The Noise Within - Ian Whates

The Noise Within

by: Ian Whates

Pub: Solaris

Whates conforms to the typical tropes of a space opera, light, entertaining space based adventure. It’s pleasingly easy on the romance element and has some interesting and original moments, although some are not as fully developed as they could have been. Feels like the first in a series with a good set up and some interesting side characters I anticipate taking fuller roles in future.

Tech wise, it's fun rather than feasible, so this book definitely comes down on the side of fiction over science but it doens't detract, it's a quick, fun read with AI, synth drugs, special ops and aliens, really what more do you need?

I especially liked the use of partial’s as a form of cyber clone and the two leads, Leyton and Kaufman were easy to engage with. Whates writes well and The Noise Within is a little better than the average space opera. I have high hopes for the next one.

I have reviewed this more fully for Escape Pod and will provide a link when the review is podcast.