Lodestone, Book Two: The World of Ice and Stars

[Heidi Sue Roth]

Faster, tighter story with greater reading pleasure

 

In book two of his Lodestone series Mr. Whiteway improves on the effective story started in the first book. His use of action and dialogue takes the story and characters to another level.

 

Among a number of qualities, I enjoyed one specific thing more than the other aspects of  Book Two: The World of Ice and Stars. The books were described as science fiction. Book one didn’t necessarily suffer from a lack of science, it just wasn’t the star of the show for me. The plot of the second book moves firmly into the arena of science fiction. The divided nature of the planet is finally revealed. Likely the division is part of the reason for the changes in scientific tone between the two books.  The science and reasoning behind this “two-sided” planet is believable and well-supported.

 

Due to the structure of the society initiating the action of the story, I wanted more science to meet the science fiction criteria. Book two reveals this nature while successfully contrasting the existence of the theocratic and rational aspects of the species social difference. The contrast is more effective for how book one was handled—and I was pleased to be back in a land more geared toward science and logic.

 

The original, species that is alien to the reader and dominant inhabitants of the planet continues to be the stand out presence in the Lodestone series. As a reader this really gets me wondering what Mr. Whiteway has in store for the insectiod creatures in future installments. It’s clear that the author greatly enjoys writing about the mysterious creatures. They seem realized from actual material; one of my gauges for an author successfully communicating his imagination.

 

One of the reasons I love reading science fiction is being exposed to new concepts, ideas and findings wrapped in the fun of fiction. If you also enjoy books that encourage you to consider new ideas and concepts while romping through fictional landscapes with unusual creatures, then you’ll enjoy both books. Perhaps you will enjoy Lodestone, Book Two: The World of Ice and Stars as much as I did.