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Solar Winds #1
Providence Ends: Expanded Edition
The Solar Empire spans more than fifty galaxies and a hundred thousand years of history. Its military, economic, and industrial power can shape or destroy entire civilizations even beyond its own borders. Those who have seen its influence firsthand call these political tides the Solar Winds.But in the Hourglass Galaxy resides a nation that stands against the wind, the Interstellar Combine. Now these two intergalactic superpowers are embroiled in a cold war for dominance of the region.
Simmonne, the carefree daughter of the Solar Emperor, is tasked with a public relations mission to welcome refugees fleeing Combine occupation. The enigmatic Robert Panzer, a metapsion of enormous telepathic and telekinetic abilities, is assigned as her protector. Frustrated by her inability to perceive his emotions, Simmonne is unaware that she might require protection from him most of all. Within the Hourglass, newly minted Lieutenant Jonathan Clearwater balances his role as an officer of the Solar Legionnaires and his fraying family life. Meanwhile Oul'sor, a Warlord of the Combine, is resurrected to seek vengeance for the death of his son at Panzer’s hands. And near the center of power, Simmonne’s weak-willed and jaded brother Steven is tempted to corruption by the power of the Encephalon.
The characters must work together – or against one another – as the cold war between intergalactic superpowers threatens to turn hot, all under the eye of an entity older than the universe itself. If they fail, the Encephalon's power will consume far more than the trillions of lives in the Hourglass Galaxy.
Simmonne, the carefree daughter of the Solar Emperor, is tasked with a public relations mission to welcome refugees fleeing Combine occupation. The enigmatic Robert Panzer, a metapsion of enormous telepathic and telekinetic abilities, is assigned as her protector. Frustrated by her inability to perceive his emotions, Simmonne is unaware that she might require protection from him most of all. Within the Hourglass, newly minted Lieutenant Jonathan Clearwater balances his role as an officer of the Solar Legionnaires and his fraying family life. Meanwhile Oul'sor, a Warlord of the Combine, is resurrected to seek vengeance for the death of his son at Panzer’s hands. And near the center of power, Simmonne’s weak-willed and jaded brother Steven is tempted to corruption by the power of the Encephalon.
The characters must work together – or against one another – as the cold war between intergalactic superpowers threatens to turn hot, all under the eye of an entity older than the universe itself. If they fail, the Encephalon's power will consume far more than the trillions of lives in the Hourglass Galaxy.
520 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2017
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November 21, 2019
Solar Winds is a fantastically researched and thought-out book focusing on the lives of several different classes in the Empire. The depth and history ingrained in this book show millennia of lessons learned and wars fought to have brought many species where they are. This careful writing allows for some fantastical elements to become real, for mind control and a new species of human to be plausible, and for unique elements of fantasy that many use as an escape to find their way into a fast-paced sci-fi.
We start with a few characters, one whose emotions are limited, another who wants happiness and learns to want power, and others trying to find their place and status in the universe. The ability to easily travel between planets and galaxies turns out to be a long-time battle with technology and necessity, which is explained thoroughly in the appendix and is presented easily in text.
Characters
Some characters are easy to read about, like Panzer who struggles with the functions (both emotional and physical) of a “normal” Solar. His needs and wants become something worth gravitating to. It’s easy to want to be in his mind while also hoping his nanite-driven mind won’t get in the way of what a reader will view as happiness. Or love. Or even friendship. Likewise, characters like Clearwater, who we see on the frontlines trying to enjoy the little happiness he has, struggle amid an oncoming war.
Glimpses into the lives of royalty through a princess and prince show the gentler and less combative perspectives of those not part of the war, which provide readers a fast-paced political story, packed with stress, hunger for power, lust, and cries of those less fortunate as they ring loudly for the larger powers to answer or reject.
