Ever Changing Loyalty

RADIATE by C.A. Higgins is the final book in the sci-fi trilogy, and begins by jumping back in time to the moment Mattie rescued Ivan from Ananke, with help from the ship herself. The backward and forward time shifts continue throughout the novel, which is extremely annoying, considering how the three installments already overlap one another (especially SUPERNOVA and RADIATE).

Basically, LIGHTLESS centers on Althea and Ananke, SUPERNOVA centers on the Mallt-y-Nos and the Wild Hunt, and RADIATE centers on Ivan and Mattie, with the same events retold over and over, from the POV of the corresponding characters in each book. While I enjoy experiencing the storyline through so many different perspectives, the constant switching between past and present weakened the effectiveness of rotating the viewpoints.

As far as I'm concerned, Ivan and Mattie are the true stars of the trilogy. Their relationship makes the strongest impression, and I love how the trilogy essentially begins and ends with those two. While I think the last flashback is an excellent touch, I really want more closure for Ivan, Mattie and the other survivors. Crazy as it may sound, especially after the way I criticized the second book, I would love a compilation of short stories told from the POVs of the supporting characters such as Anji, Christoph, Julian, Arawn and Marisol.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Space Battle Lacking Action

SUPERNOVA by C.A. Higgins begins with a flashback which takes place six months before the events at the end of LIGHTLESS, offering some insight into a terrorist attack by the Mallt-y-Nos against the System. While the story quickly returns to Althea and Ananke, alone with a ship full of corpses, the author continues to alternate between past and present events, throughout the rest of the story in an attempt to reveal the various personal relationships between the resistance fighters.

Periodically, readers are shown the interactions between Althea and Ananke, which are growing progressively more hostile on both sides. However, the majority of the novel is centered on the Huntress and her army. Her plans are unraveling, and many factions are rising up in place of the disposed System.

The result is a science fiction drama, rather than a sci-fi thriller. There is very little action, even though there is an ongoing battle involving multiple planets and moons. Anyone not impressed with the first book will likely be even more disappointed by this sequel. Ivan is the only likeable character at this point. I will finish reading this trilogy, but I don't expect the storyline to improve.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The System Has Been Compromised

LIGHTLESS by C.A. Higgins is described as the "deeply moving human drama of Gravity meets the nail-biting suspense of Alien," and the marketing for this story couldn't be more wrong. This is a story about a woman trying to defend the spaceship she has worked on for years. Althea considers the Ananke her child, so, when terrorists force their way on the ship, Althea has to become a different person to defend her life's work.

I'm a fan of the Alien movies and I have watched Gravity in the past, and I wouldn't compare either one of those movies to this novel. The human drama is basically the same issue that has always plagued mankind: people trying to control other people. The only suspense is how long it takes to drag the story out of Ivan (one of the terrorists) through his interrogation at the hands of Ida Stays. Ida is probably the most developed character, and she is just the stereotypical government official gone mad with power. I think this story could have been so much better with a lot more action, as well as more personality from the characters.

However, I desperately needed to know what, exactly, Mattie (Ivan's partner) did to Althea's beloved ship...specifically the computer of the Ananke, and that hook held me captive throughout the story. I also love the setting of the System: colonies on the planets and moons of our solar system, controlled by a government centralized on Earth, with everyone being monitored everywhere by cameras...all the time. Dare to rebel against the government officials? Kiss your atmosphere good-bye. Too bad the story was limited to the one ship. Hopefully, we will see more of the System in the sequel.

As always,
AstraDaemon