Earthside (Quantum Earth, Book 2) by Dennis E. Taylor, 2023My rating: 1.75 of 5 stars
As a fan of Dennis E. Taylor's work (ie- Bobiverse Series), I eagerly awaited the release of Earthside, the sequel to Outland. My expectations weren't set too high after only somewhat enjoying the first book, but unfortunately, Earthside didn't quite raise the bar nor live up to them.
While I appreciated the continuation of the story, I found the emphasis on politics and the internal struggles of the characters less engaging than the scientific and adventurous aspects I had come to expect from Taylor's writing. The exploration of alternate Earths was a fascinating concept, but I was disappointed by how little attention it received in the story.
Also I understand some behavioral aspects were played for laughs, but I think that some readers may take issue with the way certain characters were portrayed and find the book's treatment of topics like pregnancy and mental disorders to be problematic. The story could have delved deeper into these subjects and presented a more sensitive and nuanced portrayal of the characters and their struggles.
The political arguments and the focus on who's in charge detracted from the overall plot, and I missed the excitement and sense of discovery that I had experienced while reading Outland. I had hoped for more emphasis on the science and technology in this sequel, but it took a backseat to the characters' squabbles.
However, it's worth mentioning that Ray Porter's narration of the audiobook was skillful and his performance brought life to the characters and made the book easier to digest. Despite the issues I had with Earthside, Porter's narration added an enjoyable dimension to the experience.
Though Earthside wasn't quite what I had hoped for, I understand that it might appeal to a different audience that enjoys the politics, character dynamics, and in-fighting/power struggles. Perhaps the next book in the series will return to the elements that made Outland a potentially captivating read.
I rate this book 1.75 out of 5 stars.
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