Ragamuffin by Tobias S. Buckell

[zeborah]

This is kind of space opera mixed with cyberpunk, sequel to Crystal Rain. Humans (most prominent are people of colour) are stuck under the thumb of the alien Benevolent Satrapy - some in reservations, some as pets, some as collaborators, some as resistance, and all, it emerges, at risk of genocide.

I loved the premise and liked the start but had a really hard time sticking with the story especially after it jumped to a completely new point of view in part 2. (Possibly these were people or at least a situation introduced in Crystal Rain? I haven't read that, though I don't think that's what my problem was. I followed the plot alright, I just... felt very distant from the characters so had a hard time caring.) I think this was mostly because it's a very plot-oriented story whereas I tend to be very character-oriented. Space battles are not my thing. I stalled halfway through for months, then skipped a chunk, then flicked through until I got to the end, so I can't really say much more about the book. :-(

So instead what I'll do is offer the book out there: only condition is that you either post a review somewhere (preferably here but anywhere public) or pass it on to someone on the same condition. It's a paperback, featuring PoCs in the coverart, and it's practically new. I'll cover postage to anywhere in the world, though I'll probably give preference to someone in New Zealand or Australia. And if I don't get any interest within about a week I'll donate it to my library's science-fiction collection. So if you're interested, email me (I'll post an eta when it's gone).

Tags: a:buckell.tobias.s

Comments

[mardelwanda.livejournal.com]

It sounds like it could be a good premise - is there an excerpt somewhere?

[sanguinity]

He has a pdf of the first third on his website.

[sanguinity]

Yes, the switch to the planet is a switch to the characters and setting of the first book. I read Crystal Rain first, but still had trouble settling into that POV swap; I was attached to the characters we'd had in the first part of the book, and didn't want to leave them.