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crypticspren's review
4.0
I'm not usually one for short stories as I find there's just not enough there to develop or get invested into. However, in such a short space of time, I was absolutely invested in what was going on. It was the perfect 'three nerds in a room' kind of thing. The prospect was brilliant, the jump to the other timeline was brilliant, and it had a very satisfactory conclusion.
livimack's review
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Wowwww nerds are like so good, daddy.
To be fair though, as much as I take the piss, I would read this again, just to fill the time.
To be fair though, as much as I take the piss, I would read this again, just to fill the time.
angelikareadsavariciously's review
4.0
It was a fun short story. All the luck to the crew going back!
ratgrrrl's review
5.0
I Wasn't Expecting This to be So Unbelievably My Shit!
I went into this knowing absolutely nothing as I periodically make my way through the Audible Included library and this was an absolute gem that came out of nowhere and blew me away. There were a number of moments that had me worried about the perspective and portrayal of the groups involved, but this is a miracle of not being milquetoast, liberal-centre right sci-fi, and actually took an honest look at an impossible situation.
First of all, the premise might not be the most original of all time, but it is a perfect storm of circumstances and characters for real human drama explored through colony sci-fi. The Sun is coming to the end of its life, so it's all hands on deck to send peoole beyond the Solar System to inhabitable planets for colonisation. Unfortunately, reflecting the reality of out current capitalist hellscape, the colonial efforts are controlled by a mega corp, the Wayland Utani of this universe. This means due diligence isn't done in ensuring planets are habitable and colonists are not supplied with anywhere near realistic resources to survive -- a 'dandelion' approach. When it turns out the a little on the nose named, Valhalla, is not a comforting Mediterranean climate (the hard sci-fi of planets having one biome doesn't really need to be addressed here and we have always let Star Wars get away with it), but has all but entered an ice age in the time it has taken for the colony ship to reach it. This puts our POV character, the captain, at odds with the representative for the colonists, and by extension the thousands of people in cryo, as it is company policy to kick them out with a sombre, 'it sucks to be you', making no extra provisions for the largely doomed population. It is made clear that everyone aboard is a civilian with the captain and crew simply 'doing their jobs' as they await their own turn to be a colonist. However, the captain is the executor of the company's mandates, with his own fears for his family and the potential lives lost if any more provisions or time are allowed to the colonists. The colonists aren't going to roll over and die, so the two groups find themselves locked in a rather heartbreaking and wonderfully planned and conceptualided conflict.
The tension and impossibility of the situation from the perspectives the two sides are approaching it is such a perfect premise for a short story. I will not leave any spoilers, the above literally being the set up situation, and I will simply say that there is a thoughtfulness and honest bravery in which the author portrays the situation and fallout.
My only criticism is that I want to see more! I absolutely need to read more of this author now for sure. Also, while I understand and appreciate the restraint in not hammering the politics of the end so hard, especially as it will make it more palatable and have more effect making people think, I would love to have delved into the politics and organisation. Admittedly, I am a huge nerd for the depth of philosophy and dissembling current political assumptions found in the works of Urusla K le Guin, Octavia Butler, and others.
I'm just so pleasantly surprised and jazzed to have randomly read this!
I went into this knowing absolutely nothing as I periodically make my way through the Audible Included library and this was an absolute gem that came out of nowhere and blew me away. There were a number of moments that had me worried about the perspective and portrayal of the groups involved, but this is a miracle of not being milquetoast, liberal-centre right sci-fi, and actually took an honest look at an impossible situation.
First of all, the premise might not be the most original of all time, but it is a perfect storm of circumstances and characters for real human drama explored through colony sci-fi. The Sun is coming to the end of its life, so it's all hands on deck to send peoole beyond the Solar System to inhabitable planets for colonisation. Unfortunately, reflecting the reality of out current capitalist hellscape, the colonial efforts are controlled by a mega corp, the Wayland Utani of this universe. This means due diligence isn't done in ensuring planets are habitable and colonists are not supplied with anywhere near realistic resources to survive -- a 'dandelion' approach. When it turns out the a little on the nose named, Valhalla, is not a comforting Mediterranean climate (the hard sci-fi of planets having one biome doesn't really need to be addressed here and we have always let Star Wars get away with it), but has all but entered an ice age in the time it has taken for the colony ship to reach it. This puts our POV character, the captain, at odds with the representative for the colonists, and by extension the thousands of people in cryo, as it is company policy to kick them out with a sombre, 'it sucks to be you', making no extra provisions for the largely doomed population. It is made clear that everyone aboard is a civilian with the captain and crew simply 'doing their jobs' as they await their own turn to be a colonist. However, the captain is the executor of the company's mandates, with his own fears for his family and the potential lives lost if any more provisions or time are allowed to the colonists. The colonists aren't going to roll over and die, so the two groups find themselves locked in a rather heartbreaking and wonderfully planned and conceptualided conflict.
The tension and impossibility of the situation from the perspectives the two sides are approaching it is such a perfect premise for a short story. I will not leave any spoilers, the above literally being the set up situation, and I will simply say that there is a thoughtfulness and honest bravery in which the author portrays the situation and fallout.
My only criticism is that I want to see more! I absolutely need to read more of this author now for sure. Also, while I understand and appreciate the restraint in not hammering the politics of the end so hard, especially as it will make it more palatable and have more effect making people think, I would love to have delved into the politics and organisation. Admittedly, I am a huge nerd for the depth of philosophy and dissembling current political assumptions found in the works of Urusla K le Guin, Octavia Butler, and others.
I'm just so pleasantly surprised and jazzed to have randomly read this!
thelauramay's review
4.0
An enjoyable short. I really like Taylor's work, despite not being super into sci fi, and am hanging out for the next Outland book.
sunday91's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
theonionboy's review
5.0
I am biased because I love anything Dennis Taylor writes. But this was fantastic. In a way, I wish it was a full length book, but that is just because I want more to read from this author. I see that this was just the right length for this story, so it wouldn't be good to force it into a full book. I enjoyed reading it over a relaxing weekend lunch. If you like sci-fi, don't miss this.
kitvaria_sarene's review
5.0
Quick, but satisfying sci-fi!
As short as this was, it managed to feel like a well rounded story that had me gripped right from the start. A good blend of intriguing characters, world building, a good set of problems, some unexpected twists and a light sprinkling of humour!
As short as this was, it managed to feel like a well rounded story that had me gripped right from the start. A good blend of intriguing characters, world building, a good set of problems, some unexpected twists and a light sprinkling of humour!
andimontgomery's review
3.0
3.5 stars. This was an interesting story of a ship sent to colonize a planet. I’ll definitely read more from this author.