Review of Wanderer’s Escape by Simon Goodson
This story is a fabulous escape into space travel and adventure. It follows Jess, a teenage boy who has been born into slavery but is offered an absolutely miraculous opportunity to escape his life of servitude. The opportunity comes in the form of an amazing spaceship, the likes of which neither Jess nor his masters have ever seen before. Jess makes his getaway from the only home he has ever known, taking with him two older slaves, Sal and Matt.
Many adventures follow. It isn���t long before Jess forms a very special bond with the ship, and the three ex-slaves pick up other passengers. However, in this world no-one is who they seem and Jess must separate the trustworthy from the untrustworthy.
There were many aspects of this story which I enjoyed. I thought that the action scenes ��� of which there were many ��� were well written and fast paced. The author���s ideas are interesting, innovative and fantastical ��� just what you would want from a space opera. There is no end to what the ship is capable of, and really does qualify for a very likeable and wonderful character in its own right.
There were some issues I had with the book. One is the intended audience. I felt that young teenagers who enjoy science fiction would like this book, but the adults giving Jess advice about relationships and sex made me feel uncomfortable. I also wondered if the climax wasn���t climactic enough ��� simply because the kind of space fight which the ship was involved in for the climax was very similar to those it had been involved in previously. And lastly I felt there was too much moralising and decision-making done in dialogue. I understand that it needed to take place, but I didn���t feel it was necessary to hear every word.
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