Book Review: Exordia by Seth Dickinson

When I saw the synopsis of this book and read the first pages, I was instantly sold. This was going to be a fun ride into the unknown. The story of Anna, a Kurd, a survivor of a genocide, and an alien had to be told. It was written in the book: the Universe is about stories. They matter. I couldn’t put the book down; I needed to understand what was going on and what Anna’s deal was. Why she doesn’t fit anywhere? And I was in awe of the prose. I was sure this would be a perfect book I will cherish for years to come.

It wasn’t. I seldom write book reviews like this one, but I’m confused. This could have been a great book, but something happened to it. I’m sure of it. The book is ambitious. It’s bending the usual alien invasion story, mixing it with a heavy tone of political critique towards the USA’s international policies, Kurdish history, and science. Then it is taken over military sci-fi, and it is all over the place, slogging on. I was disinterested in all the characters: Anna, the military personnel, and the scientists. I couldn’t care for the story, either.

So here I’m wondering what to say about the book. I appreciated the political aspect of the book; I liked Anna’s controversiality. I didn’t care for the story and how it was presented and prolonged. It felt like it was prolonged for no good reason. All the personal duress could be shown faster to have the same impact. This book feels like someone couldn’t kill the darlings at the editing round.

I’m so sad. This could have been a perfect book, ticking all the boxes I love.

Thank you for reading ❤ Have a magical day!