Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Carved from Wood offers action from the first pages, as James and his crew escape the Federation’s clutches and design their own mission to take down the BlankZone by any means necessary. That entails a lot of high-risk escapades, particularly for James, who’s eventually caught and interrogated, in gruesome prison scenes that both disquiet and propel the plot forward. The action is fittingly intense, and readers will be hooked.
Prose: O’Meara writes smooth, crisp prose that delivers tension and inspiration in equal measure.
Originality: James and his crew have startling interiority for such an action-packed novel, lending it a depth that makes it stand out, and O’Meara excels at worldbuilding.
Character/Execution: James’s character is striking, and he remains a steady lead throughout the novel. His experiences are harsh, but they play an important role in his development, and he undergoes several meaningful transformations before the cliffhanger ending.
Date Submitted: August 27, 2024
The Review
This was such a gripping and powerful read. The author immediately transports readers into the action, showcasing the protagonist and his allies after going AWOL and heading out alone. The tension and world-building the author does and expands upon in this novel are remarkable to see come to life on the page, as they help elevate the character arcs and the action considerably.
However, it was the balance the author struck between the intense action and the themes explored throughout this novel. The author manages to touch upon the horrors of war uniquely, showcasing how those in power wage the war, and innocent people are often caught in the middle of that war, with rarely anyone to protect them when it shows up at their door. The way the author explores this new territory, the BlankZone, and its similarities and differences with the Federation brought a sense of familiarity and relatability to the narrative.
The Verdict
Action-packed, heartfelt, and entertaining author Brendan O’Meara’s “Carved from Wood” is a must-read sci-fi novel. The shocking twists and turns in the story and the vast amount of world-building leave readers eager to dive further into the author's world.
