Review by Alexander Williams -- Solaris Seethes (Solaris...

[Alexander Williams]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Solaris Seethes (Solaris Saga book 1)" by Janet McNulty.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Solaris Seethes, Book One of the Solaris Saga, by Janet McNuity, is a sci-fi adventure story that begins with tragedy. When Rynah, an alien from the planet of Lanfyr, witnesses the theft of the crystal that keeps her home planet’s stability in check, she, and the rest of her kind, are forced to flee their home. Rynah escapes on Solaris, the spacecraft her grandfather, Marlow, left her when he died. However, Solaris is not an ordinary ship. She has been installed with an artificial intelligence, with her own great personality. Solaris tells Rynah that the old legend of six crystals that her grandfather believed in is in fact true, and that to stop the destruction of the galaxy and just maybe save her planet, Rynah will need to fight alongside the heroes of the prophecy, four humans from Earth; Solon, Alfric, Brie, and Tom. Together, they might just be able to stop Klanor from creating a weapon from the six crystals.

The world of the Solaris Saga is filled with some downright great worldbuilding. Each planet the cast visits has its own well thought out culture and atmosphere - pun intended. The plot is also solid, and definitely leaves the reader eagerly reading to find out what happens next. However, the dialogue throughout the book can only be described as uptight and rigid. It felt as though I was reading a robot or a really old professor talk (if it were only Solaris, the ship/AI, talking like a robot, I'd understand, but no one is safe from this slightly uncomfortable dialogue.) and was honestly a bit weird to read at times. It just didn't sound like actual people were talking.

The characters are slightly more complicated to discuss. By all means, I like the characters, but there were certain instances where they just… didn’t quite feel like people. Some of the characters have been whisked light years from their homes, yet only one of them shows any signs of homesickness and uncertainty of this new world (er, galaxy?) she’s been thrusted into. I would certainly like to see some of the characters fleshed out a bit more in the next instalment of the series. However, the relationships between the characters is quite well developed. Though, again, it could be even better, as it felt like some of the characters didn’t even really talk to each other. It is again something I would like to see addressed in the next book in the series.

As for the plot, it’s rather simple, but in a good way. Unlike with an increasing number of books, I never felt as though I didn’t know what was going on, or why the characters were doing what they were doing. I was alway able to keep up with the plot, even if everything was happening fast.

Overall, I give Solaris Seethes a 3 out of 4 stars. The book did have it’s problems, but I did enjoy reading it. Some of the problems may not even be apparent to someone who doesn’t read as much as I do, or write themselves. And while I may not go out of my way to recommend this book, if someone is looking for a unique sci-fi book, I would definitely steer them towards Solaris Seethes.

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Solaris Seethes (Solaris Saga book 1)
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