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The Recollection
When his brother disappears into a bizarre gateway on a London Underground escalator, failed artist Ed Rico and his brother's wife Alice have to put aside their feelings for each other to go and find him. Their quest through the 'arches' will send them hurtling through time, to new and terrifying alien worlds.
Four hundred years in the future, Katherine Abdulov must travel to a remote planet in order to regain the trust of her influential family. The only person standing in her way is her former lover, Victor Luciano, the ruthless employee of a rival trading firm.
Hard choices lie ahead as lives and centuries clash and, in the unforgiving depths of space, an ancient evil stirs...
Gareth L. Powell's epic new science-fiction novel delivers a story of galaxy-spanning scope by a writer of astounding vision.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2011
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April 30, 2021
6/10 stars
My full review can be found on my blog here.
The Recollection is a standalone SF novel, or, more precisely, a space opera, covering several hundred years and a bunch of dramatic conflicts, from very old and lethal to very new and quite intimate. It’s the second novel by Gareth L. Powell, so don’t be misled by the publishing date – the 2021 is a 10th anniversary edition. As a sophomore effort, it’s not bad: full of interesting, well-explored ideas, but bogged down by choppy execution, less than three-dimensional characters, and a very rushed ending.
We start with two timelines: now (more or less the now from 10 years ago, with war in Somalia and not that great British economy [actually, when you think about it, neither changed much in the last decade…]) and 400 years in the future. The protagonists of the contemporary timeline are Ed and Alice, and any description of the pair will inevitably sound like soap opera. Sigh. Let’s try this, nonetheless. Ed and Alice had been lovers, but their ties go deeper: Alice’s husband is Ed’s brother Verne (you see?) who having learned about Ed’s and Alice affair escapes in anger to another dimension. Because, coincidentally, while Verne was learning about his brother’s and wife’s betrayal, weird interdimensional arches started to pop up all over the Earth. Verne is one of the first to go through, somewhat willingly, but Ed’s and Alice’s shared guilt makes them unable to let him go. They chase after him, using a different arch – and only after they get through, they learn that it’s actually not that simple. Duh.
The future timeline introduces Katherine Abdulov, a starship captain caught between the rock and the hard place and willing to risk a lot to get back on top of things. Some soap-operatic past decisions haunt her still, and getting back to the stars and her ship, and back in the good graces of her family, are her top priorities. She gets her chance pretty quickly, and with the added benefit of an opportunity to get revenge on her former lover Victor, Kat doesn’t think twice before she makes the decision. After all, racing to a remote desert planet to bid on a one-in-a-hundred years crop of spice sounds like a great fun! What can go wrong? Fortunately for her, her ship Ammeline seems much more level-headed.
These two timelines ultimately merge into one, resolving the conflicts big and small on a suitably big scale, but the ending remains the weakest part of the novel, rushing through the events with robotic exactness and not much feeling involved in ticking all the requisite boxes – in stark contrast with the beginning parts, where it was all about emotions and psychological motivations and an enjoyable bit of oddity in crafting unusual SF protagonists. Not sure what happened there at the end – was the author asked to cut the novel back a bit? Or had he simply run out of time? Either way, the initial promise and especially the more fleshed-out middle parts are much better than the finale.
[...]
If The Recollection were given a more breathing space, allowing the author to explore the ideas touched upon in it a bit more, it could have been an intriguing contemplation of randomness vs purposefulness of the universe and humanity, of guilt and anger as factors driving many human decisions into surprising resolutions. I’d really like to read that book. There are tantalizing kernels of drama and thoughtfulness in the current version – but that’s all they are. The Recollection as it is now remains just an entertaining, undemanding read – an example of an author finding his writing legs, and ultimately a well-measured dose of light SF that doesn’t entail reading lengthy series or doorstoppers, but manages to create some interesting imagery and rehash some old tropes in an enjoyable, unostentatious way.
I have received a copy of this book from the publisher Tor/Forge through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks.
My full review can be found on my blog here.
The Recollection is a standalone SF novel, or, more precisely, a space opera, covering several hundred years and a bunch of dramatic conflicts, from very old and lethal to very new and quite intimate. It’s the second novel by Gareth L. Powell, so don’t be misled by the publishing date – the 2021 is a 10th anniversary edition. As a sophomore effort, it’s not bad: full of interesting, well-explored ideas, but bogged down by choppy execution, less than three-dimensional characters, and a very rushed ending.
We start with two timelines: now (more or less the now from 10 years ago, with war in Somalia and not that great British economy [actually, when you think about it, neither changed much in the last decade…]) and 400 years in the future. The protagonists of the contemporary timeline are Ed and Alice, and any description of the pair will inevitably sound like soap opera. Sigh. Let’s try this, nonetheless. Ed and Alice had been lovers, but their ties go deeper: Alice’s husband is Ed’s brother Verne (you see?) who having learned about Ed’s and Alice affair escapes in anger to another dimension. Because, coincidentally, while Verne was learning about his brother’s and wife’s betrayal, weird interdimensional arches started to pop up all over the Earth. Verne is one of the first to go through, somewhat willingly, but Ed’s and Alice’s shared guilt makes them unable to let him go. They chase after him, using a different arch – and only after they get through, they learn that it’s actually not that simple. Duh.
The future timeline introduces Katherine Abdulov, a starship captain caught between the rock and the hard place and willing to risk a lot to get back on top of things. Some soap-operatic past decisions haunt her still, and getting back to the stars and her ship, and back in the good graces of her family, are her top priorities. She gets her chance pretty quickly, and with the added benefit of an opportunity to get revenge on her former lover Victor, Kat doesn’t think twice before she makes the decision. After all, racing to a remote desert planet to bid on a one-in-a-hundred years crop of spice sounds like a great fun! What can go wrong? Fortunately for her, her ship Ammeline seems much more level-headed.
These two timelines ultimately merge into one, resolving the conflicts big and small on a suitably big scale, but the ending remains the weakest part of the novel, rushing through the events with robotic exactness and not much feeling involved in ticking all the requisite boxes – in stark contrast with the beginning parts, where it was all about emotions and psychological motivations and an enjoyable bit of oddity in crafting unusual SF protagonists. Not sure what happened there at the end – was the author asked to cut the novel back a bit? Or had he simply run out of time? Either way, the initial promise and especially the more fleshed-out middle parts are much better than the finale.
[...]
If The Recollection were given a more breathing space, allowing the author to explore the ideas touched upon in it a bit more, it could have been an intriguing contemplation of randomness vs purposefulness of the universe and humanity, of guilt and anger as factors driving many human decisions into surprising resolutions. I’d really like to read that book. There are tantalizing kernels of drama and thoughtfulness in the current version – but that’s all they are. The Recollection as it is now remains just an entertaining, undemanding read – an example of an author finding his writing legs, and ultimately a well-measured dose of light SF that doesn’t entail reading lengthy series or doorstoppers, but manages to create some interesting imagery and rehash some old tropes in an enjoyable, unostentatious way.
I have received a copy of this book from the publisher Tor/Forge through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks.
October 17, 2021
Meh... there were some really interesting scifi concepts within this book. The idea posited on how faster than light travel would affect both those traveling as well as those left behind was really fabulous. Unfortunately its investigations within the pages of the story was minimal. The tech used by an unnamed alien race was also fascinating, but only utilized to narrowly suit the purpose of a simple storyline. There were other parts of the story which I'm not sure why they were included as they didn't add much to the story itself and left unanswered questions in the readers mind. I'm not sure if the editor got a hold of this one and cut it to death, or whether Mr. Powell was in a hurry to get something published. The Recollection is not an example of his greatest work. He could have done much better.
September 10, 2011
I finally manged to see and fast read The Recollection (C) and it was not what I expected from the sample and from what short stories i read from the author.
Hard to put the finger on what/why but for me it came down to the author style which simply did not connect.
I turned the pages just in case there was a place that hooked me and got my interest, but I never really found it, so I kept turning pages and scanning them more from a "sense of duty" to dot the i's and cross the t's rather than from interest or entertainment value.
Sfnally the book is ok - nothing really new or mind blowing but decent stuff overall, nothing to roll the yes either - but the book just lacked the added zing that makes a reading exciting and memorable...
Hard to put the finger on what/why but for me it came down to the author style which simply did not connect.
I turned the pages just in case there was a place that hooked me and got my interest, but I never really found it, so I kept turning pages and scanning them more from a "sense of duty" to dot the i's and cross the t's rather than from interest or entertainment value.
Sfnally the book is ok - nothing really new or mind blowing but decent stuff overall, nothing to roll the yes either - but the book just lacked the added zing that makes a reading exciting and memorable...
April 23, 2021
3.5 stars.
A number of interesting ideas are at work in this reissue of Garett L. Powell’s first novel. It’s a space opera that begins with the mundane and disappointing life of Ed Rico, artist, taxi driver, and screw-up. His older brother Verne rescues him from a bad situation, discovers Ed and Alice, Verne’s wife, are having an affair, and almost immediately Verne disappears into a bizarre structure that has just appeared at a tube station.
Turns out, this and others of these structures, which are appearing on earth, are portals to other planets.
When a new one appears months later, Ed and Alice, both feeling guilty about hurting Verne, leave through the portal in search of Verne.
We also meet very down on her luck Katherine “Kat” Aldunov, looking for work at a space port, and getting beat up by her former lover’s henchmen. In an unexpected chance, Kat gets a chance to rejoin her wealthy family’s shipping company as a full-fledged captain because her father wants to edge out Kay’s former lover in a business deal.
And there are aliens warning of an oncoming, implacable danger.
So, those are the story threads in this mostly engaging novel. I found the worldbuilding a little klunky at times, and sometimes felt that the character moments were a little awkward, but the pacing is pretty good, and the danger is imminent and terrifying. This does feel, for all of its individual interesting story parts, not as easily flowing a book as Powell's more recent books in his "Embers of War" series. But it's definitely worth a read as a fairly interesting space opera.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for a review.
A number of interesting ideas are at work in this reissue of Garett L. Powell’s first novel. It’s a space opera that begins with the mundane and disappointing life of Ed Rico, artist, taxi driver, and screw-up. His older brother Verne rescues him from a bad situation, discovers Ed and Alice, Verne’s wife, are having an affair, and almost immediately Verne disappears into a bizarre structure that has just appeared at a tube station.
Turns out, this and others of these structures, which are appearing on earth, are portals to other planets.
When a new one appears months later, Ed and Alice, both feeling guilty about hurting Verne, leave through the portal in search of Verne.
We also meet very down on her luck Katherine “Kat” Aldunov, looking for work at a space port, and getting beat up by her former lover’s henchmen. In an unexpected chance, Kat gets a chance to rejoin her wealthy family’s shipping company as a full-fledged captain because her father wants to edge out Kay’s former lover in a business deal.
And there are aliens warning of an oncoming, implacable danger.
So, those are the story threads in this mostly engaging novel. I found the worldbuilding a little klunky at times, and sometimes felt that the character moments were a little awkward, but the pacing is pretty good, and the danger is imminent and terrifying. This does feel, for all of its individual interesting story parts, not as easily flowing a book as Powell's more recent books in his "Embers of War" series. But it's definitely worth a read as a fairly interesting space opera.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for a review.
August 11, 2016
I didn't particularly like the ending , but overall it was an easy, entertaining read.
March 7, 2017
I have to break this down into different aspects, and rate each one of them, in order to see my fianl rating, because the elements here are diverse both in content, and in quality. So.....
Future story - ****
Present story - ***
Future characters - ***
Present characters - **
Aliens - *****
Tech - ***
Threat - ***
Plot - **
It's a frustrating book. Some excellent parts, but let down by a couple of weak and forgettable characters, and some unlikely and unsatisfying actions and results coming from them.
The ending felt drained of the emotional content of the rest, and all a bit folded up neatly and put away.
So, 25 out of 40 - 3 stars....
Future story - ****
Present story - ***
Future characters - ***
Present characters - **
Aliens - *****
Tech - ***
Threat - ***
Plot - **
It's a frustrating book. Some excellent parts, but let down by a couple of weak and forgettable characters, and some unlikely and unsatisfying actions and results coming from them.
The ending felt drained of the emotional content of the rest, and all a bit folded up neatly and put away.
So, 25 out of 40 - 3 stars....
August 10, 2019
A surprisingly good read
Although it took a little while to get into it with the short chapters flitting between characters, I did find the story of a network of alien tunnels enabling travel through time and space to escape the powers of the evil Recollection force captivating. These are human stories too. The book hasn't aged well, in the present they talk about mobile phones implanted in your arm but still use digital cameras. There are sections where the prose doesn't flow and it is hard to understand. Overall though a surprisingly good read.
Although it took a little while to get into it with the short chapters flitting between characters, I did find the story of a network of alien tunnels enabling travel through time and space to escape the powers of the evil Recollection force captivating. These are human stories too. The book hasn't aged well, in the present they talk about mobile phones implanted in your arm but still use digital cameras. There are sections where the prose doesn't flow and it is hard to understand. Overall though a surprisingly good read.
