The Trilisk AI

I’ve been running into a lot of books lately that have the stars, but near no text reviews. I’m guilty of the same, but the author’s right, ya like it, leave a review! Other than wishing the protagonists had it a touch easier, this series definitely rates with me! It’s clever, a totally different universe than I’ve seen (so, not a mash-up of other best sellers) and good! The writing is done, spell-checked and paced well. The characters sturdy (they don’t suddenly do something stupid ‘cause the author needs a catalyst or drama) and the “science” balances well. I’m moving on to the 3rd book now, hope you do too.

AKA: The further adventures of the Iradar crew. This is an effective chase story, with one party running ahead at a goal and another trying to find them without reralizing what they are heading into while a kind of puppet master conducts the show from afar. I find McCloskey’s characters to be just real enough to suspend your disbelif in the worlds they find themselves in. The reader gets to know each of them better measure by measure while they get to know each other. He lets on very little about their backstories until they reveal themselves to one another or have realizations about themselves. It’s a style of storytelling I’m enjoying, especially in a SciFi setting, flitting from planet to planet where heroes are typically wooden and all powerful. We witness more and more of their humanity as they do and danger and death comes swiftly and with finality for even the most well liked characters. When our comrades find themselves in a pinch and seem to get out miraculously, a plausable plot point explains it later and moves the story forward with little deus ex-machina. A great and fast, breezy read that leaves you wanting to continue the journey! 5 stars from me!