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The Bern Saga #2
Molly Fyde and the Land of Light
What began for Molly as a simple journey to retrieve her father’s old spaceship, has turned into an epic adventure with far-reaching consequences. For years, she dreamed of reconnecting with her past. Now she’s going to meet it in a way she never expected: Head-on.
Her father is alive. Her mother’s memories are trapped inside his old ship. She’s on the run from her very own Navy, and now has been tasked with the impossible:
Rescue her parents. Save the galaxy. End a war.
Before she can begin, however, Molly must first help a friend in need. One of her crew members is in trouble, a life hanging by a slender thread. There’s only one place to turn: the home world of Humanity’s sworn enemy, the very race Molly and Cole have been trained to meet in battle and have been conditioned to fear and loathe.
Planet Drenard. The next stop for the starship Parsona.
Her father is alive. Her mother’s memories are trapped inside his old ship. She’s on the run from her very own Navy, and now has been tasked with the impossible:
Rescue her parents. Save the galaxy. End a war.
Before she can begin, however, Molly must first help a friend in need. One of her crew members is in trouble, a life hanging by a slender thread. There’s only one place to turn: the home world of Humanity’s sworn enemy, the very race Molly and Cole have been trained to meet in battle and have been conditioned to fear and loathe.
Planet Drenard. The next stop for the starship Parsona.
548 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
288 people are currently reading
885 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Howey
145 books57.3k followersI'm the author of WOOL, a top 5 science fiction book on Amazon. I also wrote the Molly Fyde saga, a tale of a teenager from the 25th century who is repeatedly told that girls can't do certain things -- and then does them anyway.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
September 26, 2022
Again, Hugh Howey has created imaginative worlds and characters. The main character has found her mother and it looks like she's on her way to reuniting with her beloved father. Along the way she has entered new worlds, employed her impressive skills and found some romance. Great fun!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2010
Molly Fyde and the Land of Light is a spectacular, captivating, and shocking follow up to The Parsona Rescue.
Howey's debut, Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue was amazing, but Land of Light was even more impressive. The novel starts off with an intriguing prologue, and the first chapter pulled me back into the story with ease. As the pages turn, this novel grips you entirely. With each startling secret or shocking moment, I became more entranced by the story. This is not a series you want to miss. If you love action, adventure, and a dash of romance, then you'll love The Bern Saga.
I'm not going to get into details here, because then I'd be spoiling the novel (and probably a few points in the first one)!
Highlights: Howey's description is fantastic, because he always makes me feel like I'm there, in the moment with the characters. I love how a few footnotes were included with this novel to help the reader's understanding, and I love how Howey took a risk by also giving us a glance into the other characters' minds, which I actually enjoyed.
Land of Light far exceeded my expectations, surpassing the greatness of The Parsona Rescue. Now I am definitely eagerly anticipating the release of the next novel, Molly Fyde and the Blood of Billions!
Lowlights: Hmm...nothing I can really think of. It was amazing. The Bern Saga is a must-read.
Howey's debut, Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue was amazing, but Land of Light was even more impressive. The novel starts off with an intriguing prologue, and the first chapter pulled me back into the story with ease. As the pages turn, this novel grips you entirely. With each startling secret or shocking moment, I became more entranced by the story. This is not a series you want to miss. If you love action, adventure, and a dash of romance, then you'll love The Bern Saga.
I'm not going to get into details here, because then I'd be spoiling the novel (and probably a few points in the first one)!
Highlights: Howey's description is fantastic, because he always makes me feel like I'm there, in the moment with the characters. I love how a few footnotes were included with this novel to help the reader's understanding, and I love how Howey took a risk by also giving us a glance into the other characters' minds, which I actually enjoyed.
Land of Light far exceeded my expectations, surpassing the greatness of The Parsona Rescue. Now I am definitely eagerly anticipating the release of the next novel, Molly Fyde and the Blood of Billions!
Lowlights: Hmm...nothing I can really think of. It was amazing. The Bern Saga is a must-read.
