I just finished reading Future’s Edge by Gareth L. Powell, and it’s a book I can definitely recommend.
I’m currently reading a lot of Gareth’s books because he’s the Guest of Honour at this year’s SweCon in October, and I’m going to be doing the Guest of Honour interview. That means I need to dive a bit deeper into his work.
So far, I’ve read the Embers of War trilogy, and now Future’s Edge. Based on the books I’ve read so far, one thing that stands out is that they explore many themes around war—its consequences, the price of peace, and what price is actually acceptable to pay for that peace. Different characters have very different answers to those questions, and that’s often what drives the conflict.
His books also feature characters who do what they believe is right despite the odds. That’s something I really appreciate in stories. They don’t take the easy way out. Instead, the characters are willing to make real sacrifices for the greater good, and I find that fascinating to read.
Another thing I appreciate is the worldbuilding. His worlds are rich and layered. Rather than having one simple setting with just a couple of different cultures, there are multiple cultures, different historical timelines, and events from the past that continue to shape what happens in the present.
I also enjoy the idea that history is something that has been forgotten and is gradually rediscovered. We often think we know what happened in the past, but in reality we only find clues and make assumptions—and sometimes those assumptions turn out to be completely wrong. I think that’s a fascinating concept, and it’s something Gareth explores very well.
I’ll definitely continue reading Gareth L. Powell’s books. I’m taking a short break first to read another author, though. I don’t like reading too many books by the same author back-to-back—I like to give myself a bit of a palate cleanser in between.
Have you read Gareth L. Powell? If so, what did you think?