Lacuna

Overall a really good scifi read. Interesting premise and the story moves along well. I really liked that it wasn’t an American focused group for once. Defintely worth a good read and I’ll probably read Book 2.

Besides a few minor deus ex machina moments, my major gripe is the strange thread of forced feminism with the main character. I don’t mind that the character is feminist but the author interrupts the flow of the story by hitting you over the head with it every few paragraphs making her a caricature of a feminist. This could have been better woven in to the character’s behavior as the way it is written feels clumsy and contrived. Some of it was plain inaccurate as well which is what really bothered me. Non-spoiler examples below:

1. Main character insists everyone call the ship a “he” vs. “she” and other characters are uncomfortable with this. It is already standard in the U.S. Navy to refer to a naval vessel as “it.” By the year 2037 this should be a non-issue.

2. Main character insists she be called “ma’am" instead of “sir.” Again this is already standard in the military with a very few female officers insisting they be called “sir.”

These inaccuracies could have been glossed over but the author insists on revisiting them repeatedly which doesn’t advance or improve the story at all. Clean that up and weave the main characters feminism in a bit more naturally and this story would really shine.

I never thought the heroine would turn out tobe a heroine. She started out as a worrier and a fretter but developed & grew into a worthy character of bravery and decisiveness. The book is certainly suspenseful. It rewards the reader with awful realization of what could be.

Excellent gripping story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Very well-written although it could do without all the underscoring, which was quite distracting. This reader was able to know the stressed words without the need of underscores. Other than that, well done.