Deigge
I read "The Ophiuchi Hotline" right before this book so I'll talk about both of them for a bit. While they are both part of the Eight Worlds series, they are not connected in any way besides sharing some common ideas of the world. The author also clarified that there isn't any consistency and you can't put these books in a chronicle order. If you read any kind of Eight Worlds book before this is kind of an important information. Personally I was put off my the inconsistency at first until you throw out the whole concept of these books being connected. The good thing about this, you can choose the books you find interesting without missing anything. Ophiuchi Hotline and Steel Beach are different kind of books, personally I liked Steel Beach way more than Ophi Hotline. Do you like a faster paced book with a bit more action and "higher" scifi? Choose Ophi Hotline. Rather want to read a slow burning book which is more focused on thoughts and emotions and living on Luna? Choose Steel Bach.
Now to the book itself. It is confusing. At least at first. I think it takes around 100 pages until you actually get into the story and feel like you can follow. Some of this makes sense later but I also think the author just likes to give you the feeling that you just zapped into a tv show mid season. There also isn't a clear "goal" or story path early on. The book plants ideas, thoughts and problems but the story doesn't just focus on fixing things or overall progress with these things. A lot of times the journey is the reward. In my opinion The Ophiuchi Hotline had very thin world building which made me sad since I thought the world is pretty interesting. Well, this book is full of world building! And I love it.
I read "The Ophiuchi Hotline" right before this book so I'll talk about both of them for a bit. While they are both part of the Eight Worlds series, they are not connected in any way besides sharing some common ideas of the world. The author also clarified that there isn't any consistency and you can't put these books in a chronicle order. If you read any kind of Eight Worlds book before this is kind of an important information. Personally I was put off my the inconsistency at first until you throw out the whole concept of these books being connected. The good thing about this, you can choose the books you find interesting without missing anything. Ophiuchi Hotline and Steel Beach are different kind of books, personally I liked Steel Beach way more than Ophi Hotline. Do you like a faster paced book with a bit more action and "higher" scifi? Choose Ophi Hotline. Rather want to read a slow burning book which is more focused on thoughts and emotions and living on Luna? Choose Steel Bach.
Now to the book itself. It is confusing. At least at first. I think it takes around 100 pages until you actually get into the story and feel like you can follow. Some of this makes sense later but I also think the author just likes to give you the feeling that you just zapped into a tv show mid season. There also isn't a clear "goal" or story path early on. The book plants ideas, thoughts and problems but the story doesn't just focus on fixing things or overall progress with these things. A lot of times the journey is the reward. In my opinion The Ophiuchi Hotline had very thin world building which made me sad since I thought the world is pretty interesting. Well, this book is full of world building! And I love it.