Review: An Awesome Addition to the New Lens of Time Series
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 9, 2012
Fun and engaging, with loads of suspense, the book is a rush from start to finish. New civilizations are found, new relationships made, and new tactics and technologies are developed. For being as short as it is, there's a lot in it. There's not as much full blown space combat as there is in the author's other series, but events are definitely moving in that direction and hopefully the next book will have some epic battles. I particularly like the choice to make the surrounding factions deal with each other in a big free for all, adding a new dimension to how Earth is able to navigate the various dangers presented and negotiate terms with a combination of 'big stick' tactics and misdirection.There were a few things I didn't like. For one, Chris isn't really the 'main character' anymore. The story follows a dozen or so different PoVs. Also, there's no culminating battle; it's all build up and preparation (lots of suspense), and then cuts off right before the action starts (no release). Finally, we find out that the human race isn't as unique as originally believed and it kind of screws with the idea of the human spirit and makes us less 'special'. However, these are really personal dislikes and don't detract from the overall quality of the book. I did like that the author chose to go back to the big 100+ crew-sized vessels that he seems to have done away with in his other series.