This first in a series is hard to classify. Is it sci fi? Is it post apoc? Is it an adventure or dystopian? Actually, it's a little bit of all of those things and half a dozen other genres as well.
With a world-ending asteroid heading for Earth, most of humanity has resigned themselves to the end, or decided to hurry it along. That is, until a series of strange pods land across North America. Getting in one takes you somewhere, but no one knows where. Still, it's a chance to survive.
The story follows several characters from various different walks of life. In the first half of the novel, flashbacks show us their pre-asteroid lives, though this trails off in the second half. The book is the first in a trilogy and as such, not everything is figured out by the end, but it's not a complete cliffhanger; story threads are ready to be picked up in the next book, but it's a natural stopping place, which is good.
One of the things I kept noticing was how characters change in different circumstances, and how it always made sense, even if it seemed to be contrary to earlier actions. It was really cleverly done and made me want to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. If you like a dramatic character piece with a bit of sci fi, this is your read.
TV recommendation: For a drama full of mysteries and flashbacks, you won't need to look any further than Lost. Entwining its characters over years, this show revolutionized TV at the time.
Book recommendation: If you enjoy a complex blend of sci-fi and survival, The Silent Stars Go By by James S. A. Corey is a great pick. Like Rule of Extinction, it offers a vast, character-driven story set against the backdrop of an existential crisis, with the added thrill of venturing into the unknown.
Rule of Extinction publishes on the 25th of February, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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