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[Spoilers] Review - Myriad Universe Bk 2: Echoes and Refractions

I keep hearing that readers are interpreting Brave New World as having an upbeat ending. I find that interesting, given the sentiments expressed by the characters in the epilogue. I was rather unsettled by them when I first read it, and author Chris Roberson confirmed that "unsettling" was exactly what he was going for.

What was supposed to be so unsettling about it?
 
I keep hearing that readers are interpreting Brave New World as having an upbeat ending. I find that interesting, given the sentiments expressed by the characters in the epilogue. I was rather unsettled by them when I first read it, and author Chris Roberson confirmed that "unsettling" was exactly what he was going for.

What was supposed to be so unsettling about it?


The fact that the end result of the positronic revolution was a Federation so supremely prosperous that even a character like Picard--who in his previous life was defined and driven by the philosophical questions he was constantly asking himself and those around him--would in turn become supremely arrogant toward alien civilizations that differed ideologically from his own. The whole thing creeped me out...but in a good way, because I wasn't expecting the author to take me there.
 
I keep hearing that readers are interpreting Brave New World as having an upbeat ending. I find that interesting, given the sentiments expressed by the characters in the epilogue. I was rather unsettled by them when I first read it, and author Chris Roberson confirmed that "unsettling" was exactly what he was going for.

In some ways it's the most depressing of the lot! Stagnation seems to be their fate...

Paul
 
The fact that the end result of the positronic revolution was a Federation so supremely prosperous that even a character like Picard--who in his previous life was defined and driven by the philosophical questions he was constantly asking himself and those around him--would in turn become supremely arrogant toward alien civilizations that differed ideologically from his own.

I actually liked that ending. I thought it made perfect sense.

And no, I'm not a sociopath.
 
The fact that the end result of the positronic revolution was a Federation so supremely prosperous that even a character like Picard--who in his previous life was defined and driven by the philosophical questions he was constantly asking himself and those around him--would in turn become supremely arrogant toward alien civilizations that differed ideologically from his own.

I actually liked that ending. I thought it made perfect sense.

And no, I'm not a sociopath.


You misunderstand. I liked it too. (Please note that the part of my post you elected to snip says "The whole thing creeped me out...but in a good way...") I just don't share the opinion that it's an "upbeat" or "optimistic" ending, as some readers have described it.
 
Actually read Brave New World first (as a huge Data fan, I just couldn't pace myself to get to the end), which, honestly, was probably a good order to read the stories in, as the optimistic ending of that one would have probably been quite a letdown for me after reading the 'gray' 'Chimes at Midnight' and the 'dark' 'A Gutted World'...

I keep hearing that readers are interpreting Brave New World as having an upbeat ending. I find that interesting, given the sentiments expressed by the characters in the epilogue. I was rather unsettled by them when I first read it, and author Chris Roberson confirmed that "unsettling" was exactly what he was going for.

It's funny you write that because I did indeed get a vibe that reminded me of the end of the Twilight Zone Episode "Number 12 looks just like you." A kind of, "One of us! One of us!" feeling. I couldn't see the Picard I knew voluntarily trading into an android body.
 
Compared to "The Chimes at Midnight" and "A Gutted World", "Brave New World" had a MUCH more upbeat ending.
 
I found the third story disturbing-like the characters stepped away from their roots at the end. And Picard becoming an android? Hmmph. I think KRAD owned this book and Chimes at Midnight was worthy but the last one just didn't hold up in the end-sad, because the premise of the book was rife with possibilities. I would have rather seen where Khanate Julian's story went than read the last tale. I have read sooo much ST that it hit me as bland. with a goofy ending. I guess that the filtering process of needing an agent, established writing credits, etc limited the pool to choose from. Too bad, as I've read some amazing alt hist stories on the web. Better than this, anyway. Sorry. All expressions expressed here are IMO, only.
 
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I guess that the filtering process of needing an agent, established writing credits, etc limited the pool to choose from.

Nope. I actually cast a pretty wide net, and then just went with the proposals that I felt were strongest.

Hmm. Didn't the ending of this tale throw the rhythm off for you? It jarred me like, oh, when my foot just fails to connect with that last step on a staircase.

ed.-BTW, WTF is Mirror Image as advertised in the back of the book?
 
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It could be the current MU comics minisieries, but I'm not sure if that is it's name.
 
Didn't the ending of this tale throw the rhythm off for you? It jarred me like, oh, when my foot just fails to connect with that last step on a staircase.

No, I saw it as an unexpected twist that was wholly consistent with the direction of the narrative.

BTW, WTF is Mirror Image as advertised in the back of the book?

As the ad says, it's a publication from IDW. Over the last few years, I've made an effort to cross-promote with other Star Trek licensees, most notably Tokyopop, IDW, and Titan U.K.
 
Okay, Marco, I'll go with that. Maybe it will hit me different in 6 months when I re-read it. Or maybe it was just overwhelmed by KRAD's magnificent entry. Y'know, you should really consider soliciting other work by KRAD-the kid seems to have a bit of talent. He might be capable of producing other stories worth reading.:guffaw: Sorry, in a weird mood today. For now, its a good book with some good stories and an idea/concept who's time has definitely come. I hope plans evolve for further entries in the series, because you and your team put out a great end product both times. You got my money, and I'm such a penny-pincher that Lincoln screams.:)
 
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