Annihilation Aria

In this entertaining space opera from Underwood (the Genrenauts series), a married couple—one an affable archaeologist from Earth who was accidentally transported across the universe with no way home, the other a warrior woman from a devastated alien culture who utilizes songs to enhance her combat skills—becomes embroiled in a mess of galactic proportions after they “liberate” a dangerous artifact from a long-lost temple. Now Max, Lahra, and their cybernetic pilot, Wheel, must learn the origins of the object to understand why the despotic Vsenk Imperium are so determined to claim it for themselves. Their quest takes them into the shattered remnants of a lost civilization, through a migrating stream of giant space turtles, and into the heart of a desperate rebellion. Alternating perspectives between the trio and their relentless Vsenk pursuer, this fantastically fun series launch harkens back to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (an influence Underwood cites in his acknowledgements). The interpersonal dynamics are delightful, however familiar they may be, and the tightly constructed world, cinematic fight scenes, and ambitious scope combine to evoke a sense of wonder. This is a rollicking good time. Agent: Kim-Mei Kirtland, Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. (July)