Cibola Burn by James S.A. CoreyMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
A solid book in a solid series. A big step up from "Abaddon's Gate" but remains in danger of missing its potential and simply becoming the James Holden Action Hour. Pacing is a lot better and the new characters do more than just service the plot. The third novel was anywhere close to a deal-breaker, but it made me weary this series ran out of steam before it hit the halfway point. This fourth book, while you don't realize it at first, opens the series up in ways I didn't fully expect.
I started this second paragraph hoping to expand on my thoughts, but I'm suddenly finding myself at a loss. Even in the complaint compartment, I can't seem to drive any points home that the first paragraph sums up. So prepare for some random thoughts on this book.
Protip: Read the novella "The Churn" before reading this. And I really can't say why without spoiling it. There isn't a direct link in the plot from this novel to that novella, but a character is more forward in this novel than in previous ones, and it assumes you've read the novella to understand why.
I hated Murtry. But you're supposed to, so I guess that makes it okay. My big problem with him is that characters keep threatening to shoot him and they don't for vague reasons. Someone should have at least wounded him in the leg or his tiny toxic balls so he would hopefully get the idea to stop being an asshole.
The female character's perspective, Elvi, is obviously written by dudes. Even if I hadn't known who the authors are, I could still tell. The female voice isn't inherently wrong or offensive, but there's a tone it fails to strike. It's too subtle to place a strong finger on but obvious at the same time.
I'm unsure how I feel about using epilogues as teasers for upcoming books. I'm not hating it, but it also feels like how a bad TV series desperate for rating would be written.
The interludes felt out of sync with the rest of how the series has been written. Trying to add artistic flair to a fairly straightforward book.
Basia is still mostly forgettable.
I think that's about it. If you've read the first three books, this review won't change your mind regardless of how you feel about continuing the series. I'm in it for the long haul, and I'll let you know how I feel about the rest of the series.
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