April 6, 2021
The Recollection by Gareth Powell- High octane Space Opera that is both exciting and enjoyable. First story line: All around modern day Earth great hulking structures appear as gates to another time, place, planet, star system. Once you go through, it's too late to turn back. Second story line: future humans have spread themselves across these star systems and are now faced by a menace that threatens to destroy all life on these worlds. The intertwining story lines are packed with action and purpose. Yes, sometimes things just work out that probably shouldn't, but if you go along with it, it's fun! I really recommend this adventure.
November 23, 2023
Near perfect
Gareth Powell is a master of pace. He hooks you into the plot and takes you on a wild ride. I really like that this one starts on contemporary Earth before setting off on an interstellar romp through futurity. The characterisation is slim but effective with a strong focus on interpersonal relationships, the way I like it, and the ideas are based on sound science. It's a tad gung ho for me, so is rather 4.5 stars, as I like a bit more humour and a lot more philosophical reflection. But hey, that's just me. Recommended for lovers of high-action sf who don't mind a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.
Gareth Powell is a master of pace. He hooks you into the plot and takes you on a wild ride. I really like that this one starts on contemporary Earth before setting off on an interstellar romp through futurity. The characterisation is slim but effective with a strong focus on interpersonal relationships, the way I like it, and the ideas are based on sound science. It's a tad gung ho for me, so is rather 4.5 stars, as I like a bit more humour and a lot more philosophical reflection. But hey, that's just me. Recommended for lovers of high-action sf who don't mind a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.
April 19, 2021
Unfortunately I didn't enjoy this as much as I wanted to.
I found the characters too flat for my liking and I wasn't a fan of the dual time line.
The ideas about the bubbles, portals and aliens we're great, but the writing didn't hold my attention and I had to force myself to finish reading it.
However I believe that other readers who like The Expanse or similar, might enjoy reading The Recollection.
Thanks Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found the characters too flat for my liking and I wasn't a fan of the dual time line.
The ideas about the bubbles, portals and aliens we're great, but the writing didn't hold my attention and I had to force myself to finish reading it.
However I believe that other readers who like The Expanse or similar, might enjoy reading The Recollection.
Thanks Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 25, 2021
This was a interesting book that had two story lines that met at the end of the book. Aliens, gateways, and spaceships. Nanotechnology as well to add to the story.
March 19, 2021
This book was a really good time. I know this is the anniversary edition, but I had never read Powell before, and even now, this book feels fresh. It isn't what I would call 'hard' science fiction, but the action is entertaining and accessible. The plot is initially presented in a way in what at first feels like 2 separate storylines, that later merge into one. The characterization makes the reader care about the outcomes, and the antagonist is suitably powerful to make the reader feel that the stakes involved are large.
To me, the writing feels a bit like Scalzi and Wendig, though with less comic relief, as well as Peter Hamilton, who has a series with an antagonist similar to the one in this story. I think fans of both mass and hard sci-fi should give this book a shot, as this author has a catalog that will be a lot of fun to explore. This will be a great entry point into that.
To me, the writing feels a bit like Scalzi and Wendig, though with less comic relief, as well as Peter Hamilton, who has a series with an antagonist similar to the one in this story. I think fans of both mass and hard sci-fi should give this book a shot, as this author has a catalog that will be a lot of fun to explore. This will be a great entry point into that.
March 4, 2012
“Rising star” is a phrase which I seem to use all too often, but when I say it in relation to Gareth L. Powell it seems entirely appropriate. Here is a man who I started reading in genre magazines of great repute, such as Interzone, a few years back. His short stories demonstrated a profound understanding of science-fiction’s place in the world. His debut novel Silversands was excellent, and the follow-up was sensational.
The Recollection is Powell’s take on the space opera, and the scale of the story really should not be underestimated. Spanning the galaxy, and hundreds of years, it follows characters on various convergent plot threads, weaved into a beautifully complete story.
The story starts with the appearance out of nowhere of arches across Earth. When his brother is gobbled up by one, Ed Rico sets out, with his brother’s wife Alice, to follow and find the missing man. Meanwhile (or not, exactly) space captain Katherine Abdulov seeks redemption with her family and revenge upon a former lover, in a race across the galaxy into the arms of danger.
It’s a wondrously complex patchwork, with a great attention to detail and to the sub-genre’s rich history. To those who are widely read within it, the wealth of little nods here and there will stand out like little gemstones. For those without such experience, the attention to detail will do the same.
Particularly notable is Powell’s grasp of the consequences of relativity. Space travel across the cosmos is possible in the world of The Recollection, but a journey which is instantaneous from the the perspective of the traveller takes objectively as long as the same journey would at the speed of light. It not only throws up fascinating problems of timelines out of synch, but manages to knit the plot together across centuries.
The beauty here is that Powell has a good grasp of both the technical and the artistic side. I’m loathe to call this “hard” sci-fi, because it lacks the dryness which frequently marrs that genre. But it feels accurate, with a realistic atmosphere and entirely believable characters.
One thing that moved me in particular: the acknowledgement page makes a point of thanking the late Colin Harvey, whose death shortly before the novel’s launch was truly tragic. Given the credit which Powell himself has given to Harvey for his role in The Recollection‘s existence, I think it’s safe to say that Harvey would be proud of the finished product.
The Recollection is a thought provoking work, brimming with imagination. It has the vital undercurrent of “what if?” that is the lifebood of good science-fiction. And what if there was more sci-fi like The Recollection? Then the world could only be a better, more exciting place.
The Recollection is Powell’s take on the space opera, and the scale of the story really should not be underestimated. Spanning the galaxy, and hundreds of years, it follows characters on various convergent plot threads, weaved into a beautifully complete story.
The story starts with the appearance out of nowhere of arches across Earth. When his brother is gobbled up by one, Ed Rico sets out, with his brother’s wife Alice, to follow and find the missing man. Meanwhile (or not, exactly) space captain Katherine Abdulov seeks redemption with her family and revenge upon a former lover, in a race across the galaxy into the arms of danger.
It’s a wondrously complex patchwork, with a great attention to detail and to the sub-genre’s rich history. To those who are widely read within it, the wealth of little nods here and there will stand out like little gemstones. For those without such experience, the attention to detail will do the same.
Particularly notable is Powell’s grasp of the consequences of relativity. Space travel across the cosmos is possible in the world of The Recollection, but a journey which is instantaneous from the the perspective of the traveller takes objectively as long as the same journey would at the speed of light. It not only throws up fascinating problems of timelines out of synch, but manages to knit the plot together across centuries.
