Stars: 4 out of 5
This is my fourth book by M.R. Carey. I loved The Girl with All the Gifts and Fellside, but Infinity Gate left me somewhat disappointed. Although Outlaw Planet is set in the same universe as the Pandominion series, it works well as a standalone novel and, for me, was much more enjoyable than the original duology.
The premise is a fun blend of science fiction and western. An entire population is mind-controlled into endlessly reenacting the American Civil War as part of a grotesque experiment. When a squad of soldiers from a highly advanced civilization enters the system, they discover to their horror that they are trapped there, cut off from help and unable to break the cycle within their lifetimes.
I particularly enjoyed the dual point-of-view structure. One storyline follows Bess, who was born and raised within the system and embodies the trauma and brutality of the endless war. The other follows Engineer Esten, the sole surviving member of a military unit that originally entered the experiment. Bess’s perspective adds emotional depth and shows the human cost of the system, while Esten’s gradually reveals the mysteries behind its existence. The two storylines converge in a satisfying finale that ties the book together effectively.
One issue I have begun to notice across Carey’s books is that I struggle to connect with his female protagonists. I suspect he intends them to be complex and deeply scarred individuals, but to me they often come across as emotionally distant and difficult to relate to.
I wanted to like Bess more, especially since she is the central protagonist, but I found myself far more invested in characters like Wakefull Slim and even the old man with his scorpillion. It says a lot that I was more emotionally engaged by an AI-powered gun than by the woman carrying it.
That said, the ending was excellent. It brought the various plot threads together neatly and delivered a satisfying conclusion. Would I return to this series if Carey writes another installment? Possibly.
PS: My thanks to NetGalley for providing a free review copy.