Mother by Reginald Andre-Estime and Vanna McAuliffe kickstarts the Rise of the Nova Series in a heart-stopping science fiction thriller. As the story opens, a narrator recalls waking up inside a cold pod, with no memory of being born to a biological parent. There are more who wake up from other pods, and they are housed in what is simply called The Facility. They are called EVOs - designed to be stronger and smarter than average humans, whom they refer to as the Lessers. At the top of their hierarchy is someone called Mother, who orients them to their mission so that when the time is right, they will be sent out to shake up the world and wreak havoc. Their existence, however, comes with a caveat. They have to keep a wide berth from two types of humans - the Novas and the Teltius. Two brilliant detectives follow the trail of this murderous cult. The question is, can they stop these genetically enhanced killers?

Defeating a formidable cult of murderers is the centerpiece of this novel. Reginald Andre-Estime and Vanna McAuliffe demonstrate their ability at plot building with page-turning scenes. Similarly, their grasp of character development is another aspect of the story that you should watch out for. Detectives Alice and Richard have a presence of their own. As they go through the process of their investigation, you not only get to know more about them, but also the enormity of the evil they are facing. As humanity continues to tinker with genetic research, the storyline offers a bleak scenario of what could happen if those who have the means to play God have sociopathic tendencies. Mother is a story that will appeal to anyone who likes tight plotting and welcomes raw violence as an integral part of the storyline.

Mother (Rise of the Novas Book 1) By Reginald Andre-Estime features two detectives, Alice and Richard, who are investigating some vicious murders committed by genetically enhanced killers. These beings knowns as EVOs are raised by a woman known only as Mother, who teaches them that 'Lessers' must be killed. The Lessers are regular humans. The EVOs are taught to kill from a young age and are spurred on by the reaction they get from the act. Alice and Richard are called in when a woman is killed alongside the staff working in the building where she was found. The EVOs worked as a team to take them out, acting like predators. Shocked by the brutality of the murders, the detectives are in a race against time to find the killers before they strike again.

Reginald Andre-Estime has written an intriguing story with Mother (Rise of the Novas Book 1). While a little slow to start, the author takes the time to introduce the two main characters and their lives before they are called out to the murder scene. The EVOs are interesting to read about and how they work together to take out a target. They are completely brainwashed by Mother and don't know any other way of being. Alice and Richard are in over their heads from the beginning as they are used to dealing with normal human culprits. There is some gore and the story is not for the faint of heart. I think that science fiction and horror fans would enjoy reading this book. I would recommend it.