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slavicreader's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
In some ways this sequel was more exciting than the first book. The world becomes broader and whilst still somewhat simple in design, the new aspects are exciting to discover. Nothing out of this world or super unique mind you, just solid entertainment.
However. I was not a fan of how all the female characters had a boner for the main character. There's no other way to describe it. They all desired him. To me this seemed quite... stereotypical and outdated. All of them? Really? Come on!
Given that this was a lesser issue for me during the first book, I can't rate this instalment any higher. Maybe the third book will be somewhat better, but I'll keep my hopes now.
Besides that, great quick read. Finished it in two days just like the first book. Solid and fun listen.
However. I was not a fan of how all the female characters had a boner for the main character. There's no other way to describe it. They all desired him. To me this seemed quite... stereotypical and outdated. All of them? Really? Come on!
Given that this was a lesser issue for me during the first book, I can't rate this instalment any higher. Maybe the third book will be somewhat better, but I'll keep my hopes now.
Besides that, great quick read. Finished it in two days just like the first book. Solid and fun listen.
johhnnyinla's review against another edition
5.0
With Dreadnought, BV Larson starts to uplift this series from YA ghetto into more serious SF literature. Don't worry. We are still following the exploits of breezy (and slightly snidely) Sparhawk on his conquests of both the interstellar and sexual kinds. Zey is still fun, but the focus shifts to the slippery detestable Stroj called Lorn, and Yamada develops some interesting depth. The style remains snarky, with still a good deal of Heinlein.
The Battle Cruiser Defiant has been retrofitted with the best of Earth and Beta technology. It's mission is to re-open channels to the Colonies. On board is Sparhawk's Great Aunt Ambassador Lady Granthome who, of course, is constantly meddling in Sparhawk's affairs. The Colonies discovered turn out to have either fallen back into primitivism, barely clinging to survival, or have technologies far in advance of Earth's. And, oops, there's Stroj constantly attacking him. The style is light, moving the story along a breezy and quick pace.
What makes this book better is that the story starts to look beneath the surface of his society. Like Heinlein, Larson uses the story to start challenging accepted social notions like social class, sexual relationships, dynasties, power, and corruption. The last line of the book completely lays open the undercurrent and prepares the reader for the final book of the trilogy.
I recommend starting this series from the first book, Battle Cruiser, as this book assumes that the reader is already familiar with the world and characters from that book. It does not, for example, go into detail as to why the colonies are "lost" again. So new readers will not understand why the Stroj are the bad guys.
The Battle Cruiser Defiant has been retrofitted with the best of Earth and Beta technology. It's mission is to re-open channels to the Colonies. On board is Sparhawk's Great Aunt Ambassador Lady Granthome who, of course, is constantly meddling in Sparhawk's affairs. The Colonies discovered turn out to have either fallen back into primitivism, barely clinging to survival, or have technologies far in advance of Earth's. And, oops, there's Stroj constantly attacking him. The style is light, moving the story along a breezy and quick pace.
What makes this book better is that the story starts to look beneath the surface of his society. Like Heinlein, Larson uses the story to start challenging accepted social notions like social class, sexual relationships, dynasties, power, and corruption. The last line of the book completely lays open the undercurrent and prepares the reader for the final book of the trilogy.
I recommend starting this series from the first book, Battle Cruiser, as this book assumes that the reader is already familiar with the world and characters from that book. It does not, for example, go into detail as to why the colonies are "lost" again. So new readers will not understand why the Stroj are the bad guys.