Dreamstone: 06/02/10

Dreamstone by P. A. Hendrickson, Prothia is set up like Australia, a former penal colony, but on a planetary scale. The descendants of the original settlers have made a nice life for themselves and are now hearing rumors that slave ships are coming. In the midst of the panic that's brewing over the news, Joebin Vassiter and some other men start having terrifying dreams that might contain answers to their dilemma.

The novel starts off strong with opposing sides making plans. There's enough left to the imagination to make the opening mysterious. Joebin's family life is mundane compared to the excitement in orbit.

After such a strong start I was hoping for a parallel structure that switched between space and Prothia. Unfortunately the next bunch of chapters stuck with Joebin. By staying on the surface and focusing on this quest to find the Dreamstone the plot lost its momentum and apparent direction.

The other reviews I've read have been very positive and I think Hendrickson has potential as a science fiction writer. Dreamstone, though, did not work for me.

I received the book for review.

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