The beauty here is that Powell has a good grasp of both the technical and the artistic side. I’m loathe to call this “hard” sci-fi, because it lacks the dryness which frequently marrs that genre. But it feels accurate, with a realistic atmosphere and entirely believable characters.
One thing that moved me in particular: the acknowledgement page makes a point of thanking the late Colin Harvey, whose death shortly before the novel’s launch was truly tragic. Given the credit which Powell himself has given to Harvey for his role in The Recollection‘s existence, I think it’s safe to say that Harvey would be proud of the finished product.
The Recollection is a thought provoking work, brimming with imagination. It has the vital undercurrent of “what if?” that is the lifebood of good science-fiction. And what if there was more sci-fi like The Recollection? Then the world could only be a better, more exciting place.
November 23, 2011
Classic science fiction, reminiscent of the Golden Age.
October 23, 2013
Absolutely loved this book. I'm planning to write a more detailed review when I have more than a minute, suffice to say that it's one of the best I've read this year - pure escapist adventure.
August 3, 2013
I've given up on this one: The set-up is unconvincing and the characters too flat to be interesting.
May 28, 2021
I’ve been waffling about books since way back in 2010. In that time, there have been a fair number of novels I’ve wanted desperately to read but, being a one-man band, I just didn’t have the opportunity to fit them into my busy schedule. The Recollection by Gareth L Powell is one such example. When I spotted that a 10th-anniversary edition was forthcoming I realised I finally had the chance to atone for my most grievous omission and read the book.
Centuries from now, Katherine Abdulov is the black sheep of her family. A series of bad decisions have left her in the middle of nowhere attempting to re-ignite what is left of her career as a starship’s captain. Her only choice, increasingly risky jobs that offer large rewards if you manage to live long enough to collect them.
Meanwhile, in the present-day, mysterious gateways have started to appear all over the world. When Ed Rico’s brother, Verne, disappears through one immediately after a particularly heated argument, Ed realises he needs to make things right. The only way to do that is to take a leap into the unknown and follow his brother.
Chapters alternate between Katherine and Ed’s story, and as the plot reveals itself, you begin to see how their respective journeys are destined to converge.
What of the Recollection itself? Well, it is a malevolent entity driven to subsume us all. A race against time begins, humanity has to fight back or die. All this makes for a genuinely exciting read. Characters are forced to make difficult choices for the greater good. This may sound horrible, but I kind of like to see my protagonists suffer a bit. It can help flesh out and humanise a character. If done well, as in this case, it adds real depth to a story.
Tonally I think The Recollection feels like a stripped-down version of Peter F Hamilton’s Night’s Dawn series. I should stress that this is the highest of compliments. I rate The Reality Dysfunction et al as some of the best science fiction I have ever read. The only real difference is that Powell’s novel is a standalone work while Hamilton’s is space opera of truly brain-melting size. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of both approaches. They each have their place. Sometimes I’m looking for a book so large I can get utterly lost in it, while other times I prefer something a bit leaner.
A quick internet search reveals that not only has Gareth L Powell written a science fiction trilogy that I must read, but he has also co-authored a novel with one Peter F Hamilton called Light Chaser. Even better, it is due out in August of this year. Talk about cosmic synchronicity. Here I am waffling about two brilliant authors and then, within minutes of jotting down my thoughts, I discover they’ve collaborated on a book together. It’s almost as if the internet is listening to every idle thought in my head and acting upon it. How very terrifying and yet marvellous at the same time.
The more ancient amongst you may remember, way back in the day, I made no secret of my fondness for Powell’s Ack-Ack Macaque trilogy*. It is pleasing to discover that The Recollection is just as good. I’ll happily admit part of me would be keen for the author to revisit this universe again in the future. I wouldn’t be averse to following Katherine on more adventures. If you are looking for a sci-fi read with plenty of twists and turns, then look no further.
*C’mon! a gun-toting, cigar-smoking, banana daiquiri devouring World War II monkey fighter ace. How can you not love that?
Centuries from now, Katherine Abdulov is the black sheep of her family. A series of bad decisions have left her in the middle of nowhere attempting to re-ignite what is left of her career as a starship’s captain. Her only choice, increasingly risky jobs that offer large rewards if you manage to live long enough to collect them.
Meanwhile, in the present-day, mysterious gateways have started to appear all over the world. When Ed Rico’s brother, Verne, disappears through one immediately after a particularly heated argument, Ed realises he needs to make things right. The only way to do that is to take a leap into the unknown and follow his brother.
Chapters alternate between Katherine and Ed’s story, and as the plot reveals itself, you begin to see how their respective journeys are destined to converge.
What of the Recollection itself? Well, it is a malevolent entity driven to subsume us all. A race against time begins, humanity has to fight back or die. All this makes for a genuinely exciting read. Characters are forced to make difficult choices for the greater good. This may sound horrible, but I kind of like to see my protagonists suffer a bit. It can help flesh out and humanise a character. If done well, as in this case, it adds real depth to a story.
Tonally I think The Recollection feels like a stripped-down version of Peter F Hamilton’s Night’s Dawn series. I should stress that this is the highest of compliments. I rate The Reality Dysfunction et al as some of the best science fiction I have ever read. The only real difference is that Powell’s novel is a standalone work while Hamilton’s is space opera of truly brain-melting size. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of both approaches. They each have their place. Sometimes I’m looking for a book so large I can get utterly lost in it, while other times I prefer something a bit leaner.
A quick internet search reveals that not only has Gareth L Powell written a science fiction trilogy that I must read, but he has also co-authored a novel with one Peter F Hamilton called Light Chaser. Even better, it is due out in August of this year. Talk about cosmic synchronicity. Here I am waffling about two brilliant authors and then, within minutes of jotting down my thoughts, I discover they’ve collaborated on a book together. It’s almost as if the internet is listening to every idle thought in my head and acting upon it. How very terrifying and yet marvellous at the same time.
The more ancient amongst you may remember, way back in the day, I made no secret of my fondness for Powell’s Ack-Ack Macaque trilogy*. It is pleasing to discover that The Recollection is just as good. I’ll happily admit part of me would be keen for the author to revisit this universe again in the future. I wouldn’t be averse to following Katherine on more adventures. If you are looking for a sci-fi read with plenty of twists and turns, then look no further.
*C’mon! a gun-toting, cigar-smoking, banana daiquiri devouring World War II monkey fighter ace. How can you not love that?
