I first discovered Eric Michael Craig through his Atlas and the Winds series. The first book, entitled Stormhaven Rising, cemented my fandom in a big way. This is an author with a keen understanding of physics, a pragmatic view of political strife, and a healthy sense of humor. As many readers can attest, this is a trifecta of talent that you just don’t find in the hard science fiction genre.

These days, it’s rare for me to anticipate a new work. My to-read pile is always growing and I churn through it one book at a time. However, once I got wind of a new EMC series, I started following the release like a giddy teen. When Legacy of Pandora dropped, it shot to the top of my reading list. I thought for sure that my gusto was a bit inflated and that I should temper my expectations. But much to my delight, the Shan Takhu Legacy hooked me right out of the gate.

Legacy of Pandora is the tale of the Jakob Waltz, an ice harvester vessel that encounters a gravitational anomaly and is thrust into an unforeseen conflict. It’s the kind of narrative that can easily get bogged down by technobabble, but Craig manages to unfold a riveting drama while tending to the science in a thoughtful and interesting manner. All of his signatures are present, from the gripping power plays to the random pops of comedy.

And that ending. Holy crap, that ending.

Eric Michael Craig is one of the few authors who can generate accessible works within the hard science fiction genre. Legacy of Pandora is another great example. It’s an engaging read that you don’t need a degree to understand. I highly recommend this book and eagerly await the rest of the Shan Takhu Legacy.