Patterns of Chaos: The Downfall Matrix/Soulfire (Ominibus, 2)

Rating:
Summary: Similar Patterns
Review: This is the second volume in the PATTERNS OF CHAOS series, comprising the third and fourth original books. I reviewed the first volume a short time ago, and what I wrote in that review holds true for this volume. In short, I found the plot was pretty good and the characters sympathetic and appealing. There were three aspects of it that I was critical of. First, the not-so-alien aliens. Second, the author's use of a psi power called "bahdur" as a plot device. Finally, I thought that potentially compelling action situations in the story were glossed over. See my earlier review for a more complete discussion of these issues.

This volume generally has the same strengths and weaknesses as the first. In fact, the use of "bahdur" becomes ever more outrageous. Sometimes characters can tell who the attacking pilot is in another flyer through it, others times they are not even aware of enemies right outside their door until it's too late, or are unaware of the nearby presence of a close friend or ally.

Besides the above, however, there is one additional criticism I will add in regard to this volume. It has a very abrupt ending. The story builds toward a final confrontation, but as I got into the last twenty or thirty pages it seemed that there was still a lot that needed to happen. I actually went back and looked to see if there was another volume in the series. I didn't think the author could possibly wrap everything up in the few pages that remained. The bad news is, he doesn't. The climactic scene is pulled off and a brief denouement follows, but a lot of loose ends are just left dangling.

PATTERNS OF CHAOS held my interest all the way through both volumes, but I was disappointed in the ending and, at the same time, glad it was over by the time I got there. It's a mildly entertaining read, especially if you can overlook the weaknesses and inconsistencies, but it ends up being just mediocre, given the shortcomings. If you've already read the first volume, you'll probably want to read this one just to see how it all comes out, but I can't recommend it.