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.
Light Chaser by Peter F. Hamilton, Gareth L. Powell Published by Tor.com on August 24 2021
Genres: Adult, Science fiction
Pages: 173
Format: Finished paperback
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A galaxy-spanning mystery and an unexpected love story, Light Chaser is one of my favorite novellas of the year.
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did, and this little novella definitely stands out as a happy surprise of 2021. The cover is pretty generic, and in fact I almost decided not to read it for that reason, but thank goodness that didn’t happen, because the story inside is emotional and full of wondrous world building. This is my first time reading both authors, and I’ll definitely be seeking out more of their work in the future.
Amahle is a Light Chaser, a human who has been genetically enhanced with eight letter DNA that has made her nearly immortal. Her contract with EverLife sends her on thousand year journeys throughout the Domain aboard her ship the Mnemosyne, visiting a multitude of worlds and planets in order to hand out and collect memory collars, digital recording devices that are passed down through generations in order to preserve stories and memories. Each thousand year circuit brings her back to the world of Glisten, where she turns over all the collars she’s collected and gets new ones to distribute on her next trip. The people of Glisten use the collars as a form of entertainment, borrowing them like books in a library.
Amahle spends the years-long trips between planets listening to the collars as a way to pass the time. But one day she’s playing back the memories of someone who is approached by a young boy with a curious message for the Light Chaser. He says: “My birth name is Bartz, but she will know me as Carloman; and I say this to her: You must not trust your AI.” In addition, he has a string of numbers tattooed on his arm. Amahle doesn’t know anyone named Carloman—or does she? As she starts to unravel the mystery of the numbers and the boy’s message, Amahle finds other similar messages hidden in other collars, each one referring to “Carloman” and suggesting that Amahle’s existence is not what it appears to be.
I was immediately swept up in Amahle’s fascinating world and her extraordinary life. She’s lived for thousands of years with only the companionship of her shipboard AI and her passing relationships with the people she visits. Her life is safe and predictable, as she revisits the same planets again and again, yet she’s never considered that the whole thing might be a sham. That is until she “meets” Carloman in other people’s memories. One of my favorite parts of the story is the way the authors used flashbacks to give the reader a peek into some of the memories surrounding Carloman and his attempts to send messages to Amahle through the collars. Amahle is caught up in this intriguing mystery and she can barely rest, she’s so determined to figure out who Carloman is and what he wants her to do.
The world itself is so vast—it takes light years for Amahle to reach each planet—yet the authors have written a story that feels intimate. At its heart, Light Chaser is a love story between Amahle and Carloman, but it’s one of the most unconventional love stories I’ve ever read, spanning both space and time. I loved this unexpected emotional element, even though the two are separated for most of the story, I was rooting for Amahle to figure things out so that she and Carloman could finally be together.
I loved the different worlds Hamilton and Powell came up with. In this story, Amahle only visits a handful, but each was completely different. Like Winterspite, a medieval world without modern conveniences, or Vespaer, a huge planet with only a thin strip of mountainous land dividing two oceans. When she arrives in each world, she’s treated like a queen, because everyone wants the favor of the Light Chaser and hopes they’ll be chosen to wear a memory collar.
Because the story is so short, I don’t want to ruin it for you by saying too much, so I’m keeping this review short. But I did love the way everything is resolved at the end. Amahle discovers through the memories of Carloman just what needs to be done to fix the universe, and I loved watching her carry out her plan. The final chapter gave me chills and put a big smile on my face. I recommend this delightful novella to anyone who loves a perfectly crafted mystery/adventure with interesting characters and worldbuilding.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Thank you so much for reviewing this! I was very curious about this story because it’s rare to see two “big name” authors team up to write one, and the results are never certain, but I can see from your post that I could love this one to pieces…
Straight to the TBR, now! 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…TOP TEN TUESDAY: Smile!
You would love it, I think! I was so surprised, I had no idea such a lovely story could come out of two male authors, lol.
Powell showed his skill in writing amazing female characters (including a sentient ship) in his previous work, so that does not surprise me at all… 😉
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…ANGEL’S FLIGHT (Harry Bosch #6), by Michael Connelly
I can’t wait to read him again!
An unconventional love story, eh? Now that piques my interest. Good review, Tammy!
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…Four Fab Dark Fiction E-Zines
Thanks Priscilla!
I’m intriguing at you calling it a most unconventional love story. Sounds VERY intreresting! And the whole “You must not trust your AI.” OF COURSE NOT
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Cover Reveal: Much Ado About Dukes by Eva Devon
LOL never trust the AI!
It’s the best to find an unexpected gem and in a novella that felt complete! I’m definitely intrigued, Tammy!
I do love surprises:-)
I’ve been looking for some new authors in this genre. Sounds really good and thanks for the great review.
Laura Thomas recently posted…A Chautauqua Murder Mystery ~ A Plague Among Us by Deb Pines
Thanks Laura:-)
Glad you enjoyed it!
It was so good:-)
Awesome, glad to hear how much you enjoyed this. I’ve not read anything by either author, but based on your review I’d give this novella a try.
It’s definitely worth it:-)
I’ll have to keep this one in mind.
Anne – Books of My Heart recently posted…Right Behind Her by Melinda Leigh
I think you’d like it!
Both of these authors are new to me as well, but this one definitely sounds like a gem. Glad you enjoyed it so much. 🙂
It was so good! And the cover really doesn’t do it justice:-)
Oh YAY I really need to get this one! I had it on my wishlist so now I am fully confident in just buying the thing! So glad that it was such a great surprise for you, those are the BEST!
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight recently posted…Reviews in a Minute: September Starters
I think you’ll love it too, we often love the same things:-)
Probably not one for me (you know me and novellas) but happy to see you enjoyed this and it’s a lovely review.
Lynn 😀