Review: Linesman

Linesman by S.K. Dunstall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

For this review I'd like to invite spoilers into the comments.... if you have an idea about what the fkn "lines" are please enlighten me. Don't fear for spoilers in the review though because I couldn't spoil this story if I tried.

I'm trying to write a speedy review because I'm nearly late for work (squeezed this in so I can read something else when I get home).... which reminds me. There's a quote on the cover which claims this is a fast-paced story and I don't think that's entirely true. It dragged for me. I'll admit there were some sudden changes and some events which were dealt with super briefly. For example, there was an execution which took place over the course of a single sentence.

The mystical "lines" seem underdeveloped to me. They somehow represent sections of spaceships; line 1 for crew, line 5 or 6 was comms, line 10 the ship itself. They're telepathic but somehow they appreciate vocal talent through the void of space between ships.

Anyway discovery of the "lines" had essentially split space faring human politics into three main factions, which are ever on the brink of war. A new discovery may be the tipping point.

I liked the characters, the political setting and the tricky subterfuge. I didn't like the "lines" at all.

I'm out of time. I may write some more down later, maybe.

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