Book Review: Vicious by Victoria Schwab
Posted on February 27, 2014 3 Comments
Genre: Superheroes, Science Fiction
Publisher: Tor
Publication Date: September 2013
Author Info: www.victoriaschwab.com
Wendy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
The way Schwab weaves the story and characters together is spellbinding, especially as she moves between the past and the present to paint a picture of Eli and Victor and their relationship.
Victor and Eli are young, brilliant college students on the edge of sociopathy, though Eli better hides his darker self behind a charming mask. In fact, it is the mask that attracted Victor to Eli in the first place, glimpsing the kindred spirit hiding behind the outward persona. The sneaking darkness is enough for Victor to overlook Eli’s irrational belief in God, especially when the two decide to play God in order to learn the mystery of E.O.s – Extraordinary human beings. E.O.s tend to keep to themselves, and the police and government do their best to keep their existence under wraps, but enough information has leaked out to spark Eli and Victor’s scientific interest.
Vicious references comic book super heroes and villains from time to time, while injecting some science and psychology that results in a pithy explanation of how superhumans are created. Once this is established and Eli and Victor succeed in turning themselves into E.O.s, the back and forth, past and present plot really takes off as the two former best friends go after each other with murderous intent.
It took me a while to warm up to the main character of Victor, from whose perspective the majority of the story is told. He is not meant to be a likable person, much less a likable character, and initially, I felt like Schwab was trying too hard to give us another empathy-free killer along the lines of Dexter Morgan. But as the story progresses, a lot of preconceptions slowly mutate into something else, particularly when Victor is joined by Mitch, his former cellmate in prison, and Sydney, a young E.O. they stumble across in their journey to find Eli.
The way Schwab weaves the story and characters together is spellbinding, especially as she moves between the past and the present to paint a picture of Eli and Victor and their relationship. We quickly come to understand the reason why they now hate each other so entirely, but their motivations are what Schwab teases through her thrilling back and forth storytelling process. The inevitable showdown between the two former friends is not at all predictable, as Schwab carefully introduces new elements all throughout the story that fit together like a perfectly crafted puzzle. Or rather, I should say that the final showdown is to be expected, but it becomes a race against chapters and time to find out exactly how it will all come together – and for whom it will all come together.
Book Review: Star Wars: Honor Among Thieves by James S.A. Corey
Posted on February 26, 2014 Leave a Comment
Honor Among Thieves by James S.A. Corey
Genre: Science Fiction, Media Tie-In
Series: Book 2 of Empire and Rebellion
Publisher: LucasBooks, Del Rey (March 4, 2014)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve been a reader for as long as I remember, but science fiction is still a relatively new genre for me. In fact, I don’t think I started until I well into my high school years, and back then, I remember cutting my teeth on novelizations of the Star Wars prequel movies. There you go, my not-so-secret confession!
Obviously, I’ve branched out a lot more since those days, but I still retained my love for Star Wars books. To date, I’ve read a bunch by many different authors, and some of them have been better than others. Media tie-in novels have always been my guilty pleasure, especially when it comes to my beloved Star Wars, but admittedly the bar has never really been set that high. That’s why whenever I do come across one that I genuinely like, I can’t help but do a little happy dance.
And I’m definitely dancing now. Actually, I’d been excited about Honor Among Thieves for a long time, ever since I first learned that Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck will be working on a new stand alone Star Wars book under their nom de plume of James S.A. Corey. I adore their work on the Expanse series, and to hear that they would be writing a story about my favorite scoundrel was like a dream come true. Come on, James S.A. Corey and Han Solo? You just can’t go wrong with a winning combination like that.
So you can see why I am so thrilled to say this book lived up to all my expectations. You can tell right away that the authors are fans of Star Wars and the characters themselves, because the first thing I noticed was how “right” Han sounded and felt in his dialogue and actions. He even felt true to the character in his internal narrative, all the way down to his growing affection for his new friends in the Rebel Alliance. This book takes place after the destruction of the Death Star but before the events of The Empire Strikes Back, so we get a real good look at how those experiences have affected and changed him.
The best part is, this is a Han Solo book through and through, and no doubt about it. Expect lots of his signature seat-of-the-pants approach to solving problems, the usual daring flyboy maneuvers, and of course a healthy dose of roguish humor. The plot is relatively simple, beginning when Han and Chewy are tasked on an assignment to extract a high-level rebel spy deep in Empire territory. Meet Agent Scarlet Hark, whose moxie might just give Han a run for his money. But as it turns out, Scarlet has uncovered delicate information about a new technology, one that can turn the tide of the war if only the rebels can secure it before the Empire gets their dirty hands on it.
