For six years running, I’ve had a reading goal of completing 52 books by the end of the year. One thing I’ve learned is that if I’m not making time to read a book, it’s not the right timing for me. Such was the case for Embers of War by Gareth Powell.

I started the book in early December. It’s a sci-fi epic, containing strong military elements. I’m a fan of books like Old Man’s War by John Scalzi and Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein, so Embers drew me in.

It was an interesting plot, and the book was unusual in that the story is told in the first person. Each chapter is told from the point of view of a main or secondary character. I found that the device caused me to become more intimate and invested in the characters. And yet, due to holiday activities and the process of moving, I found myself not coming back to the book. I set it aside for a graphic novel.

A couple weeks later, I was looking for something new to read. I remembered enjoying Embers, so I picked it back up again. I’m glad I did!

I feel that the book picks up at about the third-way point. Sal Konstanz, her ship the Trouble Dog, and Ona Sudak became real for me, and I wanted to know what happened to them. I also found the concept of the House of Reclamation interesting, a place for troubled people to find a new lease on life. I’ve wanted that too, at times.

Powell uses the sci-fi elements of the book to his advantage. The set pieces are intriguing and well-described. While technology plays a key role in the book, in the end, this is a human story about people – just the way I like it.

In looking back at the book, I realized that I was less interested in the Ashton Childe subplot, which was the focus of the part of the book where I put it down. I think I was initially looking for a romp like The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, but this book takes itself more seriously than that. By the end of the book, I came to appreciate Ashton and understand why he’s there, but he’s still not my favorite character.

I recommend Embers of War, and I’m looking forward to reading the other books in the series.