Review: A Wonderfully Built World
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 11, 2014
My title says it all, primarily because that is the first thing I analyze and critique in any fantasy or science fiction novel. The ability to spin something believable enough that we engage but wild enough that our imaginations can run wild is a brilliant skill that Hoornaert has in spades. I think the context and the background story of Earth, intergalactic travel, the Space Navy, etc. was all done in a way that we immediately accepted it as readers. This could be our future in a hundred years or so. The characters provided an intriguing layer on top of the believable and deeply fleshed out world, which many science fiction authors fail to realize. Having strong personalities is as important as having strong mythology and context.I could see Hoornaert's earlier style of romance cropping through in some areas, which was fitting and far from distracting. It gave personality and believability to Dante and Tompa's story and increasingly complex relationship as the story progresses. Awmit was a funny and touching foil that was the sort of character you always wanted back on the page as soon as he left. Overall, I think the balance of action, philosophy, character interaction, and technical world-crafting details was ideal and I read this in only a few short sittings. I tore through it, because good writing is always difficult to put down, even when you are tempted to savor a truly enjoyable story. Nicely done, Hoornaert, I am looking forward to the next one!