So, J.N. Chaney is an acclaimed writer as Jeffrey Kafer is as a narrator and while this is my first exposure to Terry Maggert together they crafted a thoroughly entertaining first book in a series. The best first impression is that Messenger is similar to Halo but in an alternate reality. A reality that has similar galactical existential threats but skewed so the story seems like an echo of Halo in many parts but are played out in an all different manner. Instead a one-dimensional, duty-bound Spartan 117 as the main character, we have a Dash, a nuanced swashbuckler captain taking his place. The primary antagonists religious zealots like the Covenant are zealots of a different type but no less fearsome and deadly. Then, while uncertain at this time, instead of Cortana being an advance AI contained in a crystal, inserted in Master Chief’s helmet, it is a Mech and Dash is inserted in it.
What unfolds is an action-pack series of deadly encounters where Dash’s impetuous derrng-do antics often makes the difference from surviving to fight on or total obviation.
In case, I have been too subtle, get the book!