Festina Ramos, the heroine of Expendable, has a port wine stain birthmark on her face. Otherwise, she is perfectly fit and healthy. Unfortunately for her. You see, her deformity isn't bad enough to make her unable to function, which the government would have fixed immediately and without question, but it is bad enough to make her different and therefore not as mourned if she should perhaps die in service. There's the rub. Someone at some desk in the Admiralty realized that if a handsome and popular crew member died exploring a new planet it would be a blow to the entire crew. But if the person who died wasn't popular, maybe because of a birth mark or a speech impediment or a minor deformity? Well then, the crew was sad, but it didn't really ruin their week. It's human nature even though it isn't fair.
This is the driving notion behind Expendable. We'll take your funny looking, stuttering masses and send them to strange planets to see if they survive.
And it's perfect. The writing is clear and vibrant. The characters actions are totally believable for their personalities. All the little details jibe. (The little detail about what Explorers do after they've suited up and before they've ejected is so perfect I giggle joyfully every time I get to it.) The other review mentioned a slow spot in the middle, but I don't honestly recall any slowness.
Give it a whirl and let me know what you thought.
"My name is Festina Ramos and I take great pride in my appearance."
Recommended:
