Vesta Exiled: Vesta Colony Book One by Sterling R. Walker takes us to the space colony Vesta, where some of the third and now their children display new mental talents. The people affected, called Strays, had their DNA modified when treated as infants for a deadly plague.
Earth cut off the colony when they reported the plague, and now the 12,000 or so people on Vesta must develop their own way to survive and thrive in a world with threatening animals and incredible storms. We would expect the colony would value people who communicate telepathically now that the communication devices have worn out, but such is not the case. Some fear or despise the Strays, and the leader of this faction decides it’s time to intern all Strays in a separate prison.
This is the backdrop for the human story of five young adults, 4 Strays and 1 Normal, who find out about the plot and decide to fight back. The novel is pleasantly matter-of-fact about the reaction of most Normals: Most think it wrong or silly to intern the Strays but enough go along with it that the corrupt mayor is able to imprison almost everyone. The Strays themselves cooperate after the mayor shoots one Stray with Downs Syndrome.
Sterling Walker gives us a story about people, with enough detail in the setting that we can appreciate the struggle the colony has now and will have even more in the future. The colony is at a crisis point and I can foresee three broad paths: 1) Treat the Strays as low caste workers, slaves, 2) Abandon the segregation effort and live together as they have until now or 3) Strays leave and form their own community which would eventually conflict with the rest.
Walker tells the story through the five young adults, yet I wouldn’t consider this a YA novel. The author fleshes out events and people are realistic about feelings and each other and the romance is understated. Overall Vesta Exiled is an excellent story, well presented with engaging characters and realistic conflicts.
Vesta Exiled ends on a cliffhanger.
4 Stars
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