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Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite
Cole Thompson's punishment for his role in an altercation at a bar is two years in prison. Instead of confirming the sentence, the judge takes a lenient view of this matter and decides the young man will spend two years in military training at the United Earth Forces fighter academy, where the next generation of the planet's defenders receive top-of-the-range training in aerial combat. A series of unusual events there lead Cole to suspect that powerful forces are at play, remotely guiding him toward a goal he does not understand. That is until his supposedly long-dead father re-emerges from the shadows with an adventure on the cards and an offer Cole cannot refuse. Find out what happens next in R. Prior's Oculus.
The world-building is incredibly intricate in Oculus. R. Prior provides a clear picture of the motivations of the various factions by outlining the United Earth Forces' operations and how they relate to the other enterprises' activities in an entertaining adventure. He does a fantastic job of capturing the realistic dynamics between the academy cadets. The humorous and daring subplots that result from their escapades include lighthearted banter and the occasional romance. The narrative's calm pace complements the suspense as astute readers decode the unfolding conspiracy. One aspect that stands out is Prior's uncanny ability to give equal attention to the adventure that comes with Cole's activities in space and the drama that unfolds in his uneasy relationship with a father he barely knows. Prior uses a compelling contemporary theme and nuanced character development to produce a singular narrative.
