Epic space opera? Check. Interesting characters, including some very creative AIs? Check again. A love story between a member of the privileged few and one of the genetically engineered many? Keep the check marks going. The version of 2275 presented in ‘Song of Song’ may be a little scientifically inaccurate, but with everything that is going on, it is also highly entertaining. The focus is on some of the social developments we can already see today, and I found it fascinating to look at a society that has eradicated any and all issues we have today – from depletion of resources to pollution and global warming to crime – but at a price that some would deem too high.

It is kind of scary that, even today, not everyone would agree that giving up personal freedom is a problem when the benefit is a paradise-like situation on the whole planet. I occasionally look at some of today’s voices advocating certain laws be changed, certain rights sacrificed, to fight “terrorists” and wonder where this is all going. Well, L.J. LaBarthe shows where it could go if we lose sight of the role individuals, freedom, and fundamental human rights have played in the development of civilization as we know it. Yes, this future is glorious in many ways. But. Never mind that only the rich will be able to afford it, and that more people will be poor than ever before. Never mind that the work will be done by genetically engineered workers, the Boxies, who have no rights and are not allowed their own thoughts. And never mind that all the criminals are dealt with via a personality wipe that makes them perfectly malleable to whatever the various Authorities (read: governments) tell them. You see? Scary!

This novel, above all else, tells the story of two very different men and their journey toward greater self-awareness, a greater understanding of relationships in general, and their personal happiness when they fall in love. Dex is a Boxie and has no rights, but has begun to learn about friendship by taking care of his pet cat, an AI; all Dex wants is to be free to make his own choices. Song is a spaceship designer who comes from money, but decides to run when the sentient spaceship he created is being threatened. When they meet, Dex turns out to have some useful abilities, and Song finds himself fascinated by someone he never even considered fully human before. Song learns quickly though, and that is a good thing since they are facing multiple threats and mounting danger and will only be able to stay alive if they work together.

I loved all the secondary characters as well, especially the curious, loyal spaceship Fa’a and the clever, supportive AI cat Manx. They and the humans on board are a ragtag group of beings from all walks of life, but they all care about keeping the galaxy free and out of the villain’s nefarious plans. Said villain is very well designed: he is an utterly civilized man who likes the finer things in life, out to make sure everything is “orderly” and well run – for everyone’s benefit, of course. The fact that this new order of his benefits him the most is neither here nor there, or so he thinks. While he is ruthless and despicable, he hides it under a thin veneer of pseudo-benevolence that makes most people believe the propaganda he spouts.

If you like epic adventures in space, if a thickening plot that leaves the main characters fewer and fewer choices while increasing the danger they are in by the page is your thing, and if you’re looking for a read full of space battles, freedom fighters, and more than one hot encounter between a pair of very unlikely lovers, then you will probably like this novel.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )