Review by SarahJean7 -- Homecoming by Jude Austin
Posted: 18 Dec 2020, 01:08
[Following is a volunteer review of "Homecoming" by Jude Austin.]
When anyone picks up a book sequel, they are either excited for more content or they’re hoping it doesn’t ruin the original story. Jude Austin is an author that I can continue to read. Homecoming is the sequel to her science fiction fantasy Project Tau. This book gives her audience a deeper look into the characters we came to know and root for.
The story picks up where the previous book left off. We follow the escape of Project Tau and Kalin Taylor AKA “Project Kata” from their traumatic experience at GenTech. Their attempts to hide out and evade capture are thwarted when he is recognized and taken into custody by an organized crime syndicate on his home world, Trandellia. Passed along from foe to foe, Kalin ends up on “no rules” world full of danger while Project Tau is in the custody of a bounty hunter, bent on taking him back to GenTech.
Trouble seems to follow Tau and Kalin wherever they go. Our two protagonists fight tooth and nail to achieve a semi-normal life after all the hell they’ve endured. Austin has continued to develop her two main players into full fledged “people” that her readers can empathize with. Project Tau almost becomes human as we see more into his mind and his reactions to their precarious situations. The relationship between Tau and Kalin is the heart of the story. Kalin makes Tau feel human. Kalin sees Tau as more than slave labor and fights for his freedom. Another shining star of this book is the relationship between Kalin and his new ally, Captain Alan Morgan of Akkhen. Morgan is a powerful and gentle new character that is on the side of our favorite rogue projects. He makes a great effort to gain Kalin’s trust and assure him that he is there to help. With all that Kalin has been through, he doesn’t make it easy.
It was difficult to find something wrong with the book. The only downside for me was when a scene would drag on for too long. I would rather the author move on after they’ve made their point. Austin is usually great at this, so there were only a couple scenes that felt like they dragged. I have to applaud her for finding the balance between being descriptive and explaining every single detail of an oak tree. She got to the meat of the story and didn’t leave me wishing the chapter would end. It’s a hard line to walk, but she walks it well.
Anyone who enjoys science fiction novels will enjoy this book. Someone who doesn’t normally read science fiction novels would enjoy this book. It caters to all with all it’s dynamic relationships between the characters. I would give this book 3 out of 4 stars. It wasn’t absolutely perfect, but it does give me the desire for a third installment. Austin is a very promising author who seems to have a lot of interesting stories to tell. I can’t wait to read more!
******
Homecoming
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
When anyone picks up a book sequel, they are either excited for more content or they’re hoping it doesn’t ruin the original story. Jude Austin is an author that I can continue to read. Homecoming is the sequel to her science fiction fantasy Project Tau. This book gives her audience a deeper look into the characters we came to know and root for.
The story picks up where the previous book left off. We follow the escape of Project Tau and Kalin Taylor AKA “Project Kata” from their traumatic experience at GenTech. Their attempts to hide out and evade capture are thwarted when he is recognized and taken into custody by an organized crime syndicate on his home world, Trandellia. Passed along from foe to foe, Kalin ends up on “no rules” world full of danger while Project Tau is in the custody of a bounty hunter, bent on taking him back to GenTech.
Trouble seems to follow Tau and Kalin wherever they go. Our two protagonists fight tooth and nail to achieve a semi-normal life after all the hell they’ve endured. Austin has continued to develop her two main players into full fledged “people” that her readers can empathize with. Project Tau almost becomes human as we see more into his mind and his reactions to their precarious situations. The relationship between Tau and Kalin is the heart of the story. Kalin makes Tau feel human. Kalin sees Tau as more than slave labor and fights for his freedom. Another shining star of this book is the relationship between Kalin and his new ally, Captain Alan Morgan of Akkhen. Morgan is a powerful and gentle new character that is on the side of our favorite rogue projects. He makes a great effort to gain Kalin’s trust and assure him that he is there to help. With all that Kalin has been through, he doesn’t make it easy.
It was difficult to find something wrong with the book. The only downside for me was when a scene would drag on for too long. I would rather the author move on after they’ve made their point. Austin is usually great at this, so there were only a couple scenes that felt like they dragged. I have to applaud her for finding the balance between being descriptive and explaining every single detail of an oak tree. She got to the meat of the story and didn’t leave me wishing the chapter would end. It’s a hard line to walk, but she walks it well.
Anyone who enjoys science fiction novels will enjoy this book. Someone who doesn’t normally read science fiction novels would enjoy this book. It caters to all with all it’s dynamic relationships between the characters. I would give this book 3 out of 4 stars. It wasn’t absolutely perfect, but it does give me the desire for a third installment. Austin is a very promising author who seems to have a lot of interesting stories to tell. I can’t wait to read more!
******
Homecoming
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon