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errantdreams's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
In Karl Drinkwater’s science fiction/horror novel Lost Solace (1), Opal, a rogue soldier, has stolen a ship with an experimental AI on board. She hacked the AI and gave it her little sister’s name, Clarissa. She’s about to rendezvous with a set of coordinates that will hopefully lead to a Lost Ship: occasionally ships go missing when travelling faster than light, and even more occasionally one comes back. Honestly, most people think it’s a myth, but Opal is bound and determined to figure out the mystery, because her sister was on board one of the missing ships. She finds what she presumes to be a Lost Ship, in the middle of perilous circumstances. Not only does it seem to be filled with deadly creatures, but two military vessels have just shown up looking for her and her ship.
I’d heard this had a touch of “Event Horizon” to it, and I love that movie, so that made me eager to read this. It might have a touch of the plot, but it lacks the feel. This is definitely more of a dark science fiction story than it is a horror story. The creatures are mostly okay, with one or two standouts. Also one big miss, IMO: an actual sentient creature that sounds remarkably human, thus doing away with any real sense of awe or horror with regards to it.
Anyway, all of that is mostly down to improper expectations, so hopefully your expectations are now set properly. And as a dark science fiction tale, this is excellent. One of the things that’s so fascinating about the seemingly-abandoned ship is that in some ways, it seems like a prop for a movie. It doesn’t fit any one set of specifications matching any one ship–it seems to be a conglomeration with some bits added. Some of the surfaces on board the ship seem very strange, and certainly not normal. Equipment doesn’t really work the way it should. And boy howdy is it filled with dangerous critters!
Clarissa and Opal are both great characters. Clarissa gradually develops something of a dry sense of humor and a touch of witty banter, which frankly makes Opal worry, because it could mean Clarissa’s unstable and therefore dangerous. She also has to worry that the AI might somehow retrieve the memories she’s blocked off, remember who it works for and that she stole it, and kill her. Opal is wonderfully determined and has an interesting background and set of skills. The worldbuilding is fairly subtle, worked in little bit by little bit. There are clearly some class and racial issues that have affected Opal.
I like that Opal is conflicted when the first set of creatures comes looking for her, because they’re so alien that she has no way of knowing whether they’re friendly or deadly, whether this is a misunderstanding or they’re hunting her. She keeps having to wonder whether she should shoot them or not shoot them, and you can feel a genuine tension in that.
There was one event that I still don’t entirely understand, near the end. Hopefully it’ll be cleared up in the next volume–which I’m looking forward to reading! Content note for combat and death and creepy critters.
I’d heard this had a touch of “Event Horizon” to it, and I love that movie, so that made me eager to read this. It might have a touch of the plot, but it lacks the feel. This is definitely more of a dark science fiction story than it is a horror story. The creatures are mostly okay, with one or two standouts. Also one big miss, IMO: an actual sentient creature that sounds remarkably human, thus doing away with any real sense of awe or horror with regards to it.
Anyway, all of that is mostly down to improper expectations, so hopefully your expectations are now set properly. And as a dark science fiction tale, this is excellent. One of the things that’s so fascinating about the seemingly-abandoned ship is that in some ways, it seems like a prop for a movie. It doesn’t fit any one set of specifications matching any one ship–it seems to be a conglomeration with some bits added. Some of the surfaces on board the ship seem very strange, and certainly not normal. Equipment doesn’t really work the way it should. And boy howdy is it filled with dangerous critters!
Clarissa and Opal are both great characters. Clarissa gradually develops something of a dry sense of humor and a touch of witty banter, which frankly makes Opal worry, because it could mean Clarissa’s unstable and therefore dangerous. She also has to worry that the AI might somehow retrieve the memories she’s blocked off, remember who it works for and that she stole it, and kill her. Opal is wonderfully determined and has an interesting background and set of skills. The worldbuilding is fairly subtle, worked in little bit by little bit. There are clearly some class and racial issues that have affected Opal.
I like that Opal is conflicted when the first set of creatures comes looking for her, because they’re so alien that she has no way of knowing whether they’re friendly or deadly, whether this is a misunderstanding or they’re hunting her. She keeps having to wonder whether she should shoot them or not shoot them, and you can feel a genuine tension in that.
