One of our readers asked for my reaction to The Shadow and Night, the beginning of a science fiction series by Chris Walley. I gave it a try. Perhaps I didn’t give it enough time.
The story is set in the distant future, in a universe where (as far as I understand it) the Lord has established His millennial Kingdom. The story starts on a distant planet, which has been terraformed and colonized by humans. A demonic rebellion is coming, but I didn’t read that far.
I’m sure I should have given the book more of a chance than I did, but I found nothing in what I read that engaged me. The writing seemed to me entirely lacking in any spark, the characters dull, the dialogue lackluster. This was supposed to be a more or less sinless universe, as I understood it, and sinlessness here seemed boring. Stereotypical soft-serve Christian storytelling in a bland setting.
Judging by other people’s reviews on Amazon, it may well be that the book improves as it goes along. But looking ahead at the number of pages yet to read, and judging by the small amount of fun I was having at the beginning, I gave up on it.
Don’t judge the book by my experience.
I admit it is a rather leisurely pace. I’m halfway through in fairly short order. The lead characters are to me attractive and resourceful. Finding that I look forward to getting back to the story as it slowly unwinds. Two more fat volumes to go. Oh, we eventually encounter evil. Sorry if I steered you wrong. Regards, Paul
I appreciate the frankness possible at this site.
Dale, feel free to expand on your compliment above.