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A review by vimes_48
Archangel One by Evan Currie
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
This effort hints at some interesting notions, particularly around panspermia and Lovelock’s Gaia Hypothesis. Unfortunately it makes no effort to do more than hint that these might be explored if we read the inevitable sequels. No thanks.
What we are left with is a tale of fighter jocks (from some indeterminate period where F-22 Raptor airframes are still available in boneyards, but Earth is now space-faring on an interstellar scale) playing at space privateering - Firefly but with none of the wit or charm.
Perhaps if I had read the previous seven (as of 2019) books in the Odyssey One series I would have more investment in the recurring characters, but on its own, Archangel One fails to give enough meaningful backstory, whilst throwing around too many assumed-knowledge acronyms. Not that I am a fan of books in a series rehashing or explaining the events of previous books - but as this is book one in a *new* series, some effort could go into explaining who the Block and other adversaries are.
The writing is also remarkably tepid - far too many uses of the word “said” and almost feels like a rejected film script which has been rehashed into a book. It does not encourage me to go back and explore the Odyssey One series.
What we are left with is a tale of fighter jocks (from some indeterminate period where F-22 Raptor airframes are still available in boneyards, but Earth is now space-faring on an interstellar scale) playing at space privateering - Firefly but with none of the wit or charm.
Perhaps if I had read the previous seven (as of 2019) books in the Odyssey One series I would have more investment in the recurring characters, but on its own, Archangel One fails to give enough meaningful backstory, whilst throwing around too many assumed-knowledge acronyms. Not that I am a fan of books in a series rehashing or explaining the events of previous books - but as this is book one in a *new* series, some effort could go into explaining who the Block and other adversaries are.
The writing is also remarkably tepid - far too many uses of the word “said” and almost feels like a rejected film script which has been rehashed into a book. It does not encourage me to go back and explore the Odyssey One series.