A Buzz by Jacob Lightman

An imaginative and immersive plunge into a futuristic landscape set 6500 years in the past, A Buzz by Jacob Lightman is a sci-fi rainforest adventure amidst a barely recognizable world.

Jaway, Pama, Serra, Krizzles, and a myriad cast of other future soldiers lie at the heart of this story, as they try to unite The Land and avoid the insolent incursions, and explosions, of the Rebels. This classic premise of good and evil takes place in an insect-infested world that nature has begun to violently reclaim, which ends up posing more of a threat than enemy soldiers ever could. Many common themes of “Rebel vs Empire” stories remain – questioning one’s purpose, the moral arc of humanity, fraternal loyalty, and the infallibility of those in power.

The most impressive aspect of the novel is the depth of detail in everything from the visceral environment, savage wildlife, and odd culinary options to global history, societal organization, and the dynamic relationships between the main characters. Though some of the prose gets bogged down in extended passages of exposition, this thorough and patient approach brings the author’s vision to vibrant life. While the prose itself can sometimes fall flat, notably at the ends of chapters, this intensely creative future world is well thought out and undeniably unique, particularly when it comes to technological advancements.

A final edit to tighten up some superfluous prose and keep the pace steady would elevate this engrossing read to even greater heights, but as it stands this is a striking vision of a futuristic alternate history.