Space Opera Fans discussion

Our Reader Pick for April 2017 is The Fortress at the End of Time by Joe M. McDermott.

Humanity has expanded across the galaxy by use of ansible and clone technology, but an enemy stands in their way—an enemy alien in concept as much as physiology. Ronaldo Aldo is a clone stationed in the back-end of nowhere—a watch station with a glorious military past, but no future. He’s desperate to prove himself worthy of ascension—of having his consciousness broadcast to a newer clone, far away from his current post at the Citadel.

Please use the thread below to post questions, comments, and reviews.

Has anybody already read this and can recommend it as interesting in the standard sci-fi genre sense? I read a book by this author several years ago Maze that was not enjoyable in the strange and unusual sense and I am really leery to try another book by him. Reviews don't look great and seem pretty mixed on if this is a good read. Thanks for any info...

I'm about half way through it. I'm liking it so far although it is kind of dark and brooding. The picture he paints of this back of beyond outpost and the hardships that the characters endure is compelling. I get the sense that there are a number of plot twists / shoes to drop.

That was...well..different. No spoilers but the ending is kind of unsatisfying. But at the end of the day...life is often not dramatic and all of us, like the book's protagonist, are forced to come to terms with the fact that our lives may not live up to our dreams for ourselves.

Jason wrote: "That was...well..different. No spoilers but the ending is kind of unsatisfying. But at the end of the day...life is often not dramatic and all of us, like the book's protagonist, are forced to come..."

Thanks for the comments Jason, I decided to put this on the "not right now but maybe I will pick this up later" list.

At $4.00 on iBooks it was worth a try and yes it was different and not exactly uplifting; outer space is not always comfortable as on The Enterprise or Voyager and given humanity's current trajectory insider politics and corruption would be hallmarks of humanity's move through the stars. Prime Directive my ass. And on said trajectory I doubt very much humanity will last long enough to get out of the solar system let alone galaxy. Ok enough. I appreciate this fine recommendation.