Review of Sent to Watch

[Muskan Afzal-]

[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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David J. Lebenstein's science fiction book "Sent to Watch" transports readers to a huge cosmic environment while telling an engrossing story. The Interplanetary Intelligence Service, which keeps tabs on 52 different "Earths," is the focal point of the story. These planets take a variety of positions; some join a confederation, some are under observation, and some are adamantly against joining a confederation. Earth 48 is an exception to the general left-handed rule as its sentient residents are right-handed. The agents are sent out in groups of two and three across the continents, concentrating primarily on the British Empire.

Lebenstein adeptly handles the intricacies that the main characters Unni, Ori, and Urelt must contend with, demonstrating his great narrative talent. These characters are multifaceted and approachable because they are real people with personal and professional responsibilities rather than just agents. The book does a fantastic job of striking a balance between their personal and professional obligations when their commitment towards the Noninterference Protocol and their natural urge to defend Earth 48 from an impending extraterrestrial danger collide.

I found it interesting how much historical material was mixed with science fiction, about genuine historical occurrences. I adore reading books that give background information on politicians and other influential figures. In my opinion, this greatly increases the book's appeal and relatability. The author's use of science fiction elements that, although not yet actual, are theoretically feasible, intrigued me as well. For instance, the author incorporated scenarios in which characters used probabilistic simulations to forecast how future events might turn out.

There was nothing about this book that I didn't like. It is written with intelligence and appeal. I may even claim it's a masterpiece of science fiction that challenges the mind. The editing has been done professionally as I didn’t come across any grammatical errors. Hence, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Fans of sci-fi and history will enjoy this book since it keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its intriguing sci-fi aspects and gives a new and interesting perspective on historical events. All things considered, I believe it's worth reading and stands out from other science fiction books.

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Sent to Watch
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