A review by nickfourtimes
The Hard Switch by Owen D. Pomery

adventurous funny inspiring tense fast-paced

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

5.0

1) "The Hard Switch is coming. This is the name people have given to the point when alcanite runs out. The once commonplace mineral that enables inter-system jump navigation. When the last piece has gone, the vast, diverse and scattered inhabitants of the galaxy will be stuck wherever they are. Some will have the means to choose this. Others will take what they've got. Or at least the best they can get."

2) "'Welcome! Oh, what's this? A pet?'

'Don't... touch... the glass.'

*Hhhrrrkkk...!*

'I'm an engineer.'"

3) "'Hallsman.'

'Fuck! You scared me. This is a very alarmist way to deliver my payment.'"

4) "'They increased the size of the landing disc to take mega-freight, in a bid to get as much mineral off-planet before The Switch. People here are working overtime to make as much out of it as possible before it all shuts down.

Makes no sense though, when all planets are isolated again, economies will become localised and no one has any idea what the Standard will be worth here by then. But no one is thinking long term, everyone believes they have a plan to get off-world before the bridges go down.

They think they're unique in that too. But in reality the maths doesn't work. How about you?'

'Ah, don't worry about us. We've got a plan.'

'Haha. Of course.'"

5) "'Brace yourselves, this won't be graceful.'"