Wednesday, September 19, 2012

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.

17 comments:

  1. It is a good book. I can't wait for the sequel!

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  2. This is the first review I've read of Michael's book. It makes me even more excited when I get to read it (huge long TBR list right now!). Yay!

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  3. Wow. It sounds great! And I love that cover!

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  4. Awesome review! Michael is too cool. The book does sound fascinating and well-written--I've heard a lot about it, and it sounds like Michael's world-building skills are amazing! :D

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  5. I've got my copy of this book, and just waiting for it to come to the top of the list.

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  6. Sounds amazing! I love the cover, by the way! It definitely sounds like a book I'd love :)

    Also I noticed you're reading The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. My mom and I listened to it as a book on tape in the car and LOVED it. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

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  7. And I'm sure Michael is thrilled with that review.

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  8. Sounds like a great book~ I love Michael's blog!

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  9. Super review! I enjoyed reading Slipstream and can't wait for book 2 to come out as well.

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  10. Wow! The main character alone is enough to hook me. I definitely need to read this.

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  11. Great review. I've got it on my To Read list, I just haven't gotten to it yet.

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  12. It's been on my TBR for ages, and I can't wait to read it :)

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  13. This is a great review. The conflict seems to abound and from the review, it has been well played. I've had this on my TBR list but I'll try to bump it up a bit since I've now added it to my library :-)

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  14. Thanks David for the review - I always apreciate reviews from folks I admire regarding authors I want to read and meet :)

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  15. Ooo...this has me excited as I already have it on my TBR pile. Excellent review.

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  16. I haven't read Mike's book yet, but know I will get around to it.

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