I would say it’s fairly predictable how things turn out, but then I think that is to be expected. We all know the war goes on in The Empire Strikes Back, et cetera, et cetera, so to an extent you can guess how everything in the story ends. Still, none of that manages to take away from the fun. Another thing I liked about this book is how deftly the plot involved all the main characters. One of my biggest problems with a lot of Star Wars books is how desperately some authors try to squeeze in all the prominent players, sometimes resorting to giving them obligatory sub plots that feel shoehorned in. Not an issue with this one, I can happily say. Despite Han Solo taking the center stage in this, Luke and Leia both also have their parts to play, and they actually are integral to the story.
Sure I may have my biases, being a big fan of James S.A. Corey and having a massive soft spot for Han Solo, but this is probably now favorite Star Wars novel, beating out Darth Plagueis, which is the former holder of that distinction and also another really great story. Star Wars books have certainly come a long way, and I look forward to seeing this trend continue.
Waiting on Wednesday 02/26/14
Posted on February 26, 2014 Leave a Comment
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that lets us feature upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Meanwhile, a perpetual storm ravages the Blasted Lands, and a new threat is about to arise – the Broken are coming, and with them only Death.”
Book Review: Astra by Naomi Foyle
Posted on February 25, 2014 Leave a Comment
Astra by Naomi Foyle
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Book 1 of The Gaia Chronicles
Publisher: Jo Fletcher (February 6, 2014)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
If there’s one thing I learned from reading Seoul Survivors and now Astra, it is that author Naomi Foyle has a remarkable way of making me feel. I have been shocked and disturbed by some of the ideas in her books, but likewise there have been times where the touching beauty of her writing has bought me to tears. Her stories might not necessarily read like heart-pounding thrillers or page-turners, but no matter what, they always pack a powerful punch.
That most certainly describes Astra, a bold dystopian tale about a girl growing up in a closed and isolated nature-worshiping community called Is-Land. The novel is divided into three parts, detailing the journey of its eponymous heroine as she ages from a child to young adulthood. Because of the format in which her story is told, it’s probably going to be easier for me to summarize and give my thoughts and opinions on each part separately.
The first part begins when Astra is only seven years old. In this section, we learn a lot about the nation of Is-Land from her perspective. Life seems wonderful and perfect in her little town of Or, where the social structure is highly fluid and everyone lives as naked as the day they are born in harmony with Gaia’s creatures. At the same time, advanced technology exists in his world, used to do things like engineer alt-meat for consumption, or to allow children to learn the ways of Is-Land and Gaia on devices called “tablettes”. Starting with Astra’s generation, children will also be getting the Security Serum, a shot that would make the subject physically stronger, but would also give them a more obedient and pliable personality.
Not surprisingly, many of the details we read about in this section are filtered through the lens of Astra’s youth and innocence. She’s lively, curious, and not just a little bit impish. It’s challenging to write young characters, but I believe Naomi Foyle nailed it perfectly. Astra is good at driving her caregivers up the wall with her unending questions, quick temper and silly antics — in other words, she thinks and acts like a very active and bright seven-year-old. Just thinking about the possible loss of that precociousness really hits home, which is what I think the author intended. Receiving the “Sec Shot” would be the end of everything that makes Astra who she is, and so her Shelter-Mother Hokma devises and carries out a plan to help the young girl avoid getting it.
Then the book skips ahead to when Astra is twelve years old. This is probably the longest section, but it was also the one I found the most interesting. While the previous part amazed me with the depth of the world-building, this part blew me away with its character development and unique take on the classic coming-of-age tale. All sorts of changes are happening to Astra at this point, both physical and emotional. The theme of sexuality also features heavily in this section, and I felt Foyle’s bold and fearless writing style did an excellent job of describing this stage of Astra’s life, conveying all the excitement and poignancy that comes with it. Once again, she gives her main character a voice that is both age-appropriate and believable.
