Review of The Cold Heavens

Post by **Victor Nwabuisi** » 03 Jul 2025, 13:15

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Cold Heavens" by Matthew R Gaglio.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Magdalena Fairchild is a fearless racer living on planet Venus. She and her dad moved to Venus after the invasion of Earth that led to the deaths of her mother and her younger sister. Her father started a racing company, and Magdalena became a key part of the team. After her last race before her world turned upside down, she went on a honeymoon with her husband, Rio. While they were spending their honeymoon on a cruise liner called The Majesty of the Skies, a pirate ship known as The Phantasm suddenly hijacked the cruise liner, and there was an explosion that led to the death of Rio and fifty others. This left Magdalena heartbroken. She refused to move on, and she vowed to seek justice for Rio's death. But things went awry, pulling her into something far more dangerous and much bigger than she ever expected.

The Cold Heavens by Matthew R Gaglio was an exciting science fiction that took me to another world of pirate ships, action, and the drive for revenge. This was a fascinating story that kept me hooked and excited. I loved the way the author brought the Venusian society to life, which ranges from the unique colonies and advanced tech like ServBots and drones to the different kinds of aircraft flying through the skies; everything felt vivid and real. I enjoyed the action scenes, especially the part where a pirate ship would hijack another aircraft and demand a ransom. The pirates were merciless in their hunt; they hunted without fear in the lawless Venusian sky. This is seen in The Phantasm ship captain, Gerhard, a ruthless and selfish man who cares only for his gain and kills anybody who interferes with his goal. I also enjoyed the action between the Archipelago bounty hunters and the Merovingian authorities, where they engaged in heated combat in Venusian airspace.

One positive aspect about the book was Magdalena’s bravery and resilience. She left her racing team to seek the people who killed her husband, even when she didn't have any real experience or plan. I admired the stubbornness she displayed when she was surrounded amidst gunfire; that kept me glued and anxious as I feared for her. The Cold Heavens truly lives up to its title, which depicts a world of power, greed, and deep inequality, where those in power, like Jeong Kwon, build their fortune from these pirates who hijack other aircraft and rip them off their money, and if they don’t agree to the ransom, they face a gruesome consequence. Another positive aspect of the book that I enjoyed was how the Providence team worked together. There is nothing I disliked about the book. It is exceptionally well-edited, which is why I will rate it five out of five stars. I recommend this book to fans of science fiction. This is the first book in the series, and I look forward to the second instalment.

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The Cold Heavens
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Onyemuwa-dave · Post by **Onyemuwa-dave** » 05 Jul 2025, 22:36

The premise of Magdalena's quest for revenge amidst Venusian pirate ships and lawless skies sounds incredibly exciting. I love how you highlighted the vivid world-building and her bravery against such ruthless foes. Your 5-star rating and eagerness for the next installment speak volumes! Thanks for sharing.

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 08 Jul 2025, 02:35

I am wondering what could have made the revenge mission more dangerous than what Magdalena had anticipated and prepared for. The book sounds really enthralling and captivating, and I look forward to reading it. Many thanks for the amazing review, @Victor Nwabuisi.

Helen Waziri · Post by **Helen Waziri** » 15 Jul 2025, 09:45

The depiction of Venus as a fractured society, where pirate chaos and political exploitation feed off each other, adds a gritty realism to the narrative. It’s not just about revenge—it’s about the cost of justice in a broken system.

Etimbuk Eshiet · Post by **Etimbuk Eshiet** » 15 Jul 2025, 17:43

This review sold me on the book! I love how the Venusian world sounds so vividly imagined, and Magdalena seems like such a bold, determined character. The mix of sci-fi tech, pirates, and emotional depth really grabbed my attention. Definitely adding The Cold Heavens to my reading list!