Skip to main content

Colony One: A Clichéd Mess with a Disappointing Cliffhanger





Tarah Benner's  Colony One sounded interesting and I was looking forward to reading an engaging and fun science fiction novel, but sadly, it fell short in every aspect. From its clichéd characters to its unsatisfying cliffhanger ending, this book left me feeling as though I wasted valuable time.

Let's start with the characters. One would hope for a diverse and well-developed cast in a story set in a space colony, but instead, Benner presents us with cardboard cutouts straight out of a recycled script. We have the disheveled but perky pop-culture journalist who wants to be "the real thing," the brooding ex-military man who wants another chance, and a typical supporting cast of characters including the goofy sidekick and the mean girl. These characters lack any genuine depth or growth, making it impossible to care about their fates. It felt as though the author had simply assembled a checklist of clichéd archetypes rather than investing time and effort into creating memorable and authentic individuals.

To make matters worse, the dialogue throughout Colony One could be more coherent and inspired. Characters speak in predictable, stilted phrases that only serve to reinforce the lack of originality in their personalities. The interactions between them feel forced and unnatural, adding to the overall sense of artificiality that permeates the entire narrative.

And then there's the ending—or should I say lack thereof? Benner's decision to end the book on a cliffhanger is not only disappointing but also feels like a cheap ploy to keep readers hooked for the next installment. Instead of providing closure or a satisfying resolution to the story's numerous plot threads, the author abruptly cuts off the narrative, leaving readers frustrated. It's a lazy narrative device that smacks of a lack of imagination and a reliance on gimmicks rather than solid storytelling. Needless to say, Benner's gimmick didn't work and I won't be reading the next novel.

Furthermore, I found the world-building in Colony One shallow and underdeveloped. The reasons for the colony are never convincingly established. And although the descriptions of it and its inhabitants provide some detail, Benner fails to create a vivid and immersive setting. The futuristic technology is introduced without much explanation or exploration and I always felt as though our present world kept sneaking in when Benner wasn't looking. 

The novel was disappointing and I struggled to finish it. The clichéd characters, unimaginative dialogue, and frustrating cliffhanger ending all contribute to a lackluster reading experience. If you're seeking an original and well-crafted science fiction story, I suggest looking elsewhere.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Do You Ever Think About Dying?": Profound Musings in Barbie

Barbie is a film that enters into the feminist conversation, aiming to address issues that have long plagued our society. However, while the film tackles essential themes, it doesn't break new ground in feminist discourse. Nevertheless, it does bring an interesting blend of existentialism and symbolism into the mix, raising questions about identity, self-discovery, and societal constructs. The film's feminism is undoubtedly important, but it doesn't introduce revolutionary ideas. It revisits the age-old struggle of women in a society dominated by unrealistic beauty standards and gender roles. Barbie, the protagonist, represents the epitome of these unrealistic standards. She's the embodiment of perfection, which she grapples with throughout the film. However, the film doesn't offer any groundbreaking insights into these issues; instead, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle for gender equality and self-acceptance. What sets Barbie apart from traditional fe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang: A Bold Satire on the Publishing Industry's Shallow Pursuit of Diversity

In Yellowface Kuang skillfully delves into the publishing industry's often superficial attempts to appear inclusive and diverse. With biting satire and sharp wit, Kuang examines the industry's obsession with tokenism, represented through the character of Athena Liu, a talented writer of color who becomes the latest sensation. She delivers a thought-provoking and incisive exploration of the publishing industry's problematic dynamics, cultural appropriation, and the struggles faced by minority writers. Kuang delves into the complexities of identity, representation, and the demands placed on authors of color in a thought-provoking novel that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about racism, cultural appropriation, and the lengths some individuals will go for personal gain. At the heart of the story is June Hayward, our unreliable narrator. June is an aspiring writer struggling to break into the publishing world. Her character serves as a vessel for Kuang to explor...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Luminous Library and a Literary Loveletter: Mark Lawrence's The Book That Wouldn't Burn

Mark Lawrence, celebrated for his dark and imaginative storytelling, has gifted us with another enigmatic tale in The Book That Wouldn't Burn . At its heart, this book is a love letter to the written word and a vehement critique of those who would control access to information and technology. The reader follows Livira, an orphan raised outside of Crath in a barren wasteland known as the Dust, and Evar, a young man who lives within a vast chamber of the Library that is seemingly unknown in Livira's world. While it boasts magnificent worldbuilding, especially the intriguing magical Library of Crath, some uneven pacing and a lack of a strong connection between the two main protagonists, Livira and Evar, leave room for improvement.  What Lawrence does exceptionally well in this novel is his unwavering reverence for the printed word and the power of literature. The story unfolds in a world where access to books is tightly controlled, and technology is under the iron grip of...
Post a Comment
Read more