Review: Flawed Potential
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 07 20, 2014
I really hoped I was going to like this one. I love science fiction and there are many interesting things about the world the authors have created. So what was my problem?I was TOLD about the world, not SHOWN. Each chapter is from the point of view of a different character, wherein most of the world of the Beam was told to me by way of interior monologue, and to the point where it felt unnatural much of the time. People don't always reflect about every detail about their profession or state of the world, and I felt this was the main problem with this book.If it had been edited better and the world revealed through more action and less exposition, it would have been much more compelling. Now, I'm not opposed to interior monologue or exposition, it's just something that needs to be handled strategically. At times I felt like I was sitting down with a cast of characters and they were telling me why they were doing things rather than just doing them and the effects of those actions becoming apparent as the story went on. Exposition is fine as long as it comes up in short beats and feels natural. I want to experience a novel, not have it read like a series of interviews and history lessons.I don't want this review to sound completely harsh because there is good stuff here. The world is interesting as are the characters and I wish I could get past the writing style and delve into the entire series. But I'll probably have to stop here. The sample was long enough and consistent enough for me to assume the writing style won't be changing. Some people aren't bothered by heavy exposition as is illustrated in the many positive reviews so if that style of writing doesn't feel jarring to you, then I encourage you to pick up the rest of the series.