ridel reviewed Trouble on Paradise by Craig Alanson (Expeditionary Force, #3.5)
Answering Questions No One Asked
2 stars
Authors often rewrite and cut major scenes out of their novels, either to improve pacing or just to respond to feedback of their editors and beta readers. Sometimes, those plotlines are beloved by its creator, but were left on the cutting room floor. Unfortunately, Trouble on Paradise is what happens when an author feels there's a story left to tell and refuses to let go.
This novella, weighing in at 33% the size, continues the adventures of the lesser narrators from Paradise and covers some of the gaps in that story. Skippy and Bishop don't appear in this book. While I never asked the question "What would Expeditionary Force feel like without our comedy duo?", I have the answer:
It's bland. Mediocre.
The author has no one on the bench that has the charisma to lead a story. As implied earlier, the story itself feels like material that wasn't important …
Authors often rewrite and cut major scenes out of their novels, either to improve pacing or just to respond to feedback of their editors and beta readers. Sometimes, those plotlines are beloved by its creator, but were left on the cutting room floor. Unfortunately, Trouble on Paradise is what happens when an author feels there's a story left to tell and refuses to let go.
This novella, weighing in at 33% the size, continues the adventures of the lesser narrators from Paradise and covers some of the gaps in that story. Skippy and Bishop don't appear in this book. While I never asked the question "What would Expeditionary Force feel like without our comedy duo?", I have the answer:
It's bland. Mediocre.
The author has no one on the bench that has the charisma to lead a story. As implied earlier, the story itself feels like material that wasn't important enough to go into the previous book. The end result is a perfectly functional, well-thought out conclusion to many threads that you never cared to follow. Unless you're an incredible fan of Perkins, or a rabid fan looking anything Expeditionary Force, I'd skip this novella.
Not Recommended unless you are a true fan.
