Review: Another Installment of this Rollicking Space Saga
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 17, 2014
Like all solid science fiction writing, Hoornaert manages to tie in an unmissable amount of social commentary in his writing, which I particularly enjoy. Despite the far-flung and seemingly "out of this world" setting and plot, the Shons, with their herd mentality and their inability to think for themselves is quite obviously a nod to global culture, and Tompa Lee stands out as the hero who inspires some to break away from this narrow-minded way of thinking. Science fiction shouldn't just be about outlandish adventures in space and ray guns; it should also tell us something about our own society and reveal truths that we may regularly hide from. Great science fiction authors make hard truths more palatable, like giving us our medicine in a spoonful of applesauce. I noticed that Hoornaert attempted to make some statements about society in the first Tompa Lee novel, but the underlying messages and blatant literary communiques were more obvious in this second story, without being heavy-handed.That being said, even if that all went right over your head and you read this completely at face value, it's still a heck of an interesting plot and is worthy of praise on that point alone. There were some missteps and a few difficult sections that could use the stiff red pen of a copy editor, but generally, Hoornaert hits the nail on the proverbial head. I particularly liked the indecisive, human nature of Tompa Lee, who was unsure of what her role in this unfolding saga was really meant to me. The internal monologue was beautifully written and you really got a sense of who she was. To be able to so engagingly place the reader in that perspective is no easy task, and Hoornaert seems to do it effortlessly. The romantic surges of the plot were entertaining, if a bit distracting, but there was plenty of other action and uncertain plot developments to keep you tearing through pages to the very end. I'm very much looking forward to reading book #3 as soon as I get my hands on it. Really Good Stuff!