The Optical Lasso: Beware of Neptune’s Dark Side is a work of science fiction aimed at young adults and above, and was penned by author Marc Corwin. Set in the near future of the galaxy in the 22nd century, the re-emergence of a missing planet sets in motion a chain of events which could prove cataclysmic for human life. Lieutenant Cat Miles is an elite fighter and a strong leader, but even she feels out of her depth when she finds herself captured and imprisoned with a commander who went missing a very long time ago. Learning to trust him could be the key to survival, or it might spell her doom and that of planet Earth itself.

Although young adults can read this novel due to the mild nature of its more violent scenes, the characters fit more into an adult reading niche based on their ages and motivations. Cat is a strong female lead who maintains her femininity well despite the male-dominated nature of the sci-fi and battlefield settings. She and Jason have good chemistry which is highly readable, and together they lead a strong plot line which is well conceived and well delivered to produce interesting elements of mystery, surprise, action, and discovery as the story progresses. The mystery of Vixus transports us to a strange new world which is highly atmospheric, verging on sci-fi horror in its most tense moments. Overall, The Optical Lasso: Beware of Neptune’s Dark Side is a tense and engaging sci-fi tale that fans of the genre are certain to enjoy.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Optical Lasso by Marc Corwin. I found it an interesting mixture of space opera, alien invasion, scientific intrigue, and good old-fashioned action and adventure. It also had an element of male-female interaction that boosted the human element of the story and added a certain tension to the whole thing. I really enjoyed this story and feel it might make a good series with a little time and serious thought. Marc Corwin has some big ideas and, given time, these ideas and characters can become part of a great science fiction series. The plot and action sequences are superb, and the writing is great. I really feel that The Optical Lasso could become the beginning and cornerstone of a series on par with the works of David Webb or even The Foundation series by the late great Isaac Asimov.

We start The Optical Lasso in dire straits indeed. Jason Cody, the supreme commander of the human defense effort, has been taken prisoner. He is joined in this alien cell by Lieutenant Janet Miles, the leader of an elite platoon of combat soldiers. These two characters are written beautifully, and it is easy to see why mankind may have a chance despite the technological advantages that the aliens have. The characters are sympathetic and represent the best humans have to offer. The plot is complex but makes perfect sense as we go back and forth through time to see how we got to the present day. Marc Corwin is a great writer and The Optical Lasso is a very good tale.