This section also introduces Lil, an orphaned child rescued from the woods who comes to live with Astra in her community. An uncannily realistic “frenemy-like” relationship is forged between the two girls, one of friendship but also rivalry. Astra, who has always felt like an outcast knowing that she has not received her Sec Shot like the rest of her peers, takes an immediate fascination to Lil, who also doesn’t seem to quite fit in. Eventually, the latter’s ideas of the world begin to bleed into Astra’s view of the world, and as everything Astra thought she knew begins to crumble, that’s when things start getting very interesting…
The final part, which is also the shortest, focuses on Astra when she is seventeen. This is the section where everything comes to a head. For the last decade, she has grown up seeing the world differently than her “Sec Gen” friends, and that fateful decision Hokma made with her all those years ago finally leads to some widespread repercussions. A lot of dystopian novels come to a point like this, where the main protagonist’s worldview is shattered by a life-changing event. I can honestly say, however, that there was no way I could have foreseen what happened afterwards. Indeed the conclusion may come as quite a shock.
Like I said, this book isn’t exactly a page-turner, and don’t go in expecting too much action or a grand adventure because that’s not what it is about. But by following Astra through all three life stages, I feel like I’ve come to know her very well, and the author has managed to make me care deeply about her character. I didn’t even realize how completely immersed I’d been until I reached the end, and tears started coming to my eyes while reading a scene that was particularly touching. I don’t know if that would have hit me so hard emotionally if the book hadn’t been so well-written overall.
The sequel will no doubt focus more on the bigger world, now that Astra has discovered some truths about herself and Is-Land. This book, however, was an intensely deep, complex and thought-provoking narrative of the main character’s life. It’s a beautiful story, unique and daring, which serves as a solid foundation for everything else to come.
Winners for The Barrow Giveaway
Posted on February 25, 2014 Leave a Comment
Our giveaway for The Barrow by Mark Smylie last week drew an impressive number of entries, and random.org has drawn our two winners:
Congratulations! Winners have been notified by email and information has been sent to the publisher. Your copies of The Barrow should be on their way to you soon, courtesy of the amazing folks at Pyr Books.
Thank you to everyone for entering the giveaway. If you didn’t win this time, don’t despair! Our friends at the Review Barn are also running a giveaway for the book and I encourage you to enter there too if you haven’t already. And as always, be sure to keep checking in on The BiblioSanctum for more reviews and future giveaways!
Interview with Anne Leonard, Author of Moth and Spark
Posted on February 24, 2014 Leave a Comment
Today is a great day, and I’ll tell you why! It is with great excitement that we welcome Anne Leonard, author of Moth and Spark, to the BiblioSanctum. As you can see from the review, I loved her book! A perfect blend of romance and fantasy, her debut is not one to be missed.
Anne has graciously agreed to an interview and she joins us today to talk about her new book. I hope you’ll enjoy!
Mogsy: Hello, Anne! Welcome to the BiblioSanctum, we’re so happy to have you join us today. Let’s start with questions about your new book. First, I think congratulations are in order. Moth and Spark is your debut novel, you must be so excited! I know I’m looking forward to telling people all about it. How would you describe the book to someone new to your work?
Anne Leonard: It’s an adult fantasy that has both adventure and a love story (but not a bodice-ripper). It’s character-driven, and it uses many standard fantasy tropes – dragons, princes, wizards, swordfights — but tweaks them here and there. My male and female leads have equal stage-time and are equally important to the resolution of the story. My prose style includes a lot of details but I try to keep it adverb- and adjective-lean, so that it’s descriptive but not flowery.
Mogsy: In your author’s bio, you mentioned that the science fiction and fantasy genres have always drawn you in because of the world-building. What aspects of world-building appeal to you most?
Anne Leonard: I enjoy making up the places – the human-made places like cities and buildings, and the natural geology – and the customs and social structure. I also have a lot of fun with the backstory and history, much of which never makes it into whatever I’m writing. In Moth and Spark most of the world is very much like our world, but I look forward to creating much stranger things in future books.
Mogsy: For me, romance has always worked well with fantasy. A plot must contain conflict to engage me as a reader, and love is an area often fraught with it. Those kinds of complex and intense feelings have always added to my favorite stories, and it’s what I loved most about Moth and Spark. Were there any challenges to striking a balance between the romance and fantasy elements when you were writing the book?
Anne Leonard:It was really important to me that the romantic elements matter equally to the male and female leads, rather than dominating her life while he was all about action. This was tricky to do when I had constructed a patriarchal, hierarchical world where men had the power and made the decisions. Also, I had to balance relationships and external events as much as the characters did because I didn’t want either the love story or the main plot to dominate the other.
