The Engine in the Sky by V.G. Harrison
Some science fiction stories dazzle with cutting-edge technology, while others leave a lasting impression through memorable characters and thought-provoking choices. The Engine in the Sky, the third installment in V.G. Harrison's Dyson Bridge Series, successfully delivers both. As Professor Meridia Vail races to save her crew on an alternate Earth, she must also confront an unexpected question: what if another version of herself had chosen a very different life?
Sharp banter, memorable characters, and a story that never loses sight of its humanity.
In this review of The Engine in the Sky by V.G. Harrison, I share what worked for me, where the story stands out, and who I think will connect with it most.
About The Engine in the Sky
Engine in the Sky By V.G. Harrison
Series: The Dyson Bridge series Book 3
Published by Mocha Memoirs Press on July 2026
Genres: Science Fiction
Formats: eBook
When Professor Meridia Vail’s space station is hurled across time and dimensions, she and the rest of the Bridgeway crew wake on an alternate Earth that's only five years into the future, but looks like it's a century behind her technology. Their goal is to reclaim their crippled station, return to their dimension, and hope that a mysterious interdimensional illness doesn't kill her and her people first.
Stuck on a backwards version of her own planet, Meridia must deal with governments who want her technology and intelligence agencies who want control. Nobody trusts anyone, and the longer they delay, the closer the Bridgeway gets to a catastrophic reentry.
However, the greatest shock comes when Meridia meets her doppelganger, a brilliant mechanic with a loving family that leaves her heart aching for the life she could have had.
As time is running out for her crew and New Earth, Meridia faces an impossible mission: return.to the station, save her crew, and prevent a global disaster. Duty first. Family second. When Meridia is thrust into a situation where the two become synonymous, she must decide how much she's willing to risk for a world she's sworn to save and a life she can never have.
Reader Resources
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Review at a Glance
| Genre | Science Fiction, Space Opera |
| Series | The Dyson Bridge Series, Book 3 (best enjoyed after the previous books) |
| Setting | Alternate Earth and the Bridgeway Space Station |
| Length | Novel ~400 pages |
| Content Rating | PG-13 (science fiction peril, political intrigue, mild violence, themes of loss and sacrifice) |
| Ideal Reader | Readers who enjoy intelligent space opera with strong female protagonists, alternate realities, thoughtful character development, and realistic scientific concepts will find plenty to appreciate in The Engine in the Sky. Fans of character-driven science fiction that balances action with emotional depth should especially enjoy this series. |
| My Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Quick Take: An intelligent science fiction adventure that combines parallel worlds, emotional depth, and high-stakes space drama in the strongest installment of the Dyson Bridge Series yet.
Content Considerations:
- Space survival and disaster scenarios
- Government conspiracies and political maneuvering
- Moderate action and peril
- Character deaths (past and referenced)
- Medical illness affecting crew members
- Themes of grief, sacrifice, identity, and family
- No explicit sexual content
- Minimal profanity
Here's what worked for me-and where the story really shines.
My Thoughts
One of the greatest strengths of The Dyson Bridge Series has always been Professor Meridia Vail herself. Brilliant, determined, and deeply committed to her crew, she's a protagonist who solves problems with intelligence rather than bravado. In The Engine in the Sky, Harrison allows readers to see another side of Meridia that makes her feel even more human.
After being stranded on an alternate version of Earth, Meridia and the Bridgeway crew quickly discover that repairing their station may be easier than navigating the complicated web of governments and intelligence agencies eager to claim their advanced technology. Trust becomes one of the novel's central themes, and every decision carries consequences that extend far beyond the crew itself.
The emotional centerpiece of the novel comes when Meridia meets her doppelgänger. Watching her interact with the alternate life she never lived-a loving family, a daughter, and a different set of dreams-adds remarkable depth to the story. Instead of slowing the pace, these quieter moments raise the emotional stakes, making Meridia's eventual choices even more meaningful.
