To be completely honest, it was the cover art that really attracted me
to this series. I have not read any other of Karl Schroeder’s novels in
the past, so I wasn’t sure to expect. The cover art is misleading
though, it shows what looks like cool metal spaceships but in this world
only flying wooden ships exist. Beside that minor issue, Mr. Schroeder
is able to successfully blend Sci-Fi and Fantasy together in a high
adventure that will be sure to please fans of both genres.
The one item you hear most this novel is the world building. I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing. Likely it will depend on your taste. To me the world is secondary to the characters and the plot. Don’t get me wrong, I love cool new types of environment but it should stay in the background. Virga is essentially a three thousand kilometer balloon that floats in space but is filled with air, water, ice and chunks of rock. There is no gravity inside Vigra so spinning rope wheels are used to create centrifugal gravity. The towns are built of wood and would easily fit in a Western novel setting. Most of the larger cities have their own fusion suns to provide heat. Unfortunately, the smaller towns do not and are dependent upon the larger cities for their heat, light, etc.
The novel follows the adventures of Hayden Griffen who is from a smaller town known as Aerie. Aerie attempted to build their fusion sun so that they could separate themselves from a larger nation known as Slipstream. Slipstream found out about the plan and sends an armanda to destroy the almost completed sun. During the attack Hayden’s parents are brutally killed. Now Hayden has sworn revenge on the individual who lead the raid, Admiral Caison Fanning.
Later on, Hayden Griffen falls in with the resistance that are fighting against Slipstream. He becomes a covert agent for the resistance and through luck is taken on a top secret mission lead by Admiral Caison Fanning to save Slipstream from a even bigger foe. The majority of story involves Caison’s band of ships seeking the treasure of a long dead pirate. He is hoping to find one item that will save his city from becoming a smoldering ruins. This leaves Hayden Griffen with a problem, does he kill Admiral Caison and let Slipstream become dust or does he become a hero?
If you take out the Sci-Fi elements then the story could easily fit within the pirate swashbuckling universe of the 1700’s which I suppose is what Mr. Schroeder was aiming at.
What I liked: The novel was just plain fun to read. If you like swashbuckling, pirates, wooden ships of the line going toe to toe then this a novel for you. The world building is also really inventive and different; just don’t think about it too much.
What I didn’t like: But, kinda like the Pirates of Caribbean movies, this was great fun when reading but after about week the novel left no real impression on me. Also, the entire set up of the story rang a bit false. Hayden’s entire back story was built around his thirst for revenge and when his opportunity arises, and they are numerous, Hayden questions it and continually decides against going through with it.
Last word: Karl Schroeder has created a truly unique novel and setting that will please fans across the spectrum but your mileage will vary depending on what type of story you enjoy.
The one item you hear most this novel is the world building. I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing. Likely it will depend on your taste. To me the world is secondary to the characters and the plot. Don’t get me wrong, I love cool new types of environment but it should stay in the background. Virga is essentially a three thousand kilometer balloon that floats in space but is filled with air, water, ice and chunks of rock. There is no gravity inside Vigra so spinning rope wheels are used to create centrifugal gravity. The towns are built of wood and would easily fit in a Western novel setting. Most of the larger cities have their own fusion suns to provide heat. Unfortunately, the smaller towns do not and are dependent upon the larger cities for their heat, light, etc.
The novel follows the adventures of Hayden Griffen who is from a smaller town known as Aerie. Aerie attempted to build their fusion sun so that they could separate themselves from a larger nation known as Slipstream. Slipstream found out about the plan and sends an armanda to destroy the almost completed sun. During the attack Hayden’s parents are brutally killed. Now Hayden has sworn revenge on the individual who lead the raid, Admiral Caison Fanning.
Later on, Hayden Griffen falls in with the resistance that are fighting against Slipstream. He becomes a covert agent for the resistance and through luck is taken on a top secret mission lead by Admiral Caison Fanning to save Slipstream from a even bigger foe. The majority of story involves Caison’s band of ships seeking the treasure of a long dead pirate. He is hoping to find one item that will save his city from becoming a smoldering ruins. This leaves Hayden Griffen with a problem, does he kill Admiral Caison and let Slipstream become dust or does he become a hero?
If you take out the Sci-Fi elements then the story could easily fit within the pirate swashbuckling universe of the 1700’s which I suppose is what Mr. Schroeder was aiming at.
What I liked: The novel was just plain fun to read. If you like swashbuckling, pirates, wooden ships of the line going toe to toe then this a novel for you. The world building is also really inventive and different; just don’t think about it too much.
What I didn’t like: But, kinda like the Pirates of Caribbean movies, this was great fun when reading but after about week the novel left no real impression on me. Also, the entire set up of the story rang a bit false. Hayden’s entire back story was built around his thirst for revenge and when his opportunity arises, and they are numerous, Hayden questions it and continually decides against going through with it.
Last word: Karl Schroeder has created a truly unique novel and setting that will please fans across the spectrum but your mileage will vary depending on what type of story you enjoy.
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