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Book Review - Light of Impossible Stars

 Sci-Fi Trilogy's Massive Conclusion!


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Light of Impossible Stars by Gareth L. Powell, published February 2020 by Titan Books


This is Powell's action packed and stunning conclusion to the Embers of War trilogy, a space adventure epic in scope and vision. According to Wikipedia, a "Space Opera" is charaterized by: "space warfare, melodramatic adventure, interplanetary battles, chivalric romance and risk-taking." 

The Embers of War trilogy may share some similarities with that definition: space warfare, interplanetary battles, risk-taking, for example. The adventure is, I would say, quite intense and grounded in realistic choices and emotions. Powell writes excellent and deeply felt characters, and does not shy away from tragedy or the death of viewpoint characters amidst terrible conflict. But melodramatic? No. Also, the few bits of romance sprinkled lightly in these books I would not classify as chivalric, but modern. So is it Space Opera. No, it's better, on another level! It is Epic Star Saga. I think that provides a clearer definition. 

This final volume introduces a new set of characters (along with keeping up with the original ones) and amazing new places in this rich universe, including getting some first hand looks into a tear in the fabric of reality, which was exciting. It wrapped up everything neatly, maybe a little too neatly, and brought things to a breath-stealing close.

That being said, in the second half of the book things really accelerated to try to tie up all the dangling threads. There are some choices characters make that were a little too convenient for my taste (I didn't buy a few changes of heart),  some social issues of today's world felt thrown in needlessly, and a bit of almost fantasy that I considered to be, shall we say, an interesting choice for the author to make.

All that said, it was a rush, like riding Disney's Space Mountain! Surprising turns and unexpected thrills await you all the way through this trilogy and I had a great time in the passenger seat.  Now I am looking through Powell's back catalog to see what else catches my eye!

Rating: 7.5 out of 10 galaxies

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