The Nova Incident is the third novel in the spy-fi series The Galactic Cold War, written by Dan Moren, and published by Angry Robot Books. In this third instalment, the special team lead by Kovalic will have to investigate a terrorist attack on Salaam, quickly reclaimed by an extremist group, but when a ghost from the past reappears, it will lead to a complicated net of lies, secrets and conspiracies.

Tasked with detaining the author and stop new attacks from happening, the team will find their movements more limited as their status doesn't allow them to act in Commonwealth's soil; but that won't stop our characters from trying, recurring to subterfuge and deception in order to find who is behind the explosion. The video recording points towards somebody they thought was dead, leading them towards an investigation focused on the internal politics and struggles of the own Commonwealth.

We have a Kovalic that starts doubting on the own high ranks of the Commonwealth, while between Addy and Brodi there will be the sparks of more than a bond. After spending so much time with these characters, it's impossible to not relate to them, as Moren has put so much effort into creating them, not only painting the highs but also the downs. A strange family that won't leave one of them behind, and that's something I really dig.

Still being a fast-paced story, we change the focus from beating the Illyricans/other part to the own high ranks of the Commonwealth; the reasons behind the own cold war are examined, throwing some light over the past of this universe. As in previous books, the action scenes are excellently written, clear, and filled with small details going wrong; and we have space for fun with the banter between the characters.

The Nova Incident is another great instalment in this spy-fi series, which sets all for an explosive finale in The Armageddon Protocol; thrilling from the start, it's the perfect read if you are looking for a Golden Age film in the space.