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caitgauthor's review against another edition
5.0
I love so much about this book. The triad of Keene, Lexa-Blue, and 'Vrick (the sentient ship) work so well together. Through their adventure Stephen Graham King masterfully takes us back and forth between technology and mysticism, even showing us the deep feelings of AIs who are self aware. The concept of the soul's blood was so profound, too. I want to say more but I'll give things away. If you like space opera, you need to add this to your reading list. I'm going to get book two because I'm not ready to say goodbye to these characters yet.
barometz's review against another edition
2.5
2.5 Stars
I don't know that I disliked this book, but I didn't really enjoy it, either. The overall plot wasn't bad, but there were a couple of glaring plot holes and I just never really clicked with the writing style. There were at least two instances of people who definitely should have been vetted to make sure they were not part of the ongoing terrorist threat only just being investigated after the situation had gotten very bad, and at least one scene where a character wouldn't listen to a warning because they were doing the exact, very bad thing the other person wanted to warn them against (which isn't really a plot hole, but did feel ridiculous even in the moment).
Also, very cool that the AI characters use neopronouns, but there are a couple of instances where other characters describe them as he/him instead of ey/es; had to reread both sections a couple of times to figure out who they were talking about.
I don't know that I disliked this book, but I didn't really enjoy it, either. The overall plot wasn't bad, but there were a couple of glaring plot holes and I just never really clicked with the writing style. There were at least two instances of people who definitely should have been vetted to make sure they were not part of the ongoing terrorist threat only just being investigated after the situation had gotten very bad, and at least one scene where a character wouldn't listen to a warning because they were doing the exact, very bad thing the other person wanted to warn them against (which isn't really a plot hole, but did feel ridiculous even in the moment).
Also, very cool that the AI characters use neopronouns, but there are a couple of instances where other characters describe them as he/him instead of ey/es; had to reread both sections a couple of times to figure out who they were talking about.
derhindemith's review against another edition
3.0
Cute. A bit more action than I'm used to and definitely less symbology, but for a light read in the foundation vein it was fun.
apostrophen's review
5.0
Before I say anything else about this book, I'll start with this: If you love futuristic sci-fi action adventure served up with smart stories, well-built worlds, and just a dash of romance, you don't need to read the rest of my review, you need to grab this book and start reading.
But hey, if you want to humour me first, here we go.
The Maverick Heart is a sentient AI ship, one of the rare survivors. That sentient being, Vrick, travels the systems with Keene and Lexa-Blue, a pair who do what they need to do to get by and earn their living and freedom to travel the stars. When a former flame from Keene's past asks them for help (and doesn't take no for an answer), they find themselves enmeshed in the middle of a culture clash rapidly turning violent that could spell doom for a whole world.
Soul's Blood juggles a lot at once. The three main characters (I'm including Vrick among these, who is my new favourite AI ever) are all engaging in their own way. I freaking adored Lexa-Blue, the more "shoot first and then shoot second" of the trio, though I'll admit I'm a sucker for a kick-ass lady in my sci-fi. Keene is more of a "fixer" and technological in focus, and while his relationship with his former love is the starting spark of the story, he's not relegated to "romance plot" alone, and both men show clear growth from their days of young love; yes, they still feel the spark, but they're also grown men now, and one of them has the weight of his world on his shoulders.
I already knew [a:Stephen Graham King|1349557|Stephen Graham King|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1405556144p2/1349557.jpg] could write solid space opera, having read and enjoyed [b:Chasing Cold|15866640|Chasing Cold|Stephen Graham King|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355871951s/15866640.jpg|19239086], but with action, intrigue, tech, firefights, and just enough breathing spaces between the chaos, Soul's Blood brings an A-game.
Best of all, world building is artfully balanced. At it's heart, the main conflict of the story is one of culture: two vastly different races living on the same planet on the edge of a war that would devastate both sides. Keene's former love is a technarch of a highly technological society, and trying to stop attacks from a genetically modified people who have a vast array of psionic ability and a hatred of the technology that was used to create them. As Vrick, Keene, and Lexa-Blue learn more of the players and issues at hand, the reader is brought with them in a way that feels very natural. We learn about the specific planet in enough detail that it lives and breathes, and gain glimmers of the other systems outside that world in teasing ways that paint an enticing picture and leaves the reader ready for the next voyage of the Maverick Heart.
I, for one, can't wait.
But hey, if you want to humour me first, here we go.
The Maverick Heart is a sentient AI ship, one of the rare survivors. That sentient being, Vrick, travels the systems with Keene and Lexa-Blue, a pair who do what they need to do to get by and earn their living and freedom to travel the stars. When a former flame from Keene's past asks them for help (and doesn't take no for an answer), they find themselves enmeshed in the middle of a culture clash rapidly turning violent that could spell doom for a whole world.
Soul's Blood juggles a lot at once. The three main characters (I'm including Vrick among these, who is my new favourite AI ever) are all engaging in their own way. I freaking adored Lexa-Blue, the more "shoot first and then shoot second" of the trio, though I'll admit I'm a sucker for a kick-ass lady in my sci-fi. Keene is more of a "fixer" and technological in focus, and while his relationship with his former love is the starting spark of the story, he's not relegated to "romance plot" alone, and both men show clear growth from their days of young love; yes, they still feel the spark, but they're also grown men now, and one of them has the weight of his world on his shoulders.
I already knew [a:Stephen Graham King|1349557|Stephen Graham King|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1405556144p2/1349557.jpg] could write solid space opera, having read and enjoyed [b:Chasing Cold|15866640|Chasing Cold|Stephen Graham King|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355871951s/15866640.jpg|19239086], but with action, intrigue, tech, firefights, and just enough breathing spaces between the chaos, Soul's Blood brings an A-game.
Best of all, world building is artfully balanced. At it's heart, the main conflict of the story is one of culture: two vastly different races living on the same planet on the edge of a war that would devastate both sides. Keene's former love is a technarch of a highly technological society, and trying to stop attacks from a genetically modified people who have a vast array of psionic ability and a hatred of the technology that was used to create them. As Vrick, Keene, and Lexa-Blue learn more of the players and issues at hand, the reader is brought with them in a way that feels very natural. We learn about the specific planet in enough detail that it lives and breathes, and gain glimmers of the other systems outside that world in teasing ways that paint an enticing picture and leaves the reader ready for the next voyage of the Maverick Heart.
I, for one, can't wait.
yubsie's review
4.0
This was a really fun sci-fi adventure. Keene, Lexa-Blue and their ship Vrick make for a really great central cast of characters and the supporting cast was quite enjoyable as well.
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