The Sparrow

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell is a futuristic novel about a Jesuit mission to a newly discovered planet and an unknown species. Sounds far fetched? Doria Russell's novels are so well researched and intriguing, I was captivated for most of the novel.

This novel works because it is character driven, by the group of  mismatched friends sent on the mission, led by Puerto Rican Priest and linguist Emelio Sanchez.

It was reminiscent of Star Trek, and in fact the author mentions Star Trek several times. Unfortunately, I found Doria Russell's take on first contact with a new species not at all original, and the fact that it devolved into such brutality was entirely unnecessary and in my opinion ruined the book.

We are to believe that Sanchez is something of a mystic or saint who has his faith in God tested to the limit. An interesting idea, badly executed.  I think I will skip the sequel Children of God.