Genre: Space opera
Description:
The macro premise here is that the galaxy in
which the book takes place is being pushed towards heat death by Superbeings (who
may be gods, or may be from another dimension). A small band of very young warriors
is trying to prevent this. For much of the book some of them do not know that
is what they are doing. But contact with a child-Messiah space-lemur brings
them round. (That last sentence might be a spoiler, but you have to agree, it
was too tempting to leave out.)
Author:
Finelli says of herself “I’m a physician and
injured adventurer … I often write fantastical science fiction with a real life
military, medical, or combat edge. When I’m not doing that, I play with trauma
and pain and hope.” Of this Neodymium series she says it is, “something like a
manifesto about hope, independence, diversity, and the question of suffering
with free will.”
Her writing influences include C.S. Lewis,
Kevin J. Anderson, James Beamon, and Alicia McCalla (with whom she wrote the
SUPERHERO MEGA ANTHOLOGY). She podcasts. She has some 25 titles on Goodreads, a
number of which are set in this Neodymium universe. However, her most popular
title is Bleed.
She says you're welcome to download some of
her stories for free at byjenfinelli.com/you-want-heroes-and-fairies, or join
her quest to build a mobile indigent clinic for the forgotten at
patreon.com/becominghero. Jen's a practicing MD, FAWM candidate, and sexual assault
medical forensic examiner – but when she grows up, she wants to be a superhero.
Appraisal:
This is a book with interesting things to
say about the way we live now, and the ways in which that might change in the
future. It is wise about personal and societal gods, and how individuals and
populations relate to them. It has interesting things to say about feminism,
family, personal identity, and religion. As here:
‘“Is Njandejara [most people’s god of
choice] angry with us?” Lark asked finally.
“You want him to be angry at those who’ve wronged or failed you,” Joshua said.
“What should he do for the people you’ve wronged or failed?”
“That is a good question,” Lark said.’
Isn’t it though.
There are a lot of great ideas in
this book.
The novel has a large cast (a list of whom are given at the back of
the book, with no signpost to it at the beginning …). A number of important
characters have pseudonyms and/or nicknames. Sometimes more than one.
There is a substantial subplot involving a
small group of fellow combatants and/or brothers of Jaika, one of the major
characters. They have been enslaved. Every so often Jaika bemoans the fact that
saving the galaxy is delaying her freeing them. Every so often we step out of
the plot (which is moving along very nicely) to visit them in their captivity,
which I have to say I came to resent. Their situation does not change, as the
book is galloping along elsewhere. This (rather baggy) book could have been tightened
up considerably if the reader’s visits to the enslaved were removed and some
back story provided for those who stumbled into this book believing it to be
the first of a series.
But the thing which frustrated me the most about the book is that, as
well as being Neodymium Apocalypse, Part 1 it is also, Book 4 (of 5) of The
Neodymium Chronicles. This may be news to the author, but it does not
stand alone. As a final confusion, it appears that Book 3 in the series is
currently in space-dock having a major refit.
If you’re into space opera there is much
here that is worthy of your time. The thoughtful passages have interesting
things to say; the world-building is good and the sapient species are cleverly
drawn; the action passages are exciting and clearly executed; the medical and
technical material is convincing. All good. There is no real resolution at the
end, but it is poised to leap into the final book with grappling hooks extended,
so you know what is in store there, so it is satisfying enough.
However, if you want to give this series a
go, do yourself a favour and start at the beginning.
Buy now
from: Amazon US Amazon UK
Format/Typo
Issues:
Review is based on an advance reader copy,
so we can’t gauge the final product in this regard.
Rating: ***
Three Stars
Reviewed
by: Judi Moore
Approximate
word count: 115-120,000 words
