4 out of 4 stars
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Solaris Seethes by Janet McNulty is a book in the science fantasy genre. It is the first book in the four part Solaris Saga series.
After a distressing period in her life, Rynah feels her life is finally getting back on track. Her happiness over her engagement, however, is short lived. Betrayed by her fiancé, Klanor, who steals a powerful crystal essential to the survival of her planet; Rynah is forced to leave her planet, Lanyr, in ruins, and flee aboard her late grandfather’s spaceship. Bent on stopping Klanor from acquiring the other crystals, Rynah has no option but to believe in an old legend and team up with four strangers from a planet hitherto considered unworthy of notice by her people.
The legend speaks of four heroes: the philosopher, the warrior, the inventor and the lover. Together with Solon (a Greek scribe from the year 751 B.C.), Alfric (a Viking from the year 1163 A.D.), Tom (a scientist from the year 2099) and Brie (closer to the present day, from the year 2014); Rynah races against her ex-fiancé to save the universe, guided by a spaceship with an attitude. Will this unconventional alliance succeed in their mission?
From the prologue itself, the author got me hooked to the book, especially when I discovered that the entire series is titled after the name of the spaceship, Solaris. Not just any spaceship, but one with artificial intelligence and feelings, that are affected easily. There is just right amount of character description to engross the readers and to keep them waiting for the sequel.
The story begins with Rynah, who’s been through a roller-coaster ride with her grandfather embarrassing her family with his insane actions, and things getting worse with Klanor’s treachery. Rynah is a complicated character with shades of revenge, remorse, emotional isolation, and slight disregard for the feeling of others. She sheds some of her reserve eventually, but there is a lot more of her character waiting to be unraveled in the future installments.
The other characters are interesting as well. Alfric’s courage, Solon’s intellect and Tom’s curiosity are the expected traits in a warrior, philosopher and scientist, but there is something refreshing as well, like what compelled Alfric to be fearless, how Solon does not give up on his optimism, or Tom’s sense of humor. Brie’s character is both naturally predictable and unusual at the same time. Her reaction to being kidnapped by Solaris was the most genuine and what I expected from all the characters. While others readily plunge into the adventure, Brie not only wants to go home, but her lack of courage is irritating at times. However, her strength of sacrifice and putting others before herself, redeem her as the story progresses.
Coming to the content, the science fiction portion in the book is uncomplicated and easy to understand. That should have been a dampener, but it is not courtesy the refreshing twists and how the author weaves in the fantasy elements in the plot, spicing up the adventure with wondrous planets, dangerous pirates and uninhabited worlds. The plot is well paced and moves smoothly from one arena to the next, switching between the characters, covering their thoughts and background stories.
Clearly, the characterization is the most impressive element in the novel, though the storyline is good too. The novel’s plotline is pretty fascinating, and coupled with likeable characters; it is an engaging read for young adults. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.
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Solaris Seethes (Solaris Saga book 1)
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