The book is painfully slow to pick up pace. The whole first act is really shoddy. The event that starts the journey of the MC is not very plausible and could have been easily avoided.

I really can't relate to someone acting so rashly with a kid and a wife. I can never see a dad acting like that.

And then there is the MC. He is really insufferable. I don't mind morally grey characters, but this guy is straight-up unlikeable.

The writing is unnecessarily winded and could have been shortened.

If not for the ARC copy, I would have DNFed and never looked back. The slap in the face was that this is the first of six planned books.

If it were part of a series, the author could have toned the book down so much. It’s not worth the time needed to read it.

Good try as a debut. I liked the villains more than the MC, and some side characters were interesting.

When not dragged down by long-winded parts and the insufferable MC, some parts were actually good to read.

Not much else I can praise. Kind of a frustrating and disappointing read overall.

If it were a trilogy, I might have given it another try to see the ending, but for a six-book series, it really isn't good enough to make you want to pick up the next one, especially with such a terrible protagonist.

This was a thrilling and encapturing debut from the author. The worldbuilding was spot on, I loved the creativity and politics. The characters and villains especially were just so delectably evil. The book is gritty and dark, has good humor and just spot on pacing. I can’t wait for the next book in the series and Nicholas has shown me he can write and I am totally along for the ride. If you’re an sci-fi fan get this book now!

Vitalerium: Descent into the Void by Nicholas Keating Casbarro is a thrilling dive into a futuristic world where humanity’s reliance on a mysterious blue crystal, vitalerium, shapes its destiny. Set in the year 2701, the novel introduces us to Roman Matthews, a rogue freelancer who finds himself at the heart of a high-stakes conspiracy on Planet Deorum. As Roman is pursued by the powerful Coalition for Prosperity, he and his eclectic band of allies are drawn into a dangerous game that could alter the course of civilization.

Casbarro’s storytelling is reminiscent of classic sci-fi adventures, evoking a sense of wonder and urgency akin to the greats of the genre. Roman Matthews is a compelling protagonist with his rough edges and moral complexity, while the Coalition’s quest for a dystopian version of utopia provides a chilling antagonist. The blend of action, suspense, and philosophical undertones keeps the pages turning, even if some aspects of the world-building and character development could be more fleshed out. As the first entry in what promises to be an intriguing series, Vitalerium: Descent into the Void leaves readers eager to see where Casbarro takes Roman and his world next.