Fall of the Pathfinder (Kessler Effect #1) by L.C. Lowe



Adventure and conspiracy abound in Fall of the Pathfinder, a sci-fi story and debut of a series from new author LC Lowe. Julian is a pathfinder, a special type of miner, but when he is accused of a mining accident, his life spirals into an unveiling of one secret after another as he simply tries to survive.

From the blurb:

The company controls his life, but not his destiny.

Working for ARC in the depths of space, 17-year-old Julian Sastre has struggled in the mines for two years to make the family name mean something again. He is a Pathfinder - the most dangerous and elite job in the mines, seeking out the richest growths of C6.

When he is blamed for an explosion that causes a collapse, he flees into the ruins of Old Easton, the city his father’s mistake destroyed a decade ago.

ARC is determined to capture him, and the Wasters who live in what's left of the city are more than they appear. Will Julian decide to protect what he truly cares about and find his own path?




SNik's Review:

First in series (Kessler Effect). Science fiction. No burn. Single POV. 

Julian is a young miner with special skills and just when he thinks he will finally be out of debt to the company, he is blamed for a mining explosion, just as his father had been years ago. Julian is shunned and has to go on the run where he stumbles across pieces of his past and many conspiracies surrounding the ARC mining company and others trying to control the planet. 

This adventure story was entertaining with twists and turns and a lot of secrets not fully explained due to it being a continuing series where the overarching storyline will address the what, who and hows of Julian’s past and how the powers that be are controlling things beyond just mining. Julian does not seek trouble, but he falls into many conflicts and finds he might be at the center of something bigger, and for the most part, he fights for what he deems is right. 

Intriguing world building, a vast array of secondary characters, some good some not, and a meeting with a thief named Garret that may become an important person to Julian in his journey. 

Overall, a fun read and I hope there is more relationship building between Julian and Garret in the next book.

Rating: 4.25 Stars

Fall of the Pathfinder is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.

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