The second chapter of William C. Dietz’s Heaven’s Devils is out on StarCraft II’s official site, and it’s time for StarCraft Fan to take a look at it. With such a great introductory paragraph that was filled with excellent storytelling, interesting dialogue, and one heck of a fight scene, chapter two of Heaven’s Devils certainly had a lot to live up to. Just what kind of impression did chapter two of this novel make? Is it worth reading? Is it worth hyping up Heaven’s Devils even more? The answer to those last two questions is simply yes.
While chapter one served as a means of introducing the reader to a teenage Jim Raynor, his friends, and his rival, chapter two serves two purposes: it introduces Jim’s parents, and it gives you a feel for just what kind of guy Jim is with his family. There’s no action in this chapter; no blood, no punches, and certainly no foul language. But what you do get here are a number of enthralling conversations between Jim and his loving parents.
In chapter two of Heaven’s Devils, Jim talks to his mother and father about enlisting in the service. The reaction of Jim’s parents is what you would expect: they worry, they disagree with the idea, and conflict ensures. This situation—and the way the author presents it—feels authentic in every way, and it is easy to picture Jim’s parents feeling a plethora of emotions after hearing their son say he wants to go to war.
Nothing ever gets too heated, and you’ll instantly be able to notice that the Raynors are no dysfunctional family. But like any family, they have their disagreements, their opposing views, and their differing ideas about certain subjects. Chapter two’s main focus is Jim’s dedication towards joining the service and the effect that decision has on his family.
You’ll get no spoilers here, but suffice it to say that for as good as the previous chapter was, chapter two is all the better. It packs in tons of emotion, it makes you care about Jim’s parents, and it makes you see Jim’s side of it as well, whether you’re for or against war.
Chapter two of Heaven’s Devils continues to tell the story of a young Jim Raynor, and it continues to impress. There’s nothing in the way of action here, but those who read this excerpt—and you really should read it if you’re a big StarCraft loyalist—will find a deep emotional chapter that’s heart-warming and ends with a chill-inducing line from Jim’s father.