December 20, 2014
This installment in the Bern series takes Molly and her crew to Drennard, the home of the enemy humans have been fighting for years. Once again this story is pretty much a non-stop action adventure sci-fi ride. The main characters in these stories are somewhat young, but that hasn't detracted from my enjoyment of the series at all. It would probably enjoyable to teen sci-fi fans, but that doesn't mean it isn't meant for the rest of us to read. I hate it when people complain that the characters in a story are too young and that because of that it must be a young adult book. Some pretty heavy stuff happens in these books including fairly graphic violence and the characters' reactions to those happenings, which doesn't generally happen in young adult books to my knowledge.
Molly is a young woman who has had a lot thrust upon her. She's been kicked out of the Flight Academy and is now traveling through the galaxy in the hopes of rescuing her parents. Molly follows her heart when it comes to making and protecting her friends, which often leads her into dangerous circumstances. Despite this Molly perseveres and tries to do what she feels is right even when it doesn't seem to be in her best interest. Molly, Cole, Walter, Edison and Anlyn are the main characters in this installment of the series and they have to overcome fear and hatred to continue on their mission.
Their adventure leads them into dangerous territory and even more dangerous circumstances to try to win their freedom. The characters are easy to identify with and I found it easy to get caught up in the story. Reading science fiction has been my love since I was a teen (over 30 years now). In that time I've developed a love of hard sci-fi, military sci-fi and dystopian sci-fi, as well as action adventure sci-fi. This book is definitely none of the first three, but fits nicely into the action adventure category. If you are looking to have someone include long theoretical formulas in the book, then this probably isn't the book for you. If you enjoy stories that dart around the universe meeting new characters and going new places while the characters run for their lives and try to figure out the clues that will lead to their survival, then I think you would enjoy this story.
There were a few spelling errors and incorrect word usage, but not so much as to be a real problem. This is one of Hugh Howey's earlier works and I suspect that as Mr. Howey's career moves forward he isn't spending much time going back to edit his first books. I more than understand this. I published a romance that I wrote 20 years ago primarily as a test of how to market an e-book. Several people have commented that they didn't like the way it ended and that they wanted more, but I don't have any interest in rewriting that book as I'm now 60,000 words into my new sci-fi book and am looking forward, not back. Oops, guess I'm wandering off topic. Nevertheless, I am about to finish the third book in this series and have thoroughly enjoyed reading these books thus far. There are some far-fetched things from time to time, but who am I to say what will happen in the universe as time passes. Perhaps Hugh Howey really knows the Bern Seer.
This review originally appeared on my blog http://tjhapney.wordpress.com/ and is worded as such.
Molly is a young woman who has had a lot thrust upon her. She's been kicked out of the Flight Academy and is now traveling through the galaxy in the hopes of rescuing her parents. Molly follows her heart when it comes to making and protecting her friends, which often leads her into dangerous circumstances. Despite this Molly perseveres and tries to do what she feels is right even when it doesn't seem to be in her best interest. Molly, Cole, Walter, Edison and Anlyn are the main characters in this installment of the series and they have to overcome fear and hatred to continue on their mission.
Their adventure leads them into dangerous territory and even more dangerous circumstances to try to win their freedom. The characters are easy to identify with and I found it easy to get caught up in the story. Reading science fiction has been my love since I was a teen (over 30 years now). In that time I've developed a love of hard sci-fi, military sci-fi and dystopian sci-fi, as well as action adventure sci-fi. This book is definitely none of the first three, but fits nicely into the action adventure category. If you are looking to have someone include long theoretical formulas in the book, then this probably isn't the book for you. If you enjoy stories that dart around the universe meeting new characters and going new places while the characters run for their lives and try to figure out the clues that will lead to their survival, then I think you would enjoy this story.
