My thanks to NetGalley and Peguin Group Putnam for an advanced copy of this science fiction novel.
Providence the latest by Max Barry, author of Jennifer Government and Lexicon, is a departure from his usual writing. Instead of dark future bureaucracy prognostications, this is Space Opera with a lot of opera. Four crew members are sent deep into space to fight a group of aliens dubbed the salamanders, whose first contact with humans ended horribly. The length of their cruise is four years, but with periodic contact with home, for social media updates, and downloadable films. All of the the crew members are given space to shine, telling of their pasts, dreams and life experiences and why they find themselves on an automated artificial intelligence controlled ship skipping from battle to battle.

The world the characters exist in is interesting, though the reliance on social media and its mentions does get tiring. Again you learn much about the characters, sometimes holding the plot in place for longer than necessary. What I found most interesting was the references to boredom both just floating in space and being in battle. You could see where this would just be a job to them after awhile, some shifts interesting, most hopefully quiet and uneventful.

If you like your space opera with more than starship and or troopers this might be for you. The book does take awhile to get going and some might skip out before the story gets going, but its worth the read as Mr. Barry is a very skilled writer and he keeps the story moving along.

My first Max Barry won't be my last! I loved Providence. I'm a sucker for space/sci-fi, so I was immediately drawn to this one.

This book was terrifying and fantastic. You are glued to the page as you follow along the build up to the unpredictable story. I was completely absorbed in this unexpected treat.