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A review by turrean
The Caledonian Gambit by Dan Moren
5.0
Too many science fiction novels focus on the whiz-bang special effects, and then rely on stock characters with crystal-clear good / bad alignments. Fortunately, Moren's story is free of this defect: characters on all sides of the political & cultural divides in the novel are a blend of good and bad (and indifferent), giving the novel a healthy and welcome dose of reality.
Not that there aren't some whiz-bang battles and high-tech gadgets within. Moren drops hints along the way about the super-secret technology that will change the galaxy, and the opening and closing battles in particular provide plenty of action. Spy thriller fans will rejoice in the presence of one Simon Kovalic and his sidekicks, as they track down missing operatives and shadowy Caledonian provacateurs. But it's the internal and interpersonal journeys that are the novel's real strength. Political, cultural, and family alliances shift in a lifelike--and sometimes heartbreaking--way.
There was a distinct lack of estrogen in this universe, though. One female character was there largely to provide motivation for others' rage; another did pack a solid punch, but was not a major presence; another was supposedly intelligent, but was motivated only by romantic interest. (Moren gets extra points for giving us a glimpse of an older woman, but loses them all because she is shopping.) My favorite female character was sadly relegated to only one scene. Here's hoping this oversight will be corrected in future excursions to this part of the galaxy.
Finally: a note on the audiobook version. The narrator did a fine job with the "Caledonian" accents. Elijah Brody's voicing was very good--young, defiant, and sometimes bewildered. Simon Kovalic's was more problematic; not sure that a very proper British accent was the best choice for him.
Not that there aren't some whiz-bang battles and high-tech gadgets within. Moren drops hints along the way about the super-secret technology that will change the galaxy, and the opening and closing battles in particular provide plenty of action. Spy thriller fans will rejoice in the presence of one Simon Kovalic and his sidekicks, as they track down missing operatives and shadowy Caledonian provacateurs. But it's the internal and interpersonal journeys that are the novel's real strength. Political, cultural, and family alliances shift in a lifelike--and sometimes heartbreaking--way.
There was a distinct lack of estrogen in this universe, though. One female character was there largely to provide motivation for others' rage; another did pack a solid punch, but was not a major presence; another was supposedly intelligent, but was motivated only by romantic interest. (Moren gets extra points for giving us a glimpse of an older woman, but loses them all because she is shopping.) My favorite female character was sadly relegated to only one scene. Here's hoping this oversight will be corrected in future excursions to this part of the galaxy.
Finally: a note on the audiobook version. The narrator did a fine job with the "Caledonian" accents. Elijah Brody's voicing was very good--young, defiant, and sometimes bewildered. Simon Kovalic's was more problematic; not sure that a very proper British accent was the best choice for him.