Review of Sent to Watch

[Eman Afzaal]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Sent to Watch" by David J. Lebenstein.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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The inventive historical fiction in "Sent to Watch" by David J. Lebenstein satisfies the reader's thirst for more. We uncover extraterrestrial spies residing on this planet to learn about the technology and culture of its civilizations. The story takes place in "Earth 48" time, between the 1870s and 1880s. To avoid changing the course of the planet's history, the agents are only supposed to observe and have no influence over any aspect of society. However, we quickly find out that some agents are trying to help the planet join The Confederation by influencing it before a hostile galaxy faction manages to seize control.

I've had fun reviewing this book and watching the author skillfully weave a wonderful tale that perfectly balances the weird and the historical, the actual and the imagined. It is clear from reading this book how much work the author put into developing a plausible setting for his story, one in which each element fits into the larger scheme. Even though it seems improbable given the premise, I would like to see this developed into a saga because it almost seems like too much work to be a stand-alone story. Additionally, I appreciated the way Lebenstein crafted the connections between each character, allowing them ample opportunity to mature and evolve.

"Sent to Watch" is unique in that it deftly examines the moral and ethical conundrums that the extraterrestrial agents encounter while attempting to fulfill their duty. They are motivated, on the one hand, by a desire to support Earth's advancement and shield it from the approaching invasion by the aggressive Vittmians. However, they are constrained by stringent conventions that forbid meddling in the affairs of less developed societies.

There was nothing to dislike in this book. It was a very interesting read till the very end. It was very well edited with zero errors. Therefore, I’ll rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to readers of science fiction and fantasy for its highly engaging, intricate storyline and stimulating content. The novel captivates both intellectually and emotionally, thanks to Lebenstein's skillful blending of several genres.

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Sent to Watch
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