Review (Novel): Three by Jay Posey

Introduction & Synopsis

Every now and again, I go out of my way to read a novel that I wouldn't normally read. In this instance, I am reading a novel that is action first, Sci-Fi second. Many of you may note that I have read, and reviewed very positively, numerous works of science fiction. Many of those works possessed a some degree of creativity, or attempt to tackle philosophical and/or socio-political themes, with a few obvious exceptions. This novel, on the other hand, is pure genre fiction. I expected pure schlock.

The first instalment of the Legend of the Duskwalker series of novels introduces the reader to a non-descript post-apocalyptic dystopia in which everyone, with the exception of very few people, are connected to a global satellite network, and utilise cybernetic augmentations to survive in a world in which strange cybernetic semi-undead beasts named Weir prowl the wilderness.

James Posey has experience in the video game industry as an Expert Narrative Designer. It shows. This novel feels like the type of story found in a video game one would play, say, ten years ago. This is, without a shadow of a doubt, pure genre fiction. It's generic and trite; too much so to be schlocky.


Themes

As is the case within most Sci-Fi novels, technology play a prominent role in the world of Three. In this world, human beings are all interconnected via a global satellite network. Some characters possess implants that give them the ability to 'short-circuit' other people's nervous systems, and there is vague mention of a 'digital afterlife'. These ideas, however, serve the purpose of being salad dressing. Great salad dressing, no doubt, but these ideas are not explored as in depth as they probably could be. Many would argue that, since this is pure genre fiction, it does not need to explore abstract ideas in a unique way, the fact that Posey set up these ideas, yet did not delve as deep into these ideas to the extent that would probably have been ideal, is detrimental to my enjoyment of this novel.

Beyond this, the novel deals with very few themes and ideas that go beyond tropes and cliches.

Characters

If you've been following the trends within the manner in which I have describing this novel do far, you could very easily predict what I'm about to say regarding the characters. The characters within Three are prime examples of what are referred to as stock characters. They are two-dimensional, display little-to-no character development, and possess personalities consisting of nothing but tropes.

The titular character, Three, is a generic 'silent badass' type of character, with absolutely zero discernible eccentricities within his personality to differentiate him from any of the thousands of characters that also embody this trope. There is very little to say about this character, which says a lot of this novel, considering that he is the protagonist.

The two supporting characters, Cass and Wren, are also rather generic. I cannot delve deeper into their characters than that, as doing so would reveal crucial plot points, but I think they were as generic as the titular character. The villain can also be described as such. He didn't provide any source of tension, and he had very little impact on the overall plot, with the exception of the ending. A good antagonist is supposed to be a foil to the protagonist; not just someone that can act as an obstacle to the protagonist(s)' goal(s), but as someone who has some form of emotional connection to the protagonist. The antagonist in Three does have a familial connection to some of the supporting characters, yet as far as Three is concerned, there is zero history, zero reason to find their relationship engaging, and thus rendering him a dull villain. 

Plot

The plot is very simple; Three protects a mother and her son as they traverse a desolate wasteland in order to reach a safe haven in which the child's father supposedly lives. The events that subsequently unfolded were as chaotic and superfluous as the circumstances would dictate. And therein lies my biggest issue with the plot; the second act could have been completely removed from the novel, and all of the events of the third act would have unfolded in the exact same manner as they did. It was riddled with encounters that amounted to nothing.

With the plot synopsis as given above, it would be expected that a major plot twist would occur towards the end of the novel, making you re-assess the entirety of your thoughts on the preceding text, right? Well, in this case, there's a minor plot twist, one that has zero impact on the actual plot, and is very quickly resolved.

This plot was uninspired and lacking anything to make it engaging.

Prose

The term 'average' is apt for almost every element of this novel, and the prose is not different. With zero noteworthy turns of phrase, the prose of this novel is serviceable, yet never becomes pleasant.

Conclusion

This novel was dull. This is perhaps the worse evaluation of quality anyone could prescribe to a creative work. Even calling a novel humourlessly, or fascinatingly, sub-par, would be preferable to dullness, as a novel that is sub-par to such an extent that it is amusing, or a novel which's mere low quality is a source of fascination, is at least memorable.

I would not recommend this novel. It was not atrocious; it competently written, but it lacks anything to make it worthwhile.

2/5