Review: A Fantasy/Sci Fi Hybrid Novel
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 17, 2013
Trey Copeland has created an ambitious novel, which is the beginning of a trilogy. He thinks big, and is daring in creating this first novel with a double genre structure – half of it is high fantasy, the other half science fiction. The two halves follow the stories of characters on two different worlds, and are interlaced chapter by chapter throughout the book. Although separate stories now, they do connect thematically, and, I suspect may connect more tangibly in the future novels of the trilogy.The high fantasy world is set on a planet known as the Provider, and is a primal, green world with a primitive society continuously threatened by human eating monsters.  The language of the fantasy writing is lyrical, but I found myself a little shut out by the symbolic names, titles, and usage.  The sci fi world I found really interesting, as a man fights religious based tyranny, and I could connect with the world through the writing a little more easily.All in all, I think the fantasy world will really appeal to fantasy readers, and the sci fi to sci fi readers, but as a hybrid novel, although ambitious, it might frustrate both audiences. I admire Copeland’s ambitions, however, the first novel in a group often feels like exposition to build the foundation (like many first novels in trilogies!)and I think it may all come together very satisfyingly in the future novels – I’m looking forward to seeing where Copeland goes.