Solid SF story, but largely free of surprises

I'm long-standing science fiction and fantasy reader and know numerous series such as Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Babylon 5 or Firefly. Therefore, it is difficult to discover books that can really come up with something completely new. Most reading device to an inward sort out what was actually where "borrowed" ... But I read nevertheless also well-known ideas in interesting arrangiertem setting or with rousing characters. Finally, in other genres, the wheel is not reinvented. No Problem!

"Into the Black" appealed to me because of the title that made me think of Firefly. Its content, however, more reminiscent of a mix of Enterprise, Babylon 5 and Battlestar Galactica.

Here are the adventures of the crew of the Odyssey, the first human spaceship, which breaks up into space, "Into the Black" new worlds to write history, interesting to read. New the basic idea is not, of course, just as the situation on the ground, which has a third world war behind him.

While technology and politics are woven comprehensible and captivating, the protagonists remain rather pale, which unfortunately some also applies to perfect Captain Eric Weston, who constantly "Smiled" essentially. It is troublesome to find a dialogue which is not accompanied by a hint of a smile, a smile or direct a suppressed smile. That began sometime to bother me really, because I had to constantly Bruce Boxleitner in his role as Captain Sheridan in Babylon 5 think.

The initial situation cemented the protagonists as heroes without blemish: After the end of World War Weston was appointed commander of the Odyssey. The Mission serves mainly for research purposes (in theory) and is connected with many unknowns: first time ever with traveling through space at a speed beyond the speed of light. What the crew expected, so is still unclear. However, no one expected it, having to take in practice equal to a massive threat of the earth ...

The crewmembers act partly something routine to embody convincingly that this is their first mission. In addition, a large ensemble is needed to keep the ship running. What is easily represented in the film - you just need appropriate camera settings of the crew or can rapidly develop individuals to memorable characters - is more difficult in text form. Currie tried to solve the problem by many remain nameless.

I read a lot of characters that are not or in the usual heroes. Good / Böse- scheme fall. A more individualized drawing the actors clearly missing here. This weakens the reading pleasure for me. On the other hand, foundations are in a first band indeed first laid on which is built later. Perhaps the characterization in subsequent volumes is still intense.

The Canadian Evan Currie nevertheless presents a recommended novel I would recommend SF fans. Firstly convinced the largely completed total offense, on the other hand captivate even the representations of the conflicts and battles, even if you normally do not enthusiastic for military settings. Man reads the book amazingly fast, although memorable characters are missing. At the end enough questions, to take an interest in the continuation of "Heart of Matter". I at least want to read the sequel.