The Monarch Mission Files: Conspiracy

“The Monarch Mission Files: Conspiracy” by Jenn Nixon

One of the earliest memories of my childhood was the desire to be an astronaut. I always answered as such whenever an adult would ask me the silly question of ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’. There is something to the idea of being able to escape this world, literally and figuratively, to reach the stars and uncharted territory that makes my spirits soar out of this atmosphere. That dream has always burned inside me and to this day I am drawn to the skies and beyond. After reading “The Monarch Mission Files: Conspiracy” by Jenn Nixon I’ve been able to satisfy my craving for the universe for a little while longer.

Conspiracy starts off on an Earth of the future, but we’re almost immediately off to a lunar military base. From there we travel to Mars with Mari Yosoto, Trevor Nash, and a motley crew to find the daughter of a VIP. Low and behold, the original mission leads to the discovery of an epic secret, bringing the past and the present on a collision course where the result is a matter of life and death.

This story seemed right up my alley. Nixon’s words and writing style are unassuming and simplistic, meaning that anyone would be able to pick it up and delve right in. The plot to the story, while showing layers upon layers of potential, could have gone deeper. Having not read this author before I’m hesitant to suggest that this is how all her stories flow but based on the title I’d think that this book is really just one chapter of a longer and more impressive story to come.

The characters are endearing. Mari is damaged but badass; Nash is the protector of all, not just the person he’s falling in love with. Sam is a teenager with a wicked brain for tech and Kuna is the lovable brother that we wish we all had, especially when he’s cooking breakfast. I would like to see stronger character development with Mari and Nash’s relationship, and not just her protesting the sharing of secrets and he being stubbornly patient. They have to have flaws. I’d love to see how Nixon explores their flaws in the future. I’d also like more interaction between Mari and Sam, and maybe more of Sam’s backstory as well. This world has untapped potential and I’d be interested in reading how the rest of the story unfolds.