To See the Sun

Between three and four stars, rounded up because some of my objections were just my own problems.

This book delivers exactly what I expected it to and what you would guess based on the summary. Ultimately, it reminded me of old-time Westerns, which meant it also reminded me somewhat of various Star Trek subplots. But I like those things. The setting is definitely original and plays an important role in the story.

Somehow, though, I didn't really feel the connection between the main characters. For me, there was too much angst, mainly over withheld information. It took me a ridiculously long time to read this book, at least partly because of the angst; there is some domestic fluff in the middle, but it was so sweet that I knew an awful thing was going to crop up and threaten their happiness. I also didn't really like the writing style, with a lot of verbing of nouns and sentence fragments for effect. The book needed another pass by a proofreader, too. I liked all the important side characters and that sexual orientation seemed to be a non-issue on Alkirak. Bram and Gael were both likable characters, but I never fell in love with either of them.

Overall, it is not a bad book, and the ending is satisfying. I can recommend it, just not with too much enthusiasm.