Famadihana on Fomalhaut IV (Telemass Quartet #1) is Eric Brown’s new novella and is set in a future history that he’s regularly used over the course of his career – the Telemass universe. Standing at just shy of 80 pages, Famadihana on Fomalhaut IV is a short and quick read that delivers much of what I enjoy about Brown’s work and, as always, leaves me wanting more.
Matt Hendrick is a former detective from Earth, now chasing his daughter who has been taken by his ex-wife and her lover. This quest leads him to Avoeli, a planet in the Fomalhaut system. Originally settled by Madagascan natives, the settlers now share the planet with its native alien species. When Tiana Tandra makes his acquaintance and mentions her lover has gone missing, Matt looks further into the situation and realises that there are strange events occurring on Avoeli.
Famadihana on Fomalhaut IV is a typical Eric Brown story. For those that have read his work in the past this needs no explanation, but for those that haven’t… well, where to start? Brown tells a compelling tale in a rich and vivid setting, focusing on character and motivations more than worldbuilding. This isn’t to say that he skimps on that aspect, but with a limited page count he balances it all nicely.
As always, Brown has brought the characters to life, making them interesting beyond their current situation. Matt Hendrick is the focal point – and will be for the rest of the novellas in this quartet – and he has an interesting past which gives him strong motivations, while his relationship with Tiana Tandra adds further depth of character.
In short, Famadihana on Fomalhaut IV is an enjoyable and intelligent story suitable for both fans of Brown and those yet to read his work. I expect the following novels in this quartet to build on this strong start and deliver a great series.
Publisher: http://www.pspublishing.co.uk
Author: http://ericbrown.co.uk/
April 2014, 79 pages
Hardcover, ISBN: 9781848637627
Review copy received from the publisher
© 2014 Mark Chitty
