New species. Old wounds. A fight for supremacy on the galaxy’s wildest planet. When Hesperidia’s satellite defense system suffers a catastrophic failure, the meteor shower it was supposed to repel rains down over the terrified tourists on safari. Three large surface impacts trigger a crisis intervention from the colonial authorities. It results in the removal of the current governor, and auditions for a successor are soon underway. Jan, Alien Safari’s pre-eminent ranger-scientist, finds herself in competition with a formidable new male colleague, who’ll stop at nothing to win the top job. Their assignment leads them to the frozen north, where the discovery of a deadly new species near one of the impact craters imperils not just the safari tours, but potentially all life on the continent as well. An expedition to capture the creature tests Jan’s survival resources to their limits, and provides a shocking reminder that mankind, for all its technological prowess, can’t hold a candle to the savage ingenuity of alien nature. Meanwhile, Detective Vaughn, struggling to reintegrate after his absence, must face his tragic past head on when he learns that his niece has been targeted for assassination. To keep her safe, he brings her to an island haven on Hesperidia. But the timing of his return couldn’t be worse. A perfect storm of incident, treachery and planet-shaking events endangers the very future of human existence on this miraculous alien world. "Brilliant. Best book I have read in a long time. I read all three, one after another, and wish there was more." ★★★★★ -- Amazon UK "An entertaining cast of characters and well thought out plots that have you turning the pages almost feverishly." ★★★★★ -- Amazon US "This is a rollicking adventure with fast-paced action." ★★★★ -- Stephanie L. Bannon, The Nameless Zine "This is a trilogy I would recommend to anyone who likes sci-fi." ★★★★★ -- Amazon UK "Great sci-fi adventure." ★★★★★ -- Amazon US "Strongly recommended." ★★★★★ -- Amazon US "Wonderful books." ★★★★★ -- Amazon US "Great trilogy." ★★★★★ -- Amazon US "Marvelous storytelling." ★★★★★ -- Amazon US Robert Appleton is a British science fiction and adventure author partial to tales of survival in far-flung locations. Many of his sci-fi books share the same universe as his popular Alien Safari series, though tend to feature standalone storylines. His rebellious characters range from an orphaned grifter on Mars to a lone woman gate-crashing the war in her biotech suit. His sci-fi readers regularly earn enough frequent flyer miles to qualify for a cross-galaxy voyage of their choosing. His publishers include Harlequin Carina Press, and he also ghost-writes novels in other genres. In his free time he hikes, plays soccer, and kayaks whenever he can. The night sky is his inspiration.   He has won awards for both fiction and book cover design.