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fictionalkate's review against another edition
3.0
In a world where Queens rule and their Devoted men follow their orders – Rhiannon manages to beat the system. She gets the results from the test that she wants and is now Queen and Commander. So when her best friend comes to her in need help there’s nothing Rhiannon wouldn’t do to assist. Even if it means forming a mismatched group (a Hive) to run a spaceship. Sounds a little kooky? It may be but somehow it just works.
I loved the antics of Rhiannon and her Hive. There’s the forbidden lovers, Victor and Gwyn, who are willing to leave everything they’ve ever known for a chance to be together. Gavin is an off-worlder who grew up in the theatre and is prone to start sprouting play lines at the drop of a hat. Alan is brilliant but can’t make it in proper society. Luciano has risen above his standings and is now set to become a doctor but instead of formally continuing his studies he follows his devotion for Rhiannon and becomes a member of their band of misfits. And then there’s Rhiannon. She’s always dreamed of becoming a Queen and Commander – and she got there. But sometimes dreams never turn out quite as you imagined. But Rhiannon is there for her Hive and determined to be the best she can be.
The Dyfed way of life is somewhat based on Welsh Society and I thought that was a fascinating concept. There are words used that I’d never heard before but thankfully they were translated for me or I’d have spent half this novel googling them and been taken out of the world that the story creates. I thought the Hive idea to be interesting and whilst I loved how much attention was paid to Rhiannon and her Hive – I didn’t quite understand how this society worked. I would have liked to have seen a little more detail regarding how their society actually functions – especially for those without ships.
Queen & Commander has a lot going for it. The characters are ones I wanted to read more about and find out just what was going to happen next. The plot progresses at a great speed with plenty going on both relationship wise and with regards to action and drama. I can only imagine how the characters and plot are going to evolve in the second instalment of the Hive Queen Saga.
I loved the antics of Rhiannon and her Hive. There’s the forbidden lovers, Victor and Gwyn, who are willing to leave everything they’ve ever known for a chance to be together. Gavin is an off-worlder who grew up in the theatre and is prone to start sprouting play lines at the drop of a hat. Alan is brilliant but can’t make it in proper society. Luciano has risen above his standings and is now set to become a doctor but instead of formally continuing his studies he follows his devotion for Rhiannon and becomes a member of their band of misfits. And then there’s Rhiannon. She’s always dreamed of becoming a Queen and Commander – and she got there. But sometimes dreams never turn out quite as you imagined. But Rhiannon is there for her Hive and determined to be the best she can be.
The Dyfed way of life is somewhat based on Welsh Society and I thought that was a fascinating concept. There are words used that I’d never heard before but thankfully they were translated for me or I’d have spent half this novel googling them and been taken out of the world that the story creates. I thought the Hive idea to be interesting and whilst I loved how much attention was paid to Rhiannon and her Hive – I didn’t quite understand how this society worked. I would have liked to have seen a little more detail regarding how their society actually functions – especially for those without ships.
Queen & Commander has a lot going for it. The characters are ones I wanted to read more about and find out just what was going to happen next. The plot progresses at a great speed with plenty going on both relationship wise and with regards to action and drama. I can only imagine how the characters and plot are going to evolve in the second instalment of the Hive Queen Saga.
leigh_darling's review against another edition
4.0
**Spoiler free review**
I went in to this book with very high expectations as it is right up my alley and for the most part, I was rewarded. This is the first book in what is promised to be a series and as such, fulfils all of those requirements. It lays all of the foundation for the coming sweeping space opera in the best possible way, explaining details with only occasional lecturing tone. I made it through about the first third of the story nodding and along for the ride, questioning very little.
What I did question was the interjection of Welsh in to the text, albeit an infrequent injection. For me, I am familiar with Welsh so I was able to ‘say’ the words in my head for the most part and I am more than willing to just gloss over the ones I can’t. I’m flexible like that. Welsh is a hard language and that could deter people which would be a shame since this is actually a really promising story.
