Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsUneven. I found parts of this very compelling, and other parts distinctly off-putting.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 22, 2020
This is the first book in a science fiction series that contains aliens, conspiracies, and military elements. I found it a mixed bag. At times, I was swept up by action sequences. At times, I was intrigued by the aliens and other aspects of the plot. Although the characterization lacked much nuance, I didn't object, being in the mood for a book with unambiguously good characters. Alas, however, there were times when I was put off by the tone, specifically by the way women were described and by the way men reacted to them. I expect there are large numbers of readers who wouldn't have been bothered by this at all, but it did bother me.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