Mogsy: I just have to say the characters in Moth and Spark are wonderful. I enjoyed Tam and Corin as the main protagonists, but I think my next favorite character would be Joce (I have a thing for those mysterious mages and wizard types, I guess). Of all your characters, do you have one who is particularly near and dear to you?
Anne Leonard: I’ve lived with these people for so long that I can’t say I have a favorite among the major characters – it’s kind of like asking me to compare my family members. The minor characters are the ones I really want to get to know better.
Mogsy: When I first heard there were dragons in Moth and Spark, it just made me want to read it even more. I mean, who doesn’t love dragons! Do these mythical creatures hold any significance for you? What can you tell us about the dragons in your book, what makes them unique?
Anne Leonard: I had no idea that dragons were as popular as they are when I started writing this – I just liked them because I wanted something big and dangerous and more powerful than human beings. I like the idea of a world where people aren’t in control of everything. One of the things that makes dragons extra-interesting for me is that I imagine them as gloriously beautiful, even if terrifying. My dragons are somewhat unique in that they are subject to magic which controls them – they are slaves, not domesticated animals. They also have an existence beyond the physical realm.
Mogsy: Do you have a favorite dragon, whether from myth, literature, art, film, or anywhere?
Anne Leonard: I like Ursula K. Le Guin’s dragons in her Earthsea books a lot, and of course I have a fondness for Smaug.
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| UK Edition, published by Headline |
Mogsy: You’re probably tired of hearing me gush about the cover by now, but I do think it’s beautiful! To me it’s eye-catching and speaks such volumes about the story within. When the book arrived, I just couldn’t wait to open it up and read. Just wondering, what are your thoughts on the cover and how do you feel about it?
Anne Leonard: I LOOOOOOOVE the cover too. (I also like the cover of the edition put out by Headline in the UK.) I like it because it is gorgeous in its own right, because it’s unique to this book and doesn’t look like lots of other books out there, and because it really does capture the magical elements of the book – there’s this neat, civilized, palace, but flame is turning into moths. There’s a really wonderful symbolic element to it. Also, it doesn’t show any characters, so people can imagine them as they wish and aren’t led by a standard cover into thinking the book is something it’s not.
Mogsy: So whenever I read a debut novel I really like, I always want to find out more about the author. Anyway, I saw that one of your hobbies is photography! Do you have a favorite subject when it comes to photography, any specific area of interest?
Anne Leonard: I do a lot of landscapes, and I also like to do close-ups of textures and colors – I do rocks, and sun on plant leaves, and interesting patterns. Going out and taking picures is a way I refresh myself; it’s almost meditative at times. A lot of the detail in the novel comes from the way I look at the world with a photographer’s eye.
Mogsy: Are you currently working on any other writing projects? And I know Moth and Spark is a stand alone, but is there a possibility that we might see future stories set in this world?
Anne Leonard: I am working on another novel, which I don’t want to talk about a whole lot because it could still crash and burn, but it is set in the same world. It’s darker and much less romantic, though it’s not grim and violent the way “grimdark” fantasy is. I’ve also thought some time it would be fun to write a prequel. I don’t want to go into Series-Land, because I want to stretch myself as a writer with different plots, characters, and even writing styles, so any future books in that world will also be standalones.
Mogsy: Sounds fantastic! Once again, I appreciate you stopping by the blog and giving me the opportunity to interview you. Thank you so much for your time! For more information on the incredible Moth and Spark and Anne Leonard, please visit her website at http://anneleonardbooks.com!
Mogsy’s Book Haul
Posted on February 23, 2014 Leave a Comment
Among Thieves and Sworn in Steel – a long, long time ago…well, okay, it only feels like a long, long time ago, I read the excellent debut Among Thieves by Douglas Hulick. I’ve waited the last two years for the sequel Sworn in Steel, putting it on my anticipated lists for 2012 and 2013 only to be disappointed. But now it’s FINALLY HERE!!! Words cannot describe how excited I am. I’ll be writing a review for the book tour closer to release date, and was sent a package with both books by the publisher.
Night Owls – I’ll also be doing a tour review of Night Owls next month. I’ve been seeing some great things about this fun looking urban fantasy already, so I’m really looking forward to it.
The Waking Engine – I wrote a review of this a couple weeks back, and even though the style of the writing and story isn’t exactly my cup of tea, I think it’s a really well written book and I’m not surprised at all at the praise it has gotten already since its release earlier this month. My thanks to Tor Books for this!