Back to when I stopped being along for the ride. There comes a point in the plot where you can see that this entire affair is going to implode in the worst possible way and you are powerless to stop it. I hit that point and then was more than along for the ride, I was committed to the story, to the character and to their plight. How could they ever fix this? To me, an outsider, the solution was pretty obvious but the characters…
They are flawed like actual people and that makes them both hard to read and easy to relate to. Too often, writers ‘fix’ their characters early on and it makes the subsequent stories feel like The Mildly Difficult Adventures of Perfect People. I’m glad that this novel didn’t go that route and frustrated as well which is actually a very good thing. All in all
I went in to this book with very high expectations as it is right up my alley and for the most part, I was rewarded. This is the first book in what is promised to be a series and as such, fulfils all of those requirements. It lays all of the foundation for the coming sweeping space opera in the best possible way, explaining details with only occasional lecturing tone. I made it through about the first third of the story nodding and along for the ride, questioning very little.
What I did question was the interjection of Welsh in to the text, albeit an infrequent injection. For me, I am familiar with Welsh so I was able to ‘say’ the words in my head for the most part and I am more than willing to just gloss over the ones I can’t. I’m flexible like that. Welsh is a hard language and that could deter people which would be a shame since this is actually a really promising story.
Back to when I stopped being along for the ride. There comes a point in the plot where you can see that this entire affair is going to implode in the worst possible way and you are powerless to stop it. I hit that point and then was more than along for the ride, I was committed to the story, to the character and to their plight. How could they ever fix this? To me, an outsider, the solution was pretty obvious but the characters…
They are flawed like actual people and that makes them both hard to read and easy to relate to. Too often, writers ‘fix’ their characters early on and it makes the subsequent stories feel like The Mildly Difficult Adventures of Perfect People. I’m glad that this novel didn’t go that route and frustrated as well which is actually a very good thing. All in all
mdpenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I want to give this a higher rating for being an interesting story, but it never quite makes it past fair to find its way to being decent enough to do so. The story is interesting and the world is kind of interesting. I dig that the dominant culture is of neo-pagan Welsh derivation (if leaning a bit too Welsh-supremacist for my comfort). But I don't believe in the characters nor in their relationships and that's literally what the book is about. The story would grip me occasionally, but then it would discuss the characters and I'd fall back out of it.
chllybrd's review against another edition
3.0
Besides the extremely slow start, QUEEN & COMMANDER wasn't too bad. It takes a bit to learn about the world and the characters places in it but once that is over with it flows a bit better. I enjoyed the action while out in space and I enjoyed watching the characters navigate their new places. I had a bit of a different view of what the book was about before going into it but was quickly able to change course.
* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
mlboyd20's review against another edition
4.0
I would like to thank the author for providing me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Receiving such does not sway my thoughts in any way.
I enjoy science fiction, having read from authors such as Jack McDevitt, Beth Revis, etc. This book ranks right up there with those authors. I have to say that this book is in a neck to neck competition with Across the Universe by Ms. Revis. Spaceships, confusion, betrayal, hierarchy and kidnapping all wrapped up in this book and delivered to the reader in a way that I just couldn't put it down. I read from beginning to end, breaking myself away only when I had to.
The crew are all smarter than they appear at times and given that, sometimes they are also too smart for their own good. Rhiannon, who outsmarted the tests, is destined to be a Queen Commander. Her best friend and her friends boyfriend tested in a way that would take them from one another. Rhiannon, in a way was coerced into putting together a Hive that would keep them together, but would take the groups destined schooling away, and put them all in jeopardy.
Being the first book in a series and a scifi one at that, there is always the fear that too much of the book is going to be backstories and very little present time. Thankfully, that is not the story with this book. As the story progresses, you get the info you need at the moment, and it keeps on moving. When a situation arises, that requires further information from the past, the author provides just what you need, and lets it go at that. Not only does this allow the story to progress with a normal flow, it also doesn't distract you from the current storyline.
There is some unrealistic aspects to the story though. Basically going in blind and being able to maneuver and fly a spacecraft with no past experience and not taking half the side of a docking station off with it, or flying into other spacecraft was a bit unbelievable. I can understand getting the feel of it after all that, but not before. And the fact that being such a young Queen, with such a young crew, that more people didn't take notice was curious.
Once you get past the peculiarities, the story itself takes you for a ride. The conflicts between the crew. The Queen learning how to be just that and learning how to have her Hive confident in her. The engineering issues, the Devotes relationship with the Queen, the passenger that stirs up troubles and more just keep the reader focused and the page flipping commences.
A strong science fiction novel that will hold the interest of all scifi readers, young and old, and is guaranteed to make some non genre readers converts. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Hive & Heist, and I look forward to reading other books from this author.
