Review of Sent to Watch
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Sarvesh J Yadav
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Review of Sent to Watch
[Following is a volunteer review of "Sent to Watch" by David J. Lebenstein.]
David J. Lebenstein's "Sent to Watch" is not your usual alien invasion story. Here we come to the captivating hypothesis of humanity through the eyes of undercover extraterrestrials that will pour a fresh understanding of historical fiction and science fiction merged into one.
The interesting aspect of the novel is the reversal of stereotypes in a meeting with a foreign species. Instead of mankind meeting aliens, we have three agents' cover stories of being people, and they are sent to watch over Earth during the reign of George IV. This new angle is a rare chance. Aliens make us picture our history, social conventions, and trivial actions from their perspective. The idea is to envision the curiosity, bewilderment, and eventually even passion as these aliens deal with Regency etiquette and social intricacies.
The "Noninterference Protocol" idea adds a degree of complexity to it. Tied up by this law, the agents work hard to bridge the gap between viewing human emotions and maintaining composure. This inner struggle could be a strong catalyst for the story. Will they watch with apathy the decisive events, like after the battle of Waterloo, or will they get increasingly involved in all these, doubting their actual mission? An emotional link, which is building up in parallel to the protocol, can form a source of tension.
An important factor will be Lebenstein's in-depth investigation of the alien society. Knowing their reasons for watching mankind, their social system, and the possible consequences of their report will add additional layers of intrigue and world-building. The Regency-era setting brings forth both possibilities and obstacles. A good-quality and original portrayal of the period could make the readers immerse themselves, but it shouldn’t eclipse the science fiction elements. Lebenstein has to find a balance between the historical truth and the alien presence, which is beyond reality. The editing was precise and without mistakes. There was nothing to dislike about the book.
"Sent to Watch" is a 5 out of 5 star book. It can be a really inspiring science fiction novel with a lot of food for thought. The notable view, the inner fights of the agents, and delving into human history through alien eyes could be among the key topics. Nevertheless, what really determines the novel's success lies in how it is done. Can Lebenstein balance the complex themes, well-developed characters, and coherent narrative? If he manages to maintain this balance, "Sent to Watch" will have readers hooked, and the perspectives of humanity and the whole universe will change.
******
Sent to Watch
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
David J. Lebenstein's "Sent to Watch" is not your usual alien invasion story. Here we come to the captivating hypothesis of humanity through the eyes of undercover extraterrestrials that will pour a fresh understanding of historical fiction and science fiction merged into one.
The interesting aspect of the novel is the reversal of stereotypes in a meeting with a foreign species. Instead of mankind meeting aliens, we have three agents' cover stories of being people, and they are sent to watch over Earth during the reign of George IV. This new angle is a rare chance. Aliens make us picture our history, social conventions, and trivial actions from their perspective. The idea is to envision the curiosity, bewilderment, and eventually even passion as these aliens deal with Regency etiquette and social intricacies.
The "Noninterference Protocol" idea adds a degree of complexity to it. Tied up by this law, the agents work hard to bridge the gap between viewing human emotions and maintaining composure. This inner struggle could be a strong catalyst for the story. Will they watch with apathy the decisive events, like after the battle of Waterloo, or will they get increasingly involved in all these, doubting their actual mission? An emotional link, which is building up in parallel to the protocol, can form a source of tension.
An important factor will be Lebenstein's in-depth investigation of the alien society. Knowing their reasons for watching mankind, their social system, and the possible consequences of their report will add additional layers of intrigue and world-building. The Regency-era setting brings forth both possibilities and obstacles. A good-quality and original portrayal of the period could make the readers immerse themselves, but it shouldn’t eclipse the science fiction elements. Lebenstein has to find a balance between the historical truth and the alien presence, which is beyond reality. The editing was precise and without mistakes. There was nothing to dislike about the book.
"Sent to Watch" is a 5 out of 5 star book. It can be a really inspiring science fiction novel with a lot of food for thought. The notable view, the inner fights of the agents, and delving into human history through alien eyes could be among the key topics. Nevertheless, what really determines the novel's success lies in how it is done. Can Lebenstein balance the complex themes, well-developed characters, and coherent narrative? If he manages to maintain this balance, "Sent to Watch" will have readers hooked, and the perspectives of humanity and the whole universe will change.
******
Sent to Watch
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
