Moraturi Lost: The Paradisi Chronicles by Marti Ward

A risky journey across the stars becomes a wild adventure through both time and space in Moraturi Lost, the second book of The Paradisi Chronicles by Marti Ward. Existing in the same universe as the first book, but focusing on a different journey with a different fascinating protagonist, this biblical quest to reach Andromeda and New Eden is rich with drama, action, and near-future technologies that are quickly slipping from theoretical into reality.

When the unthinkable happens in the middle of wormhole travel, Eva Hughes is thrust from plant caretaker and junior officer to the best hope for the survival of 500 souls. In this second Lost Missions story arc, cultures and vastly disparate characters are tossed into the same frightening crisis, forcing them to reassess their relationships with one another, their goals for the mission, and any hope for the future.

The Lost Missions series continues to be driven by intense character depth and the meeting point between human and machine, with the weakness of one supported by the other, and the inevitable conflicts that this delicate relationship creates. The world-building and descriptive passages are meticulous and immersive, and while some of the technical exposition can drag, it is also a sign of patient storytelling. The emotional spectrum that Ward explores is also impressive, from deep reflections of personal responsibility and self-confidence to philosophical musings and authentic dialogue.

If you are a sci-fi fan seeking layered, thoughtful meaning behind imaginative storytelling, this sophomore offering from Marti Ward is an excellent choice.