Member Review

I have been looking for a new science-fiction author to read for some time now. Authors I enjoy are Peter F Hamilton, Stephen Baxter and pseudonymously James S A Corey (The Expanse series) - all giants of the genre, so quite something to live up to. As a result, I was delighted when I saw the synopsis of this book - it seemed to be exactly what I was after.

However (that's a horrible word to start a paragraph) despite the fact that the synopsis was great, the book (as much of it as I read) was well plotted and the idea is definitely one that lends itself to an enjoyable read, I am afraid that I was unable to finish it, due to the author's writing style, which is very much tell rather than show.

There is a lot of exposition at the start of the book. I understand that a whole lot of world building is needed in a science fiction novel, and the author has done a great job of creating a believable universe, I would just rather see it introduced gradually.

There are a lot of good points to this book and I can see it making a good film or TV series, but I just can't get past the author's style - that's a personal preference though. As a result, I gave a great deal of thought to my star rating - a great idea, just not realised in a style that I can enjoy and as such I can't justify anything more than three stars. I wish the author success and hope that he finds an appreciative readership.