Review: Character Driven Science Fiction is Rare
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 14, 2014
As a reader I enjoy character driven books the most of any type of book I read. You find character driven books in literary fiction a lot, but not as easily in genre fiction. Think of the deep and meandering stories of Anita Brookner, for instance, or of the Fitzgerald's Gatsby. In those types of novels the writer is painting a layered image where the characters seem to become real, and at times do surprising things, just as they would in real life. In other words, the verisimilitude of the character seems to take precedence over plot, and as a reader, one can almost forget that the characters are fictional and not real people making both good and bad decisions. The characters show strength and often weaknesses.In genre fiction, especially scifi, it seems to me that character driven stories are rare, and that plot driven stories seem to be what is out there. That is why it was so gratifying to find the work of Sara King. Sara has not only built a detailed universe, but populated her stories with characters that feel real and alive. Sara's LEGEND OF ZERO series is character driven fiction at its best, and that is what makes it so appealing and engaging. If you have enjoyed her previous Zero books, or like character driven stories where unexpected things happen, then you will likely enjoy Sara's writing.I really enjoyed Zero's Return, and have become a huge fan of Sara King. I recommend Sara's writing without reservation.