Book Review: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini (three stars)
“Sorry. I haven’t got the faintest idea what’s going on.” “I’ll tell you what’s going on. War.”
Immense, slow moving epic tale of first encounters and pending apocalypse. Inner voice of protagonist propels narrative in realist atmosphere of self-doubt and concern for others.
“So what would the Soft Blade do if you die?” “I … I’m not sure. I’d guess it would return to its dormant state, the way it was on Adrasteia. That or it would try to bond with someone else.” “Well, that’s not alarming in the slightest.”
Lost a star over gratuitous language. Okay, one character was salty, but once that’s established pouring on more profanity more detracts. Despite Paolini’s serious attempt at hard science fiction, many non sequiturs knock the serious reader out of the spell of the story.
“Nothing you can say is going to make this any better.” “Just listen; it’s another story.”
The ending is appropriate to the story, but not satisfying.
“I’d rather struggle and fail on my own than be coddled as a slave.” “So you do have principles.” “Careful now. Don’t tell anyone or you’ll give them a bad impression.”
As a Matter of Fancy 
The title seems familiar. Not sure when the book was published, perhaps some time ago. Think I read it. In any case your review seems solid. Thanks.
I didn’t get a feeling of what it is ABOUT, but I’m getting less and less patient with gratuitous anything any more. I actually prefer that the Lord’s name not be taken in vain as a general lazy writer’s way of exclaiming, and they could get the same effect in a more creative way. If you’re not religious, be respectful? If the writer were taking the name of Hindu gods in vain, everyone would be up in arms.