A review by zhengsterz
Firefall by Peter Watts

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Science fiction book about how genetically altered humans and vampires encounter aliens and the subsequent fall of civilization at the hands of this superior alien race.

First half had a protagonist in Siri Keeton, a man who acts as a translator between higher order humans and baselines humans, forced into this field by childhood disfigurement which we later learn was a result of his father's involvement in clandestine military activities which impacted his development in the womb. He is sent on the suicide mission to meet with the alien ship and ends up being the only survivor beeming back his finding to earth on his transit back.

Second half follows Daniel Bruks, a guy who refuses to get augments and is a baseline. Manipulated by the very end by the higher order beings around him to join them on a trip to find out what happened to the original crew, he ends up being infected by something alien allowing him to even best a vampire by the end of the novel, once they end up back on earth.

First half was better with a more endearing crew, writing style was not really that nice, really cool ideas about vampires.