duchess 's review for:

Forsaken Skies by D. Nolan Clark

2.0

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When I read a space opera, I expect first and foremost to connect with the characters and to be drawn in to their interpersonal relationships. That's the kind of stuff that keeps a book in this genre alive despite the crazy & often hilariously fun background of SPACE! ALIENS! ROCKET SHIPS and AIs!

There are characters in this book...I just didn't connect with any of them. They all seemed to act as supports to prop up the main character, Aleister Lanoe, who seemed to be a Gary Stu type of gruff and manly "morally conflicted" author fantasy. The way the characters all come together is far too convenient & rushed. Half the characters seem to have inter-character backstory, but you almost never feel that except between Aleister & his romantic interest Bettina Zhang. There's no explanation for any of Lanoe's motivations until about 80% of the way into the book, and even then it's vague and an eye-rollingly obvious stereotype.

The alien antagonists were the only interesting part, but only to the extent that I feel like I've watched this Stargate episode before. Except a little cooler, I'll give Clark (pseudonym for author David Wellington) that much credit.

Lastly, this book passes the Bechdel Test by the absolute skin of its teeth. Not that passing the Bechdel test confirms or denies whether a piece of media is 'feminist' or 'good', but it's something to take into consideration.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!