’s RETURN OF THE VISITOR: The Silver Sphere Series is a science-fiction thriller that puts most of its focus on action, suspense, and constant movement. The story follows Arcon and Amy after the return of the mysterious “visitor” pulls them into a dangerous conflict involving unstable technology, shifting loyalties, and repeated violent confrontations. As they try to figure out what the visitor wants and how they're connected to the larger threat, the narrative moves quickly from one crisis to another. This novel is most engaging when it stays focused on immediate danger and the reactions between the characters (instead of heavier explanations tied to the larger conflict).
One of RETURN OF THE VISITOR's stronger qualities is its pacing. The story rarely sits still for very long, moving through chases, confrontations, and sudden discoveries with a steady sense of urgency. Readers who enjoy fast-moving science fiction will probably appreciate how quickly the novel pushes forward. Several of the action scenes work especially well when the tension comes directly from an imminent threat.
The biggest issue is that parts of the story become difficult to follow. Some of the world-building and technological details are introduced so quickly that it becomes hard to fully understand the larger stakes while major events are still unfolding. Because of that, some action scenes feel less effective than they probably should; the emotional weight of what's happening is not always clear in the moment.
Arcon and Amy are most interesting when the story puts them directly in the middle of chaos. Their reactions to the danger around them help keep the emotional side of the novel grounded, even during sections that become harder to fully sort out. The ending gives its audience enough answers to avoid feeling abrupt, but it still leaves several larger questions unresolved. Some readers will probably enjoy the unanswered questions, while others may want a few things explained more clearly in future installments of the series.
Overall, even if some of the larger plot details become difficult to sort out, enough tension is maintained throughout RETURN OF THE VISITOR for readers to get something out of it.
David Gittlin’s RETURN OF THE VISITOR: The Silver Sphere Series delivers steady action and suspense, though narrative confusion keeps the novel from reaching its full potential.
~ Katherine Crucilla for IndieReader