This book got me hooked instantly! I sat down and basically didn't stop until I hit the last page—it was that kind of read. The writing is just so smooth, and the dialogue feels very natural and realistic. I guess it’s the premise, it’s intriguing enough to pull you right in.

Now, while the setup is definitely a high-octane, espionage SciFi thriller, I should mention that it leans more into the drama and politics side of things than the hard science. It kind of reminded me of The Expanse in that way, which isn't always my jam, but don't get me wrong, this book is fantastic, which is why I offered the 5 stars. I just had a slightly different expectation starting out, perhaps wanting to see more of the internal struggle of a human having his mind invaded by an alien consciousness, but the ride was totally worth it.

It all kicks off with what should have been a routine ‘military’ training exercise for five guys. Instead, they stumble upon a crashed alien object, and BAM! Four of them get instantly possessed by alien consciousnesses. Only Jude Black, somehow survives the mind-violation, but he's not totally clean—the alien, Takra Vael, is still stuck in his head, talking to him and forcing him to blend in with his newly-possessed friends.

I loved the way the author showed how these aliens take over, first learning how to, well, human, then to blend in the society, then to climb up the social ladder to gain more power and control. The whole concept of the human mind being trapped in a cage while the alien runs the body is chilling. We get lucky, though, because Jude's mind is resilient and Vael ends up being the one in the metaphorical cage.

The tension starts immediately as Jude is the only one who knows what's going on. He has to cover for his four buddies (who are now awkward, badly-blending aliens) in front of the three women (Ella, Rosie, and Claire) in their friends group, all while constantly fighting Vael’s intrusive thoughts.

Meanwhile, you've got Cassie Reeve, a sharp intelligence agent, desperately trying to prove this alien threat is real, but she keeps hitting roadblocks. The rest of the story moves at the speed of light, but the pacing is absolutely perfect—never too fast that it feels cheap or confusing. We spend a lot of time watching the aliens' political machinations as they try to take over, with Jude trying to slow them down and Cassie racing against time to convince her superiors.

Two years after the silent invasion, Jude's internal battle heats up. His hesitation to do what the other aliens want is seen as a weakness by the others, and they start to suspect Vael never actually took control over his designated vessel (Jude). This all leads to Jude having to reach out to Cassie to form an alliance to save humanity. Oh, and right around the same time, he finally admits his feelings for Ella (in their own way of course)— gotta love a little romance in the middle of an alien invasion, I’m always a sucker for that.

The ending is pretty epic. Earth gets caught in the middle of a much bigger intergalactic war, and Jude has to forge a true alliance with Vael for humanity to survive. He demands an Accord, a promise of safety, which Vael honors. It sets up the next book beautifully. Jude is left in charge of an alien species and an empire he never wanted, but he’s the one at the helm now.

If you like fast-paced, political thrillers with high stakes and a unique SciFi twist, definitely pick this one up!

Many, many thanks to Dean Moss, Dean Moss Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.

Amazing book. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

Wow! This book completely hooked me and kept me guessing with its twists and turns. From the start, Jude struck me as that cold, calculating businessman type: someone you don’t dare cross. Jayden’s description of him as a “James Bond villain” fits perfectly, but as the story unfolds, there’s clearly more to him than his stoic exterior lets on. The relationship between Ella and Jude is one of the strongest parts of the story. Their chemistry feels natural and charged with quiet tension that builds beautifully. Every scene between them had me smiling and maybe cheering once or twice.
What really impressed me was how seamlessly the plot blends emotional depth with high stakes sci-fi elements. The pacing is tight, the tension never lets up, and the characters face impossible choices that make you feel every ounce of their struggle. Overall, this story is fast-paced, emotional, and unexpectedly layered. It left me on the edge of my seat and eager for what’s next. If you love stories with intensity, mystery, and a touch of heartfelt connection, this one is absolutely worth reading.

This is a fabulous sci-fi thriller book, it has some great twists in it as the battle for somewhere safe ensues. This is the first book in a planned trilogy.

Jude and his friends are all in the wrong place at the wrong time when they are taken. I say taken, but I mean that their bodies have been hijacked for want of a better word. Their bodies are being controlled by aliens, on the outside, they look normal. Jude, however, knows differently. He did not get taken over, and the entity is now trapped inside him.

Cassie sees that something is happening. She follows trails, signs, and gets drawn further and further into a battle that gradually begins to emerge as something much larger than she expected.

This is such a good book and a brilliant way into the start of a trilogy. The basics of the story, some of the history and the aims of the aliens are laid out. The way they have infiltrated Earth is cleverly planned, and there are some shocks and surprises for those who are in the know. It is told over the course of two years as the aliens gradually learn how a human walks, talks, works out society and how to achieve positions that give them more power.

This is a very clever invasion thriller, it has a lot of things going on, but the author is in control. Nothing felt rushed, but well planned and just made for excellent reading. The ending of this book sets up brilliantly for the story to continue, but on a much larger scale.

This is a political thriller in a way, just that it involves those from other worlds. It is a sci-fi novel, but very readable, ideal for those who like a fast-paced story, and one that I would definitely recommend.