I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Ninth Step Station by Malka Older, Fran Wilde, Jacqueline Koyanagi, Curtis C. Chen Published by Serial Box on January 8 2019
Genres: Adult, Science fiction
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
A few notes about how I’m going to review this series. There are eleven episodes which will be released over the next ten Wednesdays (Episode 1 was released yesterday), and my plan is to put a review up each Wednesday as they become available. I’ve never done this before, so let’s see how it goes! Also, I won’t be giving star ratings to the individual episodes, but I will rate the series overall when I’m finished.
When I was offered the chance to read and review one of Serial Box’s newest episodic series, Ninth Step Station, I jumped at the chance. The story is set in a future version of Japan, and from the short description it sounded like a gritty, urban mystery with a Bladerunner vibe. And my first impressions weren’t too far off the mark. Even though I’ve only read the first of eleven episodes, author Malka Older infuses her story with a rain-soaked, dark and claustrophobic atmosphere that immediately drew me in.
The story takes place in Tokyo, in a future set after several catastrophic events. A devastating earthquake in 2031 decimated much of the existing online information systems, crashing servers and computer systems and laying waste to many of the city’s structures. And a war with China resulted in a fractured country where U.S., Japanese and Chinese factions rule different parts of Tokyo. Borders are controlled by drones, and organized crime has only become worse.
Miyako Koreda works for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department in the Criminal Investigations division. She’s been assigned to investigate a recent murder when she gets the news that the U.S. embassy has assigned a Naval Lieutenant “peacekeeper” named Emma Higashi to work with Miyako, to help with Miyako’s understaffed department. Miyako is not happy about this change in her routine, but she grudgingly agrees to work with Emma.
At the same time that they are investigating the murder, the women are also asked to look into the recent hijacking of a truck, which may have been carrying weapons and is believed to have ended up in the Chinese sector of the city. The two events seem unrelated, but as Miyako and Emma delve deeper, strange coincidences start to appear.
Older does a great job of setting the tone of the series and introducing two of the main characters. I love that both Miyako and Emma have reservations about working with each other, and I’m interested to see how their relationship develops. Emma has a “body mod,” an implant in one eye that imbues her with near superhero powers, as she’s able to “spy” on things that are happening in other locations (among other things), much like watching a computer screen. Miyako is both fascinated and disgusted by Emma’s eye, although body modifications are a big part of this futuristic version of Tokyo.
A lot of this episode focuses on the relations among the three disparate groups, the U.S. contingent, the Japanese and the Chinese. The war that took place has clearly caused friction among the different parts of the city, and although Older doesn’t go into much detail about that war, you can see the lasting effects of it in the ways the characters talk to each other. Hopefully we’ll get more background on the war in future episodes.
The point of view switches between Miyako and Emma, and I was glad to be able to see things from both perspectives. Both women are distrustful of each other, and I personally don’t trust Emma and I’m pretty sure she has a hidden agenda. Because this story is so short, we really don’t get to know any other characters except for the two women, but I’m hoping in future episodes more cast members will become important to the story.
The only negative for me was that the murder was much too easily solved, and by the end of the episode I’m still not sure what the overall arc of the story will be, but I’m looking forward to finding out over the next few episodes. The title of the series is the name of Miyako’s headquarters—Kudan Station, or in English, “Ninth Step Station,” so I expect future episodes to revolve around their base of operations. So far, Ninth Step Station is off to a great start, and I’m eager to keep reading!
Oh, awesome! I was wondering how this was. I’ve never read a serial box story before but was thinking about this one because I’m a huge fan of Fran Wilde. Glad to hear it starts off great, might have to check it out.
It’s very atmospheric, and I think it will only get better and better:-)
This sounds like an exciting new series, Tammy! I love that it has different authors. I’m looking forward to your next review of these.
Serial Box stories usually have multiple authors, which is great because you get a mix of styles.
I am anxious to read more of your reviews – how cool you’re featuring every week. Sounds like a good start.
Oh, I’m a little worried it’s going to eat into my other blogging time/commitments, but I really want to try! The episodes are fairly short so I just need to stay organized. Plus it’s really good!
I loved Infomocrancy by Malka Older, and this sounds really good. Though I’m bad about short stories and episodic series
I haven’t read it, but I do remember a lot of bloggers loved it!
Ooooh, I know I would never keep up. I’m a failure at these sorts of things but I hope you continue to enjoy the series!
Ha ha, I know what you mean. This is going to be a real challenge for me!
I guess you convinced me at the mention of Blade Runner vibes… 😀 😀
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Short Story Review: THE INFLUENCE MACHINE, by Sean McMullen
It’s that rainy, Japanese feel that Bladerunner has, it really sets the stage for the story:-)
Your review plan sounds fun. And the plot sounds fascinating. I might give this a try.
Laura Thomas recently posted…From my series wishlist ~ Which should I read first?
It’s pretty cool so far!
This is super interesting. I’ve never heard of it but it does sound wonderful. The whole Bladerunner vibe line definitely caught my attention too, but the fact that the murders are solved easily has me hesitant. Great review, Tammy! 😀
Lashaan Balasingam recently posted…Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-Thief by Maurice Leblanc
Thanks Lashaan, serials are sort of new for me, but I’m looking forward to seeing how things unfold week by week:-)
I plan on hitting this serial up once all the episodes are out, so I hope to hear good things!
That’s a great idea, I know you like to wait with Serial Box. This is definitely an experiment for me!
I’m going to really enjoy reading all your reviews of this series and see how it works out.
Lynn 😀
I can’t wait to get deeper into the series:-)
This is an interesting idea. Looking forward to your reviews.
Thanks Nadine, it’s really good so far:-)
This sounds really interesting and I love the futuristic Tokyo setting. Kind of a bummer that the mystery was solved a little too easily but it still sounds like a very solid series opener. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra recently posted…Blog Tour Book Review: WHITE STAG by Kara Barbieri
I think the “easily solved murder” is just like a taste of what’s to come, it’s not the real focus of the series (now that I’ve thought about it some more!)
I have a feeling that the murders will get harder and harder to solve and they will strain the already strained relationship between the two of them. But, I loved your review. I’ll be checking in with yours every time a new episode drops.
Brian (Brian’s Book Blog) recently posted…Ninth Step Station: Episode One by Malka Older (Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller)
Thanks Brian! I’ll be checking out your reviews as well. I’m so curious to see how things develop:-)
Ooh this is out now?! I’m ready nd hope its good!
It just started, this coming week is Episode #2:-)
This sounds really cool, I love the idea of serialized books and this looks like a fun read. I might try the first episode to see what I think!
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