Ok first off, I have never read a single hard scifi book in my life, this one was my first. So if you're looking for comparisons to other authors or works, you won't find them in this review.
I mostly read nonfiction, but the little fiction I do read tends to be historical fiction and comedic "dissident" fiction like Delicious Tacos and Mike Ma. I did read a ton of the Star Wars novels from the 80s and 90s (before the franchise was ruined), but that's as "scifi" as I got before reading Theft of Fire. Which brings me to...
Disclosure: I know the author and his family, we've hung out a few times and I spent a weekend at their house earlier this year. That's how I ended up reading Theft of Fire as my first hard scifi book ever--I always support creators I know whether it be in books, music, etc.
However, this is the first book written by a creator I knew that I have written a review for (and there have been over a dozen over the years) because it really is that good!
Let's start with the storytelling, because this is the aspect of Theft of Fire that anyone can enjoy, even if they're a complete virgin to the genre like me. Good storytelling is just universally recognizable, you don't have to be a connoisseur, you just know it when you see it.
This story takes place entirely on the protagonist's spaceship, and there are really only 3 characters for most of the story and it's told in first person. All of those factors add an element of challenge in keeping the story engaging and exciting, but Devon does this beautifully. What stood out to me is how all of the 'worldbuilding' writing in Theft of Fire blends so seamlessly with the action. This is the universe of the near future, just a few hundred years from now, and there is a lot to explain about how humanity arrived at the universe of the story from the early 21st century. But all of this is done subtly and it's inserted into the story in a way that feels very organic--nothing is overexplained, and anything that is, is relevant to the immediate challenges of that moment in the story.
Speaking of challenges, as many others have pointed out, this novel is full of them. Pretty much from the start, the main character (and later the others) are working their way through a series of increasingly difficult problems as they attempt a daring space heist. This theme carries throughout the story, and the reader begins to relate a lot with the protagonist's analytical mind. Problems are worked through methodically and logically, with little deviation.
The characters in this novel are outstanding, both in their complexity and development. It is truly a "character-driven" yarn, and by the end you are rooting for all of them and excited for the next adventure. One distinct impression I had by the end of Theft of Fire was "this is like a romance novel for men" and I mean that in the best possible way. By the finale, serious flaws and even hostility between the characters have been overcome and you get the sense that they have been truly transformed by their experiences together.
Finally, I know others have noted this far better than I could, but the pacing is awesome. And I think this owes to how well the author immerses you in the environment of survival in space, and the pragmatic Belter approach of working through problems. At every point in the story you never lose sight of this formula of identifying the problem --> working through solutions --> implementing (action). It's very logically laid out and is able to move at a perfect pace because the story and characters stay laser-focused on their personal objectives, and then later on the things they do for each other.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, even if you aren't a hard scifi reader; and I already can't wait for the sequel!
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
Tight, fast-paced narrative; delightful characters; intriguing themes
I've been looking for new sci-fi to read for awhile now. I've tried and returned a half-dozen books on Audible, as promising fiction either dragged on or took a deep dive into pushing politics or religion.Theft of Fire is the book I was looking for.The narrative is tight and compelling. This is like reading one of the old classics, from before the days of thousand-page-first-entries-in-a-series. It never lags, never feels like the characters are just spinning their wheels or returning for the umpteenth time to the same problem. The pacing is absolutely perfect, and that's a rare thing in modern sci-fi.The exploration of the main theme is great, mostly because it's *subtle.* It's there, it's interesting, you think about it, but you don't have to spend the entire book thinking about whether you really agree with the author's thoughts on it. You just get to contemplate the idea at your own pace.Most importantly, though, the book is *fun*:It's a good story. It's exciting. It's romantic. Virtue and vice, honor and dishonor, are at war within the characters and their opponents. And it strikes the right note of letting the characters laugh, letting them laugh at themselves, and occasionally inviting the reader to laugh at an inside joke shared with the author.I cannot recommend this book enough.
Top reviews from other countries
Guilherme
A brilliant first step for a man, the start of a generational story for mankind.
Reviewed in Brazil on January 22, 2024
Amazon Customer
This is my first ever dive into science fiction, and I loved it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2024
Roberto
Muy bueno, muy interesante, muy bien escrito
Reviewed in Spain on March 11, 2024