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A review by cspoe
Gravitational Attraction by Angel Martinez
5.0
I'm not typically a seeker of sci-fi. To me, it's one of the hardest genres to write, (sincere appreciation for those who have imagination that ticks in this way) but it's also difficult as a reader to become enveloped in another world, somewhere typically in the far-out future, and not feel wildly out of place or lost in a barrage of details.
But this book? I love it. I absolutely love it to death. Every time I re-read it, it's an action-packed, wild thrill through space with unique and believable characters, nail-biting drama, and world-building that Angel Martinez deserves an in-person applause for. At no point in this book am I overwhelmed with too much information about alien species, languages, or customs. Every element Martinez includes is woven into the narrative in such a way that the reader is capable of learning alongside Isaac, appreciating his confusion, but without experiencing it themselves. An incredibly difficult endeavor, I must imagine.
Isaac Ozawa is comm operator onboard the Hermes, an independent vessel hired for run-of-the-mill jobs throughout space. Once trained to be a pilot, Isaac's implant that made it possible to meld with the fighters didn't take quite right, and the neural damage took his dream away. But still, at least he has a job in space-- right? The Hermes comes upon what seems to be an abandoned vessel, and once the (incredibly diverse and lovable) crew board to inspect the situation, they find a lone survivor of an alien massacre. Turk is Corzin, a warrior from a planet that has remained isolated. Tentative communications with ESTO fleets has allowed Turk off-world access to live among outsiders as part of an exchange program. But mix a power-hungry admiral, a people misunderstood and assumed to be barbarians, and incredible technologies known by the mysterious Drak'tar, and you've got a treaty-breaking situation edging on all-out war.
And in the midst of this incredibly fun and amazing plot, there is a tender, beautiful romance blossoming between Isaac and Turk. The two are so polar opposite, and yet at the same time, so terribly similar in their struggles to find a place within the world, that they really are the missing pieces in one another. There are also a few low-key side romances that were very fulfilling. I selfishly wish certain Hermes crew members got little short stories, simply due to being so adorable!
Gravitational Attraction is a fantastic read that always leaves me a little hungover in the best way. I highly recommend this book, even if you're not terribly keen on sci-fi. Because neither was I, and Martinez has introduced me to a genre I didn't think I'd quite get, and now appreciate so much.
But this book? I love it. I absolutely love it to death. Every time I re-read it, it's an action-packed, wild thrill through space with unique and believable characters, nail-biting drama, and world-building that Angel Martinez deserves an in-person applause for. At no point in this book am I overwhelmed with too much information about alien species, languages, or customs. Every element Martinez includes is woven into the narrative in such a way that the reader is capable of learning alongside Isaac, appreciating his confusion, but without experiencing it themselves. An incredibly difficult endeavor, I must imagine.
Isaac Ozawa is comm operator onboard the Hermes, an independent vessel hired for run-of-the-mill jobs throughout space. Once trained to be a pilot, Isaac's implant that made it possible to meld with the fighters didn't take quite right, and the neural damage took his dream away. But still, at least he has a job in space-- right? The Hermes comes upon what seems to be an abandoned vessel, and once the (incredibly diverse and lovable) crew board to inspect the situation, they find a lone survivor of an alien massacre. Turk is Corzin, a warrior from a planet that has remained isolated. Tentative communications with ESTO fleets has allowed Turk off-world access to live among outsiders as part of an exchange program. But mix a power-hungry admiral, a people misunderstood and assumed to be barbarians, and incredible technologies known by the mysterious Drak'tar, and you've got a treaty-breaking situation edging on all-out war.
And in the midst of this incredibly fun and amazing plot, there is a tender, beautiful romance blossoming between Isaac and Turk. The two are so polar opposite, and yet at the same time, so terribly similar in their struggles to find a place within the world, that they really are the missing pieces in one another. There are also a few low-key side romances that were very fulfilling. I selfishly wish certain Hermes crew members got little short stories, simply due to being so adorable!
Gravitational Attraction is a fantastic read that always leaves me a little hungover in the best way. I highly recommend this book, even if you're not terribly keen on sci-fi. Because neither was I, and Martinez has introduced me to a genre I didn't think I'd quite get, and now appreciate so much.