November 6, 2024
This review requires a hefty caveat: I am a total neophyte in the Science Fiction world. Apart from some childhood dabblings in Asimov, and the occasional short story, I have literally no experience of the genre, or indeed of genre fiction more generally. I've always read what people call "literary fiction"; calling a novel a "page-turner" turns me off, and to me, a good novel has to be more than just a good yarn.
But I read a newspaper review of "The Recollection" on the internet, added it to my wishlist on a whim, and then forgot about it until it showed up under the Christmas tree. And I'm very glad that it did! So in writing this review I'm also exploring where I feel drawn to next as I probe the multifarious SF universe.
It's obvious that there are two basic components of a book like this, a conceptual framework as well as a narrative: I suppose I'd call them the "ideas" and the "story". Obviously an SF novel needs both, to some degree, and in this one I think the two are quite nicely balanced.
The "ideas" are satisfyingly awesome: a rich galaxy with enough consistency to be believable but enough variety to give a sense of its vastness; wormholes which don't violate relativity and thereby give rise to a fun kind of "virtual" time travel. There is an implacable ancient menace which I thought required a little more backgrounding, and a benevolent alien race about which the same could be said. The opposition of these two was a little too Manichean for my liking. Some early chapters are set in a very near-future with just a few ever so slight variances from our present, which I liked a lot. And the far future developments seem well thought-out in the context of the starting point: technology evolves in a rational way and people still drink beer and shoot guns in the 25th century.
The "story" didn't interest me as much. The intertwined subplots are both standard quest/redemption tropes which progress towards an orderly conclusion. The main characters are adequately drawn but there's not much nuance in their motives or actions, and some of the dialogue I found quite scripty. Perhaps I'm asking too much of a genre novel though? On the other hand the writing never jars or bogs down; Powell's prose fizzes along with unselfconscious brio. And I guess with the "ideas" side of it to communicate, there isn't a great deal of room left for getting inside people's heads. Nonetheless, I'd still like to see a novel with the conceptual canvas of "The Recollections" but with beefed up psychological insight and complexity of motive.
In conclusion, not a bad way at all to pop my SF cherry, and I'll certainly be back for more.
But I read a newspaper review of "The Recollection" on the internet, added it to my wishlist on a whim, and then forgot about it until it showed up under the Christmas tree. And I'm very glad that it did! So in writing this review I'm also exploring where I feel drawn to next as I probe the multifarious SF universe.
It's obvious that there are two basic components of a book like this, a conceptual framework as well as a narrative: I suppose I'd call them the "ideas" and the "story". Obviously an SF novel needs both, to some degree, and in this one I think the two are quite nicely balanced.
The "ideas" are satisfyingly awesome: a rich galaxy with enough consistency to be believable but enough variety to give a sense of its vastness; wormholes which don't violate relativity and thereby give rise to a fun kind of "virtual" time travel. There is an implacable ancient menace which I thought required a little more backgrounding, and a benevolent alien race about which the same could be said. The opposition of these two was a little too Manichean for my liking. Some early chapters are set in a very near-future with just a few ever so slight variances from our present, which I liked a lot. And the far future developments seem well thought-out in the context of the starting point: technology evolves in a rational way and people still drink beer and shoot guns in the 25th century.
The "story" didn't interest me as much. The intertwined subplots are both standard quest/redemption tropes which progress towards an orderly conclusion. The main characters are adequately drawn but there's not much nuance in their motives or actions, and some of the dialogue I found quite scripty. Perhaps I'm asking too much of a genre novel though? On the other hand the writing never jars or bogs down; Powell's prose fizzes along with unselfconscious brio. And I guess with the "ideas" side of it to communicate, there isn't a great deal of room left for getting inside people's heads. Nonetheless, I'd still like to see a novel with the conceptual canvas of "The Recollections" but with beefed up psychological insight and complexity of motive.
In conclusion, not a bad way at all to pop my SF cherry, and I'll certainly be back for more.
February 24, 2021
Amazingly, my thoughts on The Recollection by Gareth L Powell are exactly the opposite of most of the reviews I’ve read. The book is a character-driven page-turner that kept me captured throughout its length. It became obvious to me that I was reading a different book. The Recollection, second addition, must be a total rewrite of the original with all the issues raised in prior reviews having been addressed, corrected, or the storyline improved. The author now has a five-star book.
In the book, two seemingly disparate stories, each action-driven, come together in a logical Sci-Fi sort of way toward the end where a final confrontation takes place against an alien end-of-times weapon. One thread takes place in near current times with the opening of planetary portals on the earth. These mysteriously appear in random locations and only lead to human habitable worlds. Few people entering the portals come back and those that immediately do return months later due to space-time differences. Most go on using interconnecting portals that they find on each world. If they don’t settle down on one of the visited planets, they continue using a portal network that ultimately leads to a technically advanced future world. The intended result of the portal network is the human habitation of the galaxy. However, who the portal builders are and the intended purpose of the portal network isn’t revealed until the end of the book.
The second thread involves the challenges and experiences of a space trader pilot and her estranged lover. After her character is developed and her fate mysteriously hinted at, she becomes the person who delivers the ultimate alien-developed countermeasure used to push back the weaponized self-replicating swarm bent on destroying all human and alien development.
While it would be satisfying to know that the swarm gets defeated, that’s not how the book ends. Humans and their peaceful alien hosts have only found a way to hold back the swarm temporarily allowing them time to escape to a nomadic habitat built by the alien hosts designed to preserve humanity by keeping it out of the swarm’s path.
The book is an excellent stand-alone novel that could also be used as the first book in a series should the author select to continue the story. Even though Amazon’s book description indicates that this is a second edition, it has linked the low-rated reviews from the previous addition to it. This is unfortunate as those reviews have become misleading with the second edition and will cause readers to hesitate when considering the April 27, 2021 addition for their next read.
In the book, two seemingly disparate stories, each action-driven, come together in a logical Sci-Fi sort of way toward the end where a final confrontation takes place against an alien end-of-times weapon. One thread takes place in near current times with the opening of planetary portals on the earth. These mysteriously appear in random locations and only lead to human habitable worlds. Few people entering the portals come back and those that immediately do return months later due to space-time differences. Most go on using interconnecting portals that they find on each world. If they don’t settle down on one of the visited planets, they continue using a portal network that ultimately leads to a technically advanced future world. The intended result of the portal network is the human habitation of the galaxy. However, who the portal builders are and the intended purpose of the portal network isn’t revealed until the end of the book.
