I Read This: Slipstream by Michael Offutt

 
"Last night I died for the third time this week ..."

Jordan Pendragon is crazy good at fixing situations that have gone bad. It's a talent prized by his high school ice hockey team. However, when a car accident puts Jordan in the hospital, he wakes up with more than just an amazing slapshot in his toolbox. Jordan can manipulate space-time and in just a few weeks, he'll depend on it to save his life.

(From Goodreads)

Okay. This review has been a long time coming (had to put reading on hold for a deadline), but I've been eager to tell you about this book.

Even before I met Michael in person, I was looking forward to his book, based on the concepts he used among other things, and I have to say that I'm impressed. From navigating space time to drawing comparisons to God and Schrödinger's Cat, the science was sound and made me think. Good science fiction makes me think (just as Space Operas are meant to entertain). Michael succeeded in this.

This was also the first time I've read a main character who is gay. I knew this going in, but I have to say Jordan Pendragon was tastefully portrayed and very likeable, given his faults (which, after all, makes him all the more interesting). A hockey-playing teen in Utah that every girl in school wants to go out with (but he's not interested in them)? I can't begin to tell you how well these conflict elements play with each other, but it was awesome and interesting to read.

The greatest strength to this novel are Michael's details. I was never confused about where the characters were or what was around them, even when crossing through time and space. Let me tell you, that's where the real fun happens. There were times when omniscience came into play (which has a happen of making me go "wait, what POV are we in now?), but it wasn't enough to prevent me from reading on.

The myths you've all heard are true - this is an excellent debut. So if you enjoy deep thinking, exotic new worlds, and don't mind heavy language use, then I recommend this for your next science fiction indulgence. Slipstream yourself a copy here. Bring on Oculus!

I'm David, and I'll take an X200 Next Gen Diamondback, please.