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The Caledonian Gambit (SF) - Dan Moren ****

This is a novel with a classic science fiction setting - empire versus federation / commonwealth / rebel alliance with roots that stretch back to the likes of Asimov's Foundation series and reach into the science fantasy world of Star Wars. There's even a figure vaguely reminiscent of Luke Skywalker, in the sense that he's a good pilot, an innocent abroad and related to key figures in the rebellion. But it would be unfair to dismiss it as 'more of the same', because its saving grace is that the central group of characters is, in reality, a trio of intelligence operatives - and they really bring the book alive.

The back of the book asks 'can two unlikely heroes keep peace in the galaxy', but the innocent abroad, Eli Brody, seems to spend most of his time feeling sick or cracking bad jokes - he only comes into his own right at the end of the book when a pilot is needed. The other of the pair is a leading Commonwealth intelligence operative Simon Kovalic, accompanied by his team consisting of a ninja-like lieutenant and a solid military sergeant with a penchant for weapons and a good punch-up. Kovalic and friends occupy by far the most interesting sections of the book (for a large part, Kovalik and Brody operate independently). If anything they are bit too good at their jobs - but there is still enough peril to keep it interesting.

Dan Moren's writing style is workmanlike, if lacking panache. Just occasionally it grates a little, but on the whole he keeps the action going well and throws in enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. It's not great art, or even the best science fiction, but it's an enjoyable romp with elements of a spy thriller in space.

The book probably could have done with a slightly better edit, both to pick up on those slightly clunky bits of writing and an impressively bad bit of arithmetic, when we read:

'How far are we from the defensive perimeter?'
'About twenty-five thousand kilometres. Our speed's fairly steady at around five thousand kilometres per hour.'
'Five minutes.'

Oops. But this isn't the kind of SF you pick up for hard science and mathematical precision. It's a fine, escapist bit of nonsense and I had a good time reading it.

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Review by Brian Clegg - See all Brian's online articles or subscribe to a weekly email free here
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