REVIEW: Dark Space by Marianne de Pierres

I hate trilogies, I really do. In fact I hate series. That’s a lie, actually. I don’t hate series at all. In fact I generally love them. What I hate is finishing one book and wanting to dive into the next one immediately, only to have to wait. So, clever clogs me waited this one out. The whole series is available, and I have two books already, so I could comfortably start.

Except, I hit two hiccups.

1. I thought the next book I had was book two, but it turns out it’s actually BOOK FOUR!
2. The point is moot anyway, because I CAN’T FIND IT!

Now, I have to go book hunting.

Title: Dark Space

Series: Sentients of Orion (Book 1 of 4)

Author: Marianne de Pierres

Publisher: Orbit

Year Published: 2007

I love a good space opera, and this pushed nearly all the right buttons for me.  There were a few things I wanted to see in more of, but I actually get the impression they are going to be addressed in the next book.

In a far future where worlds across the galaxy have been settled, there is still discrimination and injustice. The discovery of a god-like being has a bearing on some, but for others, life goes on.

A young woman fights to keep her birthright, an heir disgraces his name, an ambitious architect will stop at nothing to attain greatness. And when the playing field of life is rocked, each person must examine themselves, and their motivations to find what kind of person they truly are, and what is important to them.

The story jumps around a little, mainly following four protagonists, but this serves to give a good overview of the situation.

The characters are real and solid. No one seems to be truly evil, or truly good, rather each person has many layers, giving them a genuine depth. And, like real life, relationships between the characters don’t always go the way one would expect.

So, the verdict: I loved it. I have to go and hunt the second book out TODAY.

10 comments February 28, 2012

Australian Women Writers 2012 National Year of Reading Challenge

In an effort to motivate myself to read a little more, and to think about what I’m reading, rather than just choosing brain candy, I’ve signed up for to 2012 Challenge.I have already identified a couple of books I want to read, but I’m going to try and be practical and so I’ve chosen the Stella Level. And I think I’ll be a Dabbler. That means 3 books, 2 reviews.

So, what’re the deets?

Challenge period: 1 January 2012 – 31 December 2012

Goal: Read and review books written by Australian women writers – hard copies, ebooks and audiobooks, new, borrowed or stumbled upon by book-crossing.

Genre challenges:
Purist: one genre only
Dabbler: more than one genre
Devoted eclectic: as many genres as you can find

Challenge levels:
Stella (read 3 and review at least 2 books)
Miles (read 6 and review at least 3*
Franklin-fantastic (read 10 and review at least 4 books)*
* The higher levels should include at least one substantial length review

2 comments December 11, 2011