I realized it’s been ages since I have done something akin to a review. So, what better time to begin again than now?
Anyways, today’s review is the latest sci fi I’ve read, namely:
Paradise 1 by David Wellington:
A ragtag crew is sent to earths first deep space colony Paradise 1 to figure out why all communications have gone dark. Sound simple, right… no…. nothing in this story is simple. The crew will have to face the horrors of the unknown and battle for their lives and sanity.
So, what did work for me in the book:
First of all, this book is fast paced. It clocks in on 670 pages spread out over 170 chapters. If you are anything like me, then this will be a selling point, you get to chip away at the book a quick chapter read here and there between everyday life chores. You’ll be reading this one at every opportunity!
Secondly, the story is unpredictable. I’ve read my fair share of sci-fi and horror, I would say I’m rather seasoned in twist and turns and to expect the unexpected. But this story kept me on my toes throughout. Kudos to Wellington for creating a unique tale that kept me guessing!
Thirdly. The characters
The ragtag crew consist of Semi-disgraced agent Alexandra Petrova, a nepo-baby in Firewatch (IE space police) with serious mommy issues. Does not help that her mother is the former (and legendary) leader of Firewatch) and she also went missing on a colony ship to Paradise 1. Sam Parker, down-on-his-luck but talented pilot. He also has some unresolved history with Petrova. Will this mission be the quest that changes everything for him? Zhang Lei, medical doctor that is trying to cope with serious mental and emotional trauma. He also wields a rather advanced medical bracelet. Rapscallion, an (somewhat) outdated AI in robot form who just wants to do his job and avoid humans to a degree. He also has the ability to make more copies of himself in many different variations. To be honest Rapscallion is one the most relatable characters in newer sci-fi that I have read recently. Dude just wants to do his job and get on with things.
These characters are well fleshed out, believable and relatable. They have all their own struggles and are each in themselves broken. Will they manage to overcome their personal demons before they solve the mystery of Paradise 1? You have to read the book to find out.
Fourthly…. Is that even a word? Anyways. The horror. Yes, yes, I know, this is a sci-fi book but there is plenty of horror to be found in these here pages. There are some pretty tense, harrowing and creepy scenes, as well as some gore and body horror.
To be honest, that is something that we need more of. More sci-fi horror please.
What didn’t work for me:
I have nothing bad to say about the book itself, writing style and story works overall. Maybe for some there will be too much happening and might get a bit overwhelmed.
Its worth mentioning that this is book one in a trilogy. I try to avoid starting new series until I have finished a few of the ones I have started already. Alas, the blurb just sucked me in, I just had to read it! Now I have to endure a few months waiting until next instalment…
Overall, this was a great read. Fast paced, action with great characters. Tense scenes and brutal happenings. If you are a fan of The Expanse series or to some degree Event Horizon, you might find it worthwhile reading Paradise 1.
So, that’s it. First blogpost in two years.
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