All these smaller stories are surprisingly easy to follow, though they are slow to start. Personally, Panzer’s story and Clearwater’s story are my favorite, as I love the battle Panzer has in his mind while he tries to control himself and remain a person despite knowing it’s a pointless endeavor. Clearwater, on the other hand, clings to what remains of his normal life, and it clings to him, as the life of a soldier in this story relies on more than just external weapons but also on internal weapons that change biology.
Plot
The many species and politics and powers pack Solar Winds with information that can seem tedious, particularly during the Imperial Rose’s (princess) tours on ships and another species’s complaints about the goings-on between the Combine and the Empire. With a universe so rich in history, though, it’s difficult not to expect as much information where it’s plausible, which Shewmaker does well. Perhaps this story could be spread out more, but that may lend itself to a slower book. If not, the plot would not be relevant for a while, whereas it’s quickly relevant where it is.
We have the Vaar, an intelligent species angry with the Empire for their trespassing and takeover of planets, species, galaxies, and even advances in technology. The Vaar want to remain on top, and the Empire want to remain strong and allow for peace. This war between two intelligent species brings about a tension among less dominant groups, which bring about refugees, camps, turmoil, and issues further closing the gap between the war that’s expected and the war that comes.
Development
Overall, the story doesn’t stop moving, so it can easily lose the reader if you’re not paying attention. But if you can get a handle on the individual characters’ stories, particularly Panzer’s, Clearwater’s, and Simmonne’s, you’ll learn a lot about what’s happening and what to expect.
Panzer’s knowledge of the enemy helps a lot, as does Simmonne’s desire to meet in the middle and make something of herself as a princess. I find myself enjoying the simpler questions she has about her questions about her own peculiar love life while also fighting to support and sustain lives considered to be beneath her own. She’s a woman trying to make something of herself in a world overpowered by those with louder voices, and I appreciate her struggle and hopes.
Images aren’t always clear, but those that are (my favorites being Panzer’s night out with Simmonne and Clearwater working to save Taula) can be really tense and even fun. I love the trade-off between quick fighting scenes and moments that slow down enough to bathe the reader in the experiences of Solar life.
Simmonne’s brother, Steven, has a moment when he has to make a decision (trying not to spoil anything), and I feel this isn’t quite earned. His reasoning lacks a little, and I find myself wishing I knew more about his relationships and true desires. They’re there, but I don’t feel invested in his story enough to care. His plot isn’t urgent, and he’s almost invisible to the outside worlds throughout the story. Perhaps when he’s more active, things will liven up, but while his conflict is great, I still question whether the problem at hand is something I support or want to fight.
Oul’sor was a Vaar seeking vengeance, and while his story didn’t offer much in the way of Vaar life or even his own life, you do have to empathize with waking up to hearing of your dead kin. But other than learning a little about the Vaar and their plans and a bit about how they live, his story doesn’t stand out as much as it perhaps might have.
Perhaps fewer POVs would have allowed more of the individual stories to shine, but I personally see the value in most of them. With so much going on, not knowing what the Vaar believe in or being blind to the Combine and what speaks to Steven would make more of the story hard to follow and less of it an enjoyable experience. So I wouldn’t be able to choose the best characters to keep; instead I have to choose my favorites.
There’s a lot to say about a story full of history, hope, love, war, and life, and as for this one, what I have to say is that it’s worth the read and the ride, but don’t expect an easy read. Expect to be challenged and studied, and be willing to learn a little bit yourself.
What’s the fun in sci-fi otherwise? I’ll be looking forward to the next installment.
We start with a few characters, one whose emotions are limited, another who wants happiness and learns to want power, and others trying to find their place and status in the universe. The ability to easily travel between planets and galaxies turns out to be a long-time battle with technology and necessity, which is explained thoroughly in the appendix and is presented easily in text.
Characters
Some characters are easy to read about, like Panzer who struggles with the functions (both emotional and physical) of a “normal” Solar. His needs and wants become something worth gravitating to. It’s easy to want to be in his mind while also hoping his nanite-driven mind won’t get in the way of what a reader will view as happiness. Or love. Or even friendship. Likewise, characters like Clearwater, who we see on the frontlines trying to enjoy the little happiness he has, struggle amid an oncoming war.
