Wonderful novel. If you enjoy social scifi, generation ships, dystopian societies and cataclysmic events, this book is a solid pick. I found it to be a really entertaining and fun read. In particular, the characters are well defined, the story elements are easy to understand and Braking Day does interesting things with its social commentary.
The main character, Ravi, is an interesting mix of virtues and flaws. He's at the lower end of the social spectrum and struggles to make a better life for himself and the people he cares about. However, because of his position and the crimes of his father, he has a hard time overcoming the systemic barriers that exist as a result of the top-down hierarchy onboard. The ship has had trouble on its journey, so there are issues with population control and too few resources, which adds strain to the social dynamics involved. As a result, Ravi and his friends often have to bend the rules to get what they need, which puts them on uncertain footing with the established order.
This is where the core conflicts in the book arise - the difference is social standing, the desire for a better life - the effects entrenched hierarchies have on people and how they benefit some over others. As a debut novel, this is a strong pick - the author balances plot and character development with action and excitement, with struggles and interesting ideas. The science isn't overwhelming and the conclusion is satisfying.
Very solid 4/5.
The main character, Ravi, is an interesting mix of virtues and flaws. He's at the lower end of the social spectrum and struggles to make a better life for himself and the people he cares about. However, because of his position and the crimes of his father, he has a hard time overcoming the systemic barriers that exist as a result of the top-down hierarchy onboard. The ship has had trouble on its journey, so there are issues with population control and too few resources, which adds strain to the social dynamics involved. As a result, Ravi and his friends often have to bend the rules to get what they need, which puts them on uncertain footing with the established order.
This is where the core conflicts in the book arise - the difference is social standing, the desire for a better life - the effects entrenched hierarchies have on people and how they benefit some over others. As a debut novel, this is a strong pick - the author balances plot and character development with action and excitement, with struggles and interesting ideas. The science isn't overwhelming and the conclusion is satisfying.
Very solid 4/5.
