Pursuing Dreams by M. K. Clark

Pursing Dreams by M. K. Clark is the first installment in a young adult sci-fi series that had me engaged from the very beginning. Hidden gems like this book are the reason why I accept review requests from debut and little known authors. The synopsis was enough to peak my interest and I am so very glad I choose this book to read and review.

The story is about Don O’Hara, in a lot of ways a typical sixteen year old, who just happens to be the son of a general. His father, who as a single parent, is domineering and has run Don’s life like he was one of his military subordinates. Don has always known that his father would insist that he go to Commander’s School even though all he wants is to be a Space Jumper. 

A chance encounter on the day he leaves for Commander’s School provides him with an opportunity to switch places with an unsuspecting kid headed to Basic Training.  In his naive way of thinking, he believes by the time he is found out it will be too late for those in charge to correct. Unbeknownst to him, there is more than one group of persons following his actions very closely.

It is not long upon Don’s arrival on Earth, to start Basic Training, that his ruse is discovered. No one is happy about it, including his commanding officer who does not want the responsibility of a general’s only son. Despite misgivings, Don is allowed to stay, but he wants to be shown no favoritism.  It appears he is not going to get that wish and soon discovers he is being watched. At first, he writes it off as part of being a general’s son. Then when a training exercise goes wrong he stumbles onto people who hint at other outside forces. It becomes apparent to Don that there are multiple forces trying to steer his life. As he struggles to control his life and fulfil his dream of being a Space Jumper he gets more than he bargained for and it might cost him his life.

I totally enjoyed reading Pursing Dreams. I loved the attention the author paid to details of military training, space flight and especially what combat in space might be like. The character of Don also received the same level of detail.  I loved the feeling of being inside of his head and watching him change and mature through his experiences. There was plenty of intrigue to help move the plot along and I found myself not wanting the book to end.

Well end it does, on a cliffhanger! Nevertheless, throughout the story hints of the future are intertwined with the present and the reader knows Don’s story is not over. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I just hope Ms. Clark does not keep me waiting too long.

Although this is a coming-of-age story, I think anyone who likes Sci-Fi will enjoy reading Pursing Dreams as much as I did.

Disclaimer: While I used my Kindle Unlimited account to read this book, the author did request a review.