Matt McAvoy Book Review

Unusually, I really enjoyed this sci-fi space tale.  It’s not convoluted or profound in any way, and unlike today’s current trend of otherworld or futuristic dystopian science fiction, there is actually something quite simplistic and old school about this one; it reminds me in some ways of the “...For Boys” space stories and movies of the 1960s, with its pleasantly charming narrative about a group of astronauts trapped in space, exploring a strange planet teeming with alien monsters, some friendly, others not so; I half-expected Doug McClure to pop up at any moment.

I like Akibibi’s writing very much.  There is something of a family-adventure innocence about it.  He writes incredibly vividly, and in almost real-time detail, yet not over-dramatically; you know the stakes – the small cast of characters do, too – and there is no need to thickly lay on the emotiveness.  The story is also nicely rounded without unnecessary fluff.  And this tale, although left open as part of an ongoing series, feels concisely contained; you may read the next book, maybe not, yet won’t feel any the more short-changed for not doing so – which is definitely unlike many in this genre nowadays, which feel it is acceptable practice to leave the reader hanging on a cliff.  In fact, I may be mistaken but I got the impression this is part two in a series which already has at least three entries, yet I didn’t discover this until the end, and to be honest it didn’t alter my enjoyment or understanding of Deep Darkness in any way.  I think I would have liked to read any predecessor, now that I know this, and indeed that I get to read sequels in order, but I do feel glad, as it stands, to have read this one now.

A good book, which I had a fun time reading.  It was cosy, nostalgic and entertaining, with some really likeable characters, both human and not.  If you are a fan of progressive Millennial sci-fi fantasy, with the emphasis on gloom and the fall of humanity, perhaps it’s not going to push your buttons.  But if you want to wile away a few hours in good, old-fashioned adventure fiction, I would highly recommend it.