There were a few spelling errors and incorrect word usage, but not so much as to be a real problem. This is one of Hugh Howey's earlier works and I suspect that as Mr. Howey's career moves forward he isn't spending much time going back to edit his first books. I more than understand this. I published a romance that I wrote 20 years ago primarily as a test of how to market an e-book. Several people have commented that they didn't like the way it ended and that they wanted more, but I don't have any interest in rewriting that book as I'm now 60,000 words into my new sci-fi book and am looking forward, not back. Oops, guess I'm wandering off topic. Nevertheless, I am about to finish the third book in this series and have thoroughly enjoyed reading these books thus far. There are some far-fetched things from time to time, but who am I to say what will happen in the universe as time passes. Perhaps Hugh Howey really knows the Bern Seer.
This review originally appeared on my blog http://tjhapney.wordpress.com/ and is worded as such.
June 21, 2019
When I read Hugh Howey books, the phrase that always pops into my head is "great and terrible beauty". There is something about the way he writes his characters that is so excruciatingly beautiful and sad. It's wonderful and you become so attached and then he snatches all that goodness right away from you until before you know it, you're crying your eyes out and telling yourself, "I'm waiting a FREAKING YEAR before I read the next one because I just can't take the PAIN!" I mean, I'm a nervous wreck over here, people.
But for all that, I love this series. I love Mollie. She is so vulnerable and yet so AMAZINGLY strong, and as a character she is probably one of my favorite in the world. I love her more than Katniss and probably as much as I love Arya or Dany.
If George wrote YA sci-fi, I think it would be like this. And that is probably the biggest compliment I can give Howey.
But forgive me if I wait awhile to read the next one...
But for all that, I love this series. I love Mollie. She is so vulnerable and yet so AMAZINGLY strong, and as a character she is probably one of my favorite in the world. I love her more than Katniss and probably as much as I love Arya or Dany.
If George wrote YA sci-fi, I think it would be like this. And that is probably the biggest compliment I can give Howey.
But forgive me if I wait awhile to read the next one...
July 11, 2013
Great story. I was so on edge that I had to read the synopsis of the 3rd book to reassure myself certain characters were going to make it! Molly could be a bit annoying when she's bantering with Cole, but she's 16 for Drenard's sake..LOL.
Walter was most def, the hero of this one. I can't wait to get the 3rd book, it's for a steal on the amazon/audible whispersync tie-in right now!
Walter was most def, the hero of this one. I can't wait to get the 3rd book, it's for a steal on the amazon/audible whispersync tie-in right now!
May 17, 2019
Molly Fyde and the Land of Light(The Bern Saga Book 2) by Hugh Howey
I can't say enough about how good this book is. Each world is richly drawn out it such a fashion that it helps explain the motivations of many of the important characters- from within the context of their cultures. The cultures are often derived around the worlds themselves and sometimes out of misconceptions or at least faulty conclusions as regards how the races perceive their world and their place in the universe.
Molly Fyde comes from a universe that has taken several steps back for some unexplained reason as regards the attitude towards women. Many of her action seem to be driven by this and it become easy to see how she finds herself so enamored to Cole who so desperately wants to protect her from everything. He first has to figure out a way to protect her from herself and with Molly that's just not going to happen. It's enough to process that she still trusts him after he killed her uncle, but then her uncle was trying to kill her.
Walter also would like to protect Molly and that makes him dangerous.
In these books I notice a lot of similarities in the worlds and characters and themes to what I've seen in recent years among the popular Science Fiction and Sci-fi. For instance, there are ceremonies in here that kept bringing to mind the Mimbari of Babylon 5. There are features of the visit to Dakura that reminded me of Vanilla Sky. These are not bad things- they are handled well and move the story. This story has a lot to tell and it can almost become confusingly overwhelming.
As usual there are few if any places our heroes might go where they will be safe from the fate that is creeping up on them. It is threatening to suck them in like the black-holes around them.
Molly's goal is to find her father, but the path is never quite clear. Her mother, who seems now to reside in the ships computer is cryptic at best with her help. Molly is not even sure how much she can trust this person inside her ship. They have had to detour first and take Anlyn to Drenard. Getting out of there alive will be murder. Even then they will leave some of the crew behind.
