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mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book in a military science fiction series. I read the bulk of it during a long day of travel involving two flights. I am not a person who enjoys flying, and this book was a perfect distraction. I was able to lose myself in the plight of its hero, a hero who has to combat both huge military challenges and the fact that his reputation has been inflated to legendary proportions. The situation felt somewhat contrived, but created the fuel for a thoroughly entertaining plot. I found the hero very likable. I liked his discomfort at playing the legendary figure others expected him to be. I also found the space battles nicely done — showing what might happen if two fleets clashed at a significant fraction of lightspeed. I'm hoping that later volumes in the series will develop the relationships between the main character and some of the secondary characters, and I should find out soon, as I plan to read book two on my return flights, if not before.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
olityr's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really like this book, very excited to continue the series.
darax's review against another edition
4.0
Bit of a tired trope with the “good” and the “evil”/ east west kinda thing but overall good book. Can’t fault it draws you in, unique plot and world building. Highly enjoyable
mnapoleon's review against another edition
4.0
This story was very entertaining. I would recommend this series to people who really enjoy the type of story that space-based video games are based on.
jmoses's review against another edition
4.0
Quick, entertaining, and left me wanting more.
Feels like a distant cousin of White and Weber's Starfire series, in some ways.
--updated--
I think part of the reason I like this series so much is that it doesn't delve into the deep, technical details about the star ships. For example, the propulsion. We have no idea how it works. Ships have propulsion units, and require fuel cells to make them work. The supply ships build the fuel cells from materials. Thats it. It really frees the author to concentrate on the story and characters, rather than on how to pretend the tech is real. A rare thing in scifi, lately, and a nice change.
Feels like a distant cousin of White and Weber's Starfire series, in some ways.
--updated--
I think part of the reason I like this series so much is that it doesn't delve into the deep, technical details about the star ships. For example, the propulsion. We have no idea how it works. Ships have propulsion units, and require fuel cells to make them work. The supply ships build the fuel cells from materials. Thats it. It really frees the author to concentrate on the story and characters, rather than on how to pretend the tech is real. A rare thing in scifi, lately, and a nice change.
no_muaddib's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
humanignorance's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. The writing here was a bit lackluster – the vocabulary was pretty basic, and the transitions between the third-person narrative and first-person thoughts were awkward – it should have been one way or the other. The premise, also, was improbable. Fortunately, it was pretty well-plotted and engaging throughout. The steady, political way the captain gained control of the fleet was fun to read. This is the first military space opera I’ve read in a long time; maybe I’ve missed them.
carriethis's review against another edition
4.0
Highly enjoyable military sci fi. I didn't feel as attached to the main character as I had hoped (and let's face it, he's really the only fully developed character), but eh, no biggie. For once I was actually more interested in battle plans and fleet maneuvers.