Review: Stalag-X

Stalag-X by Kevin J. Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I was provided a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kevin J. Anderson knows how to write a good sci-fi story. This one is set in a future in which humanity is at war with an alien race. When the crew of a starship is captured by the aliens against all common belief, it provides an opportunity to build the conflict in an interesting way. Sure, there is plenty of violence in this book, but I like what it does with two sides. There are a couple of rogue elements that don't quite fit into either side clearly too. I just like the setting a lot. The world where most of the action takes place is sort of bleak and ultimately is both not important and very important for what happens there. The way Joe Human (that name might just be the worst thing about this book) seems to be a catalyst for a lot of the events that take place and, despite being sort of a dirt bag, I want to read more about him.

The art is pretty good. I recall a few moments where it becomes kind of sloppy. For the most part, it captures the brutality of the war that is going on while highlighting some of the more interesting elements in the story. Even if I don't like every image, that synergy with the story that is being told makes it work.

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