Rapture of the Deep by Christopher Dainton

Rapture of the Deep

In a future controlled by an artificial intelligence known as the Djinn, Sevan leads an isolated life on Earth. But when his childhood friend Miah vanishes while stationed on America’s dystopian Venus colony, he must risk a dangerous journey to save her. Miah, a diplomat for the African-led Humanitarian Service, is abducted by a power-hungry Venusian nationalist named Orion. Her fate becomes intertwined with that of the Venusians, whose American occupiers seek to civilize them and neutralize the Djinn. While Miah becomes Orion’s pawn, Sevan becomes entangled with American elites and missionaries, and both their lives and loyalties hang in the balance as they navigate an alien culture, an irrational bureaucracy, and the looming Venusian uprising no one expected.

Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10

Originality: 9 out of 10

Prose: 8 out of 10

Character/Execution: 8 out of 10

Overall: 8.50 out of 10

Assessment:

Plot/Idea: This creative interstellar sci-fi thriller is rich with lore and atmosphere. The novel presents a compelling plot, told through the perspective of multiple characters, that digs into deep social and political issues in its strongly-realized Venusian setting.

Prose: Rapture of the Deep features strong writing, with descriptive passages that bring the settings to life and dialogue that feels natural to the story's culture and world building.

Originality: Dainton uses common sci-fi tropes, such as a society guided by AI, colonial oppression on a foreign planet, and prospective futuristic earth geopolitics in novel ways, effectively blending ideas into a cohesive and believable world that readers will find both familiar and unique.

Character/Execution: The cast is well-rendered and fits effectively into the novel's setting. Dainton makes an effort to develop a strong atmosphere, and embeds the characters naturally into the narrative, gifting them a sharp sense of belonging that will appeal to readers.

Date Submitted: July 08, 2024

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