The End of the World As We Know It
By Steve Bellinger
© August 9, 2024
ASIN: B0DCG9DP6Z
Kindle Version, file size 1078 KB
What happens when a new comet, one with a strong magnetic core passes super close to the Earth at the same time as a plethora of other natural phenomena are converging? And when those things all happen at the same time as a random freak accident that causes unforeseen and somewhat mystical consequences? Circumstances create a perfect storm that challenges the physical laws we think we know.
This was a short, fun read with world-shaking stakes that are addressed in a light way. Author Steve Bellinger presents personable characters that made me laugh, groan, and cheer as they make their way through a world where things are not as they should be. One, Rocky, assesses their situation more than once as, “We’re screwed.” He, along with Stephanie the weather reporter and Inuit researcher Birdie, who can fix almost anything, bump through catastrophic consequences of the once-in-a-lifetime (or is it?) convergence of forces with light hearts and firm conviction that they’ll figure out what they need to do next, and that everything will be okay.
The concept for Lines of Force is not something I’ve seen a lot, so that worked in its favor. The story is heavily plot-driven without much down time on the page, as things are moving pretty quickly throughout. I generally prefer to see a bit more character depth, moments where we get to know these players better, see glimpses of their depth, introspection, and motivations, but that’s a personal choice. Your mileage may vary.
There is a lot of surface-level science introduced, but Bellinger doesn’t dive in too deeply; rather, the story skims along the top of details like the Earth’s magnetic field, what causes it, what happens if we lose it, and how it can be affected by outside influences. That, at least, I was familiar with. Other scientific pieces to the story’s puzzle, like electrosmog, were completely new to me, and I had to look them up (which is not a problem for me—I like learning new things in a book!). Personally, I would have enjoyed a bit of a deeper dive, but that would have slowed the story down, it’s true. As it is, I finished the entire book in a day.
If you enjoy a light sci-fi story with a dynamic and fast-paced plot, Lines of Force is for you. Recommended.