I enjoy science fiction, having read from authors such as Jack McDevitt, Beth Revis, etc. This book ranks right up there with those authors. I have to say that this book is in a neck to neck competition with Across the Universe by Ms. Revis. Spaceships, confusion, betrayal, hierarchy and kidnapping all wrapped up in this book and delivered to the reader in a way that I just couldn't put it down. I read from beginning to end, breaking myself away only when I had to.
The crew are all smarter than they appear at times and given that, sometimes they are also too smart for their own good. Rhiannon, who outsmarted the tests, is destined to be a Queen Commander. Her best friend and her friends boyfriend tested in a way that would take them from one another. Rhiannon, in a way was coerced into putting together a Hive that would keep them together, but would take the groups destined schooling away, and put them all in jeopardy.
Being the first book in a series and a scifi one at that, there is always the fear that too much of the book is going to be backstories and very little present time. Thankfully, that is not the story with this book. As the story progresses, you get the info you need at the moment, and it keeps on moving. When a situation arises, that requires further information from the past, the author provides just what you need, and lets it go at that. Not only does this allow the story to progress with a normal flow, it also doesn't distract you from the current storyline.
There is some unrealistic aspects to the story though. Basically going in blind and being able to maneuver and fly a spacecraft with no past experience and not taking half the side of a docking station off with it, or flying into other spacecraft was a bit unbelievable. I can understand getting the feel of it after all that, but not before. And the fact that being such a young Queen, with such a young crew, that more people didn't take notice was curious.
Once you get past the peculiarities, the story itself takes you for a ride. The conflicts between the crew. The Queen learning how to be just that and learning how to have her Hive confident in her. The engineering issues, the Devotes relationship with the Queen, the passenger that stirs up troubles and more just keep the reader focused and the page flipping commences.
A strong science fiction novel that will hold the interest of all scifi readers, young and old, and is guaranteed to make some non genre readers converts. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Hive & Heist, and I look forward to reading other books from this author.
ctorretta's review against another edition
4.0
This was good but strange. There's no real background given about why this society has "queens" or what is really going on. All the plot line gives you is that everyone in the plot is a little desperate, all for their own reasons.
In a way I understand the character's choices but at the same time I just don't get any of them. Rhiannon half the time is inside her own head. She wants so badly to be a good queen that she doesn't even speak up or give her crew members a direction. I was really saddened by this. Her lack of authority and the fact that she has to read up on how to be a queen for dummies, is silly. Stop reading, start doing! But technically she wasn't built for this duty. She fooled the tests and because of that she puts herself into some serious situations. But now she has this duty to make sure she and her hive are safe.... ARGH! I just ... Half the book I wanted to scream at her.
Then you have the others. Come on guys... They are all very young, talked Rhiannon into being a Commander and now they are curious WHY she doesn't know how to command! SIGH! And then Rhiannon sort of peer pressures the other two guys into coming along as well. What goes around comes around!
So, I enjoyed the characters but I think the plot is nearly unbelievable. But I'm sticking with it and reading book two and to be honest, I am curious about what is going to happen to them. The story is easy to read even though the characters are flipping nuts. I'm involved now even if I am kicking and screaming the entire way!
3.5/5
In a way I understand the character's choices but at the same time I just don't get any of them. Rhiannon half the time is inside her own head. She wants so badly to be a good queen that she doesn't even speak up or give her crew members a direction. I was really saddened by this. Her lack of authority and the fact that she has to read up on how to be a queen for dummies, is silly. Stop reading, start doing! But technically she wasn't built for this duty. She fooled the tests and because of that she puts herself into some serious situations. But now she has this duty to make sure she and her hive are safe.... ARGH! I just ... Half the book I wanted to scream at her.
Then you have the others. Come on guys... They are all very young, talked Rhiannon into being a Commander and now they are curious WHY she doesn't know how to command! SIGH! And then Rhiannon sort of peer pressures the other two guys into coming along as well. What goes around comes around!
So, I enjoyed the characters but I think the plot is nearly unbelievable. But I'm sticking with it and reading book two and to be honest, I am curious about what is going to happen to them. The story is easy to read even though the characters are flipping nuts. I'm involved now even if I am kicking and screaming the entire way!
3.5/5
ltg584's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
What a fascinating story! Coming from someone who has spent twenty years reading sci-fi novels, it should really mean something when I say that it was a unique twist on a classic story. The story is pretty standard space travel, but the very nature of the societal roles takes the story to a whole new level.
