Half Way Home by Hugh Howey Review

Book: Half Way Home

Author: Hugh Howey

Release date: May 1st, 2010

Source: Author

My Summary: 

When Porter awakens to flames, he knows something has gone horribly wrong. Out of the original five hundred colonists that were being raised in vats, less than sixty made it out, if even that many. To make it even worse, the colonists only have half their training, and at fifteen years of age, they are not ready to start a life on this new planet. Yet, the Colony, a robotic being behind all the plans for the colonists, gives them hope that they can make a life here.

At least, until the Colony's choices start to make even the most hopeful fill with despair. Colonists start running, escaping the madness that lies within the walls that are meant to protect them. Porter, along with his two friends Tarsi and Kelvin, need to decide if staying is worth it...and just what secrets is the Colony keeping about their new home planet?

Review: Half Way Home is a unique story that is sure to surprise readers.

Porter, our narrator, is smart, and a bit confused about things. His profession (though his training is only half finished) is a psychologist. It's his job to help everyone else, but he definitely could use a helping hand sometimes as well. Tarsi and Kelvin were interesting side characters, especially with the very complex love triangle they created. 

The plot is easy to follow, keeps you curious, and it's a quick but thoughtful novel to read. Howey creates a world with intriguing creatures and environments that come alive, and it's difficult to stop reading without curiosity getting the better of you. The tension builds with every page, and the final chapters do not disappoint.  

Highlights: I loved the inclusion of Porter's character struggling with his sexuality, because that's something I wasn't expecting to see in the novel. Porter's journey in his discovery of who he is became a definite highlight. Howey doesn't fail to surprise as well, with an ending that is every bit as smart and shocking that I've come to expect from him. 

Lowlights: Porter's narrative got a bit tedious to read at some points. Because he is, essentially, a half-trained psychologist in a fifteen-year-old body, his voice can be a bit confusing in that his personality almost seemed half-trained. The characters weren't quite as memorable as I would have liked. At times, I just felt like something was missing from the story; a "wow" factor that Howey's other novels have.

I enjoyed Half Way Home, although not as much as Howey's Bern Saga novels, but I liked it and it's uniqueness. 

Rating:   

Other books by this author:

Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue (review) (Kindle version priced at $2.99!!)

Molly Fyde and the Land of Light (review)

Molly Fyde and the Blood of Billions (review to come)