The next stop is Dakura where Molly finds that she is expected to destroy her mother's body so that someone named Byrne can't access her memories. There are so many things about Molly that seem to piece together like a fractured jigsaw puzzle that make the reader wonder what she is. Byrne thinks that she is important enough to try to snatch her. If I piece together her ability to do very fast calculations that most people rely on ship computers to do, and that she seems to always do the right thing even when she's not putting a lot of thought behind what she's doing, it makes me wonder.
When she discovers that a race know as Bern are trying to open a gateway to our space in order to lay waste to humanity will she be able to stop them with her innate skill and luck? The stakes are getting higher and the threat is getting real.
This is a great read for anyone who likes Sci-Fi or Science Fiction and fantasy and adventure and all the military political stuff of SF Military novels.
J.L.D.
I can't say enough about how good this book is. Each world is richly drawn out it such a fashion that it helps explain the motivations of many of the important characters- from within the context of their cultures. The cultures are often derived around the worlds themselves and sometimes out of misconceptions or at least faulty conclusions as regards how the races perceive their world and their place in the universe.
Molly Fyde comes from a universe that has taken several steps back for some unexplained reason as regards the attitude towards women. Many of her action seem to be driven by this and it become easy to see how she finds herself so enamored to Cole who so desperately wants to protect her from everything. He first has to figure out a way to protect her from herself and with Molly that's just not going to happen. It's enough to process that she still trusts him after he killed her uncle, but then her uncle was trying to kill her.
Walter also would like to protect Molly and that makes him dangerous.
In these books I notice a lot of similarities in the worlds and characters and themes to what I've seen in recent years among the popular Science Fiction and Sci-fi. For instance, there are ceremonies in here that kept bringing to mind the Mimbari of Babylon 5. There are features of the visit to Dakura that reminded me of Vanilla Sky. These are not bad things- they are handled well and move the story. This story has a lot to tell and it can almost become confusingly overwhelming.
As usual there are few if any places our heroes might go where they will be safe from the fate that is creeping up on them. It is threatening to suck them in like the black-holes around them.
Molly's goal is to find her father, but the path is never quite clear. Her mother, who seems now to reside in the ships computer is cryptic at best with her help. Molly is not even sure how much she can trust this person inside her ship. They have had to detour first and take Anlyn to Drenard. Getting out of there alive will be murder. Even then they will leave some of the crew behind.
The next stop is Dakura where Molly finds that she is expected to destroy her mother's body so that someone named Byrne can't access her memories. There are so many things about Molly that seem to piece together like a fractured jigsaw puzzle that make the reader wonder what she is. Byrne thinks that she is important enough to try to snatch her. If I piece together her ability to do very fast calculations that most people rely on ship computers to do, and that she seems to always do the right thing even when she's not putting a lot of thought behind what she's doing, it makes me wonder.
When she discovers that a race know as Bern are trying to open a gateway to our space in order to lay waste to humanity will she be able to stop them with her innate skill and luck? The stakes are getting higher and the threat is getting real.
This is a great read for anyone who likes Sci-Fi or Science Fiction and fantasy and adventure and all the military political stuff of SF Military novels.
J.L.D.
February 5, 2019
Pretty Disappointed in what could’ve been a good read
The concepts in this book are excellent. Cliffhanger, fantastic. The yo-yo of events is where this book tips squarely into the arena of annoyance. It’s like a roller coaster ride without the fun. Putting characters in jeopardy is fine, until you push them way past the point of any rational person’s ability to process and recover without a complete psychotic break. Nobody in this book would be functioning through these events in real life. It creates a superman effect which is the most boring type of character imaginable. This series is now teetering on the line of disappointing, which is sad because the tech and physics concepts are cool. Politics, alien races and cultures, world building, it all has so much potential. But I want to take this book out and slap it right now. I kind of want all the characters to die so I can let this series go. Not a great feeling.
