Review: Resistance: not so futile
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 31, 2012
Resistance (formerly titled Absorption) by David F Weisman is not standard sci-fi action fare. Those expecting interstellar dog fights or battles full of space marines should look elsewhere.  Resistance is more of a political thriller / social statement set in the far distant future. How far? That's a good question. It's never actually stated in the book, but we're led to believe it's several thousand years.Resistance is the story of Major Brett Johnson and his efforts to investigate the technology of a distant planet; technology that allows the inhabitants to essentially create a collective intelligence. Others are fearful of this ability and paranoid that all touched by it have been compromised. As a result, the opposing forces are preparing for war. Johnson must determine whether this technology is truly a threat or if the accusations are baseless. If the latter, the fate of millions of innocent lives hangs in the balance.Weisman's story is complex and intriguing.  The sections involving the main character's investigation into the hive mind itself are particularly compelling.  Further bolstering this are a very strong beginning and ending.That being said, the middle section of the story does tend to get bogged down. Some issues:- The story is told in 3rd person, but mostly from Johnson's POV.  Occasionally, and briefly, the POV will shift to another character, which can be off putting since it tends to happen at odd intervals.- Plot points and characters tend to pop up with little or no explanation. Johnson seems aware of these happenings, but many times it isn't properly explained to us. A good example of this is an alien species (in what til that point appears to be an entirely human galactic culture) that shows up in the middle of the book, gets mentioned for a few pages, then disappears never to be mentioned again.- Weak supporting characters. Some of the military are textbook stereotypes. Worse, some of the supporting characters planet-side are downright dull.As mentioned above, though, the second act is saved by a particularly strong third act which serves to pull everything together nicely.All in all an interesting take on what could have just been a Star Trek Borg story set in a different universe.I received a complimentary copy of Resistance in exchange for an honest review.