Status Updates From Burnt Worlds (HMCS Borealis...

This author's constant mention of coffee went from quirky to irritating about a hundred pages ago. Between that, the smirking, the not-really-all-that-alien aliens, and the subplot that centers around raising the Palani character's body temperature enough so that the captain can bang her without freezing his junk off, I wonder if this book was a bad idea after all.

I like the writing style - feels like I'm gliding through the scenes rather than having to fight my way through them. My only minor quibble is that the aliens don't feel very alien in their thoughts and actions - they're more like humans with quirky personalities. Then again, this is hardly the only sci-fi story like that. So far, so good.

And the tension mounts, slowly. A very nicely structured novel so far. I am drawn into this world. The dialogue is spot on as well. Dry humour and sub text

I love this world. Love the characters and the writer's style. I havent had so much fun reading sci-fi since The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet.
Yes its a familiar trope - the ship's captain dies etc... but this is no angst-ridden Lieutenant being forced to take command. Dillon is engaging, believable and the sort of guy you'd want in control when things go pear-shaped.

And this still flows naturally. Lovely characters, gentle and appropriate humour, little deft touches. Good writing.

Entertaining, snappy and so far thoroughly enjoyable. Nice touches of humour in dire circumstances and an alien who is very interesting. Not too much technical waffle, but enough to make for good world building.

5 stars