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Review: Santuario
Oct. 4th, 2013 09:07 amSantuario by G. B. Gordon
5/5 Stars
Santuario is a Sci Fi Western, with an emphasis largely on the Western. However, Gordoon skillfully weaves modern and futuristic technology into this dusty, gritty world. From mentions of the ships that brought colonist to the planet, to the stark contrast between the single computer Alex has access to and the portable one Bengt has with him.
It isn’t only their computers that throw Alex and Bengt into contrast, but their cultures as well. Santuario is, essentially, a prison. Its inhabitants have been isolated their since their ancestors arrived on the planet. The people on the mainland got their first, so the Santuarians were banished to this harsh, desert island.
It isn’t only the weather that is difficult, though. Patronés and their securitas rule with fear while the Policia is little more than a joke. People live in poverty and squalor, forced to turn to illegal clinics because they cannot afford hospitals.
This is the world Bengt finds when a murder brings him over from the mainland. And Gordon handles his culture shock beautifully. Bengt fights with Alex, not understanding why Alex is handling the case the way he is – quietly, carefully. Bengt is forced to learn an entirely new way of doing his job to keep from spooking potential witnesses and sources. But first, he has to learn about Santuaria. It’s hard for him because the world he comes from is much more black and white in terms of law and order, but he learns. And he and Alex learn to work together, developing a friendship and, eventually, a mutual attraction as they work together to solve a difficult case.
Gordon has done a wonderful job crafting the world in Santuario. From languages to cultures, the book is rich and real. Alex and Bengt are great characters who I look forward to meeting again, not only in sequels, but also in many rereads. And, as an avid Mystery lover, I can definitely add Santuario to my list of favorites.
5/5 Stars
Santuario is a Sci Fi Western, with an emphasis largely on the Western. However, Gordoon skillfully weaves modern and futuristic technology into this dusty, gritty world. From mentions of the ships that brought colonist to the planet, to the stark contrast between the single computer Alex has access to and the portable one Bengt has with him.
It isn’t only their computers that throw Alex and Bengt into contrast, but their cultures as well. Santuario is, essentially, a prison. Its inhabitants have been isolated their since their ancestors arrived on the planet. The people on the mainland got their first, so the Santuarians were banished to this harsh, desert island.
It isn’t only the weather that is difficult, though. Patronés and their securitas rule with fear while the Policia is little more than a joke. People live in poverty and squalor, forced to turn to illegal clinics because they cannot afford hospitals.
This is the world Bengt finds when a murder brings him over from the mainland. And Gordon handles his culture shock beautifully. Bengt fights with Alex, not understanding why Alex is handling the case the way he is – quietly, carefully. Bengt is forced to learn an entirely new way of doing his job to keep from spooking potential witnesses and sources. But first, he has to learn about Santuaria. It’s hard for him because the world he comes from is much more black and white in terms of law and order, but he learns. And he and Alex learn to work together, developing a friendship and, eventually, a mutual attraction as they work together to solve a difficult case.
Gordon has done a wonderful job crafting the world in Santuario. From languages to cultures, the book is rich and real. Alex and Bengt are great characters who I look forward to meeting again, not only in sequels, but also in many rereads. And, as an avid Mystery lover, I can definitely add Santuario to my list of favorites.
