Book Review: Nether Station by Kevin J. Anderson

This review was first published by Booklist on September 15, 2024.

Nether Station is an experiment in genre mash-ups: space adventure meets cosmic horror. A wormhole is discovered in the Kuiper Belt, and an ultrarich tech mogul funds an expedition to explore it. After a series of eerie and unsettling experiences, the crew find themselves fighting for survival against an ancient and eldritch threat. In Anderson’s (Persephone, 2024, with Jeffrey Morris) experienced hands, this combination of genres is certainly fun. The book features a neurodivergent lead who brings a different perspective to a type of story so often dominated by neurotypical adventure heroes, adding a welcome new dynamic to the proceedings. The tech mogul is an obvious reference to Elon Musk, but Anderson doesn’t allow him to become an easy caricature; he’s fully fleshed out and multifaceted. The remaining cast is no less unique, and it’s satisfying to see how they all rise to the occasion. Anderson’s world building remains top-notch, and the pacing is propulsive. All in all, a successful experiment.