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A review by mangocult
Salvation Day by Kali Wallace
3.0
This was a strange and interesting read. Space horror - especially space horror featuring an infectious agent or supernatural adversary - works so well for me because it creates additional artificial confines not only of literal occupiable (or fleeable) space, but of necessary life-sustaining resources like food, water, atmosphere, warmth, and sanity. I had high hopes going into this one, but something about the threat itself didn't quite settle with me. I tend not to have much love for ex post facto prequels, but in this case, I think a good #0.5 to posthumously set the stage would do a world of good for both my curiosity and my overall feelings about Salvation Day.
The most interesting pieces of this story - the unhinged cult leader, the infectious threat and its origins, the discoveries that preceded and ultimately led to the launching of the Mournful Evening Song probe - seem to be the pieces that call for the most but are given the least amount of backstory or deeper exposition.
Though the book wasn't overall a huge hit for me, I do have to admit that the ethical dilemma faced by Jas & co. makes for an intriguing and truly thought-provoking ending.
The most interesting pieces of this story - the unhinged cult leader, the infectious threat and its origins, the discoveries that preceded and ultimately led to the launching of the Mournful Evening Song probe - seem to be the pieces that call for the most but are given the least amount of backstory or deeper exposition.
Though the book wasn't overall a huge hit for me, I do have to admit that the ethical dilemma faced by Jas & co. makes for an intriguing and truly thought-provoking ending.