Fair Coin

Before I jump into my summer reading projects, I need to clean-up a couple of outstanding spots in my queue. The first of which is FAIR COIN by E.C. Myers. I saw this book on no fewer than three recommended summer reading lists. The premise interested me, so I took a chance.

Our hero comes into possession of a quarter depicting Puerto Rico as a state and which apparently has the ability to grant wishes. When it comes up heads, the wish is fulfilled. Tails, of course, makes the wish come true with unintended consequences. How reality changes and the effects it has on our hero's life comprise the first half of the book. The second half is more devoted to the origins of the coin and the fallout of all those changes. To discuss more in detail would spoil the plot, and so I will leave it there.

The book reads well enough and some plotlines are telegraphed. However, it was a nice complete novel that most science fictions fans could enjoy. The one thing I did not expect was the news that this was just the first in a series. The novel ends quite distinctly and has no need for further expansion. I can think of some ways to keep it going and am moderately curious to see what the author does. The new book arrives in October. One more book to get out of the way and it is back to old Hollywood.