3.25-3.5..

I've never read a story that was not really narrated at all. This book is an assembly of files. In some ways I really liked it. I thought to myself if I had to start writing, this might be a nice way to get into it. I don't have to worry about bridges, story lulls, or a narration that goes off the bend. Even though we do have a pretty consistent voice most of the reading, Mr... X?

The idea in the story is a nice thought. Simple entry, not too fantastical to need to suspend disbelief too far and a far amount of modern culture to keep it in sync with a mindset of today. I liked how the characters come together, a little dive into some science--then a bit more of a dive into psychology--would have liked far more time in the alien study--maybe to come?

As I continued reading the interview style started to chaff. Maybe it's just I wanted some more consistency in the story, or more depth that was closed over with a case number and a time skip. Maybe it was my pining for more details, or to know more of these some psychopathic characters and what's up. Regardless, I began to want more, and for a moment I thought I had lost all momentum, and then the end began to appear. With that a few nice plot lines came to a conclusion and some teasers of ideas to come. So we finished on something of a good/high note with only a residual memory of this style in my head.

If the story goes on I hope we find the author branching more into a normal dialog. Or at least pick up and put down the case/log/interview style to a more peppering to help montage or skip time. Otherwise I'd like to hear more of what's in the heads of people than just following along through a verbatim narrative.

Good idea, fairly large universe being constructed. Are we at ground zero? I hope to find out more in following Neuvel.