Night Broken – Mercy Thompson is one of my favorite urban fantasy series so I was pretty psyched when I received a review copy. I will be getting to this post haste after I finish off a couple more books in my Review Copy Cleanup reading list.
Stolen Crown – I’m a little surprised that I hadn’t heard of this until recently, since according to Goodreads Stolen Crown is actually the 17th book in the long-running Mithgar series. I’ll admit that was a little intimidating when asked to review this, but I told the publisher I would be willing to give it a shot! It certainly looks very interesting.
And now the digital pile, which is much lighter since I featured my NetGalley haul last week.
Lineage – B.J. Keeton is a very cool gamer friend of mine, and he is working on a trilogy of books called the Technomage Archive. I’ve read and enjoyed the first book Birthright which he funded through a very successful Kickstarter, and he was awesome enough to send me a review copy of the second. I’m ready to dive in!
Chimera Vector – I was sent a complimentary copy of this awesome looking book by the author, who found me through Goodreads because of our mutual love of Myke Cole’s Control Point!
vN – Angry Robot had a sale recently, bringing bunch of their ebooks down to $1.99. I’d read a lot of them already but not this one, and I’ve always been curious about it. How could I resist? For that price I picked up the ebook and the audiobook bundle.
YA Weekend: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Posted on February 23, 2014 Leave a Comment
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Series: Book 1 of The Sweet Trilogy
Publisher: HarperTeen (May 1, 2012)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 2 of 5 stars
I wish I could say this book just wasn’t for me because I’m not into YA paranormal romance, but that wouldn’t be true. In fact, I quite enjoy this genre. Nothing beats a good love story for giving me all the warm and fuzzy feels, and the best ones do just that. On the flip side, however, there are books like Sweet Evil that somehow manage to diminish the mood by pushing all the wrong buttons. There were a couple things about it that I found off-putting, though I’m aware it’s a matter of personal taste and that others might not feel the same way.
Unfortunately, the characters Anna and Kai too closely resemble a couple of my biggest pet peeves. Pet peeve the first: a weepy, insecure female protagonist. I have no problems with Anna being the living embodiment of goodness (in fact, I admire her all the more for it) but naivete and innocence does not have to translate to neediness, ceaseless pining, crying or completely falling to pieces over a guy. Especially when the guy in question has done so little to deserve such obsession. So many times I just wanted to shake her and ask her where she has misplaced her self-respect.
#MisLT Book Review: Miserere: An Autumn Tale by Teresa Frohock
Posted on February 22, 2014 5 Comments
Miserere: An Autumn Tale by Teresa Frohock
Genre: Dark fantasy
Publisher: Night Shade Books
Publication Date: June 2011
Author Info: www.teresafrohock.com
Wendy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Have you ever read a book and wished you could chat with the author to find out what they meant at a certain part? To learn what went into the crafting of a character or plot line? Well I’ve been chatting with Teresa Frohock a bit on Twitter for a while now, with the intent to read her book. Then I was struck with the idea of actually livetweeting my read the way I livetweet TV shows. Ms. Frohock loved the idea and as a result, I got to have the most wonderful reading experience with a great book and a fantastic author.
Misere is a tale of hope and redemption, of love and of faith. But it is not a tale involving pretty flowers (in fact, there is one not-so-pretty flower that would make an interesting Valentine’s Day gift) nor is it a sweet love story. Frohock delves into the darkest emotions and desires with Miserere and, perhaps the only flaw I have with this book is that she could have gone even deeper.
From the first chapter, I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the subtext that teased out the relationship between Lucian, his twin sister Catarina and Rachael, the lover he betrayed. They are all older characters who have faced severe and even physically debilitating hardships. What they face in the story is just as likely to lead to their deaths as to their redemption, and the reader is often uncertain of which the character truly wants. This sets Miserere apart from many of the other books in the fantasy genre that feature naive young protagonists setting out on glorious adventure with the promise of a happy and heroic ending.
Actually, there is a young protagonist here – a girl named Lindsay who is pulled through the Veil from Earth into Woerld. She is drawn to Lucian and the exiled knight must choose whether or not to keep his promise, or open the Gates of Hell to save her. Lucian’s dealings with her are touching and a little heartbreaking as, through Lindsay, you learn bits and pieces about his relationship with Catarina and the guilt he feels over her current sinister condition.
