Pros
- Some familiar figures make their return
- Interesting mystery about Earth’s Reunification War
- Familiar elements of humor, engaging writing style, and action
Cons
- Battles tend to be more distanced and less intense
- Mystery isn’t quite solved, though plot may continue in next book
Sky World Review
Sky World by B. V. Larson delivers more of what readers have come to enjoy and expect out of the Undying Mercenaries series, which at eighteen books and counting, is perhaps one of the longest running continuous science fiction series.
As usual, James McGill finds himself in the middle of a human extinction event again, but while humanity is threatened, McGill becomes involved in a conspiracy that threatens to permanently kill him. While fighting for his survival because of a chance discovery by his daughter, McGill has to save humanity from a familiar enemy too.
That’s probably not going to surprise many readers. In fact, the situations that McGill finds himself embroiled in seem outrageous, yet it’s his unlikely involvement that makes the series enjoyable.
While the whole plot regarding the Reunification War seems a bit weak because of the absence of its conclusion at the end of the book, McGill’s actions in the story make up for an otherwise weaker plot compared to previous books. That’s because the mystery introduced at the beginning of the book that almost gets McGill permanently killed is usurped by another plot. This initial story and mystery is then resumed at the end of the book. There’s no real satisfying or definite resolution with the mystery.
Since McGill’s promotion, battle scenes haven’t been as involved and intense. Instead of being in the thick of the fight as a soldier, McGill finds himself leading, meaning the perspective of the battle is shifted from the front toward the back, and the result is that battles are less intense, especially as his comrades are also no longer recruits.
With Sky World, battles are more removed because the legion finds itself fighting in space rather than on the ground. For stories that center around soldiers, space battles tend not to be as exciting. In one scene, a brutal battle is skipped in favor of a more expeditious resolution from space.
While the battles may be less intense and engaging, McGill’s situation and his ability to weasel out of his troubles are still enjoyable, and his manner of speaking and style of writing remain the same.
Sky World by B. V. Larson is an enjoyable continuation of the antics of James McGill and his continuing efforts to save Earth against a growing list of enemies seeking to destroy Earth and take over its role as enforcers for the Galactics. Fans know what they’re getting into with this book, and they won’t be disappointed.
Read reviews of other books by B. V. Larson below.
