I initially picked up this book because I liked the look of the cover and the title sounded intriguing.

The concept itself was interesting - this blueprint that has something to do with teleportation just appears out of nowhere. And there were some interesting near-future concepts like a single monopoly - EverCorp - that essentially owns the USA and parts of the rest of the world. There was also this ongoing mystery element that kept me somewhat invested: what sent the blueprint? Why did they send it?

Unfortunately, that’s where my enjoyment ended. The mystery wasn’t resolved in a satisfying way, one of the two main characters sort of drops off half way through the book, and there were a significant number of off-putting characterizations for both main characters. For example, Christopher (the Navy pilot) describes every woman he comes across by her bra cup size. I did not end up liking either character very much.

This was certainly not the worst book I’ve ever read, but it isn’t one I would recommend to someone. Overall, this book was interesting in spurts but, as a whole, left me disappointed.

Content warnings: cancer, suicide, fatphobia, alcohol, war crimes, use of the term cripple, misogyny, child abuse, vomit

All opinions are my own. I was given a review copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

I cannot get into it.

DNF

I don't like the second main character, I don't like the main character.
There is just nothing here that I can relate to or that interests me. Don't get me wrong the premise of this book sounded amazing and I thought I'd be a huge fan but as hard as I tried I just think it's not my cup of tea.

*ARC review*

The Escape Velocity Project is a superbly-written science fiction novel which I'm extremely grateful to have had the chance to read! Set in a future version of Earth, which is familiar yet subtly different in terms of technology and language, enough to effectively evoke the futuristic feel in your mind as you read. This future Earth is crippled by climate change and apocalyptic weather events are cropping up across the globe, signalling the beginning of the end of humanity's time on the planet. The distinct air of possibility of this terrifying future is thrilling for the reader and makes a very interesting setting.

When humans are gifted, by unknown benefactors, instructions to build a teleportation device, seemingly with good intentions. George is a scientist, enlisted to decode the extra-terrestrial text to enable building of this device. Christopher, a commander desperate to make something of himself, is brought on board to 'pilot' the mission. But as they be one deeper involved in the project, they begin asking questions about whether this really is the best thing for humanity, after all.

This novel leaves the reader asking very real questions about the future of the world as we know it and the plausibility of individuals with too much power being capable of selling out the entire human race for the right price! The ending is brilliantly thoughtful and definitely packs a punch. The shock factor is definitely there, though the author builds suspense successfully and has the reader questioning what is real and what is lies.

The characters are really well written and fleshed out. Christopher is unlikable and self-obsessed, but this doesn't detract. If anything, this is in keeping with the stereotypical hero-type and his arrogance throughout has ominous overtones, leading the reader questioning whether he is going to get the hero's ending he seems to feel he deserves.

My interest flagged briefly in some parts at the beginning, sometimes finding it a little open-minded which dulled the excitement for me a little. But once I got invested I couldn't put it down and I especially loved the alien language and the use of this language in the text, particularly in the conclusion of the book. The use of this language throughout effectively serves to remind the reader of the most obvious question that seems to be (deliberately) overlooked throughout the novel; why did this unidentified entity 'gift' the humans guides instructions to begin with?

I really enjoyed reading this, it was what I was expecting from the description. I had enjoyed the mystery and the scifi elements, it's one of my favorite types of scifi novels. I had enjoyed the way this was written from Jeff Perilman. It was a unique story and I'm glad I was able to read this. I look forward to read more from Jeff Perilman.

"No, Kevin. That’s fair. I never really asked you more than what I knew from your résumé. I’m kind of a dick and I don’t really talk to people. I don’t have any friends outside of work, so I should make friends with the people that I do work with."