The second thread involves the challenges and experiences of a space trader pilot and her estranged lover. After her character is developed and her fate mysteriously hinted at, she becomes the person who delivers the ultimate alien-developed countermeasure used to push back the weaponized self-replicating swarm bent on destroying all human and alien development.
While it would be satisfying to know that the swarm gets defeated, that’s not how the book ends. Humans and their peaceful alien hosts have only found a way to hold back the swarm temporarily allowing them time to escape to a nomadic habitat built by the alien hosts designed to preserve humanity by keeping it out of the swarm’s path.
The book is an excellent stand-alone novel that could also be used as the first book in a series should the author select to continue the story. Even though Amazon’s book description indicates that this is a second edition, it has linked the low-rated reviews from the previous addition to it. This is unfortunate as those reviews have become misleading with the second edition and will cause readers to hesitate when considering the April 27, 2021 addition for their next read.
September 7, 2022
This is the best book I've read this year. I was hooked from the second chapter and kept wanting to just sit down and devour this, but I strung it out for as long as I could to keep up the joy of the suspense and to prolong the time I spent in Powell's universe.
The plot follows two separate tracks. The first is a love triangle/affair between two brothers and the wife of one of them. The second is a starship captain out on her own trying to make ends meet about 400 years in the future.
One of the brothers falls into an archway that suddenly appears in the middle of an escalator to the London underground; the wife and brother (having the affair, but she's called it off) decide to go after the lost brother through a different arch. The starship captain and her smartship decide to try making amends with her family and taking on a trip to transport passengers to an alien artifact that is orbiting her home world.
We soon learn that FTL is (sorta) possible. Based on the arch technology that began to appear on Earth 400 years before, starship jump drives have been developed. However, just like the arches, while mere seconds pass for the travelers, since nothing can surpass the speed of light, the full time it would have taken light to travel to the destination has passed in the real universe when the travelers arrive via arch or jump drive. This concept blew me away with the possibilities and questions about governance, economics, communication, and even just the logistics of transporting materials from point A to point B. Unfortunately for me, barely any of the implications of the relativistic travel were addressed. Fortunately, the shocking twist in the almost exact middle of the book was satisfying enough and drove the rest of the book as the two plots eventually come together to a marvelous conclusion.
When I read something like this I am always mystified about why Hollywood keeps recycling shows and movies and ideas that never really pan out when there is something this original and cinematic and engaging that they could be developing and producing.
The plot follows two separate tracks. The first is a love triangle/affair between two brothers and the wife of one of them. The second is a starship captain out on her own trying to make ends meet about 400 years in the future.
One of the brothers falls into an archway that suddenly appears in the middle of an escalator to the London underground; the wife and brother (having the affair, but she's called it off) decide to go after the lost brother through a different arch. The starship captain and her smartship decide to try making amends with her family and taking on a trip to transport passengers to an alien artifact that is orbiting her home world.
We soon learn that FTL is (sorta) possible. Based on the arch technology that began to appear on Earth 400 years before, starship jump drives have been developed. However, just like the arches, while mere seconds pass for the travelers, since nothing can surpass the speed of light, the full time it would have taken light to travel to the destination has passed in the real universe when the travelers arrive via arch or jump drive. This concept blew me away with the possibilities and questions about governance, economics, communication, and even just the logistics of transporting materials from point A to point B. Unfortunately for me, barely any of the implications of the relativistic travel were addressed. Fortunately, the shocking twist in the almost exact middle of the book was satisfying enough and drove the rest of the book as the two plots eventually come together to a marvelous conclusion.
When I read something like this I am always mystified about why Hollywood keeps recycling shows and movies and ideas that never really pan out when there is something this original and cinematic and engaging that they could be developing and producing.
May 1, 2021
The thing about dual narratives is that just as I’m getting into the swing of the story, I find myself yanked away and into another scenario with a completely different set of characters. It means that I need to bond closely and quickly with the main protagonists so that I don’t find being pulled between two storylines too jarring. And initially, I didn’t care all that much about either Ed or Katherine. So it took me a while to get into the story.
However, as the action kicked off and they both got caught up in different elements of the narrative, I also became invested and was able to relax into the world. I really liked the idea of the arches and why they suddenly appeared. Powell ensured that we were immersed in the worlds he spun, providing a vivid backdrop to the characters. And this is important as the stakes stack up, because these worlds are put in major peril.
I can’t claim that you’ll get the quirky originality of the Ack-Ack Macaque series – the tropes Powell explores in this space opera adventure are as cosily familiar as a late-night cup of cocoa. However, the story is written with flair and conviction, so that by the time we arrive at the climactic denouement, I didn’t want to put this one down. I’m intrigued to discover if this is going to continue as a standalone, or if Powell has plans to make it the beginning of a series – there is certainly plenty of depth in the worldbuilding that would sustain several more books with these characters. Either way, this is a solidly entertaining science fiction space opera adventure recommended for fans of the genre. While I obtained an arc of The Recollection from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10
However, as the action kicked off and they both got caught up in different elements of the narrative, I also became invested and was able to relax into the world. I really liked the idea of the arches and why they suddenly appeared. Powell ensured that we were immersed in the worlds he spun, providing a vivid backdrop to the characters. And this is important as the stakes stack up, because these worlds are put in major peril.
I can’t claim that you’ll get the quirky originality of the Ack-Ack Macaque series – the tropes Powell explores in this space opera adventure are as cosily familiar as a late-night cup of cocoa. However, the story is written with flair and conviction, so that by the time we arrive at the climactic denouement, I didn’t want to put this one down. I’m intrigued to discover if this is going to continue as a standalone, or if Powell has plans to make it the beginning of a series – there is certainly plenty of depth in the worldbuilding that would sustain several more books with these characters. Either way, this is a solidly entertaining science fiction space opera adventure recommended for fans of the genre. While I obtained an arc of The Recollection from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10
August 15, 2018
This is rather a story of two parts, which may be because (as I understand it) it was created by Powell merging some of his earlier short stories. The starting point is that mysterious gateways open up across present-day Earth, transporting those who enter them to distant worlds - at light speed, so they can't come back again in any reasonable timeframe.
The first half of the story, then, concerns one particular pair of people passing through the gateways, in search of the brother of one of them, who passed through previously. This thread alternates with another, set in the future, in which the owner of an interstellar trade ship tries to restore her reputation. The two threads collide in the second half of the book, when a threat to the survival of humanity pops up, following no more than vague hints in the first half.
