Forging a Second Sun is a science fiction novel by Erik Reale. Preomus Ciniverat (Preo) is a salvager roaming through interstellar space to collect ancient technology left by extinct civilizations while evading the dangerous Sentinal Fleets. After rescuing an old man named Tornin during one of her expeditions, Preo is diverted toward the planet of Syth, a world bereft of sunlight, leaving the inhabitants of the lone city of Baszone to live in squalor, poverty, and extreme cold. Preo decides to help these people by using her technology to build space mirrors that can redirect the sunlight toward Syth. However, Jonoc Aethon, the CEO of the mining corporation in charge of Syth, has his own plans for Preo. Together with Ecion Soier, the leader of the workers in Baszone, Preo must disrupt Aethon's nefarious plans and complete her daring project.

Forging a Second Sun is unlike most other science fiction novels. For starters, it has a gritty tone to the setting that feels realistic as the futuristic technology depicted is very believable. Erik Reale incorporates some of our real-world issues into the narrative, showing how capitalistic greed benefits a few at the cost of the general populace and that even though making changes for the betterment of humanity is a collective effort, one person can still make a difference. The plot is nicely paced, and a couple of well-placed twists and turns and stellar character development ensure readers are hooked all the way through. Preo is a fascinating protagonist. Her backstory adds layers to her personality and brings agency to her character. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially the vivid descriptions of the futuristic techs. This is a must-read for fans of hard sci-fi.

Forging a Second Sun by Erik Reale hinges on the Charred Crow, a stealthy salvage ship designed for deep-space missions, in which Preo and newly rescued Tornin travel to Casus to sell valuable data from a dormant superintelligence, slinking through regions patrolled by the Sentinel Fleet. A navigation error leads them to Syth, a desolate mining planet experiencing unusual radiation and seismic activity. Behind the scenes, the machinations targeting Preo are already in motion. In Baszone, Preo plans to improve conditions, going underground and seeing the city's hidden reserves. Preo moves through colonies in her ship with others, including Acea, trying to evade the Sentinels. As they find themselves surrounded by decay and the remnants of civilization's former glory, the clock ticks for mission success where the cost of failure is too great to count.

Erik Reale does an excellent job of blending classic science fiction elements with a socially charged narrative in Forging a Second Sun. I liked the speculative aspects, where Reale explores themes like the future of humanity, the nature of intelligence, and the ethical implications of technological advancements. The characters are all thoroughly fleshed out and identifiable, with Preo as a worthy female protagonist that you absolutely want to root for. I liked the murkiness of Tornin's background where there's always that question about trust, and Acea has a spectacular arc with an interesting twist, physically and emotionally. I most enjoyed the scenes where the Charred Crow is covertly evading detection and the lengths Reale goes to detail these maneuvers and the landscape they are working through. Overall, this is a great read that will appeal to readers who enjoy sci-fi classics and are looking for something fresh and new. Recommended.

Forging a Second Sun by Erik Reale tells the story of Preo, a determined and lonely salvager who explores space. The story starts with Preo on her ship, the Charred Crow, undertaking a risky mission to enter a ruined stellar shell and get valuable data. This huge structure, once controlled by a superintelligent mind, is now in ruins, presenting both danger and opportunities. But Preo's mission takes a turn when she rescues Tornin, a mysterious man floating in space, leading to an uneasy partnership. They end up in the barren world of Syth, where Preo's discoveries help the local people fight economic exploitation and extreme cold by constructing a solar-powered death beam. This novel, inspired by classic science fiction, evokes awe and hope for a brighter future despite the challenging situations the characters face. 

Erik Reale's Forging a Second Sun stands out with its detailed story and world-building. Reale's writing effectively captures the tension and solitude of space salvage, drawing readers into Preo's cautious and risky life. The title represents the ambitious and dangerous attempts to control great power, reflecting Preo's mission to create hope from despair. The world-building is impressive, mainly when Preo explores the wreckage. The novel vividly portrays a galaxy filled with the ruins of advanced civilizations, each piece of debris exhibiting its former greatness. The detailed descriptions of the industrial landscape and the remains of old wars highlight the themes of decay and the constant search for resources. The writing vividly shows Preo's life - from escaping swarms of robotic warships to navigating dangerous landscapes. The dynamic between Preo and Tornin adds depth, illustrating the struggle between hope and survival. Their interactions reveal Preo's cautious nature and her struggle to balance compassion with survival. Reale skillfully combines detailed world-building, complex characters, and thrilling adventures to create an engaging tale. The exploration of isolation, the remnants of advanced civilizations, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge and survival make this a compelling read for science fiction fans.

Forging a Second Sun is penned by author Erik Reale in the science fiction, adventure, and suspense genres. Preo the salvager navigates a high-tech galaxy dominated by robotic warships using her stealth ship, the Charred Crow, to find solutions for a better future. Her journey leads her to the frigid world of Syth, where she helps the local community combat economic exploitation and severe cold by constructing a solar-powered death beam. Inspired by classic science fiction and retrofuturism, the novel evokes a sense of awe and hope for the future, despite the challenges and threats posed by the technologically advanced yet desolate universe. This is a captivating dive into a retro-futuristic universe where hope and ingenuity clash against overwhelming odds, and I found this unique and exciting work to be a total page-turner from start to finish.

Preo's relentless optimism and determination to fix what’s broken in a galaxy fraught with danger were both inspiring and energizing qualities characterized by strong attention to detail in the narrative. Her encounters were viscerally described with powerful, cinematic action and strong emotional resolution, making her successes feel hard-earned and satisfying as we rooted for her in strange, wonderful places. The retrofuturistic elements of the work were vibrantly drawn, rooted in classic science fiction but layered with new perspectives and bright ideas, evoking nostalgia and a sense of wonder about technological possibilities. This is where Erik Reale’s passion for science and storytelling really shines through, creating a rich, immersive read that left me pondering the balance between technological advancement and human progress, alongside a fantastic story. Overall, Forging a Second Sun is a superbly enjoyable read that I would recommend to fans of accomplished science fiction everywhere.