Review | Misspent Youth by Peter F Hamilton (Tor)

Jeff Baker is the creator of the ultimate storage device, the memory crystal. Able to hold masses of information, it has caused the downfall of copyright: everything is now public access. With this freedom the world is living in an age where anything can be stored, from constant security footage to the entire backlog of all media ever created. But Jeff is not only famous for the creation of this crystal, his fame comes from the fact that he didn't patent the crystal and gave away the technology to whoever could build it, making him known the world over.

Now, after years of research, rejuvenation is possible. Jeff is chosen as the first subject because of his past achievements and also the promise of working toward a superconductor once treatment is complete. After months being rejuvenated Jeff wakes up to a face he hasn't seen in fifty years, with family and friends having to adjust to his younger appearance, new outlook on life and behaviour to go with it.

Misspent Youth is the story of one family's experiences after a historic landmark and all the problems and consequences thrown up by it.

The world created by Peter is once again full of ideas and has a history that is evident in the writing. This is something that I always enjoy when getting into one of Peter's novels - I don't want a flat world that isn't alive past the immediate surroundings of a scene. Some of the highlights of the novel are the background things - an ongoing race to get a commercial vehicle to space, the build up to the European presidential election and the imminent (and superbly realised) Million Citizen march in London. Combine this with a history where copyright has crumbled and all data is free in a society with instant access to anything you can imagine and you've got a great setting, one that doesn't come much better.

Of course, this helps to set the tone of the novel, which is noticeably split due to the perspectives it is told through. Jeff, a 78-year-old with a brand new body already has lifetime of experiences, and now with a youthful body he knows how to get what he wants, if not always how to do it the right way. Jeff can be a nice character at times, while at others he just doesn't seem to think straight and the actions caused by this lead to some very interesting and awkward situations. Tim, Jeff's son, is just 18 and has his fair share of problems when it comes to girls and partying. Because of this he can be more than a little annoying at times, although he does have some redeeming qualities that are enough to make him bearable and someone you can relate to.

Most other characters are a joy to read, although the exception is Annabelle, Tim's first love. Without giving anything away, she certainly doesn't appear to care much for those she hurts. I'm sure everyone out the knows someone like Annabelle - a slapper with no care of how her actions affect others. Perhaps a little harsh, but she isn't a likable character and the weak link.

Despite all the faults with the characters, they are what they are, and the story just wouldn't be as effective without them.

I guess you could say that Misspent Youth is double-edged sword when it comes down to it. A great setting and story that can be hampered at times by the characters. From Peter's past works many will come to this expecting something it isn't, an action filled space opera. However, come to this with no expectations and read the book for what it is and you'll enjoy it a lot more.

Review| Winterstrike by Liz Williams (Tor)

Winterstrike and Caud, two Martian cities, have been fighting intermittently for quite some time over land. Each blame the other for this repetitive conflict and even now, with a bigger evil descending on Mars, the finger is pointed at the other.

Hestia Mar is a spy from Winterstrike in Caud, searching for information in the ruins of its library. When she comes across details of a weapon she does her duty and sends it back to her city. She also comes across a small device that turns out to be the ghost of the library who has been given a mission to watch over Hestia, but this information can't be revealed.

Essegui Harn, cousin of Hestia, is the eldest daughter to a family, one with high ambitions and terrible secrets. Her sister, Shorn, has been stripped of her birth name for consorting with a Vulpen, a man-remnant, an act that brings shame to the family. She is locked in her room for her behaviour, never allowed out. As Ombre approaches and the festival is to begin, Essegui convinces her parents to release Shorn for the night, allowing her some limited freedom for the night.

Secret experiments of Winterstrike's past are now rising from the shadows and putting Mars in danger: the weapon found by Hestia will soon be used. While Hestia is attempting to return to Winterstrike, Essegui chases her sister who has escaped her confinement and is now on the run. Hoping against hope that she is not heading for the rumoured Vulpen across the plains and driven by a terrible act that has stolen part of her soul. With events building and revelations forthcoming, will Winterstrike - and Mars - survive?

Winterstrike is the kind of novel that I would not normally get into, but with such an intriguing write up, plus being the first of a trilogy, I was drawn to it with anticipation. What I found was a well written political adventure that combines science fiction in the distant future with elements of fantasy and the supernatural.

Although it was the science fiction elements that drew me into this one, I found that the story was remarkably light on many details, simply using the location and future time frame as a vehicle to tell the story. The technology that is used in this world is based around the dead, and is appropriately named Haunt-tech. This brings in the supernatural elements to the story, with ghosts, interplanetary travel that will kill you in transit before reviving you and ways for the souls of others, or even part of the soul, to be stolen. The fantasy elements are comparable to gothic steampunk and the whole story has that feel about it - it could quite easily have been a fantasy story with some minor edits.

The whole novel is written in the first person, alternating between the two main characters, Hestia and Essegui. As we are taken on the journey through the eyes of these two characters we are limited in our experiences, only knowing what these characters know and the revelations that come along have a bigger impact due to their perspective. While I enjoy reading from a characters viewpoint, I find it can be limiting at times and I feel that I've missed something - after all, the descriptions are from the characters. I would have liked some third person narrative simply to explore the world further and give it the scale it deserves.

The story moves along at a slow to steady pace, with action interspersed with the searching and discovery by Hestia and Essegui. By the end I got the feeling that there was so much more to come and that the sequel has been very effectively set up. I look forward to see where the characters go from here and what other revelations and surprises will be thrown up along the way.

Although impressive in both prose and scope, I felt that there was something missing, that something that would take it from being a good book to being a great book. If the second volume can expand further on what Winterstrike has delivered it will make the setting up worthwhile, but alone it is simply too slow moving.

Review | God Emperor of Didcot by Toby Frost (Myrmidon)

The evil alien Ghast along with the religious fanatics the Republic of Eden have invaded Urn, the principle planet of the Didcot system and the main supplier of tea to the British Empire. Without tea the British will lose their moral fibre and the Ghast will wipe them aside.

The Hyrax, recently self-proclaimed ruler of Urn, is completely out of control, trying to impose totally unrealistic laws that result in the tea crop workers rebelling. With this rebellion Smith and his superiors plan to re-take Urn, but first they must recruit allies.

Smith and the crew now head back to Suruk's home planet within the Didcot system to recruit his family to help win the battle of Urn. But all is not as they hope and Suruk's family are more interested in seeing him go to law school rather than beheading his enemies.

Will the battle be won? Will Suruk convince his family to help? And more importantly, will the tea still flow?

Space Captain Smith was one of the highlights of the year for me, a really funny and gripping story that was a complete blast from cover to cover. God Emperor of Didcot had high expectations to meet and had to deliver everything Space Captain Smith did. I am very glad to say that it delivered everything I hoped for and more.

The characters are just as much fun this time and the new ones fit in perfectly. The dialogue is witty, enjoyable and never drags on, even during the duller moments (of which there are very few). The bad guys are great and in such a way that is perhaps even more entertaining than the good guys, at least some of the time!

Another of the highlights are the nods Toby Frost gives to other classics of the genre, each putting a smile on my face. A particular favourite is the Aresians, which are a very solid nod to War of the Worlds. Much like Space Captain Smith, you'll have to read this to fully appreciate just how good it is. Another must-read.