This is another book I spotted while meandering about the shelves of worlds and stories in Waterstones. The cover looks spacey, so I was drawn in (I know, I know; don't judge a book by the cover. I've been bitten by that before and it's days of my life that I'll never get back).
I turned the book over to read the synopsis when my eyes first found the review "The perfect read for fans of Becky Chambers". I didn't need to know any more. I bought this and Curtis' second book the same day.
The Plot
A Sci-Fi story perfect for the fans of Becky Chambers and Firefly among us!
Earth is a virtual wasteland, reverting back to wild west ways of living with the few remaining occupants who didn't chose to go to the stars with the rest of humanity and the new galactic empire a few hundred years prior, after climate change has devastating consequences for the planet following the irresponsible development of technology.
Humanity on Earth has been abandoned and forgotten about since then without so much as a postcard, and the culture has developed to reflect that abandonment in many ways. For example, anything towards the sky is synonymous with Hell, while anything ground based is heavenly. Religion has developed to worship Gaia to reflect how the remaining occupants of Earth feel, which I thought was pretty cool because I love anything Greek!
As a result of the newly emerged religion and the opinion of anything, or anyone, from the sky, Earth isn't the place to be for any humans who wish to return. The star dwelling humans are the ones who ruined it and then abandoned the planet, so they are absolutely not welcome! So you can imagine how apprehensive our protagonist feels when she crash lands on Earth and attempts to navigate this alien culture in the search for the woman she loves.
Her journey is an arduous one, fraught with obstacles and people who don't want her there, and through it you learn who she was, who she wants to be, and who she needs to be in order to find her love and the future she wishes to secure. And in that there's a heartwarming story of personal change and the pursuit of happiness.
The Characters
The characters you meet are varied, engaging and interesting in each of their unique ways. Each chapter introduces you not just to a new character, but to a representative of the culture that remain on Earth. Religious representatives, political, and regular people just trying to get by with mixed success and prosperity, each with the own opinions and agendas, lovable or equally detestable!
The World
Set on a post apocalyptic Earth, ravaged by the irresponsible development of technology and resource stripping of the planet, and regarded by humanity's vast galactic empire as worthless.
Should I read it?
Yes
Get your copy here!
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