It's Always Something by Mackey ChandlerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Why Can’t They All Just Get Along?
This is the eighth book in a continuing series and the previous books need to be read in order to understand this one. The narrative ends at a natural break but the story continues in future books. There is a linked series, Family Law, that is set in the future and has some characters in common. A post that outlines the reading order of the two series is available here.
After the ‘flu, Earth seems to be determined to keep itself in the dirt. Both China and USNA have massive internal problems and the people in power don’t seem to care how badly their decisions are affecting their own citizens. There are hundreds of thousands of migrants in USNA all heading south because of lack of power in the north and they can’t face a winter without fuel. There is so much infighting it’s a miracle anything gets done.
Despite these ‘superpowers’ cutting off Home and the Moon, there are other countries in the world who still wish to do business with them. There are things that can only be made in zero-g that those countries still want access to. These smaller countries may be open to negotiation, especially when they have things of value to trade.
This book shows more about life on Earth and how difficult it can be. Kurt used to be a beam dog on Home and returned back to Earth to be with his family. Through his eyes, we are shown what it’s like on the ground for ordinary people. It’s an interesting change of tack and I really enjoyed it. I also like Kurt as a character and we follow him loosely throughout the book. He eventually moves to Central on the Moon and again we get to see what life is like there through his eyes.
There is much trading and politicking done in this book to make Home and the Moon much safer and stable in terms of being able to access all they need from Earth. It’s vital work but needed less and less. If only they had more room on Home to give everyone a proper bed when they arrive. Looks like another job for Jeff and his Ladies.
As always this book was interesting and entertaining. It continues to be fun for this author to show different political systems set in the future from the outside and in doing so pointing at current systems and their potential pitfalls. I really enjoy reading about these characters and the strange environment in which they live, it’s alien and at the same time comforting.
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