I'm a very selective reader of science fiction. I know what I like - Iain M Banks - and it takes a lot of persuasion to encourage me to dip my toes into anything else. And I certainly came to this novel via a very roundabout Victorian route. Alex Roddie writes fine period piece mountaineering adventures as well as blogging about his own climbing and trekking experiences, and when his short story was included in the sci-fi anthology No Way Home, I duly read that too. Also in the anthology was a story by Lucas Bale, "To Sing of Chaos and Eternal Night" which really stood out. The Heretic, the first novel in a series, was promptly bought and then remained forgotten until this month.
The plot is hardly new or original, but doesn't need to be when it is both well-paced and descriptively strong. We have a good array of characters: the damaged hero, a smuggler on the dark side of a broken society; the preacher who may, or may not, be trying to save people from themselves, or at least give them some options; the brothers torn apart by a corrupt government who uses Peacekeepers that are anything but. And the ship. Not a sentient AI, but an intriguing vessel with a personality all her own, plus some secrets.
The author gives us a full compliment of chases and fights, while post-apocalyptic medieval technology and some true science fiction are neatly interlaced. Plus a glimpse into what the future may just hold for all of us unless we change our ways very soon.
I read this in a couple of sittings and will read the next in the series at some point, but only gave four rather than five stars. Why? Well, it is good, indeed very good, but not exceptional or ground-breaking. Just a thoroughly good read.
Find out more about Lucas Bale at his website.
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