Zivan reviewed Coyote by Allen M. Steele
Review of 'Coyote' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
Coyote can seem stupid at some points. It seems that allot of the technology and circumstances are there to serve a story line but aren't smart or logical.
Many of the stupid planning or actions are later explained by reference to the bad politics that stood behind these decisions. But not everything is explained away.
For example, while the settlers come from a constant surveillance totalitarian state, they haven't brought any such equipment with then and once they land, end up basically exploring the planet on foot.
They bring no satellites with then, not for surveying the planet not for communication.
When winter sets in, instead of using their self refueling shuttles as a power source or at least as heated weather shelters, perhaps for a hospital, they simply mothball them.
I can go on but I don't want to reveal spoilers.
The general feeling I got was: This is …
Coyote can seem stupid at some points. It seems that allot of the technology and circumstances are there to serve a story line but aren't smart or logical.
Many of the stupid planning or actions are later explained by reference to the bad politics that stood behind these decisions. But not everything is explained away.
For example, while the settlers come from a constant surveillance totalitarian state, they haven't brought any such equipment with then and once they land, end up basically exploring the planet on foot.
They bring no satellites with then, not for surveying the planet not for communication.
When winter sets in, instead of using their self refueling shuttles as a power source or at least as heated weather shelters, perhaps for a hospital, they simply mothball them.
I can go on but I don't want to reveal spoilers.
The general feeling I got was: This is not how you settle a planet and as a totalitarian state I would have had equipment for keeping people in line that could be used for reconnaissance.
