Arnie Benn writes to define humanity in the present, and in parallel, attempts to guide humanity into its future. This approach is the best kind of science fiction, and based on my searchings through the genre, it is surprisingly very rare; or at least rarely done well.

The story takes place only a handful of decades from our present time, and it centers upon our first journey to our nearest star, Proxima Centauri. We’ve newly unlocked the secret to near-light-speed travel. The members of this exploration team are from all over the world. Each has their own strengths and unique characteristics, but they all fit together in the spirit of discovery. The science of this novel is based in truth, which gives Benn a firm foundation from which to extrapolate the future.

But the true gold of this novel is its dissection of humanity and its motivations that may never change. Benn uses his adventure to highlight our tendency to act from fear first, and shows that only a deliberate effort will allow reason to be placed over fear. Benn also asserts that corruption is the destroyer of societies. It lives with fear, feeding off of it, and manifesting itself as the crudest form of selfish survival. Corruption will sacrifice the many for the needs of the one, and not even realize it.

Stylistically, a few minor issues are present. The story peaks at its midpoint and never truly ramps back up to a spectacular ending. Also, the large number of characters makes each of them less than memorable. There are a few that stand out, but others are only defined by their name and function. Fewer characters with Benn’s writing would have been extraordinary.

For a debut novel, Intrepid is amazing, issues and all. Benn’s style is filled with respect for his world. Intrepid assumes a serious and realistic tone that intends to engage and convince its readers of its truth, rather than putting forth a series of cheap thrills and over-played action. It is the best science fiction novel that I have read in a very long time, and its time for Benn to write his second book.10 s1 comment Tristan ScottAuthor 2 books11

A space mystery that poses a dilemma will expose both the good and bad in all of us. The descriptions of science concepts made visual were truly unique, and the integration of hard science fosters an authenticity to the world. With a great ensemble cast of characters that are thoughtfully balanced to offer understanding and insight into motivations, creates an absorbing story that blends both confrontational and aspirational natures on our first journey to the stars. 1 1 comment Rochelle Day7

Excellent story with plenty of real science!

The storyline is believable. While there's quite a bit of science discussion between the characters, it doesn't get bogged down or boring. In fact IL
Learned a lot and it wasn't painful. I'm hoping there's a sequel and soon. This is a tough act to follow. 1 1 comment Chris66

Very enjoyable read. d the "hard science" approach to interstellar travel. Great characters. Plot OK. Somewhat forced at times but didn't detract from the great story. A new author for me that I will be reading more of.1 Gregory D62 1 follower

my review

This is a pretty good book. Not the normal type of sci Fi that I’m used to, but good nevertheless. It can be pretty technical at times. 1 bob rausch85

Quite an interesting story with twists.

The plot started slowly but then there were more things going on and the story developed into a very interesting plot. Recommend you give it a try.1 1 comment Alex Lennon16

Very grateful to the author for introducing me to a number of scientific concepts of which I was completely unaware, despite having an avid interest in physics. Matter as the constrained rotation of photons? Wow. Awesome stuff 1 1 comment Jerry Bowers7

Realist Space Adventure

I enjoyed the character development the author used as part of the story. The design of the space craft and landers were plausible, however for all the technical detail provided where did all the power come from to operate the space and landers?1 1 comment Tim Roberts9 1 follower

Believable tech, supporting science

d the balance between future tech and human nature in the tradition of close encounters of the third kind. Give us more!1 1 comment Tina19 2

Very entertaining.1 Book Reviewer2,518 217

In The Intrepid: Dawn of the Interstellar Age, acclaimed author Arnie Benn masterfully constructs a narrative revolving around a team of astronauts voyaging on a multi-year mission to explore Earth’s closest potentially habitable planet. The plot intensifies as a secondary spacecraft is dispatched to lend a hand, culminating in escalating tensions amongst the crews as they encounter an enigmatic third ship near their intended destination. Upon landing and initiating their reconnaissance, they uncover perils that are not only natural but, to their profound astonishment, man-made, presenting challenges with the potential to unravel decades of peace on Earth.

