Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Ethos of Cain is a gripping and unrelenting futuristic sci-fi crime caper with well-formed characters and a keen sense of adventure. The plot moves at a frenetic pace, sustained by expertly conceived moments of bold, dramatic tension.
Prose: James writes with verve and precision, effectively building an evocative and intoxicating atmosphere. Though clichéd moments dot the narrative, Ethos of Cain manages to intricately weave themes of colonization, climate danger, and science into its bombastic storyline.
Originality: Ethos of Cain is a consistently engaging and entertaining book that benefits from a propulsive and effervescent energy. James carefully integrates intriguing sci-fi, intimate romance, and brutal action into this powder keg of a novel.
Character/Execution: James capably develops his characters, affording them both relatability and immense appeal. Cain is the brusque, all-action protagonist, an elite soldier carrying out complex assignments and the focal point of the novel, while his love interest, the capable and determined Francesca, adds a more intimate edge to the story.
Blurb: A no holds barred, action-rich sci-fi thriller.
Date Submitted: April 01, 2024
As the title suggests, Ethos of Cain strives to unpack the mind and heart of the eponymous mercenary, blending introspection with action, espionage, and the surprises of a class-divided future where humanity has expanded into the solar system but remains resilient in its corruptibility. James offers a hero of unrivaled skill and, at first, nearly inaccessible morality, but then strives to deepen Cain, especially through the relationship with Francesca, as Cain must reckon with the man he’s become, and if it’s who he wants to be. The adventure will give him opportunity, of course, as James stages crisp, surprising action involving corp-cops, airfoils, TransAtmovVettes, and other innovations crafted to please SF and cyber-punk fans.
Cain can be a bit of a mope, and at times the introduction of this world comes at the expense of narrative momentum, but James excels at making it all feel real, from planning missions to the way the wealthy separate themselves from everyone else. Dialogue often has a fun, seedy spirit (“Don’t think we’ll need this much beef,” the standout Scarlatti says upon meeting Cain), and the tantalizing conspiracies, future tech, mission planning, and Cain’s reliable old .45 and the possibility of a mega-score will please lovers of SF action.
Takeaway: Future mercenary confronts the truth of himself in this action-packed thriller.
Comparable Titles: RJ Roder’s Rise of Metal, Joel Shepherd’s Crossover.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
