Review: Entertaining Read!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 1, 2013
Think Adam and Eve as they wake up out of their starship and find their new surroundings a lot less comfortable than Eden. A LOT less comfortable. In fact, for teenagers Josh and Leah, the last two humans alive, their mission of keeping the human race alive on a new planet is so much harder than just dealing with teenage hormones; they've got to deal with dwindling supplies, a harsh environment, and you know the peaceful world that they're supposed to land on and happily rebuild society? Well, it would help if there wasn't already an intelligent species there trying to kill them.A Cold Black Wave has action and adventure, descriptive science, and vivid scenes. I was definitely doing some fast kindle page swiping towards the latter half of the book. I felt like there were two parts to this book. The first part-most of the first half-was okay. I liked the descriptions and how the science was spelled out, particularly when the free-floating shuttle scene. I wasn't too fond of the characters; Josh seemed like a jerk and Leah was very `meh.' The second part-a little before midway-was much better. We get to learn more about Josh and Leah, and the characterization was much better once we got to Leah's viewpoint as she sees the new world.The book is exciting, particularly the battle scenes. I can easily see this on the big screen as a summer movie as the two love interests overcome their early dislike as they fight to survive. What I didn't like was the religious undertone throughout the book; I almost stopped reading at the start because of it. It's not that I dislike religious aspects-I've been in an angel novel kick lately-but this one caught me off guard since I wasn't expecting it-or the fact that there's more discussion of faith than IN the novels starring angels that I just finished reading. It's kinda like Battlestar Gallactica in the later seasons where it got religious. Good story, but a definite uncomfortable `huh?' moment. Just putting that out there so no one else gets surprised by that.The other two things I didn't like: the sudden ending and the need for another editing run. Luckily, there's a book two coming out since I would very loosely call this standalone-too many unanswered questions and fates left unknown. As for the editing, there were a significant number of errors and awkward phrases (yep, pot calling kettle black, eh?) that took me out of the story, but they're few enough that I bet one more editing pass should get them.Overall, it was an enjoyable story, particularly the latter half where the characterization picks up and the characters become more likable. I'm giving it a 4 out of 5.(Originally posted on my blog; I received a copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)