Sunday, January 15, 2017

Injustice Book Review: Earthsong: Overture by Mark Wandrey

Cower not, fierce reader! Today we have a story of the eschaton. Steel yourselves for romance, adventure, action, and exploration should you undertake the reading of this book. Not for the faint of heart, let us proceed to the charges!

First, in many ways this book has a lot of old pulp elements. Not in characters, but the story's overall feel in conflict, subterfuge, and wonder. The stylings are more modern, which is no inherent flaw. My only stylist complaint is in fact the frequent perspective hopping without warning. It does fill the story well, and create a more complete picture, but the feel is occasionally jarring.

Second, this tale has some police officers as good guys. This is clearly a crime against the narrative, as the media would generally have us believe that they are a heartless, valueless enemy. The police contained here are complex, with histories that are hinted at, and of differing moral fiber and courage. In other words, they are human.

Apologies for the spoiler, but this is also a true eschaton, not a world changing event. There is a limited escape, and that is the great mover of this story. Corruption conspiracy abound over this, on all sides. Our protagonists even must engage in similar actions, as they see the foolishness of the actions of authority.

There's a great kitchen sinkful of ideas thrown together here to create something startling and enthralling. If you like the old pulps, I highly suggest trying it out. If you aren't, the writing isn't cranked out, it's very well crafted, and the characters are all individuals, and all have their own voices. Now, excuse me, I have other books to read, and the sequel to buy. 8 of 10 fell deeds

When you play Social Justice, the world loses.

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