There's problems with Boone's story. On one hand, she presents a newly formed military, most officers made up from the other, established military of There's problems with Boone's story. On one hand, she presents a newly formed military, most officers made up from the other, established military of the other sentient races. Unfortunately, the voice of the characters don't sound anything like an armed forces and instead sounds more like a civilian exploration ship. Star Trek is more martial in their performance than this series. Everything is done casually, with the attitude of civilians on a job, rather than a military on patrol. Rank is rarely if ever used. Instead, everyone is addressed by their first name. In addition to the weak setting, the other keeps using passive voice and overwhelming use of the word "seem," seems," "seemingly," etc which is more of a writing tic that's wholely unnecessary when present. In fiction, it doesn't "seem like" something, it just *is*....more
**spoiler alert** An ok series rife with Chaney's usual internalized Self-hatred though tempered well by Mixon. Shaping up to a very fulfilling conclu**spoiler alert** An ok series rife with Chaney's usual internalized Self-hatred though tempered well by Mixon. Shaping up to a very fulfilling conclusion but ruined in the end by the formation of a monarchy, something so poisonous to humanity that we've thrown most of them off in the last 200 years. Worst, as the kingdom of kaldera shows, a monarchy is more rife with corruption and crimes against humanity than a Republic. A monarchy is going to be even more incapable of managing a star spanning empire than a Republic. Only instantaneous travel between two points in the empire might reduce the slow destruction of humanity. The correct response from Jack is to immediately abdicate and leave with his wife and son for the Freeport in the hidden system that held the battleships. I don't think I've seen a worse political or tactical choice in fiction....more
You know, that AI is really full of itself for a glorified abacus. Why doesn't it do everything itself? Why does it need a human controller? It's almoYou know, that AI is really full of itself for a glorified abacus. Why doesn't it do everything itself? Why does it need a human controller? It's almost like it needs an independent, living person to make the decisions that have consequences. Really hope the next book picks up the pace and stops making the AI a bunch of moody self-satisfied pricks....more
Really fun book with the only downsides is the author's cultural, economic, and political naivety causing a real stumbling block and break of the suspReally fun book with the only downsides is the author's cultural, economic, and political naivety causing a real stumbling block and break of the suspension of disbelief when a reader with a far more grounded and realistic understanding of the effects and cultures in play hits them.
Still, enjoyed it and will continue the series...more
