I entered ASTEROIDS in the Publishers Weekly – BookLife Prize.Below is the critic’s report.
Publishers Weekly – BookLife Prize 2019 – Critic’s Report
Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10
Originality: 9 out of 10
Prose: 10 out of 10
Character/Execution: 10 out of 10
Overall: 9.50 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: “Asteroids: Escape from the Arcadians” is a well-plotted, fast-paced book. McCoy’s narrative style flows well between the various characters’ stories and holds the reader’s attention with dramatic tension and enough twists to keep one eagerly turning the pages.
Prose/Style: McCoy’s combination of everyday language and scientific jargon is extremely well-balanced. There isn’t a boring passage in the book. McCoy has a gift for creating images using minimal words.
Originality: Although asteroids hitting Earth is not a new story idea, McCoy manages to bring a fresh approach to his apocalyptic plot. From the futuristic weapons to the artificial atmosphere of New Arcadia to the vampire-like antagonist who gains immortality from the blood of children, to two characters’ use of Klingon as code, this story is full of unique ideas.
Character Development: The characters are realistic and believable in their actions and reactions. The hero, Rick, is a very likable and unlikely hero, an arc which McCoy carefully develops. The main villain, Colonel Cruikshank, is a dead-on representation of a sociopath bent on ruling the world at any cost. The supporting cast of characters is very diverse with little or no overlaps in either behavior or traits.