Sci-fi novel Singularity too characteristic

Any fiction genre has its own set of rules, and science fiction is no exception. New sci-fi author Bill DeSmedt follows these rules to the point of near absurdity.

Which is not to say that DeSmedt's debut book, Singularity, is absurd. In fact, much of the writing is decent, and the plot is well-defined and executed.

But the reader is introduced to the female protagonist in the beginning, and her name is Marianna Bonadventure.

Names are an area of the sci-fi genre that are usually a little comical, but Bonadventure -- you've got to be kidding me. Later, this same character is described as "a goddess." Or, more specifically, "a goddess in business casuals."

The major identifiable flaw in Singularity is its characterization of both major and minor characters. Both main male characters' names begin with the letter "J." This is a big mistake in fiction, especially in science fiction, because there is so much else besides characters for the reader to keep straight.

 Also, DeSmedt dedicates a lot of narrative to describing these characters, which is in itself not a bad idea. However, these descriptions are writen so they interrupt the flow of the story and jerk the reader back and forth between plot and extraneous details.

In most other aspects, Singularity is a good read. The central idea in this book is a catastrophic event that hit the Central Siberian Plateau in 1908, named the Tunguska Event. For years, scientists had been unable to discover the cause of the disaster that rendered the Siberian tundra charred and destroyed.

But DeSmedt's character Jack Adler has a theory. Adler, an astrophysicist, theorizes that a submicroscopic black hole, created from the violence of the birth of the universe, collided with the Earth. He further thinks the miniscule space object is still resting in the center of the planet, because there is no evidence it came out the other side.

Throw in some scientists who laugh at the absurdity of Adler's theory and some international espionage and you've got yourself a novel.

DeSmedt's prose is clear and easy to read, a must for any starting science fiction author. The science seems reasonably accurate, based on reviews from bestselling science authors.

The most enjoyable aspect of reading this book is enjoying a science fiction narrative set on Earth. Usually, these books are set on some remote planet in some remote world, and it's refreshing to see a sci-fi plot unfold in a familiar location.

Bill DeSmedt will read from and sign Singularity at the University Book Store on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m.