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Wow!! When I first read the book summary for Obscura, I knew I had to read it. From the sound of it, this book had everything I look for in a story: Strong lead (it also helped that she was an awesome woman!), interesting setting, unique concept and great writing. I reached out to the author Joe Hart, and was ecstatic when his publisher sent me a copy of the book. I had planned to read it before its release, but with our big out of state move, I found myself a bit behind in my reading. Now that I am all settled, I finally found the time to dive into this wonderful book. I loved every minute of it.

This book is set in the year 2028, which is only 10 short years away. Earth is to the point now where pollution is so bad in big cities, that people wear masks. There are landslides in China and Peru because of heavy rainfalls, and the last of the Arctic Ice is predicted to be gone in 5 years. Our main character Gillian is researching a cure for Losians disease, an intense and deadly condition similar to Alzheimers and Dementia. Scientists believe that Losians is partly caused by the changes in our environment, but also in part due to genetics and other potential markers. This disease has already claimed the life of Gillian's husband, and is now slowing killing her young daughter. Coincidentally, at the same time her research money runs out, her former boyfriend Carson shows up on her doorstep. Carson is an astronaut with NASA who has a potential solution to her financial problems. NASA wants her to research a group of astronauts on the space station who seem to have come down with Losians, and to investigate a murder that has occurred among them. She is hesitant to say the least. Gillian knows that this will take her away from her daughter for at least six months. Six months that she doesn't have to waste. But, her research will be fully funded upon her return and that is something she desperately needs. She agrees to the 6 month project, but what she expected to happen, is the exact opposite of what occurs. Gillian finds herself trapped in space with people who do not want her to succeed in her research. People who will stop at nothing to stop her. Add to this that Gillian is addicted to opiates, and things get intense very quickly.

I really don't want to spoil anything for you, so I am keeping the details to a minimum. This book is full of rich storytelling and creepy space claustrophobia. I loved the side characters like Birk, Gillian's research assistant and Carson, Gillian's ex from a lifetime ago. If I have one complaint about the book, it would be the rushed ending. I had been on the edge of my seat savoring the drawn out suspense and the ever increasing discomfort wondering what was going to happen. Then when all is revealed and the intense finale builds up, it ends fairly abruptly. I wanted that same drawn out ending so that I could really immerse myself in what was happening.

All in all, LOVED this book. Definitely add it to your must read list.

Thank you to Joe Hart and the publisher Thomas & Mercer for this Advanced Readers Edition of Obscura. It will be a lovely addition to my library for many years to come.