The concepts in this book are excellent. Cliffhanger, fantastic. The yo-yo of events is where this book tips squarely into the arena of annoyance. It’s like a roller coaster ride without the fun. Putting characters in jeopardy is fine, until you push them way past the point of any rational person’s ability to process and recover without a complete psychotic break. Nobody in this book would be functioning through these events in real life. It creates a superman effect which is the most boring type of character imaginable. This series is now teetering on the line of disappointing, which is sad because the tech and physics concepts are cool. Politics, alien races and cultures, world building, it all has so much potential. But I want to take this book out and slap it right now. I kind of want all the characters to die so I can let this series go. Not a great feeling.
October 23, 2022
Howey raises a new bar for excellence in science fiction
Howey is a master of the most unexpected scenarios and complex characters. I read everything Howey writes and am never disappointed. These Molly Fyde books are the best so far, because I liked the characters so much that I constantly worried about them. The romance added to the characters without getting in the way of responses to life threatening moments. (Sexual tension when trying to survive immediate threat never rings true to me. ) Events and situations felt legitimately dangerous and impossible to overcome. Even better, the outcomes were unexpected but believable. The pace of events is expertly timed to keep the reader's head from exploding. And I applaud Howey for awesome stories without pointless profanity and sexuality.
Howey is a master of the most unexpected scenarios and complex characters. I read everything Howey writes and am never disappointed. These Molly Fyde books are the best so far, because I liked the characters so much that I constantly worried about them. The romance added to the characters without getting in the way of responses to life threatening moments. (Sexual tension when trying to survive immediate threat never rings true to me. ) Events and situations felt legitimately dangerous and impossible to overcome. Even better, the outcomes were unexpected but believable. The pace of events is expertly timed to keep the reader's head from exploding. And I applaud Howey for awesome stories without pointless profanity and sexuality.
June 28, 2020
I'm really enjoying Howey's Bern Saga. I must admit that it was fairly clear in reading the first instalment that Howey was a less mature writer at the time. Having read the Silo series, there was quite a significant contrast to observe. Clearly, by the time he wrote the second instalment to this series, he had hit his stride. I found it hard to put it down, and resented my tendency to fall asleep while reading in the evening before I finished a chapter.
While the characters are well developed enough, I think what makes this novel is the imaginative settings, world, cultures and peoples. It has delivers better than many science fiction stories in terms of plot. I really did find myself wanting to know what would transpire next. I'm really looking forward to reading the rest!
While the characters are well developed enough, I think what makes this novel is the imaginative settings, world, cultures and peoples. It has delivers better than many science fiction stories in terms of plot. I really did find myself wanting to know what would transpire next. I'm really looking forward to reading the rest!
June 13, 2025
This is a young adult series. I see other reviewers comparing it to Silo and his other books seemingly missing this point. It’s definitely written at a different level and that is perfect for an introduction to SiFi for a young woman. I’d say it is compares favorably to the Heinlein YA books like Podkayne of Mars which I read when I was 13. The story of capable young woman and her adventures to find her lost parents with an eclectic crew of aliens, a friend turned love interest and lots of action! I will be encouraging my granddaughters to dive into the world of imagination I have lived in since I read those books as a young girl, and this series will be my recommendation!
January 4, 2018
Decent if you like space opera. I like the Silo series by the same author so giving this series a chance though not really my style; I like more hard sci-fi.
Main protagonist seems very 'girlie' which seems odd in today's fiction. This might be done purposefully as a character development thing; will continue the second book to see.
The science bits will make you cringe if you like hard sci-fi. Even simple things like banking in space and 'watching the lasers shoot by in slow motion' make it seem like something written in the 50's.
Main protagonist seems very 'girlie' which seems odd in today's fiction. This might be done purposefully as a character development thing; will continue the second book to see.
The science bits will make you cringe if you like hard sci-fi. Even simple things like banking in space and 'watching the lasers shoot by in slow motion' make it seem like something written in the 50's.
