Review of Endeavor’s Run
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Mary O Dougherty
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Review of Endeavor’s Run
[Following is a volunteer review of "Endeavor's Run" by Tobin Marks.]
Endeavor’s Run by Tobin Marks was a whirlwind read. I have not finished a book so quickly in years! As Marks takes us on a journey to follow the development of a futuristic saga involving Earth, other inhabited planets, and dragons of various sizes, Endeavor’s Run is an incredible story that I rate 4 out of 5 stars. I am eager to read the second book in the series.
After following a communications drone sent nearly a thousand years prior, the crew of the IFC Endeavor finds themselves at the core of a legendary story of a long-lost colonial ship sent from Earth to establish life on another planet after the nuclear apocalypse of World War X. Shrouded in top secret mystery and the hush of legends, the tale of a borderline-mythical ship having found a suitable second home for humanity and sending an incomprehensible message forward in time is the beginning of an unwinding series of choreographed moves to aid the fate of humanity. Following the multiple threads through to their woven ending is an interesting and engaging way to read through this story as it develops.
By the final third of the book, I found myself racing through the pages, fully invested in the crew of the Endeavor, waiting to see the fate of the seventh-generation children, mourning the loss of a loving nurse and mother, and waiting with bated breath for communications to re-establish. With each development along the way, Marks manages to write convincing characters that are wholly likable - there are few villains in this story.
When I first began reading Endeavor’s Run, the subtitle under each chapter heading was confusing and not immediately decipherable. It was difficult to keep track of what they were meant to signify, and I knew that at some point, I would want to flip back and re-examine them when I had more context. I now know that they are indicators of the location where the chapter is taking place, with some details such as time, context, or a more specific location. I’m tempted to re-read the book to solidify my understanding of the beginning few chapters. This is perhaps my only critique that keeps the book from being a full 5-star rating. If I could, this would be a 4.5-star review. The chapter context may help readers if they know what they’re reading beforehand, though, to keep the storylines clear before they merge.
The interpersonal interactions between Alex, Baseball, SADI, and their fellow command and crew are excellently written, fun to follow, and provide levity against the serious and mysterious backdrop of a thousand-year conspiracy. The vocabulary left me reaching for a dictionary a few times, but it seemed well-placed and was additive, not distracting.
I recommend this book as a great sci-fi read, but be aware that the next book does not appear to be released yet (as of early 2023) to accompany this excellent first entry in the Hope Prophecy Series. A cliffhanger wraps up the book, leaving some threads unresolved even after the epilogue, as Tobin Marks continues to bring the series together. I look forward to having the second book in my library at some point to resolve the fates of the crew of the IFC Endeavor and the folks back home. I am also hoping for more details about the dragons scattered throughout the various locations in the book, as I love this addition to the world.
This well-edited book fits neatly into the science fiction category, with plausible enough explanations for the fictional phenomena that satisfy the scientist in me. Marks has struck an excellent balance between true science and fantastical fiction. There are a few violent moments and plenty of blue collar profanity, so Endeavor’s Run is an excellent read for a mature sci-fi reader who is interested in stories about space exploration, prophecies, and adventures into the universe’s unknowns with a touch of astral projection.
******
Endeavor's Run
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Endeavor’s Run by Tobin Marks was a whirlwind read. I have not finished a book so quickly in years! As Marks takes us on a journey to follow the development of a futuristic saga involving Earth, other inhabited planets, and dragons of various sizes, Endeavor’s Run is an incredible story that I rate 4 out of 5 stars. I am eager to read the second book in the series.
After following a communications drone sent nearly a thousand years prior, the crew of the IFC Endeavor finds themselves at the core of a legendary story of a long-lost colonial ship sent from Earth to establish life on another planet after the nuclear apocalypse of World War X. Shrouded in top secret mystery and the hush of legends, the tale of a borderline-mythical ship having found a suitable second home for humanity and sending an incomprehensible message forward in time is the beginning of an unwinding series of choreographed moves to aid the fate of humanity. Following the multiple threads through to their woven ending is an interesting and engaging way to read through this story as it develops.
By the final third of the book, I found myself racing through the pages, fully invested in the crew of the Endeavor, waiting to see the fate of the seventh-generation children, mourning the loss of a loving nurse and mother, and waiting with bated breath for communications to re-establish. With each development along the way, Marks manages to write convincing characters that are wholly likable - there are few villains in this story.
When I first began reading Endeavor’s Run, the subtitle under each chapter heading was confusing and not immediately decipherable. It was difficult to keep track of what they were meant to signify, and I knew that at some point, I would want to flip back and re-examine them when I had more context. I now know that they are indicators of the location where the chapter is taking place, with some details such as time, context, or a more specific location. I’m tempted to re-read the book to solidify my understanding of the beginning few chapters. This is perhaps my only critique that keeps the book from being a full 5-star rating. If I could, this would be a 4.5-star review. The chapter context may help readers if they know what they’re reading beforehand, though, to keep the storylines clear before they merge.
The interpersonal interactions between Alex, Baseball, SADI, and their fellow command and crew are excellently written, fun to follow, and provide levity against the serious and mysterious backdrop of a thousand-year conspiracy. The vocabulary left me reaching for a dictionary a few times, but it seemed well-placed and was additive, not distracting.
I recommend this book as a great sci-fi read, but be aware that the next book does not appear to be released yet (as of early 2023) to accompany this excellent first entry in the Hope Prophecy Series. A cliffhanger wraps up the book, leaving some threads unresolved even after the epilogue, as Tobin Marks continues to bring the series together. I look forward to having the second book in my library at some point to resolve the fates of the crew of the IFC Endeavor and the folks back home. I am also hoping for more details about the dragons scattered throughout the various locations in the book, as I love this addition to the world.
This well-edited book fits neatly into the science fiction category, with plausible enough explanations for the fictional phenomena that satisfy the scientist in me. Marks has struck an excellent balance between true science and fantastical fiction. There are a few violent moments and plenty of blue collar profanity, so Endeavor’s Run is an excellent read for a mature sci-fi reader who is interested in stories about space exploration, prophecies, and adventures into the universe’s unknowns with a touch of astral projection.
******
Endeavor's Run
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Summerland by Matian Ellis
