Harry Heron: Into the Unknown by Patrick G. Cox is a compelling read for fans of time travel and science fiction. Readers are introduced to an incredible crew of the HMS Spartan — Harry Heron the Midshipman, Ferghal O'Connor, and Danny Gunn. In 1804 they are engaged in a sea battle against the French navy when an accident mysteriously transports them hundreds of years into the future. If the battle against the French was a daunting, life-and-death experience, what awaits them when they land on the NECS Vanguard of the World Treaty Organisation Fleet is even worse. These fierce men from the past are not even fairly acquainted with spaceship navigation when a delicate, dangerous mission is entrusted to them. Will they have what it takes to win in this future the same way they have done four hundred years ago?

Book Two of the Harry Heron Adventure Series, Harry Heron: Into the Unknown offers an enjoyable reading experience that is packed with adventure and pulsating action. The narrative starts in the midst of action and then the crisis moment that transports the characters into what they first think is a kind of dungeon. Cox does an impeccable job of capturing their surprise, confusion, and sense of loss when they suddenly find themselves in the strange ship. What follows is an ingeniously executed plot that includes exploration, learning, and adapting to the new environment — and then the mounting challenges in an unfamiliar space. It is interesting to notice how the characters go from shock at discovering the ''fiendish devices” to taking control and setting out on a daring mission. This page-turning epic is the creation of an author who is interested in examining the humanity and strength of his characters, putting them into dangerous situations and allowing them to discover themselves in the process of solving problems. Harry’s leadership is exemplary and the bond he creates with his companions will inspire readers. The writing is stellar and littered with wonderful dialogue and humor. Fans of the genre can't put this down.