Inspiration

There are all diverse types of people that make a successful working environment. If everyone were the same, we would all be doing the same thing and loads of stuff would not get done. Some people like to stand out in the crowd and pitch ideas, others are happy to lead. Engineer may be the second in command, but they prefer to be in the bowels of the spaceship fixing things. They never feel like they fit in, but when you are the lone engineer on a ship full of artists, that feeling only becomes more pronounced. David Churcher-Muria's Inspiration is a classic feeling science fiction thriller with a character whose view on life differs from those around them. 

The issues started with some amber lights and then some red. Things became worse when Engineer opens an internal door only to find there is a hole in the side of the ship. As the only competent engineer on board, it is up to Engineer to fix the issues, but his knowledge also makes him the most obvious suspect. Is Engineer to blame for all the faults? 

There are a couple of elements that make Inspiration a thoroughly entertaining work of science fiction. The first is that it is such a solid yarn. There is a mystery, plenty of action and sci-fi ideals. None of these are laid out too thickly, the book is incredibly readable and trips along. If you do not stop to notice it, you may not see that epic action is unfolding in front of you. Writing about unwieldy space travel is not as easy as you may think, I have read a lot of space operas that have left this science fiction reviewer confused. Churcher-Muria never forgets to bring the reader with them. 

This is due to the use of Engineer as the protagonist, and this is the second element that makes the book so fun to read. Engineer does not think or act like those around them. This is exemplified by his peers, who are mostly artists. The name alone hints to you that Engineer is not one to fit in easily. This is a ship of people thinking beyond themselves, even the captain is distracted. Engineer finds themselves alone in keeping the ship running. 

There is a lot of dry humour in Inspiration as Engineer reacts in a unique way, being unable to notice social cues that many of us take for granted. I for one can sympathise with their need to just get on with things as others faff around.  

A lot happens on the pages of the book and in places it may be a little too much. Engineer is beaten, thrown around, arrested, accused and more. The setting and the character are complex enough to carry the narrative so a couple fewer set pieces would have allowed the character of Engineer to develop even further. After this initial outing for the character, Churcher-Muria should have the confidence to just write about the character of Engineer and the various other crewmates on the Inspiration. The interactions here alone carry the story and weave a story around this. 

Inspiration is a science fiction book for lovers of the genre. It is such an easy read as the plot and characters seem to flow into the world. Engineer is a different voice and injects humour into the tale, but also an interesting perspective on events.