Fiction Mostly Harmless - an Elite Dangerous novel
- Thread starter Kate Russell
- Start date
For a bit of nostalgia I wanted to relive Christmas 1984, when I received the original Elite game and The Dark Wheel novel as a kid, and was completely spellbound. A digital download of ED didn't feel quite the same, so I ordered an ED boxset plus a paperback copy of "Mostly Harmless".
The ED box didn't turn up in time for Christmas but thankfully the game and this book made up for it. I've been reading the novel between long stints on ED and it's built on my immersion; it's a different style to the Dark Wheel (lighter, more humorous, slightly more graphic) but a fun story and I enjoyed it. More detailed comments spoiler tagged.
I'm probably not the best critic as I like everything Elite, but I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to Elite fans; expect something a little different.
The ED box didn't turn up in time for Christmas but thankfully the game and this book made up for it. I've been reading the novel between long stints on ED and it's built on my immersion; it's a different style to the Dark Wheel (lighter, more humorous, slightly more graphic) but a fun story and I enjoyed it. More detailed comments spoiler tagged.
I knew I was going to enjoy this book as soon as I saw the preface, Slough of Despond, and read it out with delight to my parents as we opened our presents. My folks are in their 70's bless, they have no idea what Elite is, or what it has to do with Slough, but they found it quite amusing all the same.
One thing I really liked was there was just enough clues to anticipate the twist without ruining it, I picked up on the spelling "error" and AI discussion as early plot devices, and was pondering who was getting there ahead of Angel. It clicked just a few pages before I read it, which seems perfect to me. It must be difficult to achieve as a writer when you know every detail of the plot. I loved that Doris was disposed of accidentally; I thought that was both humorous and fitting on several levels. I also liked Angel as a character, contemporary but also more subtle and believable than the stereotyped empowered females we often encounter in this genre, and her pirate friends were interesting too. I wondered if she might end up trapped in witch space, on her way to meet Doris' client, but the actual ending was rather better than that.
I'm not sure it described the Elite world in quite the depth I expected, but it certainly brought it to life. It was slightly different to how I imagined it reading Dark Wheel, the story was more focused on people than technology which is no bad thing. Doris was disguised a little too obviously, although that kind of added to the humour; especially when it revealed the deadly tools of its trade at the end which made me giggle. I loved the low gravity fight, and the descriptions of facilities in the space stations and pirate base, and the retro-tech keyboard fitted perfectly with how I play the game and the original game's flight manual.
The graphic deaths were slightly at odds with the rest of the book's light humorous style, but only jarred slightly.
One thing I really liked was there was just enough clues to anticipate the twist without ruining it, I picked up on the spelling "error" and AI discussion as early plot devices, and was pondering who was getting there ahead of Angel. It clicked just a few pages before I read it, which seems perfect to me. It must be difficult to achieve as a writer when you know every detail of the plot. I loved that Doris was disposed of accidentally; I thought that was both humorous and fitting on several levels. I also liked Angel as a character, contemporary but also more subtle and believable than the stereotyped empowered females we often encounter in this genre, and her pirate friends were interesting too. I wondered if she might end up trapped in witch space, on her way to meet Doris' client, but the actual ending was rather better than that.
I'm not sure it described the Elite world in quite the depth I expected, but it certainly brought it to life. It was slightly different to how I imagined it reading Dark Wheel, the story was more focused on people than technology which is no bad thing. Doris was disguised a little too obviously, although that kind of added to the humour; especially when it revealed the deadly tools of its trade at the end which made me giggle. I loved the low gravity fight, and the descriptions of facilities in the space stations and pirate base, and the retro-tech keyboard fitted perfectly with how I play the game and the original game's flight manual.
The graphic deaths were slightly at odds with the rest of the book's light humorous style, but only jarred slightly.
I'm probably not the best critic as I like everything Elite, but I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to Elite fans; expect something a little different.
You want to try the other books too, as a whole they give more feeling for the elite dangerous universe, Lave revolution goes in depth about how Lave became alliance etc
I can say I've read them all, and mostly harmless I found one of the better ones.
I think you have to write Fantastic Publishing for this.
I don't know if Kate still read this thread, but for anyone who show around here to read opinions of her novel before purchasing...
I've enjoyed a lot this novel. I've been constantly smiling with the dark humour that the style of writing is dripping. I also liked the main character and the chain of misfortunes that lead her life. I'm also glad that the tone of the novel is a mature one, with some gory scenes, hard words and ruthless decisions made even by the main character. At first, I must reckon that the plot seemed a bit dull to me... but then it begins to be spiced and you start to read frantically until the end. And what an ending...
Thanks for creating Angel Rose and her story, Kate.
I've enjoyed a lot this novel. I've been constantly smiling with the dark humour that the style of writing is dripping. I also liked the main character and the chain of misfortunes that lead her life. I'm also glad that the tone of the novel is a mature one, with some gory scenes, hard words and ruthless decisions made even by the main character. At first, I must reckon that the plot seemed a bit dull to me... but then it begins to be spiced and you start to read frantically until the end. And what an ending...
Thanks for creating Angel Rose and her story, Kate.
I finished this last week and I really enjoyed it. Angel Rose is one of the most sympathetic protagonists I've ever read.