Vincent Waciuk‘Weird Space: The Devil’s Nebula’ Defies Expectations
Weird Space: The Devil’s Nebula (2012) by Eric Brown attempts to take space opera to a dark and sinister place. Even though Brown is a talented writer he seems to be holding something back with this story. Despite this Weird Space takes the reader on a compelling ride of dark mystery.
The Pride of Procyon set off for the colony world of Vercors. A journey dangerous enough on its own is made worse by travelling through Vetch space. Now, nearly a century later, a signal from the Procyon reaches Expansion space. A signal traced to the edge of the Devil’s Nebula.
The Expansion mounts a mission to investigate the fate of the Procyon. The Expansion’s most advanced ship, the Hawk, is sent along with a small crew of diplomats, military, and criminals. Their goal is to learn what became of the Procyon and its people. And, if possible, rescue them.
However, when they finally reach the Procyon it is a wreck and the colonists missing. The only place they could be is the nearby World. The crew of the Hawk reach World and find the remnants of the colonists. The life of the colony seems idyllic, however, they are hiding a secret. A secret that someone on the Hawk already knows and will stop at nothing to keep.
If there is such a thing as a natural born storyteller then Eric Brown is one of those people. When I picked up Weird Space I was expecting something with a supernatural bent. Instead it’s a vast space opera offering some gruesome and grotesque moments.
Despite any expectations Brown makes Weird Space immediately interesting. What makes this possible is ease at which Brown brings his characters to life. Brown’s characters have a nuance that I’m sure many authors envy.
The main protagonist is Ed Carew, the captain of a small ship that skirts the edges of lawfulness. This will immediate appeal to many readers. The marginally criminal trope sees frequent use yet Brown manages to make it feel fresh.
As a protagonist Ed Carew works well but like any captain they are only as good as their crew. And Ed’s crew is very good. Not in a technical sense but in creating a unit that is close and endearing. Almost from the first page the reader becomes connected to Ed, Lania, and Jed, and their well being is paramount.
The world Brown’s characters inhabit is equally creative. But the reader must cope with some openness. Initially it seems as if the Vetch, an alien species that has overpowered many Expansion worlds, will be the antagonists. However, the Vetch play only a small part in this story. They are a benchmark which Brown seeks to exceed. And exceed he does.
The real story involves a species dubbed Weird. They are grotesque in a way that is nightmare inducing and their motives are beyond human comprehension. For all their outward ugliness the Weird’s behavioural make up is far worse.
Eric Brown (1960-2023)As the plot of Weird Space unfolds the reader is drawn into a series of ever more disturbing events. As the story becomes darker the truth about what is happening becomes more grave and more unsettling. The story comes to its climax it does so with something of a let down. It isn’t as sharp or satisfying as it could be but this is probably due to the fact that The Devil’s Nebula is the first in a quartet of books. Still, on it’s own The Devil’s Nebula does not waste the reader’s time.
In many regards Weird Space has some striking similarities to The Halcyon Drift (1972) by Brian Stableford. The comparisons between the two books are easy to make so Brown may have been inspired by Stableford. However, Weird Space stands on its own.
In Weird Space: The Devil’s Nebula Brown takes space opera down a dark path not often used. However, there is an element of restraint to the story, which is unfortunate. Regardless, Weird Space is an entertaining and involving story that will capture the reader’s imagination.
Alien BOB
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