I've also continued to enjoy the camaraderie among the Bridgeway crew. Their conversations feel authentic, their humor helps balance the tension, and each member contributes something meaningful to the mission. Harrison has created a cast that feels like a genuine team rather than simply supporting characters orbiting a single heroine.
As always, the science behind the story feels thoughtfully developed without becoming overwhelming. Harrison's background knowledge and enthusiasm for engineering and space exploration shine through naturally, grounding the larger-than-life premise in believable technical details.
I am most impressed by how confidently this series continues to grow. Each installment expands both the universe and the emotional complexity of its characters, making The Engine in the Sky my favorite book in the series so far.
In Conclusion
Readers who enjoy intelligent, character-driven science fiction will find plenty to love in The Engine in the Sky. V.G. Harrison successfully balances exciting space adventure with meaningful questions about trust, identity, family, and sacrifice. While the novel delivers satisfying action and suspense, it's the emotional journey that lingers long after the final chapter.
If you've been following Meridia Vail's journey from the beginning, this installment is a rewarding continuation. If you're new to the series, I'd recommend starting with Book One so you can fully appreciate how both the characters and the world have evolved.
My Dyson Bridge Reviews
Abandon Station (The Dyson Bridge Series, Book 1)
Among Us (The Dyson Bridge Series, Book 2)
Excerpt
One of the novel's most memorable moments comes when Meridia encounters the family she might have had. Here's a glimpse of that heartfelt scene.
I followed her down the semi-busy hall until we arrived at a first grader's room. Meridia peeked her head inside, smiled at the teacher, and motioned for a little girl to come into the hall. She beamed when she saw her mother and ran into her arms. When she saw me, she stopped, her dazzling light-brown eyes enlarged.
My heart swelled to the point that my gaze blurred with unshed tears. She was beautiful. She had olive skin and frizzy hair that barely stayed in place with two green barrettes to hold back the curly onslaught. Her smile was perfect, even with the one missing tooth in the front. I didn't believe in instant love, but this little girl made me feel nothing less than that. Meridia-the other me-had a child. I mean, I knew she had a kid, but nothing prepared me for actually meeting her.
"Who's that, Mommy?" she asked.
Meridia knelt. "Remember when I told you I had a twin sister who came from space and that's why the reporters were at our house? Well, this is her. This is Astronaut Meridia. Meridia, this is my daughter Felicity."
The little girl let go of her mother before rushing to wrap her arms around my waist.
"I have two mommies now," she declared. "Best day ever!"
Oh. My. God. It took everything inside me not to cry happy tears. Her little arms spewing with love for someone she had just met was incredible. Who would ever deny this beautiful little girl?
Before we wrap up, here's a little more about the author behind the story.
About V.G. Harrison
About V.G. Harrison
V.G. Harrison enjoys creating intelligent heroines who are more comfortable dealing with Fine-structure constants and quantum entanglement than the fallout from their conflict. She loves to write stories that leave her audience so engaged they can't sleep at night, thinking about the possibilities.
V.G. holds a Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering and a Master's in Information Technology. When she's not writing, she's an IT manager for a healthcare information systems company.
Her ever-growing list of hobbies includes astronomy, attending comic cons, keeping an eye on the cryptocurrency and stock markets, hydroponics gardening, hiking, and connecting with her daughter, Collie, on a cool level. Building Lego sets at night with milk and cookies on the side comes in handy for that.
Explore more from the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads
Thanks for reading. If this sounds like your kind of story, you can explore purchase options below.
Available now on Amazon.
This title is currently exclusive to Amazon. If you prefer shopping through independent bookstores or alternative ebook retailers, you're also welcome to browse my recommended reads through Bookshop.org and Kobo.
Happy reading-and thank you for supporting indie authors and stories worth discovering.
Tour dates: June 15 - July 17, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
Goddess Fish Promotions - The Engine in the Sky Tour Page.
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