There is a lot of religious reference that could easily turn some readers off. I love religion, but due to my upbringing with an overbearing Christian mother, I have no interest in being preached at. Miserere does not shy away from the religious references, but it never proselytizes and there’s no whining over why God might be punishing a particular character. It’s quite clear that each character is responsible for their own predicament or that of others around them. They remain true to their faith and I really like that faith is the source of actual magic. I am curious as to how the same would work within the other religions – which is the other thing I like about this book. While you don’t get to spend much time with the other sects, they are there and they all *gasp* get along.
Something else that pleases me about Miserere is Frohock’s treatment of female characters. As in, there is no difference between the women and the men. They are each considered capable in their various roles, and Frohock did not feel the need to justify or even point this fact out. Men and women are simply equals.
Imagine that. A fantasy book that actually frees itself from the prejudices of our reality.
As I mentioned, I really like the book’s darkness. This is one of the few truly dark fantasy books I’ve read and it’s definitely something I want more of. I enjoy the rainbows and dragons and happy endings as much as the next reader, but sometimes, I want to read books that aren’t afraid to be just for adults.
Book Review: The Daedalus Incident by Michael J. Martinez
Posted on February 21, 2014 Leave a Comment
The Daedalus Incident by Michael J. Martinez (Night Shade Books)
Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publication Date: August 13, 2013
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Being a type A personality and stickler for organization, I employ the use of many different shelves to sort my books on Goodreads. Anyway, just to give you an idea of the kind of book we’re talking about here, these are just some of the ones I’ve tagged for The Daedalus Incident: Action-Adventure. Aliens. Alternate History. Fantasy. Magic. Science Fiction. Time Travel. Oh and I almost forgot, Pirates, too.
As you can see, this is a novel that mixes elements from many genres. We’re talking about some pretty wild stuff here, like 18th-century ships sailing between planets, or famous historical figures like Benjamin Franklin being one of the most skilled alchemists to ever come out of the American colonies. And that’s just in one timeline. Another story thread takes place in 2132 in a whole other universe, where the personnel team on a trillion-dollar mining operations taking place on Mars has been experiencing some strange things lately — things like a 300-year-old journal that is writing itself, or like a giant pyramid forming itself out of the desolate terrain.
What do these two disparate timelines have to do with each other, you ask? Now that’s the million dollar question of the day. The answer is a journey that will take you beyond the limits of time and space, introducing you great characters you’ll care about and fantastic new worlds to boot.
It did take a short period of adjustment, but once I got into the rhythm of jumping between the two different story lines, I started having a lot of fun. Admittedly, the 18th-century timeline was the one that held a greater appeal, featuring a world that was more interesting with its alchemical-powered ships, alien races living on different planets, and the explosive clashes against space pirates. In some ways, it read much like a high fantasy plot line done up in a different package, so you get things like planets instead of faraway kingdoms, alchemical artifacts instead of treasures troves, ancient alien forces instead of an evil demonic adversary, etc. No doubt my usual preference for the “historical” over the “futuristic” probably has something to do with it as well.
On the other hand, the 2132 Mars storyline started losing me around the halfway point — though to be fair, I’m thinking that it’s not the book. It’s me. Start throwing around terms like “non-ionized radiation” or “particle physics” and you might as well be spraying your book with a big dose of anti-Mogsy repellent. I can’t help it; my eyes seem predisposed to glaze over whenever they wander too close to hard sci-fi territory. I’m really more of a life sciences kind of person, whereas the more complex workings of the physical sciences tend to go over my head.
Nonetheless, I very much enjoyed the characters — in both timelines. I love the immersive quality of Lt. Thomas Weatherby’s voice, which sounds convincing coming from a man of his time period in the 1700s. There were a lot of memorable characters in that alternate universe, including Dr. Finch and Anne Baker. In the future Mars timeline, I liked following the central character of Lt. Shaila Jain, mostly because of all the different relationships she has to juggle while trying to keep things from falling apart at the mining base. And don’t even get me started on that critical moment when the characters from both worlds finally meet — oh come on, you had to have known that they would at some point! Anyway, it was definitely a scene worth waiting for, not to mention the full scope of the events that follow.
It’s true that this one had its ups and downs, depending on where I was in the story, but I have to say the overall premise is unquestionable unique. I would recommend this to fans of cross-genre fiction or anyone looking to check out a book that blends fantasy and science fiction in an innovative way.
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