Tiny Planet Filled With Liars-A Fleet Eternal Story by Stephen M.A. (2020)- Begin with a world based on corporate economics, where value is based on profitability. Add in an external threat from a fleet of ships that appear once a month in a massive attack. And a terrible “error” that kills thousands, unprofitably. Through all of this, plus at least one attempt on his life, The Interviewer will try to find the truth.
I don’t know where to start with this book.
Yes, I do.
This book is friggin’ brilliant.
There’s a line with the blurb for the book that says, “Loved by fans of: Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries…and John Scalzi!” I read both authors for the first time last year, and both of them made my “Top Nine for 2020” list. So I bought a copy of the e-book.
It didn’t disappoint.
I will offer this advice-if non-linear/non-traditional storytelling isn’t your cup of hot chocolate, then you may want to take a pass. It would be a mistake, but you should know. Part first person, part epistolary, often fragmentary with exposition that comes in bursts (long and short) when it comes at all. If you prefer reading that doesn’t require a little work from the reader, “Tiny Planet Filled With Liars” may not bring you joy.
But if you’re willing to do the work? Oh, my.
The investigation into the attack changes The Interviewer, challenging his fundamental belief in the system. There is the incredible character of Madame Zhou (note to the author, we need MUCH more Madame Zhou!), who becomes The Interviewer’s patron. Acerbic, honest and offering a wonderful comic flavor to the story, I smiled every time the main character headed back to the Ruby District. After an attempted assassination nearly succeeds, Zhou becomes the voice of wisdom for the shaken investigator. Every page is filled with the sharp lines of what The Interviewer believed was going to be a simple but profitable bit of research. The journey becomes less of both with every passing day.
Stephen M.A. has created an astounding world that offers many avenues for further exploration. Who are the aliens of the Infinite Fleet? Why do they consistently retreat at the same point in every battle? The past, present and future of the Unified Fiduciary Dominion should provide both author and reader several volumes of adventure as well. As near as I can tell this is his first novel, and it’s a winner. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but it will an amazing year of reading if this book doesn’t show up in the best of the year list at the end of 2021.
I know I’ll be waiting with great anticipation for more stories. Especially if Madame Zhou returns!
Rating – ***** Highest Recommendation
Stories Are My Life 
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