Reviews

Runner by Alan Bao

trackofwords's review

Go to review page

3.0

Taking his role in the regiment entirely literally, an unnamed runner races across the endless tundra of a frozen world, carrying a desperate message of warning to regimental command. Behind him lies a broken hive, the bodies of his comrades and things in the fog. As the journey takes its toll on his body, familiar voices pursue him and long-forgotten memories surface in his mind.

It’s a neat idea, taking a soldier away from the battlefield in order to dig into what’s going on in his head under intense pressure. It’s written in an evocative, engaging style and Bao does a great job of adding texture to the character through his actions, responses and memories. The narrative is perhaps a little predictable and could maybe have gone even deeper, psychologically, but overall it does a good job of showing a slightly different side to 40k.

Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/10/17/quick-review-runner-alan-bao/

majorrawne's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

More...