There was one event that I still don’t entirely understand, near the end. Hopefully it’ll be cleared up in the next volume–which I’m looking forward to reading! Content note for combat and death and creepy critters.
lilyn_g's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
5.0
This was friggin awesome. Part Event Horizon, part Serengeti. Scary and action and love it.
karlou's review against another edition
4.0
Lost Solace might be a science fiction novel but at its heart it explores a universal story of what it means to be human. At the start of the book Opal is woken alone on a stolen spaceship controlled by Artificial Intelligence called Clarissa who informs her that her burns have healed, although she has lost some nerve endings. It's immediately clear then, that Opal has endured some sort of trauma and there are other hints early in the book too - most notably when it comes to her choosing to rename the AI, Clarissa. We gradually learn a little about her past as the book progresses, although by the end I still felt there was more to be revealed about this intriguing young woman.
There are a few minor characters,in the novel but we never really get to know them and Lost Solace is effectively a two character story. It's a bold writing decision but it works really well here; partly due to the fact that both Opal and Clarissa are engaging in their own rights but mostly because the developing relationship between the pair is absolutely fascinating. And of course it's always a pleasure to see female protagonists given the action hero roles!
Lost Solace is set in a future where space travel has evidently become more commercialised, with galactic transport taking place on a huge scale. Technical failures, piracy and terrorism cause ships to go missing but there are also stories about the Lost Ships, which never reached their destination and just disappeared. Legends tell that they sometimes return - bringing with them unbelievable technology that could earn their finder a fortune. Opal and Clarissa believe they have found such a ship - but what else is on board the mysterious vessel? Opal has to battle her way through the strange environment, relying on Clarissa's assistance as well as her own sharp intelligence and resourcefulness as she faces danger from more than one foe.
As a locked room horror story, Lost Solace is decidedly creepy -particularly when Opal has to open doors without knowing what's lies in wait the other side and she has some terrifying encounters. It's also a high octane action adventure as she faces what seems to be an impossible task. Karl Drinkwater certainly doesn't make life easy for her and the constant danger in her race against time makes for a really exciting read. However, the thrills never come at the expense of character development and it's really the evolving dynamic between the two female leads which I found particularly compelling. Opal is a strong, principled heroine but she is obviously damaged by her past. Clarissa might be artificial intelligence but the decisions she takes as the book progresses and some of the discoveries that Opal makes should make readers think about the moral questions which need to be asked about the technological advances which will undoubtedly arise as AI advances and becomes more commonplace.
When I read sci-fi books I want excellent world building, interesting protagonists and a well-crafted, thought-provoking story. Lost Solace gave me all that and a fantastic conclusion which ensured I'm looking forward to discovering what lies in store for Opal in the sequel, Chasing Solace.
There are a few minor characters,in the novel but we never really get to know them and Lost Solace is effectively a two character story. It's a bold writing decision but it works really well here; partly due to the fact that both Opal and Clarissa are engaging in their own rights but mostly because the developing relationship between the pair is absolutely fascinating. And of course it's always a pleasure to see female protagonists given the action hero roles!
Lost Solace is set in a future where space travel has evidently become more commercialised, with galactic transport taking place on a huge scale. Technical failures, piracy and terrorism cause ships to go missing but there are also stories about the Lost Ships, which never reached their destination and just disappeared. Legends tell that they sometimes return - bringing with them unbelievable technology that could earn their finder a fortune. Opal and Clarissa believe they have found such a ship - but what else is on board the mysterious vessel? Opal has to battle her way through the strange environment, relying on Clarissa's assistance as well as her own sharp intelligence and resourcefulness as she faces danger from more than one foe.
As a locked room horror story, Lost Solace is decidedly creepy -particularly when Opal has to open doors without knowing what's lies in wait the other side and she has some terrifying encounters. It's also a high octane action adventure as she faces what seems to be an impossible task. Karl Drinkwater certainly doesn't make life easy for her and the constant danger in her race against time makes for a really exciting read. However, the thrills never come at the expense of character development and it's really the evolving dynamic between the two female leads which I found particularly compelling. Opal is a strong, principled heroine but she is obviously damaged by her past. Clarissa might be artificial intelligence but the decisions she takes as the book progresses and some of the discoveries that Opal makes should make readers think about the moral questions which need to be asked about the technological advances which will undoubtedly arise as AI advances and becomes more commonplace.
