I also do love how this book opens: giving a sense of scale and lore in very concise world building exposition.
A few pages in and we have derelicts, ancient wars, spooky stuff and a Flying Dutchman of Sorts:
Very nicely done. All with a sci fi veneer. Yeah buddy. Plus you kinda have a Mulder and Scully dynamic with some of these characters. The True Believer and Skeptic. But like I was saying in one of my other entries: Give readers little mysteries in each chapter. That will keep them reading.
Kinda like what the Sphere did: Derelict Ship with Mysteries. This book does things differently but the idea is the same. The plot is very active and so are the protags. They go out and seek the mysteries.
Chapter 2: Lifeforms
To me, this is very tight prose: You get the sense of the strange in a few sentences
Da plot thickens. Yes. Good.
In fact: this book gets as much important plot out that took the Expanse to do in one entire novel. Words matter. And there's multiple threads already running. In just 2 chapters. Nice.
Following the Road even Further.
Chapter 3: Plans with Plans
Yes, some of these boys know how to use their Liberty Devices (aka Guns.)
We have more plot bunnies hopping off to create havoc. You get the sense that this universe is well lived in. IE: Stuff is going on besides our protags poking the Plot. Plus we get to know the cast a bit more outside of the mysteries swirling around them.
It's a nice pitstop before more shenanigans begins.
You get some personalized family elements too. :D
Chapter 4: Objects in Motion.
Plus, again, in just a few pages Mr. David has pretty much made a well built universe. All the while the characters are just talking for a moment about their govts and situations. BUT ITS NOT PREACHY! Its the idea of having some politics serve the setting.
Plus since this type of setting is well known to me: He doesn't have to go into exhaustive detail about how everything works. He lets the reader put it together without much worry. That way we have more time to concentrate on all the little mysteries falling into the narrative.
I love Evvie's comment about freezer food:
So far:
- Interesting Protagonists
- Interesting Lore/Events
- Jokes I find appropriately timed
- Characters that are unknowns
- Different factions with different goals but overall, this reader wonders what's gonna happen next.
Yes, this crew has their quirks. But when you describe clothing in such a way....plot bunny senses tingling.
Yes, goooood. It made me look into symbolism of said triangles. That's how you know you gots a reader invested.
But no wonder she's not scared of mundane things. Just dang. Yup. Here it is: The bit of Cthulhu factor. Even more so. Swing away!
Yes, certain passages in books make me think of other things. That's good. It gets me more into a book. The freak factor of the unknowable.
The way she describes her dream reminds me of Sheridan having his out of body experience moment.
All I know I wouldn't want to dream about that damned thing either. Swing away Evvie. Jesus. This chapter really highlights how this certain plot element spirals out of her and feeds her fear/despiration. Is it real? Fake? Why her? Honestly, there's more then enough drama with trying to figure out the Evvie angle and how that will effect the crew.
As a reader I love to spot what I call "localized threads" vs "overworld threads." Some can be there to tantalize and if needed: expanded on.
Its up to the writer to see which way things will go but damn if its not fun to find out.
Next:
- Part 2: (Link PH)
- Part 3: (Link PH)
- Part 4: (Link PH)
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