Sequels...

Let's talk about sequels shall we?

So I think there is a pretty well understood theory that there are sequels that are good, and sequels that are ok, and sequels that are best left unwritten.  We know that there are entire series that are built around sequels and on a regular basis, the sequels can turn out to be better than the originals.  Sci-Fi series are replete with examples, (cough cough The Empire Strikes Back).

So lets turn our attention thither.

This is not an example of the best sequels ever.  Nor is it the worst. the Rise of Ransom City is a continuation, but not really a sequel to Gilman's The Half Made World.  This book focuses primarily on the life and times of Harry Ransom.  Harry is a fairly well eccentric hustler who accidentally discovers something as a child that he then combines with some other half baked ideas to invent the Ransom Light Bringing Process (also called a variety of other things).  He has wanted to be famous in his time, with some delusions of grandeur from time he was young (and possibly made worse by the doctors from the Engines).  

The universe is the same as the Half Made World, and Gilman sort of uses the primary characters of Liv, former mental scientist, and Creedmoor, former agent of the notorious Gun, as a crutch to move his story along and try to tie the books together.  I think this is honestly one of the primary mistakes.  They are a constant subject of reference through out the story, because at least for a little while they all travel together back out of the west and on towards the bigger civilizations in the East.  

Now this book is built as the memoirs of Ransom in his up and coming, then briefly famous/notorious phase, then the last little bit as he fades into the west.  That is both an interesting style and a challenge to the reader to put up with the droning on and on.  Harry is self absorbed.  And I honestly didn't think he was nearly as interesting as he thought he was.  I kept wanting him to describe the process a little better, which never happened, so that was kind of a disappointment too.  

Generally this book was fine, but it didn't really appeal to me.  I finished out of desire to be done, but not because it really brought me along for the ride.

Try again Felix.