This does give a somewhat disjointed feel to the novel, and some elements are dealt with in a more cursory fashion than is, perhaps, truly desirable. It's also the case that one major plot twist is obvious from (I suspect) long before it's supposed to be. Nonetheless, there are some good moments, and decent characterisation, and, if there are really two individual plots that don't fit together as well as they might, they're pretty decent ones taken on their own merits. The set-up of the future society, along with the various bits of alien technology are also generally interesting, with a good hard SF feel.
So, not outstanding, but a solid piece of space opera with both action and character-based elements, and an intriguing set-up.
The first half of the story, then, concerns one particular pair of people passing through the gateways, in search of the brother of one of them, who passed through previously. This thread alternates with another, set in the future, in which the owner of an interstellar trade ship tries to restore her reputation. The two threads collide in the second half of the book, when a threat to the survival of humanity pops up, following no more than vague hints in the first half.
This does give a somewhat disjointed feel to the novel, and some elements are dealt with in a more cursory fashion than is, perhaps, truly desirable. It's also the case that one major plot twist is obvious from (I suspect) long before it's supposed to be. Nonetheless, there are some good moments, and decent characterisation, and, if there are really two individual plots that don't fit together as well as they might, they're pretty decent ones taken on their own merits. The set-up of the future society, along with the various bits of alien technology are also generally interesting, with a good hard SF feel.
So, not outstanding, but a solid piece of space opera with both action and character-based elements, and an intriguing set-up.
February 15, 2021
Firstly, I love this cover. It's eye-catching and the palette works so well. It made me stop and read the title and premise.
I've never read anything of Powell's before, though I've seen and heard of him through other readers and enthusiasts in the genre so I jumped at the chance to read this.
I finished this in 2 sittings - stopping only due to work.
I enjoyed that this was a space opera with womholes, ships, and the light-hearted nature that this sci-fi brings, but the characters were believable and had the same trials and tribulations as the rest of us. They're relatable and smoothly written with motivations that I felt myself sympathising with, but most importantly - they grow through the novel and develop and change.
A few plot points had me re-reading sections to check I hadn't missed things as they felt as though they curveball'd a little, but easily forgivable as the writing was sharp, lean, and engaging. The time span of the novel and the different characters was perfectly executed.
This won't be the last Powell novel I read. Definitely a new fan!
I received a copy of this ARC from the publisher - thank you Rebellion and Gareth Powell This is the second novel I've reviewed on Netgalley.
I've never read anything of Powell's before, though I've seen and heard of him through other readers and enthusiasts in the genre so I jumped at the chance to read this.
I finished this in 2 sittings - stopping only due to work.
I enjoyed that this was a space opera with womholes, ships, and the light-hearted nature that this sci-fi brings, but the characters were believable and had the same trials and tribulations as the rest of us. They're relatable and smoothly written with motivations that I felt myself sympathising with, but most importantly - they grow through the novel and develop and change.
A few plot points had me re-reading sections to check I hadn't missed things as they felt as though they curveball'd a little, but easily forgivable as the writing was sharp, lean, and engaging. The time span of the novel and the different characters was perfectly executed.
This won't be the last Powell novel I read. Definitely a new fan!
I received a copy of this ARC from the publisher - thank you Rebellion and Gareth Powell This is the second novel I've reviewed on Netgalley.
March 6, 2021
This a fast paced, exciting action/adventure story. In other words, everything you want in a space opera.
The story is about Kat Abdulov, captain of a merchant starship, member of a wealthy merchant family who has fallen on tough times and is fighting her way out. The story is also about the Ricco brothers from London, Vern a reporter and Ed an artist and Alice, Vern's wife. Two time periods are presented, for the Ricco brothers and Alice, it's now. Kat's is 400 years in the future.
The plot structure alternates between the time periods leaving a cliff hanger in one time period before breaking to the other reality, which heightens the suspense and enhances the overall story.
World building is excellent and you learn about the worlds these folks inhabit as the action unfolds.
The characters are outstanding. And you know what, there are zombies in it too.
This is a great read and should be high on your list of science fiction to read. Based on this book, I plan on reading Mr. Powell's other novels.
Thanks to Rebellion Publishing for providing me a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.
The story is about Kat Abdulov, captain of a merchant starship, member of a wealthy merchant family who has fallen on tough times and is fighting her way out. The story is also about the Ricco brothers from London, Vern a reporter and Ed an artist and Alice, Vern's wife. Two time periods are presented, for the Ricco brothers and Alice, it's now. Kat's is 400 years in the future.
The plot structure alternates between the time periods leaving a cliff hanger in one time period before breaking to the other reality, which heightens the suspense and enhances the overall story.
World building is excellent and you learn about the worlds these folks inhabit as the action unfolds.
The characters are outstanding. And you know what, there are zombies in it too.
This is a great read and should be high on your list of science fiction to read. Based on this book, I plan on reading Mr. Powell's other novels.
Thanks to Rebellion Publishing for providing me a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.
February 1, 2024
While reading this book I was reminded of bits and pieces from other Sci-fi stories and shows. Basically, the enemy is the Borg, an unstoppable assimilator of minds. Nothing new there. And the solution is to run away on an ark. Yep, that's the plot. Many technical details are skipped over for convenience. And the selection of heroes is silly. It has been written that a man who has done bad things in the past will be our salvation... because he is an artist. They give Ed, the artist, a very powerful weapon that seems really cool. Ed ends up providing some cover fire for two people as they land on a planet, run into a hospital, and grab some frozen embryos. And no the embryos are not critical to the plot of the story. Even though the author constantly reminds you of the time perils of space travel, as in faster-than-light travel, everyone you leave behind ages by the number of light years you travel. He forgets that when the bad thing gets access to interstellar travel gates, it has 12 years to use them because the heroes travel to a planet 12 light years away to save that planet. Oh well, the book was easy to read and had my interest for about the first half. So three stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2021
The Recollection: Tenth Anniversary Edition
[Blurb goes here]
This was a fun adventure. One too easy to follow since is not hard Sci-Fi. The novel starts with two distinct stories, jumping from one to the other through the worn out magic of cliffhangers, which in this case become part of the landscape, an unnoticed piece of furniture that has always been there, but one in which you bump your leg every time you walk by it. But I digress. The two stories, alien to one another...until they're not. It has been ten years since the novel came out, so for the life of me, I can't comprehend why it feels like something written in the nineteen eighties. Still, both stories get a hold on you, even if by the first quarter of the book you already have deciphered how both stories converge. I liked the characters, although they evolve in a flash, nearly at the end of the novel. As I stated earlier. It's a fun adventure, but not one without obvious flaws. If you're a Sci-Fi buff and enjoy fun but a bit faulty reads. I think you'll like it.
Thank you for the advanced copy!
