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pjonsson's review
4.0
I would say that this book was as good as the previous one in the series but it is dragged down by an ending which is, if not really bad, but at least somewhat unsatisfactory.
The book is quite filled with marine as well as ship-to-ship combat action. Something I would say we have gotten used to from Jay Allan by know. It is all good reading. Admiral Garret and General Cain is doing their best to push the fighting into the First Imperium’s backyard. Something they succeed in doing…at first. At the same time the scientists are desperately trying to get something useful out of the old First Imperium artefacts.
Unfortunately Gavin Stark is still lurking around in the Shadows. This guy as well as the entire sub-plot that revolves around him is really infuriating me. Mankind is facing the prospect of extinction and this asshole still goes around scheming and plotting for personal gain and power and he still have no qualms about murdering the Generals and Admirals that mankind needs to survive. This is just ludicrous and I am afraid that, for me, this drags these books down a lot.
In general the book is a nice and action filled reading…up until the end. Obviously I will not reveal the end but I have to say that I felt it was somewhat unsatisfactory and rushed. I also got bad vibes from the fact that the Stark asshole played a not insignificant role in the last couple of pages. Having said that, I have read a lot worse endings.
If you have enjoyed the series so far I am sure you will enjoy this book.
The book is quite filled with marine as well as ship-to-ship combat action. Something I would say we have gotten used to from Jay Allan by know. It is all good reading. Admiral Garret and General Cain is doing their best to push the fighting into the First Imperium’s backyard. Something they succeed in doing…at first. At the same time the scientists are desperately trying to get something useful out of the old First Imperium artefacts.
Unfortunately Gavin Stark is still lurking around in the Shadows. This guy as well as the entire sub-plot that revolves around him is really infuriating me. Mankind is facing the prospect of extinction and this asshole still goes around scheming and plotting for personal gain and power and he still have no qualms about murdering the Generals and Admirals that mankind needs to survive. This is just ludicrous and I am afraid that, for me, this drags these books down a lot.
In general the book is a nice and action filled reading…up until the end. Obviously I will not reveal the end but I have to say that I felt it was somewhat unsatisfactory and rushed. I also got bad vibes from the fact that the Stark asshole played a not insignificant role in the last couple of pages. Having said that, I have read a lot worse endings.
If you have enjoyed the series so far I am sure you will enjoy this book.
andypalmer's review
4.0
This review covers Crimson Worlds Books 1-9. I read them consecutively, so can only review them comprehensively.
Overall: The books are really good, but fall short of being great, for reasons I'll outline below.
Characters: The protagonists are well written, likable, and appropriately complex. The antagonists are clever, and help drive the plot, but perhaps at times lack sufficient positive features to make them completely realistic.
Writing/Editing: The copy editing is well done - no complaints there. The author could use a good developmental editor, however, as there are too many cases of repeating the same phrase and wording. There are also a few cases in which the wrong person or place name is used, which can pop the reader out.
Writing/Combat Scenes: The author does a great job of describing land combat scenes in a way that both gives the reader a feel and view of the overall battle while also engaging the reader in the stress and anxiety of the POV character. I've read few that match the author in this area. The space battles, while good, do not hit the same standards of say a Jack Campbell. These battles are decidedly two-dimensional and the tactical nuances are far less pronounced and engaging.
Writing/Other: There are a large number of characters, as is normal for the genre, though the author does change POV more rapidly than some at times. Thematically, the author is perhaps a bit pessimistic about the human race, but does weave in a solid thread of hope.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the series, and hold the author's portrayal of futuristic ground combat in high esteem. The need for a developmental editor can be a distraction at times, but not enough to make me want to stop reading.
Overall: The books are really good, but fall short of being great, for reasons I'll outline below.
Characters: The protagonists are well written, likable, and appropriately complex. The antagonists are clever, and help drive the plot, but perhaps at times lack sufficient positive features to make them completely realistic.
Writing/Editing: The copy editing is well done - no complaints there. The author could use a good developmental editor, however, as there are too many cases of repeating the same phrase and wording. There are also a few cases in which the wrong person or place name is used, which can pop the reader out.
Writing/Combat Scenes: The author does a great job of describing land combat scenes in a way that both gives the reader a feel and view of the overall battle while also engaging the reader in the stress and anxiety of the POV character. I've read few that match the author in this area. The space battles, while good, do not hit the same standards of say a Jack Campbell. These battles are decidedly two-dimensional and the tactical nuances are far less pronounced and engaging.
Writing/Other: There are a large number of characters, as is normal for the genre, though the author does change POV more rapidly than some at times. Thematically, the author is perhaps a bit pessimistic about the human race, but does weave in a solid thread of hope.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the series, and hold the author's portrayal of futuristic ground combat in high esteem. The need for a developmental editor can be a distraction at times, but not enough to make me want to stop reading.
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