The Sword and Laser discussion

I'll put this in spoilers since it's 2/3rds of the way through the novel. (view spoiler)[
I was really surprised that, just as events really get barreling along, the author opted to move the action from Cernee to Mars. I was worried that there would be a reset in the pace of the book, from action back to world-building. Thankfully, Fergus's new 'gift' ensures that doesn't really happen. I was also worried that since this trip was facilitated by interference from the all-powerful/unknowable aliens that the end of the book might have a similar deus ex machina device. Thankfully, Fergus and friends solve the problem themselves. Still, even though my fears weren't realized, I was wondering about what the author gained by moving the action away from Cernee. Did you feel like it added anything?
(hide spoiler)]

I actually didn't like the Mars part.

Seth wrote: "I'll put this in spoilers since it's 2/3rds of the way through the novel.
"

To answer your question, not really. But I don't mind. Since it's book 1, I kind of expected this kind of expanding, revealing the MC's past, etc.

I thought it (the side trip) was demonstrating that he was willing to go out of his way to help those in need & do the right thing when he could have simply gone to the ship & let the chips fall where they may. At least that's how I understood it.