Sam Gunn Jr.

2.5 stars

A throwback to classic sci-fi... for all its good & bad.

I will start by saying I am unfamiliar with Ben Bova's adventures of Sam Gunn, so my review of this book may be hindered by or benefit from that lack of familiarity.

This was an interesting book to read. Had I read it without any prior knowledge of when it was published, I would easily have thought it was released during the Golden Age of Sci-Fi. The story, the pacing, the characters, and the short, serial nature of the chapters themselves truly felt like a good ol' fashioned sci-fi romp around the galaxy. If that's what you're looking for, I truly believe it's one of its pros.

Unfortunately, it's also one of its biggest cons.

Gender roles in this book are, while perhaps ‘acceptable' had it been written in the 30s, definitely stereotypical. This novel is broken down into smaller books, with a new woman introduced in every book. Even if our hero, Sam Gunn Jr.—who has to make sure to tell us he is not a womanizer like his father and to whom all things come easily—doesn't actually bed them, they are still written through the male gaze. I was always more surprised when Junior didn't sleep with the latest female character.

That aside, the novel itself was still enjoyable enough. It wasn't complex and it had its issues, but if you're looking for something light with that classic a pulp hero feel, you'll probably enjoy this book, too.

Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.