Title: Beacon 23
Author: Hugh Howey
Publisher: Createspace
Release Date: 12th August 2015
Source: Own Copy
For centuries, men and women have manned lighthouses to ensure the safe passage of ships.
For centuries, men and women have manned lighthouses to ensure the safe passage of ships.
It is a lonely job, and a thankless one for the most part. Until something goes wrong. Until a ship is in distress.
In the 23rd century, this job has moved into outer space. A network of beacons allows ships to travel across the Milky Way at many times the speed of light. These beacons are built to be robust.
They never break down.
They never fail.
At least, they aren't supposed to.
It isn't a job that I would want to do, Beacon 23 takes the job of the lighthouse keeper and places them in an even worse environment, deep space.
Now the thing I love about Hugh Howey's work is the fact he can take the most claustrophobic, inhospitable space and turn it in to somewhere I'd like to go, yes that is right I have an inkling to visit those silos from Wool and after reading Beacon 23, I want to visit the beacons.
Our keeper is ex-military, stationed in the deepest part of the galaxy making sure those spaceships don't come a cropper, he is all alone with only the occasional traveller darkening his door.
His job is to maintain the light and make sure it stays lit, of course very early in the book the light goes on the blink and this is when the story really begins.
Our keeper has to deal with the aftermath of what happens when the light goes out and the guilt that comes with it, being all alone he experiences a lot of emotions including a memorable moment with a talking inanimate object, is he losing his mind?
Maybe he needs some company? Before long he has more company than he needs, is his space getting too crowded? Does he maybe need to get back to Earth?
Atmospheric, beautifully imagined, great characters, an intriguing story plus a touch of humour, everything I have came to expect from Hugh Howey.
Heather this is new to me and sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful read!
DeleteI've loved most of Howeys stuff so naturally was interested in this. I have the 1st part as part of one of his twin pack novellas. Glad to hear its up to his usual high standard
ReplyDeleteI'm the same, I love his work too and I just love his imagination!
DeleteHave you tried Shell Collectors yet. Its on my shelf waiting
DeleteHave you tried Shell Collectors yet. Its on my shelf a little while
DeleteYep, I read it earlier this year, was a stunning read too!
Deletewow, this sounds quite intense but really good. Books set in space sometimes freak me out, so I don't know if this one would or not...I'm curious though!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.letsgetbeyondtolerance.blogspot.com
Space doesn't bother me but then I am happily on the ground!! It didn't feel claustrophobic at all.
DeleteI didn't really enjoy Wool as much as some people, but this concept sounds interesting :)
ReplyDeleteI loved Wool, something about it just clicked with me. Beacon 23 is a great story and worth a peek!
DeleteI have heard of this one but hadn't seen a review of it before. It does sound like a promising read after all and something that I might even want to pick up myself! It takes a talented writer to make a small space seem pretty cool and like something that might want to be visited as well.
ReplyDeleteHugh Howey is definitely talented, I haven't read a bad book of his yet!
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