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graculus's review against another edition
3.0
Local Star was one of those books I'd seen mentioned somewhere (probably on Twitter) and sounded like it might be something I'd like, so when it was available on Netgalley I jumped at the chance of picking it up. Yes, I am a poor bookworm and trying not to actually buy books, so both Netgalley and the local library's click-and-collect service are currently doing me proud.
Anyway, on to the book itself. This is basic nuts and bolts science fiction, set in the middle of a war with people who are intent on transforming themselves by the use (and abuse) of technology, to the point where prisoners of war have to have bits of themselves surgically removed - this might not work well for some readers, though it's not massively graphic.
Our protagonist is Triz, who works as a spaceship mechanic and whose point of view we get everything from. She's just come out of a relationship with a pilot and is currently involved in a relationship with other characters in the novella - this is a universe where polyamory is pretty much commonplace and Triz is part of a triad at the point the book starts. She is, however, relentlessly self-deprecating in terms of her own ability and the likelihood of this relationship lasting, much affected by her own very deprived background, and that gets a bit tiring when it keeps coming up so regularly. One of her current lovers then gets arrested and accused of war crimes, which Triz is adamant can't be the case, but she doesn't have much trust in Things Working Out so enlists the help of her former boyfriend the pilot to spring her from space jail.
The main point of interest for me with this novella is one that gets skimmed over, in my opinion - the whole thing about technology and self-modification. At one point it's revealed pretty dramatically that most of 'our side' have also had quite a bit of tech implanted in them for the purpose of fighting better but the enemy are relentlessly Othered for being that much more extreme. I'd have expected a bit more introspection from Triz about why it's okay when the people she loves does it but not otherwise and how ready she is to fall into bed with said people but reacts with loathing at other examples.
Anyway, in general it's an easy enough read of 180 pages or so, which only had me skimming a bit in the 'let's blow this popsicle stand' chase sequence around the rescue attempt. I'm sure it'll work perfectly for some folks but I've dropped a couple of stars because of just how fed up I got with Triz's mental processes and the lack of explanation for her getting back together with her ex.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Anyway, on to the book itself. This is basic nuts and bolts science fiction, set in the middle of a war with people who are intent on transforming themselves by the use (and abuse) of technology, to the point where prisoners of war have to have bits of themselves surgically removed - this might not work well for some readers, though it's not massively graphic.
Our protagonist is Triz, who works as a spaceship mechanic and whose point of view we get everything from. She's just come out of a relationship with a pilot and is currently involved in a relationship with other characters in the novella - this is a universe where polyamory is pretty much commonplace and Triz is part of a triad at the point the book starts. She is, however, relentlessly self-deprecating in terms of her own ability and the likelihood of this relationship lasting, much affected by her own very deprived background, and that gets a bit tiring when it keeps coming up so regularly. One of her current lovers then gets arrested and accused of war crimes, which Triz is adamant can't be the case, but she doesn't have much trust in Things Working Out so enlists the help of her former boyfriend the pilot to spring her from space jail.
The main point of interest for me with this novella is one that gets skimmed over, in my opinion - the whole thing about technology and self-modification. At one point it's revealed pretty dramatically that most of 'our side' have also had quite a bit of tech implanted in them for the purpose of fighting better but the enemy are relentlessly Othered for being that much more extreme. I'd have expected a bit more introspection from Triz about why it's okay when the people she loves does it but not otherwise and how ready she is to fall into bed with said people but reacts with loathing at other examples.
Anyway, in general it's an easy enough read of 180 pages or so, which only had me skimming a bit in the 'let's blow this popsicle stand' chase sequence around the rescue attempt. I'm sure it'll work perfectly for some folks but I've dropped a couple of stars because of just how fed up I got with Triz's mental processes and the lack of explanation for her getting back together with her ex.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma
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