From the outset, Benn goes to great lengths to emphasize the hard science fiction essence of his novel, as evident in his introductory note and the appendix. He takes pride in ensuring that the technology and scientific principles elucidated in his work have a plausible foundation, even going as far as including a comprehensive glossary of scientific terminology. Essential concepts are smoothly incorporated into dialogues, while additional complex details are artfully presented as optional reading for curious minds.

Benn meticulously devotes considerable time to his characters aboard their ships before catapulting us into the crux of the story. Although this deliberate pace initially might seem unhurried, it serves as an effective tool to foster a deep connection with the characters, ensuring the reader’s vested interest when the main storyline unfurls. The narrative’s pivotal moment, a startling discovery within a shell- formation at the planet’s North Pole, is flawlessly delivered, validating the slow-burn storytelling method leading up to this point.

The Intrepid: Dawn of the Interstellar Age is a gripping hard science fiction novel that hits home with the plausibility factor. With exciting adventure and a mystery to solve, this story is more than your average space saga; it is a drama-filled look at what the future could hold for humans should we fail to learn from past mistakes.1 Thibaldo Manrique254 1 follower

It was OK, but it could have been a lot more.

Although if was an interesting premise and intriguing characters, for me, it simply does not get to the point of a good book. There was a lot of science in it. Some good, some not so good. I guess the author needed to embellish the science to serve the story, but it tried to "sound" real science when being transparently wrong. I imagine it got through in a revision, but... moving on. The interpersonal conflicts were abundant, as needed for the modern novel, but a few were contrived and others had what I can only describe as a Disney ending. Not just happy, Disney happy. Some of the deaths were written so we would feel bad for the survivors, not the dead person. I found it transparent and not very entertaining. Capable military personnel shouldn't fall to their deaths because they were distracted talking to a friend. My opinion and possibly a bias, but there it is. Readable. Good for a long trip or something, but I won't be reading any follow-up or sequel. One of these is enough.1 comment Thomas2,252

I am usually a good audience for near-future space exploration stories, and if you want to throw in a first-contact plotline, I am down. But The Intrepid never hooked me. The style was a snooze with dialogue that did not fit the characters.
Consider the first paragraph of the second chapter: “The ship’s medical doctor, Joanne-Leigh Elias, is sitting up in her hibersleep pod, gaining her bearings. Emerging from the grogginess of hibersleep, the 35 year-old Australian physician and geneticist finds herself thinking about, of all things, the first boy she kissed — the first boy she really kissed. Nicky Altshuler.” Are bearings something you gain? Do we need the doc’s whole resumé at this point? Her first kiss, really? Does Nicky’s name deserve to be an entire sentence? And there is a missing hyphen.
science-fiction1 comment Greg47

Idea is interesting, characters are not

The characters are the most disappointing part of this book. Very unconvincing as top scientists, irrational in response to challenges and danger, and they to blab on about WWIII and the causes and the results of the war. It becomes more of getting the certain perspective about us now, and not important background for the story line of the book.
One thing the began my frustration was the desire of one character to develop a teaching Unit for girls on earth because they fall behind in STEM. The crew of the good ships are equally men and women, all the women were officers or leaders in the War, and its the last part of the 21st century, not 2020's.1 comment Martin Edwards9 2

Review copy from Voracious Readers. I LOVED THIS!!!! OK, on one hand we have a interstellar exploration story... solid characters who you want to succeed. Then the surprise of another earth ship appearing..... then another..... can they work together or will old emnities prevent co-operation..... then there is solid evidence of another civilisation ..... and THEN it gets REALLY interesting!

The science side of it is explained where needed and glossed over when not, but a full quarter of this book is the glossary of science.

It ends on a platform ready for the next book in the series. Which I for one will be looking out for! Great job!1 Anita29 1 follower

I enjoyed this book I got it from Voracious Readers and I do not read science fiction books but this one was interesting with all the science theory put in to story which I loved about it very entertaining and suspense mystery a little scary kept me wanting to read more about the planets



Joy Kelly20

Interesting concept

The astronauts were interesting and concept good.book was too wordy for me. Read it as long as I did hoping to find some other things out but was disappointed. Nick57 3

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