“How can you explain the depths of humanity to something like Sandy or Xander? The conspiracies, hatred and anger, the violence, deviousness and dishonesty.” It’s six months since the events of book one in The Enceladon Trilogy, and things aren’t looking good for Lennox, Ava and Heather. Ava is nervously awaiting the outcome of her trial for murder, while Lennox and Heather are being held in New Broom, a makeshift US military base where they are subjected to experiments alongside Enceladons the authorities have managed to capture. When Sandy contacts them for the first time in months, they make a plan to escape, leading to a confrontation that will impact the future for all of humanity. Somehow this was even better than book one! It jumps straight into the action, succinctly catching the reader up on the extraordinary events of book one and filling in the gaps of what’s happened since. After sharing such a profound experience, the bond between Lennox, Heather, and Ava is stronger than ever, as is their bond with Enceladons, and we are taken on an even more remarkable journey alongside them. I wondered how they’d escape from a place that doesn’t officially exist and is run by a man drunk with power. It was terrifying, and my heart shattered as humans and Enceladons were subjected to his barbaric experiments. But what is most frightening is how plausible it all feels, and I was cheering them on while hoping for the downfall of others. Doug Johnstone really can do no wrong in my eyes. This storytelling master had me in his thrall and I was completely immersed from the start; devouring the book in under a day. Exquisitely written, multi-layered and fast-paced, danger and tension radiate from every page, and I was on the edge of my seat as I tried to predict what would happen next. But it isn’t only entertaining and really makes you think as Johnstone explores topics such as prejudice, humanity, and the power of connection. Examining how humans treat anything that is new or different, he reminds us that our way might not always be best and that there is much we can still learn. Breathtaking, moving, nerve-shredding and addictive, The Collapsing Wave is an outstanding instalment in an unmissable series. The only problem now is I have to wait impatiently for its conclusion. Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you to the publishers for this early copy. This is book 2 - so you really must read The Space Between Us first. I tend to worry about a second book, when the first was so good - but worry not this is also excellent! (So now of course I am awaiting book 3 please) I adore the characters, the plot is brilliant and I simply didn't want to put it down. (Did I mention I really need book 3 please?) If you had described these two books to me I would have said not for me but I would truly have then missed out -so if you have not read The Space Between Us - then do wriggle along so you are ready for this book publishing in March 2024 - you can thank me later! Everyone needs to meet Sandy! Doug is an excellent writer and I am happy to recommend all his books.

