S. Nyland’s THE UNFOLDING: Mairee is a space opera that quickly introduces readers to a large cast of characters in a variety of situations. A fleet of ships have just passed through the Fold, and one of them has gone completely silent. An officer is attempting to maintain command of the fleet, while engineers on the planet Mairee are attempting to regain control of their health and agency. These are just a few of the situations that arise early on in the novel.

Given the multiple locations and moving parts of the plot, Nyland includes lists and reference material to help us remember the details: a temporal orientation list that discusses how time is measured, a mission assets list that includes the details of locations and ships, and more. These lists are an opportunity for the author’s creativity to shine. Some of the temporal measurements are ominous in their descriptions, adding to the atmosphere and high-stakes feeling of the setting. For example, a Beat is 12 minutes and gets described as, “A skipped heartbeat of the ship. Long enough to make you wonder if the engines died.” Similarly, there are commands from the ship or the AI controlling the habitat interspersed throughout the exposition, which often include reading the characters' vitals. This level of technicality adds to the sci-fi atmosphere while providing information relating to the control of those in charge and the responses of those who aren’t.

Due to the number of characters, settings, and technical details presented at the onset, THE UNFOLDING does start off feeling disjointed. While the plot is presented early on, giving the reader something to grasp onto, the number of characters and situations that are rapidly presented make it difficult to become attached to them. This disorientation also makes it hard to become fully immersed at the beginning, but the immense amount of action and events will keep readers entertained.

The worldbuilding is where this work shines the most. Setting descriptions like “the jagged peaks of the mountain range rose up, their summits often shrouded in the swirling, phosphorescent green mists” are often accompanied (and deepened) by a warning that the views are a “constant reminder of how small and fragile their settlement was.” The flora and fauna of Mairee is incorporated strongly—bringing the setting to life, even making readers feel as if they're immersed in the unpredictable world with the exploration party.

The struggle for agency against a chaotic environment and the controlling system is a thought-provoking juxtaposition that provides a fascinating examination of many moral quandaries. Thus, THE UNFOLDING: Mairee sets up for a promising Book Two, which is likely to be just as entertaining and fierce. Readers of action-packed science fiction that explores strange and unknown worlds will be eager to find out what happens next.

Readers looking for atmospheric science fiction focused on hostile environments and a struggle for survival will find a fast-paced adventure in S. Nyland’s THE UNFOLDING: Mairee.

~ Abigail McCoy for IndieReader