For whatever reason, series abound in science fiction and fantasy. You can't go through those sections of a bookstore or library without seeing a large number of authors who have embarked on a series. Yet one of the problems that poses for a writer is how much space should be spent trying to bring a new reader up to speed. Should subsequent books stand alone entirely? Should there be an introduction or appendix that allows new readers to get up to date but which prior readers can skip? Or should relevant background be passed along as necessary as the current tale unfolds? There is no uniformly appropriate answer.

David J. Williams takes a somewhat modern, if not entirely satisfactory, approach with The Burning Skies, the second book of a planned trilogy. He seeks to educate newcomers in broad strokes in first 20 or so pages about what transpired in The Mirrored Heavens, the first book in the series. Other than that, there are occasional snippets passed on in the text and an organizational chart of the main characters but which does not really explain any prior interactions. As for the Earth of 2110 in which the story is set, Williams puts greater detail on a related web site rather than as an appendix or supplement to the book.

The themes and approaches of the two books are entirely consistent, though. The ultimate goal is political and military control of the world. The cyberpunk-edged battles for control are seen through some of the leaders and secret operatives of different geopolitical powers and often competing government entities. The operatives in particular are the continuing character base. They include Carson, Spencer and Lynx, physically modified and trained "razors," agents who immerse themselves into electronic/cyberspace networks or "zones," usually as part of a team. Claire, a main focus of the book, is a breakthrough "super-razor," with implications of being almost a post-Singularity messiah. The razors work with "mechanics," heavily armed and armored agents who can physically carry out missions facilitated by a razor hacking into and undermining opponents in the zones. In the first novel, Autumn Rain, a terrorist group, attacked a space elevator. In The Burning Skies, all hell breaks loose on the orbiting Europa Platform, although it is unclear who is trying to trap who, Autumn Rain, the U.S. or the Eurasian Coalition.

Article Author: Tim Gebhart

Tim Gebhart lives in Sioux Falls, SD, where he practices law in order to provide shelter for his family, his dogs, and his books. He is a member of the National Book Critics Circle and his blog de guerre is A Progressive on the Prairie.

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