This is by far Hoskin's best DL to date.

 

Even much better than a lot of his Outlanders.

But, unfortunately for me, it was chock full of issues.

 

The bizarre, over-the-top science fiction aspects to this one was too weird and didn't quite fit this series. Not as grounded and well written as Alan Philipson's more science fictiony stories, ie, Shadow World I and II for example.

 

The authors that keep having the companions leave a perfectly safe and warm redoubt for no reason has really got to stop. Why can't these talented writers see this? And find a way to pen in a believable way to force them to go?

 

And the action scenes varied. The redoubt battle was not tactically solid. But the ones with the bear battling Rick and Jak were great. Love when the companions battle forces of nature. Not done enough IMHO.

 

The weather was too extreme for the companions to truly survive, much less have enough energy to fight. The author must not understand had the human body reacts to extreme cold. Why not just have them get outfitted by the redoubt? Would have been much more believable. 

 

Not bad though. This particular author is gifted. He just needs to write less bizarre science fiction with more tactically-driven action sequences.