Eeleen Lee

I'm torn by this one. It's very obviously a first novel - too many ideas crammed in without thinking them through first; jumps about confusingly in the timeline, sometimes within a single paragraph; characters who seem to have no purpose; and an abrupt ending. I coudn't really get a handle on the world-building or the plot, but there was something about the verve of it that kept me reading. For the first time ever I think that a book could have done with being longer, to give the author time to develop ideas properly and expand the plot so it makes sense! Despite the shortcomings I'm likely to pick up a subsequent novel by this author.… (altro)

Odd but improves as it goes along. Not quite weird SF, but in-places bordering upon it. I chanced upon it as part of a noir bundle, and that certainly seems like an odd designation, not only is the setting widely different, but the feel is very much more upbeat (despite the plot) and there are several POV characters featuring both the detectives and the victims which isn't usually the case in noir style.

The opening few chapters are in a style that particularly irritates me, set in the present, we then ski[ back three years to find out what happened, and gradually work the way forward through and past the opening scenes. It's unnecessary and confusing. One of our heroines is Trat, a minor's daughter. Her father was supervisor in an asteroid mine, when an 'incident' happened, and he was the sole survivor. The rest of the community are shocked and unhappy. Her father comes back changed from the experience, and the familly are never comfortable again. As compensation the company offers (pressures) the uptake of mining modifications to the grieving families - enabling them to work on higher paid jobs. Trat's sister commits suicide.

Meanwhile a dance teacher has perfected a martial art, and iis now nuro-blocked from causing further harm, but this doesn't stop her trying. Especially when there are rich corporate families sponsoring her. It takes a long while for the police story to pick up, but eventually there's an accident when Trat kills the daughter of one of the corporate families. Careful politicking is required to investigate the facts, the truth and the causes, without stepping on rich toes, or inciting the miners to riots.

The worldbuilding was intricate, but never quite explained. I think the author did have it all clear in their head (which isn't always the case!), but then edited out some of the exposition and backstory, so the reader never quite gets the full picture. There's an awful lot of gemstone and geology names thrown around, but it's never clear why, nor what the miners are digging for or why. Likewise there's a whole subplot involving a jeweller that doesn't seem to go anywhere even if they're perhaps the most interesting character.

But it does grow on you, the characters interact well, and have motivations you can believe, and gradually you get some understanding of how the world is working, and how it came to be. Sadly just as you're reaching that point, the ending is somewhat abrupt, it does explain what has happened but leaves most of the characters without resolution. Maybe there is a sequel, but I'm not going to seek it out although if I chance upon it I might read it.… (altro)