Glimpses into the lives of royalty through a princess and prince show the gentler and less combative perspectives of those not part of the war, which provide readers a fast-paced political story, packed with stress, hunger for power, lust, and cries of those less fortunate as they ring loudly for the larger powers to answer or reject.
All these smaller stories are surprisingly easy to follow, though they are slow to start. Personally, Panzer’s story and Clearwater’s story are my favorite, as I love the battle Panzer has in his mind while he tries to control himself and remain a person despite knowing it’s a pointless endeavor. Clearwater, on the other hand, clings to what remains of his normal life, and it clings to him, as the life of a soldier in this story relies on more than just external weapons but also on internal weapons that change biology.
Plot
The many species and politics and powers pack Solar Winds with information that can seem tedious, particularly during the Imperial Rose’s (princess) tours on ships and another species’s complaints about the goings-on between the Combine and the Empire. With a universe so rich in history, though, it’s difficult not to expect as much information where it’s plausible, which Shewmaker does well. Perhaps this story could be spread out more, but that may lend itself to a slower book. If not, the plot would not be relevant for a while, whereas it’s quickly relevant where it is.
We have the Vaar, an intelligent species angry with the Empire for their trespassing and takeover of planets, species, galaxies, and even advances in technology. The Vaar want to remain on top, and the Empire want to remain strong and allow for peace. This war between two intelligent species brings about a tension among less dominant groups, which bring about refugees, camps, turmoil, and issues further closing the gap between the war that’s expected and the war that comes.
Development
Overall, the story doesn’t stop moving, so it can easily lose the reader if you’re not paying attention. But if you can get a handle on the individual characters’ stories, particularly Panzer’s, Clearwater’s, and Simmonne’s, you’ll learn a lot about what’s happening and what to expect.
Panzer’s knowledge of the enemy helps a lot, as does Simmonne’s desire to meet in the middle and make something of herself as a princess. I find myself enjoying the simpler questions she has about her questions about her own peculiar love life while also fighting to support and sustain lives considered to be beneath her own. She’s a woman trying to make something of herself in a world overpowered by those with louder voices, and I appreciate her struggle and hopes.
Images aren’t always clear, but those that are (my favorites being Panzer’s night out with Simmonne and Clearwater working to save Taula) can be really tense and even fun. I love the trade-off between quick fighting scenes and moments that slow down enough to bathe the reader in the experiences of Solar life.
Simmonne’s brother, Steven, has a moment when he has to make a decision (trying not to spoil anything), and I feel this isn’t quite earned. His reasoning lacks a little, and I find myself wishing I knew more about his relationships and true desires. They’re there, but I don’t feel invested in his story enough to care. His plot isn’t urgent, and he’s almost invisible to the outside worlds throughout the story. Perhaps when he’s more active, things will liven up, but while his conflict is great, I still question whether the problem at hand is something I support or want to fight.
Oul’sor was a Vaar seeking vengeance, and while his story didn’t offer much in the way of Vaar life or even his own life, you do have to empathize with waking up to hearing of your dead kin. But other than learning a little about the Vaar and their plans and a bit about how they live, his story doesn’t stand out as much as it perhaps might have.
Perhaps fewer POVs would have allowed more of the individual stories to shine, but I personally see the value in most of them. With so much going on, not knowing what the Vaar believe in or being blind to the Combine and what speaks to Steven would make more of the story hard to follow and less of it an enjoyable experience. So I wouldn’t be able to choose the best characters to keep; instead I have to choose my favorites.
There’s a lot to say about a story full of history, hope, love, war, and life, and as for this one, what I have to say is that it’s worth the read and the ride, but don’t expect an easy read. Expect to be challenged and studied, and be willing to learn a little bit yourself.
What’s the fun in sci-fi otherwise? I’ll be looking forward to the next installment.
Displaying 1 of 1 review