Scan barcode
pjonsson's review against another edition
5.0
It is actually a while since I bought this book by Christopher Nuttall. It has been sitting on my shelf (or rather on the drive of my tablet) quite a while. I have to admit that I was a bit afraid that it would be “yet another” story on the subject of the fall of human society due to political nonsense and bureaucracy as well as too similar to Mr. Nuttall’s The Empire’s Corps series.
Well, I was wrong on that. Sure, there certainly are similarities but this book is also quite different in several ways. One of the most important differences is that it is not at all as apocalyptic and dark as The Empire’s Corps series. I also feel that it is more focused on the adventures and military campaigns of our heroes than The Empire’s Corps. Sure there’s a lot of political manoeuvring, idiocy and treachery but the majority of the book is about the adventures of Admiral Drake and the young Roman Garibaldi, the latter being truly thrown into the deep end right out of the naval academy.
This book is really my cup of tea. It mixes two of my favourite themes. One being really good space combat and strategy between fleets of capital ships. The other being the development and advancement of a young hero in the navy as he rises in the ranks. As usual Mr. Nuttall’s writing is excellent and was a pleasure to follow the characters, how they developed and how the plot unfolded. As I wrote above the story is much less dark and much more positive than The Empire’s Corps. Unlike in that book our heroes are indeed successful in staving off the worst case scenario. In addition the bad guys, that is of course the political assholes, are getting exactly what they deserve in the end.
The author throws in a few romances as well. No good space opera can be without those I guess. Although one of them are a quite important part of the overall plot I would say that those parts are not very extensive but that is fine with me. I prefer the military aspects and adventures myself.
Although this book is fairly positive in the end, with a rather happy ending, without too much apocalyptic elements the events that unfold are bad enough and there are plenty of troubles and dangers ahead. I will continue to follow this book series with great interest. Book number two is already out and, without having read it, I hope that there will be more coming.
Well, I was wrong on that. Sure, there certainly are similarities but this book is also quite different in several ways. One of the most important differences is that it is not at all as apocalyptic and dark as The Empire’s Corps series. I also feel that it is more focused on the adventures and military campaigns of our heroes than The Empire’s Corps. Sure there’s a lot of political manoeuvring, idiocy and treachery but the majority of the book is about the adventures of Admiral Drake and the young Roman Garibaldi, the latter being truly thrown into the deep end right out of the naval academy.
This book is really my cup of tea. It mixes two of my favourite themes. One being really good space combat and strategy between fleets of capital ships. The other being the development and advancement of a young hero in the navy as he rises in the ranks. As usual Mr. Nuttall’s writing is excellent and was a pleasure to follow the characters, how they developed and how the plot unfolded. As I wrote above the story is much less dark and much more positive than The Empire’s Corps. Unlike in that book our heroes are indeed successful in staving off the worst case scenario. In addition the bad guys, that is of course the political assholes, are getting exactly what they deserve in the end.
The author throws in a few romances as well. No good space opera can be without those I guess. Although one of them are a quite important part of the overall plot I would say that those parts are not very extensive but that is fine with me. I prefer the military aspects and adventures myself.
Although this book is fairly positive in the end, with a rather happy ending, without too much apocalyptic elements the events that unfold are bad enough and there are plenty of troubles and dangers ahead. I will continue to follow this book series with great interest. Book number two is already out and, without having read it, I hope that there will be more coming.
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
Mini-Review:
When I listened to the sample, I was drawn in by the intro to the story. Then I realized this was a book by Nuttall and that explained why it would appeal to me. I had read another book by him that's based on a magic school and it was an entertaining adventure to read.
Events and characters are harder to follow in the audio format. That said, the general plot is not hard to follow at all. I enjoyed the "historical" quotes. Pointed insights into the world that embellished the background.
The military training school bits were more interesting to me than the rest of the political shenanigans that happen later. Overall, the book is a good military Sci-Fi. I'll finish the series at some point but feel no driving need to finish it right now.
When I listened to the sample, I was drawn in by the intro to the story. Then I realized this was a book by Nuttall and that explained why it would appeal to me. I had read another book by him that's based on a magic school and it was an entertaining adventure to read.
Events and characters are harder to follow in the audio format. That said, the general plot is not hard to follow at all. I enjoyed the "historical" quotes. Pointed insights into the world that embellished the background.
The military training school bits were more interesting to me than the rest of the political shenanigans that happen later. Overall, the book is a good military Sci-Fi. I'll finish the series at some point but feel no driving need to finish it right now.
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
Mini-Review:
When I listened to the sample, I was drawn in by the intro to the story. Then I realized this was a book by Nuttall and that explained why it would appeal to me. I had read another book by him that's based on a magic school and it was an entertaining adventure to read.
Events and characters are harder to follow in the audio format. That said, the general plot is not hard to follow at all. I enjoyed the "historical" quotes. Pointed insights into the world that embellished the background.
The military training school bits were more interesting to me than the rest of the political shenanigans that happen later. Overall, the book is a good military Sci-Fi. I'll finish the series at some point but feel no driving need to finish it right now.
When I listened to the sample, I was drawn in by the intro to the story. Then I realized this was a book by Nuttall and that explained why it would appeal to me. I had read another book by him that's based on a magic school and it was an entertaining adventure to read.
Events and characters are harder to follow in the audio format. That said, the general plot is not hard to follow at all. I enjoyed the "historical" quotes. Pointed insights into the world that embellished the background.
The military training school bits were more interesting to me than the rest of the political shenanigans that happen later. Overall, the book is a good military Sci-Fi. I'll finish the series at some point but feel no driving need to finish it right now.
More...