Review: Hot Solar (Cold Solar Book 2) by Anthony Robinson

In the not so-distant future, the remains of Earth and the Martian colonists are locked in a bloody battle for control of resources, the destiny of their planets and the ultimate fate of mankind itself. This is the sci-fi premise of Hot Solar, the entertaining second installment of the Cold Solar series from Anthony Robinson. Balancing well between suspense and action, the author draws readers into a number of mysteries in his twisted future vision.

While the first book set up this dystopian world and the major players within it, this sophomore of the saga allows for more intense character development, particularly of Mark Bowen, who again carries the narrative. This protagonist is determined to find Princess Elaina, while fearful of what secrets he has yet to discover about his own past and his link to the Martian forces. Having such a tangled character at the core of this series drives the plot forward at a good clip.

Hot Solar isn’t quite as action-packed as the first book in the series, as there is a tenuous ceasefire between Earth and the Martian warriors. Bowen is recruited as a knight by the Martian Prince Dothan, a sworn enemy, but also someone who can provide the truth about Bowen’s past, and freedom to Bowen’s ragtag team. He soon learns that his murdered mother was sister to the Martian king, making Bowen a prince and challenging his loyalty to all that he once knew.

As combinations of fantasy and sci-fi go, this book represents both genres well, and doesn’t demand much technological knowledge or massive suspensions of disbelief. Since the setting is only three decades in the future, there are plenty of touchstones of modern life, and the whole story is a reminder that this planet is going to dramatically change in the coming generation. The search for resources, increasing violence between powerful factions, and a healthy dose of existential despair are subjects that humans are already dealing with, and this novel only extrapolates those concepts a few steps further down the road.

While the plot and the action are both enjoyable and immersive, the level of the writing and the believability of the narration often stumbles. The book reads like a YA novel at times, but that doesn’t always appear to be the target audience, creating a clear disconnect. With simple vocabulary, plain descriptions, and some clichéd phrases, there aren’t many moments in the novel that impress on the strength of the language alone. This author is incredibly creative, but could work to execute the ideas with a bit more panache in the prose, which does take away from the book’s overall message.

That being said, Robinson has created a timely and compelling series here, one that relies on a few classic sci-fi tropes for its foundation, but also branches off in its own unique directions. The characters and the plot will easily ensnare readers looking for a wild escape, and keep them eagerly waiting for the next piece of this gripping sci-fi puzzle.