Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

The Great Exodus spread humanity across the galaxies where, as with their home planet Earth, space garbage became a major problem. Unlike the ancient garbage collectors of the twentieth century, future garbage collecting is a top paying profession. Mouse, an orphan, excelled in the space garbage retrieval school and after graduating at the top of her class, received a Network assignment to a job on a distant moon. Delighted that her ex-trainer and love interest, Samson, has been assigned as her partner, Mouse thinks her lonely life is over and only happiness lies ahead. But strange events occur that lead the couple through a wormhole and what lay beyond could isolate them from the rest of humanity forever.

Beyond the Gate by Dana Davis, set in the far distant future, is a unique science fiction tale where garbage retrieval and removal of space junk is not only an honorable but also an exciting and oft-times dangerous profession. I mean, "who'd-a-thunk-it?" Dana Davis did, and she turned it into a character-driven tale, full of interesting and personable characters, swept up in an enthralling conspiracy story. The lead character, Mouse, an orphan doing her dream job, narrates in a funny, often self-effacing manner that clearly describes her own emotional highs and lows as well as the handful of characters with whom she interacts. I was intrigued by Davis's writing style. Her simple and straightforward style is reminiscent of a young adult novel (but is not) as Mouse includes adult themes and language regarding sex and homosexuality, all in a subdued and artful way. It is no surprise that Ms. Davis is a multi-award-winning author. Her style is entertaining and her topics captivating – a winning combination.