K.M. Herkes

This continuation of the Restoration series takes place a little while later and starts with a bang. Literally: a building in San Francisco that houses Subsistence tenants blows up, and we are introduced to two new characters who are both affected by this disaster, Naomi and Serena. Naomi is the Physical Therapist to Parker (from "Controlled Descent") and Serena was released from Active Duty and may have been in the same Neuropsychiatry program as Parker. They have been lifelong friends and Naomi seems to be the only one who can calm Serena's spiraling thoughts.

And familiar characters are back: Justin, Allison, Tyler, along with a bit more about life in the current time period. There is a celebration called Restoration Week with different themes for each day (Remembrance, Faith, Duty, Sacrifice) that include celebrations or observances, depending on the day. The action in this book takes place during this week and each section is named for these observed days.

There is also a lot more corporate intrigue and machinations of the policing force, along with technical gadgets and action. The interplay between characters is still well-done, even as more new characters come into the story including several from the CSB (Citizens Service Bureau, the Restoration's law enforcement arm). There is friction here as well, with CSB agents being called on their condescension towards those not in the Bureau. And there is also pairing up between characters, though physical descriptions are kept to a minimum; instead, it seems to deepen the characters and their thoughts and motivations.

Still, it is a good follow-up, a bit choppier in pacing, but also gives a lot more background to what the Restoration looks like and the universality of humankind no matter the time period.… (mais)

I did not know what to expect when I started this book; I had read the knitting-themed tie-in [Weaving in the Ends] first about a year ago and figured I'd get to this one eventually. So I did, and blown away would be only the start of my reaction to it.

The story starts with young, rich Justin Wyatt, who's made his fortune in hi-tech, wrapping up his latest adventure and getting on a plane. The dialogue and character development begin easily enough, and Justin's mentor, his corporate lawyer William, hints at a time called Restoration that brought considerable upheaval to the US. So we think we know the characters and the storyline, and then suddenly events turn on a dime.

Concurrent with Justin's storyline is that of a contemporary, Alison Gregorio, who lives a completely different lifestyle: she mentions being on Subsistence and having enough education to almost make it on her own as a by-product of the Restoration. And she lands a corporate Admin job working for Justin's company with several smart lawyers who know they need someone who can hold all the threads of their work and schedules.

Events happen, we are introduced to characters who are as well-formed as one would hope, and brothers Carl and Parker show up both as bodyguards and reality checks for the interplay between the characters. Because not everyone gets along, just like in real life, and sometimes corporate greed results in terrible tragedy.

What helps this be not just a sci-fi futuristic apocalyptic book (which I feared it would be) is that Herkes uses technology that is just a tad more advanced than right now but still relatable. And each character has sections that are their own POV that mesh seamlessly into the action going on. And each character has their own foibles and inner struggle with sparks flying as they do in real life.… (mais)

Since I rated these stories individually, I feel a little sneaky shelving this collection, but I want to plug this too, since it came out in print format this year.
I haven’t found characters in the Rough Passages series that I love as much as Carl and Parker in Herkes’s Restoration series, but I like the premise of Rough Passages more.
I’m currently reading a late draft of a novel set in this world, and it is roaring along nicely. World building and characterization are Herkes’s forte, and her Rough Passages series is original, whiz-bang stuff.… (mais)