Having read The Space Between Us, the first instalment of what is now going to be a trilogy, I was literally champing at the bit to re-enter this wondrous and thought provoking world of damaged humans and telepathic extra-terrestrial creatures. Yes you read that right, and if you have missed the opportunity to read the first in the series, I would ardently encourage you to do so, as soon as your little feet can carry you to where good books are sold. The Collapsing Wave picks up where the first book finished, and once again, Doug Johnstone immerses us into a disturbing, yet strangely hopeful narrative, with the theme of connection, the human heart under stress, the arrogance inherent in unchecked power, and how exceptionalism can be both a force for evil and good, all being explored through the narrative spine. As this book is exceedingly difficult to review without spoilers, I can only reveal that Ava has now had her baby, and again there is a different bond between them, going beyond the normal bond of mother and child. Heather is grappling with dark thoughts throughout as something comes to light again from the first book, which impacts on her mindset and personal motivation greatly. Lennox is struggling with the loss of his unique connection with Sandy, and vice versa. The tentative connections made between both Sandy, the first Enceladon and our human protagonists, Lennox, Heather and Ava, in the previous book, allowing them to achieve a feeling of familial ties that have been categorically torn asunder at the opening of this book. Although they are experiencing the pain of separation, Johnstone keeps the theme of family and connection at the absolute forefront of the book throughout, either through their shared telepathy, and most strikingly by the new connections they make with others. Familial ties in the form of Ava’s sister and Heather’s ex-husband are reignited, and our three protagonists also make an important connection with a small community that establishes itself to protect the Enceladons and protest against the military intrusion. The connection that Lennox makes with Vonnie has a heart-warming innocence to it, as she completely embraces the Enceladon cause, and by extension builds a relationship with Sandy too. This sense of people spurred on to perform acts of goodness permeates the book, which pleasingly spreads its influence to embrace those who have not acted so nobly in the past or the present. It’s interesting how the author plays with the notion of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ throughout, as most notably the Enceladons have no real grasp of these concepts, as they become less than other, for those who persecute them, “There was something pure about the Enceladons, they interacted in good faith with the universe around them, unable to lie.” The Enceladons are relentlessly pursued and tortured by a power crazed American General Ryan Carson (who very much reminded me of Colonel Cathcart in Catch-22) operating out of a U.S. base named New Broom. As several reviewers have commented this is a totalitarian, autonomous base extremely redolent of Guantanamo, “razor-wire fences and machine guns, military muscle and hatred, hurting for the sake of it.” Carson exhibits a pathological drive to torment the Enceladons way beyond the boundaries of acceptable scientific research, labelling them as ‘illegals’- the reductive term so commonly used today making a comparison to how displaced peoples, through gender, sexuality, poverty, religion and so on, are labelled by governments desperate to keep the local populace on side and to secure their votes. Focus in on any society or country throughout the globe and these issues will quickly hove into view, causing conflict, separation and distrust. Through this allegorical narrative, Johnstone explores the issue of exceptionalism, “Human exceptionalism had fucked Earth, it was the reason for climate change, imperialism, wars, slavery, capitalism. Once you think of another being as less than you, you can do whatever you want to them.” This is very much Carson’s mindset as the Enceladons are captured, incarcerated and tortured ebbing their strength and life force. Notably it is not just the Enceladons who suffer at the hands of his extreme behaviour… Obviously there is a good old dollop of science stuff permeating the book too, but not to the detriment of the flow of the book, or beyond the realms of understanding. Yes, even I now understand the theory of the collapsing wave of the title, equally the arrogance the human race exhibits in our incredibly meagre existence, and the relatively small knowledge we have in comparison to the as yet, undoubtedly extensive uncharted territory of the universe. “Reality is not things. It’s the connection between things.” This again reiterates the central tenet of the book, that to make connections, understand, learn and empathise we need to accept the unquestionable existence of life beyond our understanding, be it on the smaller molecular scale of accepting others, the microcosms of our own experiences, making connections to the planet, or within the larger context of the universe itself. In common with the previous book, The Collapsing Wave proves to be an extremely moving, enlightening, and absorbing read, which not only explores weighty themes, but extrapolates and expands them to embrace the world, and even the universe itself. Johnstone once again proves his innate talent for exploring the human condition, the best and worst of human behaviour, and the premise that the power and importance of connection lies at the very heart of our small existence, within a still not completely knowable universe. His characters are vibrant, fallible, empathetic and believable, that you cannot help but become completely engaged with them, and I confess to having ‘a little something in my eye’ on a couple of occasions in this one. Like his superb Skelf series, these characters will inhabit your thoughts for some time after reading, and again I was blown away by Johnstone’s uncanny knack for portraying his female characters in particular so perfectly, that I felt every moment of distress, fear, uncertainty and joy in their experiences in particular. I am hugely curious to see what will happen in the last book of the trilogy, as the ending of this one gave much food for thought. That’s all I’m saying…

The follow up to The Space Between Us and the second in The Enceladon Trilogy this is a brilliant read. It’s six months since the last book and Lennox and Heather are imprisoned in New Broom a US military base where they are experimenting on them and on captured Enceladon’s. Meanwhile, Ava is in prison, awaiting the verdict in her trial for murdering her husband, and her baby Chloe is being looked after by her sister. OMG this is so good. I couldn’t put it down once I started it so thank goodness it wasn’t a massively long read. Well written and I’m guessing a lot of research has gone into this unless the author is a physicist! Briefly, after walking free Ava and Chloe are snatched and taken to New Broom. Reunited with Lennox and Heather they are desperate to escape and their chance comes when Sandy makes contact again… I hated two of the characters in this book so much, my skin crawled when they were mentioned, and what I really hate is there are going to be people like this who would act this way in a similar situation, narcissistic, aggressive and manipulative - you’re right, not nice! The experiments were barbaric, heartbreaking that gentle, non violent creatures are treated in this way and as for the treatment of Chloe I might have had leaking eyes. I loved the first book but I think this was even better and I can’t wait for book 2. A fast paced, enthralling read that made me despair of humanity. It’s a fabulous book, just fabulous. Oh and if like me you don’t read sci-fi then just put that to one side and read this!

If you’ve seen any of my previous reviews, you’ll know that I tend to stick to the crime genre with very few exceptions. I certainly don’t read sci-fi. Except last year, I read The Space Between Us because the author writes one of my favourite crime series & I was thrilled that I took a chance. I loved it & I also loved this sequel, the second in The Enceladons Trilogy. You must read the first book before this one, you won’t regret it. The four main characters return: Sandy, Heather, Lennox & Ava (with baby Chloe) finding themselves under the scrutiny of the US military. It is really difficult to say more without revealing spoilers but I can guarantee that your emotions will be pulled in every direction, for the humans & aliens. The cruelty meted out by those that should know better is unfathomable & there are some vile characters. A fairly quick read which was appreciated as I desperately wanted to know where the story was going & I cannot wait for book 3. As I said at the beginning, I don’t read sci-fi so I shouldn’t recommend this but I do in BIG SHOUTY LETTERS. A fabulous sequel.