July 31, 2022
4.5 stars. Well some of the plot lines I don't think work, and I'm getting a little tired of the repetitive captured escape captured escape that the characters find themselves in. Still I can't help it marvel at the character development and how well written Drenard is as a world, a culture, and their political views. And overall it has me wanting to read on to see what happens to this great cast of characters.
July 21, 2020
Molly spaceship pilot, her nav sweetie, metal-face tech, big fur alien, land on enemy planet with comatose freed prisoner, survive rites to be citizens, find parent hiding secrets, attack by über-enemy. Cliffhanger to hyper-space.Typos: c4p12, 26.13 lie IS lay
27.11 unknowning IS unknowing
29.8 drug IS dragged
27.11 unknowning IS unknowing
29.8 drug IS dragged
November 6, 2017
Better than the first in series
Still somewhat disappointed after reading- doesn't quite match the quality of WOOL series but is a much better book than the first Molly Fyde novel. Leaves you with a great cliffhanger as well. Will read the next one and hope for more improvement.
Still somewhat disappointed after reading- doesn't quite match the quality of WOOL series but is a much better book than the first Molly Fyde novel. Leaves you with a great cliffhanger as well. Will read the next one and hope for more improvement.
June 23, 2018
Not as good as the first one. The plot seemed very far-fetched, even for the genre, and full of extremely convenient coincidences. Not opposed to reading book 3 but not going to go out of my way to do so.
November 14, 2021
I couldn’t put this book down. A number of intersecting stories in one. With connections to others from before. I was lucky enough to have purchased all four books at once so I can go straight into book 3
February 3, 2024
Better than the first book, a highly entertaining read. All is becoming clearer and I'm looking forward to the 3rd book in the series. About the only criticism I have is the narrator, as she does not perform character voices well. Other than that, highly recommended.
Read
August 2, 2024Someone asked me why I drugged him. Which one was drugging? Giving or taking?
Now that I really know ho actually gets tormented, I feel more relaxed to torment around.
If the boys feel guilty, tell them to give their shirts to their father so they can begin seeing.
Now that I really know ho actually gets tormented, I feel more relaxed to torment around.
If the boys feel guilty, tell them to give their shirts to their father so they can begin seeing.
June 26, 2017
series only gets better soon far!
October 24, 2017
Again this is just a great series! The universe that Hugh Howey created is so well imagined and depicted and his characters are so great to get to know. Seriously can't recommend it enough.
May 21, 2019
Awesome and fun
A well done sequel. It was equal parts fun and thrilling. Molly is a great character and the story is moving along fantastically. Going to grab the next one!!
A well done sequel. It was equal parts fun and thrilling. Molly is a great character and the story is moving along fantastically. Going to grab the next one!!
June 1, 2019
I really just like Hugh Howey's books, all of them! maybe not my favorite writing style or characters, but I love his plots and space opera style.
May 18, 2020
Excellent book. Even better than the first book in the series.
March 26, 2022
This is really getting interesting! Molly, Cole and Walter are scattered all around the galaxy and have no idea where they are. Yes, I'll have to read this whole series before I can quit.
March 8, 2023
Great Continuation
Great next book of Bern Saga. There are so many twists and turns with new forks of the Saga building.
Great next book of Bern Saga. There are so many twists and turns with new forks of the Saga building.
January 4, 2025
WOW
You always wonder if the second book in a series can provide you with as much enjoy as the first.
Well, all I can say is book two exceeded my expectations.
You always wonder if the second book in a series can provide you with as much enjoy as the first.
Well, all I can say is book two exceeded my expectations.
July 30, 2025
Really good!
Each book is an excellent follow-up of the previous one in that series. “New universes”, new planets, new characters, new plots, new races, new adventures.
Each book is an excellent follow-up of the previous one in that series. “New universes”, new planets, new characters, new plots, new races, new adventures.