When I read sci-fi books I want excellent world building, interesting protagonists and a well-crafted, thought-provoking story. Lost Solace gave me all that and a fantastic conclusion which ensured I'm looking forward to discovering what lies in store for Opal in the sequel, Chasing Solace.
bookwormmuse's review against another edition
4.0
I did a bullet point review on my blog but here I will try to keep it more along the normal lines. So, I loved the premise of the book and it delivered in spades. I absolutely loved that the main character, Opal, was a gutsy and resourceful. There is so much action in this one and that made me want to read it in one sitting. I couldn't, of course but the wish was there. The AI Clarissa made this book really delightful because she sometimes stole the show with her sassy remarks. The sheer bravery/ stubbornness of Opal when confronted with forces much bigger and stronger than hers.was absolutely brilliant to read.
If I had to pick a few problems with it, it would be why Opal chose to find the Lost Ship comes far too late in the book. Then there's also the fact that I didn't know it was not a stand-alone! I need the next book now! I think I wanted more social interaction in the novel? As in, Opal mostly converses with the AI or for a while to the military people. I wanted some normal conversations, even flashbacks could have worked.
But overall, I loved the plot, the pace as well as the characters! 10/10 would recommend to the fans of science fiction, military science fiction.
If I had to pick a few problems with it, it would be why Opal chose to find the Lost Ship comes far too late in the book. Then there's also the fact that I didn't know it was not a stand-alone! I need the next book now! I think I wanted more social interaction in the novel? As in, Opal mostly converses with the AI or for a while to the military people. I wanted some normal conversations, even flashbacks could have worked.
But overall, I loved the plot, the pace as well as the characters! 10/10 would recommend to the fans of science fiction, military science fiction.
jameskemp's review
5.0
Excellent space opera, great feel and a thrilling read. The whole story takes place in a very short space and yet so much is conveyed about the main character and the universe that she inhabits. There's a very real feel to it, and at the same time a weirdness from the setting. But weird in a good way.
Lost Solace refers to the ship that Opal, the protagonist, is looking for. Sometimes spaceships just disappear. Sometimes they come back. When they come back they're full of secrets and treasure that can make you rich. But they aren't safe.
Opal has hacked an AI driven spaceship. She's using it to help her board and explore a Lost Ship, in the hope that it is the Solace, or that it can give Opal clues on how to find the lost Solace.
Slowly the backstory is leaked out to us like air from a damaged spacesuit. As Opal ponders the situation and tries to work out what is weird about the apparently abandoned hulk she's exploring. She's not alone. Her ship is sentient, and there are intelligences on the hulk too. She also has human hunters, chasing her down to recover their stolen ship with its experimental AI.
Every obstacle and challenge builds the suspense. It also explores both the strange hulk and Opal's life story. We find out how she developed the skills that keep her alive and why she's here looking for lost ships. None of it seems contrived, there are no info dumps. It's just really well written and immaculately edited story.
Lost Solace refers to the ship that Opal, the protagonist, is looking for. Sometimes spaceships just disappear. Sometimes they come back. When they come back they're full of secrets and treasure that can make you rich. But they aren't safe.
Opal has hacked an AI driven spaceship. She's using it to help her board and explore a Lost Ship, in the hope that it is the Solace, or that it can give Opal clues on how to find the lost Solace.
Slowly the backstory is leaked out to us like air from a damaged spacesuit. As Opal ponders the situation and tries to work out what is weird about the apparently abandoned hulk she's exploring. She's not alone. Her ship is sentient, and there are intelligences on the hulk too. She also has human hunters, chasing her down to recover their stolen ship with its experimental AI.
Every obstacle and challenge builds the suspense. It also explores both the strange hulk and Opal's life story. We find out how she developed the skills that keep her alive and why she's here looking for lost ships. None of it seems contrived, there are no info dumps. It's just really well written and immaculately edited story.
amy_k's review
5.0
Lost Solace is a brilliant read. Superbly-written, gripping, action-packed, with an absolutely kick-ass heroine to boot. Essentially, Opal is a futuristic 'treasure hunter' aided by a loyal and wry AI called Clarissa as they try to salvage something from a Lost Ship. The danger just keeps mounting as Opal faces aliens and Marines sent to apprehend her. What I particularly loved was how well we come to know Opal through her actions, not her thoughts, and for me, this is a sign of a writer who has really got to know their main character. Sci-fi fans will enjoy this a lot, but I'm not one of those and I loved it, too. It's as much about Opal internal journey as much as anything that happens out in space. I dare say this would make a great film.
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