A great conclusion to an entertaining trilogy bound to appeal to sci-fi fans. The whole Black Table series is a celebration of all things science fiction. Unapologetically nerdy best friends Jon and Gus traverse the galaxy using their knowledge of the genre lore as they find themselves face to face with alien civilisations and under threat. The final book in this trilogy, ‘The Catalyst’ by Anttimatti Pennanen is no exception and having enjoyed the other two books in the series I couldn’t wait to dive back in. For those new to the series, I strongly suggest reading this series in order, so start with ‘Black Table’. Stuck in the past and surrounded by soul sucking Breathers and the crew of the spaceship Unity find themselves encountering a civilisation that needs their help, an ancient weapon and strange artefacts that might just hold the answers to saving the galaxy. With their usual charm, gamut of tv and film references and fist bumps, the duo enter each situation with a glee that they get to live out their science fiction dreams. The best bit is that we, the reader, are pulled along with the same hope and enthusiasm. We also get to learn more about Gus’ life, to discover more about his life while Jon was in the military, which I was thrilled to read and for me added the final flourish of dimension to his character. There are moments of jeopardy and heartbreak but this book is a fitting end to a highly enjoyable trilogy. It will leave you with a heart-warming feeling of completeness, like fitting the last jigsaw piece into a puzzle. Sci-fi fans of any degree from teens upwards, this series is one you’ll want to read.
In the final chapter of the Black Table trilogy, the crew of Unity find themselves stuck in the past, surrounded by Breathers and their devastating technology. With the brightest minds at their disposal, the crew comes face to face with the legend of an ancient weapon, the Catalyst. Is this mysterious artefact the answer to the fight against the Breathers, a way home, or something else? How do they find it, and what would it cost them? Once again, Jon and Gus must pull every trick they have learned from science fiction lore to stay ahead of danger and restore balance to the galaxy. On Azonia, the discovery of an ancient book with clues to Gus and Jon’s whereabouts sees Kentho and his family embark on a dangerous mission to find them. Can Kentho use what he had learned from his friends from Earth to save his family and reunite them with the fist?bumping duo?
Anttimatti Pennanen is an indie Author who lives in Finland and Spain. He keeps his readers hooked with humor, cliffhangers, and thrills, leaving an enjoyable experience for all. While drinking an excessive amount of coffee, he is writing stories from his experience as an engineer, green-beret and an athlete, mixing them together with an imagination and a thorough research. The Black Table series is his ?rst science ?ction debut, with the first and second books already out.