[Blurb goes here]
This was a fun adventure. One too easy to follow since is not hard Sci-Fi. The novel starts with two distinct stories, jumping from one to the other through the worn out magic of cliffhangers, which in this case become part of the landscape, an unnoticed piece of furniture that has always been there, but one in which you bump your leg every time you walk by it. But I digress. The two stories, alien to one another...until they're not. It has been ten years since the novel came out, so for the life of me, I can't comprehend why it feels like something written in the nineteen eighties. Still, both stories get a hold on you, even if by the first quarter of the book you already have deciphered how both stories converge. I liked the characters, although they evolve in a flash, nearly at the end of the novel. As I stated earlier. It's a fun adventure, but not one without obvious flaws. If you're a Sci-Fi buff and enjoy fun but a bit faulty reads. I think you'll like it.
Thank you for the advanced copy!
March 12, 2021
Driving across galaxies in a Land Rover
Interstellar zombies (but are they?)
Lost Hope, Found Love
Two perspectives, one story, perfectly meshed
The fate of the universe in the balance
This, this is what space operas should be, vast arcing plotlines, travel across time and space, huge stakes, but underpinned by characters that you can relate to on a personal level. It's not easy to get the balance between the huge breadth of a story like this, it's too easy to look at the massive events going on and get focussed on those to the exclusion of all else, thinking that such events will be enough to wow the audience.
But it isn't, what matters is what we can relate to. Characters that care for each other, over centuries and light years, the bonds of family and what it means to love people with all your heart, to be willing to travel those distances to make sure that those people are safe and happy, and to know that given the choice, you'd do it all again.
This is what Space Opera should be.
Interstellar zombies (but are they?)
Lost Hope, Found Love
Two perspectives, one story, perfectly meshed
The fate of the universe in the balance
This, this is what space operas should be, vast arcing plotlines, travel across time and space, huge stakes, but underpinned by characters that you can relate to on a personal level. It's not easy to get the balance between the huge breadth of a story like this, it's too easy to look at the massive events going on and get focussed on those to the exclusion of all else, thinking that such events will be enough to wow the audience.
But it isn't, what matters is what we can relate to. Characters that care for each other, over centuries and light years, the bonds of family and what it means to love people with all your heart, to be willing to travel those distances to make sure that those people are safe and happy, and to know that given the choice, you'd do it all again.
This is what Space Opera should be.
August 6, 2020
I had fun reading this action-packed adventure! There were time-travel, weird aliens(not of the scary kind), a monstrous entity, a sentient ship(loved it/him), a bit of romance and adventures in space! I almost always welcome romance in my reads but this was one instance where I thought it wasn't really necessary. This wasn't some stellar story as there were some bits that didn't deliver(like what ever happened to Kat's other love interest? She didn't have any feelings when she came back, nothing was mentioned about that, which is weird. And the ending was open-ended and quite cheesy. Open-ended is fine but then we get an epilogue that kinda sums up what would happen which gives off a lackadaisical vibe on the author's part.)
However, great fun can be had if you're just looking for a space opera adventure.
However, great fun can be had if you're just looking for a space opera adventure.
March 13, 2021
Book Review
The Recollection: Tenth Anniversary Edition by Gareth L. Powell
⭐⭐⭐ 3.5
Mysterious portals begin to appear around the world. People who go through them disappear. Those that return do so months or even years later.
Ed Rico, a failed artist, is in love with his brothers wife. After his brother discovers their affair, he accidentally falls through a portal that has appeared on the London underground. Filled with remorse, Ed and his sister-in-law set off in search of him.
Meanwhile, 400 years in the future, Katherine Abdulov is a down on her luck starship captain. In a bid to reconnect with her estranged family she must race across space to a remote planet in competition with her former lover and ruthless competitor, Victor Luciano.
Strange planets, aliens, romance, time travel, a universal threat to mankind, this well written space opera has them all. The story unfolds through the separate timelines until all the characters are brought together in a future where an alien being threatens to wipe out humanity.
This is not hard sci-fi and I believe would appeal to readers who don't usually engage with this genre as well as those who do. The time travel element is well thought out and a future where mankind has spread out throughout the stars is believable.
I liked the characters, especially Katherine, who I felt developed as the story progressed. There is enough adventure to keep the reader turning the pages and I found myself staying up late to finish the book. Both action and character driven, this is an enjoyable read with an open, though satisfying, ending.
Thank you to Netgally and Rebellion publishers for my eARC , received in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Recollection: Tenth Anniversary Edition by Gareth L. Powell
⭐⭐⭐ 3.5
Mysterious portals begin to appear around the world. People who go through them disappear. Those that return do so months or even years later.
Ed Rico, a failed artist, is in love with his brothers wife. After his brother discovers their affair, he accidentally falls through a portal that has appeared on the London underground. Filled with remorse, Ed and his sister-in-law set off in search of him.
Meanwhile, 400 years in the future, Katherine Abdulov is a down on her luck starship captain. In a bid to reconnect with her estranged family she must race across space to a remote planet in competition with her former lover and ruthless competitor, Victor Luciano.
Strange planets, aliens, romance, time travel, a universal threat to mankind, this well written space opera has them all. The story unfolds through the separate timelines until all the characters are brought together in a future where an alien being threatens to wipe out humanity.
This is not hard sci-fi and I believe would appeal to readers who don't usually engage with this genre as well as those who do. The time travel element is well thought out and a future where mankind has spread out throughout the stars is believable.
I liked the characters, especially Katherine, who I felt developed as the story progressed. There is enough adventure to keep the reader turning the pages and I found myself staying up late to finish the book. Both action and character driven, this is an enjoyable read with an open, though satisfying, ending.
Thank you to Netgally and Rebellion publishers for my eARC , received in exchange for a fair and honest review.
March 14, 2021
Good fun Space Opera, told in different timelines which gave an interesting twist to speed of light travel. The author uses a well worn troupe (we must assimilate you to save you) but uses it well. After a fight with his brother, Ed watches in horror as Verne gets swallowed by a portal. When more and more portal start to open up around London Ed, along with Verne's wife Alice, jumps into a portal in the hopes of finding his brother. In alternating chapters we are introduce to a spaceship captain who is down on her luck. Grabbing the chance to save her family fortune while getting revenge on a ex lover, Kat finds herself facing an ancient evil.
If you have read Powell's later works, the Embers of War trilogy, then you will see the beginnings of some of the themes and ideas he puts into the use in the later works.
If you have read Powell's later works, the Embers of War trilogy, then you will see the beginnings of some of the themes and ideas he puts into the use in the later works.
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