The “Jacob’s Ladder Trilogy,” by Elizabeth Bear

Cover Images for the Jacob’s Ladder Trilogy

Book 1 Dust (2007) — This is a story about a starship on a multi-generation voyage. The ship has suffered serious damage and is in a precarious situation. The on-board society has (or perhaps began) stratified and felt somewhat medieval, though with some very advanced tech. The story and characters seemed foreign -- almost alien -- to me, and I enjoyed figuring out various attitudes and social norms as the plot unfolded. Some of the characters appealed to me; others did not (hmmm... sort of like real life, I guess). Although this is the first book of the trilogy, the story reached a satisfying stopping point.

Book 2: Grail (2010) — This volume follows directly in the wake of the first story. I thought the continuity was very good, and that this "middle" book felt strong. Occasionally, I found the language to be slightly awkward, though I realize Ms. Bear is using that as a technique to enhance the "alien-ness" of those who live aboard the starship. The story was well-paced throughout, and my interest never flagged. 

Book 3: Chill (2011) — The story didn't end up where I thought it would, but it was a good ending with an appropriately complex vibe. As was the case with the first two volumes of the trilogy, the writing in the final book was strong and very much under Ms. Bear's control from start to finish. I never grew tired of the characters and found them delightfully futuristic. And even though this was hard science fiction, I thought Ms. Bear did a great job making advanced tech into something both plausible and accessible.

All three of these books were well-paced, entertaining, and deeply engaging. It’s great to be able to wholeheartedly recommend a science fiction trilogy!