My rating: 3.3 out of 5
This is the first work of Howey's that I've read so far and is the combination of five previously serialized novellas. The storyline centres around a lonely and tormented chap who mans a remote NASA interstellar beacon station (essentially a lighthouse operator in outer space) which warns passing vessels of a vast asteroid field nearby. There's a lot of traffic moving about the galaxy at faster-than-light speeds in this far-future setting, human and alien, as well as a vast galactic war going on, so these beacons are highly necessary pieces of equipment.
Heavily character-driven, the simple and bare setting of the beacons brings the characters into sharp relief, and we get a really good look inside the main character's head. A combat veteran of the previously mentioned galactic war, this guy (whose name I don't recall learning) carried with him his fair share of demons and there are many tumultuous thoughts swirling around inside his head. Combine with this a number of unfortunate events to do with his beacon and life is not particularly plain-sailing for him. We're right there with him as he experiences a number of what appear to be psychotic episodes, but as the story progresses you get the sense that he may be a little more than he initially seems to be.
The story moves along well, and the plot is okay and kept me interested enough to keep going without effort. Howey's writing style is great and he uses some good gritty language and dialogue which I always enjoy. I'm naturally assuming that his other series (Wool and Shift, etc.) are similarly good given their popularity. However, I wasn't as entertained by this one as I like and hoped to be. That's not to say that it isn't a good book, it's just that I found myself early on wanting to move out of the main character's mind and into a bigger and more encompassing story. Maybe that's coming? Perhaps Howey has further plans for this setting, and this would most definitely be a good thing.
Overall I think it's an average read, and probably enough to get me to explore some of the author's other works. Give it a crack if you have some spare space in your reading schedule because it is easy going and well written enough to earn a look. I just wanted a little more.
3/5 for concept
4/5 for delivery
3/5 for entertainment
= 3.3 out of 5
Buy the ebook HERE (Amazon)
Buy the paper book HERE (Book Depository)
