Humanity's Fire - 2 - The Orphaned Worlds product reviews

O...M...G... I think I may have found another 'co-favourite' author... Michael Cobley is amazing, as good in his own way as my other fave 'space opera' authors, such as Iain M. Banks, Greg Egan and Peter F. Hamilton. This being the second book in the Humanity's Fire series, it is where the real action starts to kick in... and boy, does it ever!

In a 'traditional' trilogy, the first book tends to be scene-setting and introduction of key players... This is usually followed by the lead-in to the real action, setting up for the third book slamming through with the high-end action and culmination. If this series follows that pattern, the third book is going to be a mind-killer, because THIS book is amazing!

We start right off with all of the characters at full-strength, and so the extra little reveals aren't so much a bit of new information, more like a fine grain of texture... like looking at patterned wallpaper and seeing that this lovely swirling shaped is actually made up of little ridged dots - not the smooth unbroken line we first thought... but because the pattern hasn't changed, it's easier to accept quickly and integrate into the little virtual model of that character running in our heads.

I loved how even the most powerful, omnipotent characters get revealed to have their own weaknesses too - failing to see traps ahead, getting caught by surprise, having their little devious sides brought to light... it makes them more accessible and believable - for all their god-like powers, they're just like us.

Overall, I loved this book - can't you tell - but I have to say, I am bracing myself for a stunner of a finale with the next book... I just hope it lives up to the promise. I will still go into it with an open mind, but seriously, it's going to have to be utterly incredible to live up to the stage this one has set for it. Bring it on, Mr. Cobley!