December 28, 2017
I can't decide if this was the best book of the series or if that honor belongs to the Parsona Rescue. Either way, the first half of this series is excellent. Enjoy it while it lasts.
February 11, 2013
This book picks up exactly where the first book left off, and we get directly right back into the action. One thing that I really love about Hugh Howey's books is that there is rarely a lull in the action, and this book is no exception. Lot's of twists and turns, and certainly not a boring read.
Another thing that I love about Hugh Howey's books is the way that he draws the reader in to the setting of the books. You really get a feel that you are actually there. Sometimes it is hard to visualize what is going on, but those instances are rare. His language when describing a scene is very visual, tactile, and vivid. This is especially true in the chapters that take place on Drenard.
The right passage of the Wadi Thooo was interesting, as is the increasing bond that is clearly developing between Molly and her Wadi Thooo. I wish that portion of the story was developed a bit more. Perhaps that is to come in later books. We shall see.
The different races that we have met so far have all been both a product of their environment, and an example of particular human tendencies taken to extremes, making humans seem downright moderate by comparison. For example, when we first meet the Glemots (in the previous book), they appear to be a race that takes environmentalism to absurd extremes (and they are), to the point that they take different paths through the world to make sure they don't create trails, they move their tents every morning, and almost totally shun technology, even though they excel at understanding it. They also consider war to be part of the natural way of things, and are fond of exterminating members of their own society who they decide violate the natural aesthetic somehow. We later learn that this is at least in part due to the fact that they would live forever if not killed, and this is the only way to provide a sustainable balance and not overrun first their planet and later the whole galaxy. A similar analysis could be done of the Palan and Drenard cultures. These richly defined cultures could easily lend themselves to an interesting set of books that delve into the history of each culture or tell the story of the Bern saga from the point of view of that particular race. The latter is especially true of the Drenard culture.
Finally, as I read this series I am constantly asking myself questions like:
Who can Molly trust?
Can she even trust her "mom"?
Who in the Navy has been compromised?
Is Molly just being played by others and the Navy is just trying to stop her before she does some real damage?
Now another question comes to mind.
Are the Bern a threat to the Races Milky Way or are the races of the Milky Way a threat to the rest of the universe?
Another thing that I love about Hugh Howey's books is the way that he draws the reader in to the setting of the books. You really get a feel that you are actually there. Sometimes it is hard to visualize what is going on, but those instances are rare. His language when describing a scene is very visual, tactile, and vivid. This is especially true in the chapters that take place on Drenard.
The right passage of the Wadi Thooo was interesting, as is the increasing bond that is clearly developing between Molly and her Wadi Thooo. I wish that portion of the story was developed a bit more. Perhaps that is to come in later books. We shall see.
The different races that we have met so far have all been both a product of their environment, and an example of particular human tendencies taken to extremes, making humans seem downright moderate by comparison. For example, when we first meet the Glemots (in the previous book), they appear to be a race that takes environmentalism to absurd extremes (and they are), to the point that they take different paths through the world to make sure they don't create trails, they move their tents every morning, and almost totally shun technology, even though they excel at understanding it. They also consider war to be part of the natural way of things, and are fond of exterminating members of their own society who they decide violate the natural aesthetic somehow. We later learn that this is at least in part due to the fact that they would live forever if not killed, and this is the only way to provide a sustainable balance and not overrun first their planet and later the whole galaxy. A similar analysis could be done of the Palan and Drenard cultures. These richly defined cultures could easily lend themselves to an interesting set of books that delve into the history of each culture or tell the story of the Bern saga from the point of view of that particular race. The latter is especially true of the Drenard culture.
Finally, as I read this series I am constantly asking myself questions like:
Who can Molly trust?
Can she even trust her "mom"?
Who in the Navy has been compromised?
Is Molly just being played by others and the Navy is just trying to stop her before she does some real damage?
Now another question comes to mind.
Are the Bern a threat to the Races Milky Way or are the races of the Milky Way a threat to the rest of the universe?
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