Lukasz's Reviews > Far Sector

3.5/5

Far Sector can be read outside of the Green Lantern continuity. You don't need a PhD in Green Lantern mythos to follow and enjoy the story.

Enduring is a city inhabited by three different species. Their conflicts were bloody and destructive until the city council imposed Emotion Exploit (a genetic virus that takes away people's emotions) on every citizen. That helped. But there's a new drug on the streets. Switchoff, they call it. It temporarily negates the Emotion Exploit and allows people to experience their first emotions ever. And many people dig the experience. So much so that they are willing to fight for another fix.

The Council doesn't like it. The Council makes laws and enforces them through various agencies (including the "peacekeepers" who are ok with murdering peaceful protestants to keep the "peace"). On the surface, adult members of each race have a say and elect a representative to the council. However, when you dig a little deeper, things get ugly.

Far Sector tells the story of Lantern Mullein, who is investigating a murder case in Enduring. Before she was a Green Lantern, she was a cop, and before that, a soldier. And she's always been a Brooklyn girl. In other words, "Jo" is a badass. And probably the only person on the planet who experiences emotions. A tricky situation, made worse by the complicated politics and history of the place.

Jemisin's world-building is impressive. Introducing all the details requires time and makes the narrative dense, and the pacing uneven. Jamal Campbell delivers colorful and vibrant sci-fi scenery that's cool but also quite dense and overstuffed with details in places.

An interesting read with a strong political message and an interesting approach to superhero arc. Not perfect but worth a read.