I have been feeling a little guilty about not offering more complete thoughts about
Omega (and the other recent Powys books), especially after my “OMG!” reaction a few posts ago. Other posters have already provided some insightful thoughts and I’m not sure if anyone will find what I think at all useful. But if only to ease my own guilty conscience, here goes…
SPOILERS follow:
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SPOILERS START HERE -
Wow...I really, really enjoyed
Omega, and I am looking forward to more. I must say that I was prepared by the previous warnings that I might not like some of the events in the book…so far that hasn't happened. But the “ending?”
That bordered on cruelty!
Right off, I found it interesting that the plot unfolds using mostly dialogue and action, and without much accompanying descriptive narration. Perhaps this is Bill Latham's style; I have not yet read
The Forsaken or
Resurrection - not for lack of trying, but only because I have yet to find a copy of either without having to take out a small loan. Anyhow, although I initially noticed the lack of description, the story still fell smoothly in place for me.
I found the story very fast-paced and engaging. I must say, though, that the MUFs are really starting to piss me off. (I even made up my own definition for the MUF acronym and it’s not very ladylike - so I won’t repeat it here.) The MUFs can make their battle forces appear and disappear at will, and apparently can transport the Alphans anywhere they want, whenever they want. Was it Tony who said they don’t play fair? I do like how NotMike (clever nickname courtesy of PatS) and Enlen are portrayed; they are so shadowy and ambigious that I refuse to guess at who is telling the truth.
Great portrayal of Commander Koenig. He's tired and jaded after years of harrowing situations and decisions involving life and death of a large group of people. It's a good thing he is not curled up in the fetal position by now. Helena was quite practical and grim as she viewed her future (or lack of it) with John and with her unborn son.
Being a Y1 kind of gal, I was glad to see Victor back, although I have read
BFA and
Shepherd Moon so I knew that was coming. I didn't expect him to be the one to save the base from the brell; I half-expected Arra or some other MUF. So that was a pleasant surprise. Also, it was nice to see Paul back again; I just hope he didn't blow up the universe.
Carter (always my favorite) was mostly spot on. IMHO, this book provides the most authentic portrayal of Carter that I've read. I have only one nit about him, and that is the tear he sheds for co-pilot Sara when she is killed. I might be a bit of an unromantic, but Carter
was in the midst of a battle – that’s no place for tears or kisses. I could see him getting angry, maybe punching something instead. Tears might come later, but personally I think not. On the other hand, I liked that he is cautious of Eroca; seems he may have learned something in
Survival.
And Sandra - you GO GIRL! I loved how she got irate with the Alphans who seemed to give up near the end. But her pain about “Mike” rings hollow for me. Mike Ryan’s brief role in “Black Sun” did not leave me with the feeling of a very strong bond between the two. Perhaps the other books I have not read revealed more about their relationship that would better explain her pain.
I could not believe it when the plot was building so intensely and yet there were only a few pages left in my right hand. Then I was really mad when it ended as it did, and I completely glossed over the last page...so, yeah, you got me. Ouch.
But in a nutshell: I couldn’t put
Omega down, and I can’t wait to see how everything shakes out. Well done!
I did find a few typos in the book; if you’d like me to point them out, let me know (but I suspect you already know about them).
Powys Media Forum
Just out of curiosity, I looked up Survival and Resurrection on Amazon and Amazon.uk. Powys - I think there is a market for re-releases, especially if you can format for Lulu to do the printing. Potential legal issues w/ changing printers notwithstanding, of course. I am sold on Lulu. Have you seen the asking prices for these books? My husband asked if I would therefore be selling my copies. *cough*sputter* Yeah, right.
