eBook Review: the Trilisk Ruins

Recommended by several readers in the comments, I read the Trilisk Ruins by Michael McCloskey.

There is visible evidence of aliens and their technology, but humanity still hasn't met a live one. Life is pretty tough for Telisa, a xenoarchaeologist in a universe where the UN has banned free access to alien artifacts -- how is she supposed to learn more? To make things tougher on Telisa, her dad is a famed Captain in the UN fleet and essentially the symbol of her repression. In an act of rebellion she joins some artifact smugglers for the opportunity to see more alien stuff firsthand and journeys to a faraway planet where things take an expected turn.

McCloskey creates a really detailed universe that could be the setting for more stories. I enjoyed his take on a direct neural link to their internet, as well as the politics/business around control of the alien technologies. His characters and dialog didn't have the same detail. All-in-all this is a great tale and very fast read on the Kindle.

The Trilisk Ruins by Michael McCloskey

Jason Weisberger is Boing Boing's publisher. He often does what he ought, instead of what he should. On instagram and twitter he is @jlw

More at Boing Boing

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The technology that links taxonomy and Star Trek

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6LOJDBXCDHL5MVQQRLOCCJ35AY alexb

Go on Jason, you found this series through a link off Oglef didn’t you?
- http://boingboing.net/ Jason Weisberger
  
  Reader Tim H. suggested it. First comment on this review: http://boingboing.net/2012/03/06/ebook-review-the-dig.html
  - http://plagmada.org Tim H
    
    I’m helping!
    - http://boingboing.net/ Jason Weisberger
      
      You are and it is much appreciated!
      - http://plagmada.org Tim H
        
        I just need to start randomly naming books in the category you seem to be looking at so that when you inevitably get to them you’ll feel like you have to acknowledge me.
        
        Um, uh – “No Easy Hope: Surviving the Dead”. (Which I just finished and thought was pretty okay).
http://grathio.com Steve Hoefer

I’ve read The Trilisk Ruins and another novel set in the same universe, and they’re not awful by any means, but definitely more popcorn than substance. What really bugged me about both books was a complete lack of likable characters. It’s not that they were simple or one-dimensional, they were people I really didn’t want to be around and never had any sympathy for.

Maybe I’m only griping because I read them after a Charles Stross and John Scalzi binge and every single one of their characters is likable. Even the one’s you’re not supposed to like.

But for $0.99 you could do worse.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=618448076 Peter Tierney

Total Disco pose on that cover!
- http://plagmada.org Tim H
  
  As a Kindle guy I don’t think I’ve seen that cover til now.
  - http://boingboing.net/ Jason Weisberger
    
    Hey Tim — I read that book too! (Couldn’t reply to the other thread) — I’ll review it tomorrow. I really want the 2nd one to come out (No Easy Hope,)its a take on zombie survival I really liked.
http://profile.yahoo.com/65KXANPVQHQ5ELO7VVUUU5UGZY Maurice

I read it.

Does McCloskey have a wife/girlfriend? Because he could use some character development help, I really do think.

Other than that minor point, not bad.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=683346152 Harry St.Ours

Thanks, Jason. You’re putting up some very interesting work. Can’t wait to dig in. Thanks for supporting indie authors – especially in this genre!

H.S.

And don’t forget to take a look at my 5-star reviewed young adult science fiction adventure for girls:

http://littlewomen.me