Title: Skythane
Author: J. Scott Coatsworth
Blurb:
Jameson Havercamp, a psych from a conservative religious colony, has come to Oberon—unique among the Common Worlds—in search of a rare substance called pith. He’s guided through the wilds on his quest by Xander Kinnson, a handsome, cocky skythane with a troubled past.
Neither knows that Oberon is facing imminent destruction. Even as the world starts to fall apart around them, they have no idea what’s coming—or the bond that will develop between them as they race to avert a cataclysm.
Together, they will journey to uncover the secrets of this strange and singular world, even as it takes them beyond the bounds of reality itself to discover what truly binds them together.
Why do I love this book?
I don’t like sci/fi at all anymore. I used to read Philip K. Dick, Isaac Asimov, and Ray Bradbury, but then stories started including more science. And I got lost. I was an English major in school. I want the story, not the intricate science details. Skythane delivers both, but leans heavily on the fiction and storytelling side.
I expected to read a little bit of Skythane, then put it down and have to tell Scott that, while I appreciated his efforts, the book just wasn’t for me. Instead, I started reading and kept on going to the end, never once being either bored or lost. There was even an Ewok-like character to root for!
This is one of those books that you read and think about. A book you talk over with your spouse/partner and friends. A book to be read and digested. It’s storytelling at its best.
I can understand why people who read sci/fi all the time would enjoy it. But more importantly for those of us who don’t, I can assure you that a love of sci/fi isn’t a requirement for you to enjoy the book too.
Do I have any reservations about it?
Nope. No reservations at all.
DIK date: 1/29/18