Gate Crashers

The discovery of a mysterious alien artifact in deep space sets off events that culminate in a plot to destroy the Earth in Tomlinson’s unremarkable space opera. Sixty-two years into its mission, the starship Magellan encounters a device of alien origins. Working with a crack team back on Earth, Magellan’s Capt. Allison Ridgeway and her crew analyze the artifact and realize it’s a navigation buoy, as well as the key to creating a hyperspace drive. After months pass, an Earth-built warship captained by “chauvinist parody” Cmdr. Maximus Tiberius joins the Magellan just as humankind faces accusations of genocide after the obliteration of a protected planet. Tomlinson (the Children of a Dead Earth series) loads his story down with a plodding plot and bland characters, but there’s enough action and broad humor to satisfy undemanding readers. Agent: Russell Galen, Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary. (June)