The Missing Son by Chamnol Cheng

When mysterious objects of a possibly alien origin begin appearing near his island home, Nakoy’s life and the safety of everyone he loves is threatened in The Missing Son by Chamnol Cheng.

After discovering a sinister metal structure in the forest, and then a slimy egg-like object floating in their fishing grounds, Nakoy’s family tries to hide these strange puzzle pieces, but they aren’t the only ones who know about these odd artifacts. A hundred light-years from Earth, a species called Asidrans have been sending their egg pods to different planets for generations, and they aren’t happy when one of their offspring goes missing. Fraternal loyalty is tested and long-buried secrets come to light when this humble family of protagonists stands between an incredibly advanced alien race and their sought-after prize.

The powerful connections of family are the key to this novel, and the recognizable dynamics between Nakoy, Saboya, Lorrian and Paamie make the writing positively hum with authenticity. With exotic traditions, an unspecified cultural history, and scattered sci-fi elements that keep readers on their toes, this genre-bending book is undeniably unique.

The prose does have grammatical errors and awkward linguistic structures, but the tone feels appropriate for the premise and setting. Overall, the richly developed characters, whip-smart dialogue, and unpredictable plot make this cosmically mysterious tale a pleasure to read.

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