The whole story pivots around Rhiannon. She is the group’s queen, although she isn’t exactly your standard monarch. She’s more like the queen of a bee hive, and the other members of her hive have a unique connection with her, and with the other hive mates through her. I absolutely adored this approach to a group dynamic, and even after finishing the first book, I feel like I haven’t nailed down all the minute details. The relationships in this book are complex and ever changing. I’m not sure if I have a favorite character among them yet, but the shifting points of view have given me a lot to think about. Each character has a different reason for being in the hive, but motivations are adapting. While loyalty is solid on one page, the next I can feel the doubt. I think a major betrayal is just around the corner…
Trust is definitely one of the big issues in this book. There simply isn’t enough of it to go around! I always love a book where the characters aren’t black or white. Most of this story is told in shades of grey, and I was drawn into the shadows to see how deep they go. There were some seriously brilliant moments, but there were also moments where I was jolted from the story because something wasn’t smooth enough. The pace certainly isn’t breakneck fast, but there is plenty of personality for the story to be largely character driven. Having finished the first book, I’m left with loads of questions, and a healthy dose of speculation. Book 2, Hive & Heist, is calling to me… can’t wait to dig in!
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
What a fascinating story! Coming from someone who has spent twenty years reading sci-fi novels, it should really mean something when I say that it was a unique twist on a classic story. The story is pretty standard space travel, but the very nature of the societal roles takes the story to a whole new level.
The whole story pivots around Rhiannon. She is the group’s queen, although she isn’t exactly your standard monarch. She’s more like the queen of a bee hive, and the other members of her hive have a unique connection with her, and with the other hive mates through her. I absolutely adored this approach to a group dynamic, and even after finishing the first book, I feel like I haven’t nailed down all the minute details. The relationships in this book are complex and ever changing. I’m not sure if I have a favorite character among them yet, but the shifting points of view have given me a lot to think about. Each character has a different reason for being in the hive, but motivations are adapting. While loyalty is solid on one page, the next I can feel the doubt. I think a major betrayal is just around the corner…
Trust is definitely one of the big issues in this book. There simply isn’t enough of it to go around! I always love a book where the characters aren’t black or white. Most of this story is told in shades of grey, and I was drawn into the shadows to see how deep they go. There were some seriously brilliant moments, but there were also moments where I was jolted from the story because something wasn’t smooth enough. The pace certainly isn’t breakneck fast, but there is plenty of personality for the story to be largely character driven. Having finished the first book, I’m left with loads of questions, and a healthy dose of speculation. Book 2, Hive & Heist, is calling to me… can’t wait to dig in!
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
prophecyrose's review against another edition
4.0
*I received this book as an e-arc from NetGalley.com in exchange for a honest review.*
I really enjoyed the first book in what should turn out to be a fun young adult sci-fi series. While I can't comment on the Welsh culture aspect of the book specifically, I did enjoy reading about a matriarchal society. It is a different was of looking at things that was at times odd to comprehend. However, that is why I think books with different cultures and societies are so important. They offer a way to see a society different from our own from a sympathetic perspective.
As far as story goes, the action in the book was slow at times. However, I'm excited to see where this series goes. I'm a little confused about specific aspects of the Hive like whether or not a Devotion as meta-physical consequences. It was hinted that a Queen "felt" her hive at one point, but I would like to see further exploration into what that means. I'm confident that will happen in further books.
Overall, Queen and Commander was a good, fast, sci-fi read.
I really enjoyed the first book in what should turn out to be a fun young adult sci-fi series. While I can't comment on the Welsh culture aspect of the book specifically, I did enjoy reading about a matriarchal society. It is a different was of looking at things that was at times odd to comprehend. However, that is why I think books with different cultures and societies are so important. They offer a way to see a society different from our own from a sympathetic perspective.
As far as story goes, the action in the book was slow at times. However, I'm excited to see where this series goes. I'm a little confused about specific aspects of the Hive like whether or not a Devotion as meta-physical consequences. It was hinted that a Queen "felt" her hive at one point, but I would like to see further exploration into what that means. I'm confident that will happen in further books.
Overall, Queen and Commander was a good, fast, sci-fi read.
velokyrie's review against another edition
3.0
Please find my review at : http://echoes-empty-mind.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-queen-and-commander-by.html
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