Scan barcode
corfie's review against another edition
I just kind of stopped reading. And now I've forgotten what happened.
realmsofmymind's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
I was given a free review copy by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.
bory's review against another edition
4.0
A good example of small-scale military science fiction done right.
This book was a nice surprise. It's well-written, with an interesting, intense plot, and a small cast of well-crafted characters. The disability representation is done correctly, in my opinion. Both Captain Shann and Ensign Johansson have physical disabilities - the captain has no legs and the ensign is missing an arm - but, while that's part of their characters, it doesn't define them.
The plot had enough suspense and mystery to keep me invested from start to finish. The confrontations are realistic, given the context of this world, and the author doesn't go into overwhelming detail on technology and science. The story would have, however, benefited from some "down time" - a few moments for the crew to breath and bond. In other words, a few personal moments here and there would have gone a long way.
Also, as I've seen others point out, the ending is not exactly satisfying. The book just kind of ends. I get wanting to leave enough loose threads dangling for the reader to want to come back, but each installment in a series needs to have a solid ending on its own.
Overall, a decent read. I plan to continue with the series.
This book was a nice surprise. It's well-written, with an interesting, intense plot, and a small cast of well-crafted characters. The disability representation is done correctly, in my opinion. Both Captain Shann and Ensign Johansson have physical disabilities - the captain has no legs and the ensign is missing an arm - but, while that's part of their characters, it doesn't define them.
The plot had enough suspense and mystery to keep me invested from start to finish. The confrontations are realistic, given the context of this world, and the author doesn't go into overwhelming detail on technology and science. The story would have, however, benefited from some "down time" - a few moments for the crew to breath and bond. In other words, a few personal moments here and there would have gone a long way.
Also, as I've seen others point out, the ending is not exactly satisfying. The book just kind of ends. I get wanting to leave enough loose threads dangling for the reader to want to come back, but each installment in a series needs to have a solid ending on its own.
Overall, a decent read. I plan to continue with the series.
rpmiller's review
3.0
While this was a battle in space, it was a primitive battle, much closer to our contemporary science than many science fantasy stories. Quite enjoyable. Set in relatively early days of humans in space, just a few colonies and settlements in our own solar system. The politics is interesting and so are some of the characters, plus a nice little twist at the end.
arkron's review against another edition
4.0
Human colonies on Moon, Mars, Ceres, and Europa need to be supported by the Fleet. Captain Shann and her crew patrol the space traffic to provide roadside assistance in case of emergencies. During the acceleration on the way to a freighter's distress signal, one of crew dies, and a mystery story begins: Was it an accident or murder? Soon after they arrive at the helpless freighter, they battle against a human created superior battleship. A race to the safety of nearby Mars moon Phobos starts. The crew fights not only against this exterior enemy but also against their fears, suspicions, treason, end even mutiny.
This juicy space opera leads you breathlessly through mystery and action scenes. It is one of the highest sugar calory popcorn stories that I ever read, and I couldn't put it down. Great characterization of multiple point of views, engaging space tactics, innovative problem solving feed that special urge of SF nerds. Don't read this for relaxation but for entertainment. The tension arc holds up to the last page, and while providing a very satisfying ending it leaves enough trails for followup novels. Highly recommended.
This juicy space opera leads you breathlessly through mystery and action scenes. It is one of the highest sugar calory popcorn stories that I ever read, and I couldn't put it down. Great characterization of multiple point of views, engaging space tactics, innovative problem solving feed that special urge of SF nerds. Don't read this for relaxation but for entertainment. The tension arc holds up to the last page, and while providing a very satisfying ending it leaves enough trails for followup novels. Highly recommended.
tome15's review against another edition
4.0
Stroud, Allen. Fearless. Flame Tree P, 2020.
Allen Stroud, a young English lecturer, has written a near-future space opera that shows real promise. The Khidr is a search and rescue ship in a solar system with a handful of permanent, though not self-sufficient, colonies, stretching from Luna to the gas giant moons. Typical travel time from Earth to Mars has been cut from six months to two. Propulsion and navigation technologies are treated realistically, and the characters of the crew are nuanced and well-developed, though occasionally given to unnecessary psychobabble. The plot involves a ship-to-ship rescue that is hampered by third ship of pirates with complex political motives. Action and suspense are tense. So far so good. But. Someone needs to tell Stroud that it might be OK to begin a story in medias res, but it is not so OK to end it that way. No sequel has been announced, but one would hope that is an oversight. If there is a sequel, I would also hope it will be given a less off-the-shelf title.
Allen Stroud, a young English lecturer, has written a near-future space opera that shows real promise. The Khidr is a search and rescue ship in a solar system with a handful of permanent, though not self-sufficient, colonies, stretching from Luna to the gas giant moons. Typical travel time from Earth to Mars has been cut from six months to two. Propulsion and navigation technologies are treated realistically, and the characters of the crew are nuanced and well-developed, though occasionally given to unnecessary psychobabble. The plot involves a ship-to-ship rescue that is hampered by third ship of pirates with complex political motives. Action and suspense are tense. So far so good. But. Someone needs to tell Stroud that it might be OK to begin a story in medias res, but it is not so OK to end it that way. No sequel has been announced, but one would hope that is an oversight. If there is a sequel, I would also hope it will be given a less off-the-shelf title.
farahmendlesohn's review
4.0
This really grew on me. It's slow and steady, and told in first persons (which I often hate) but the characters were all clearly delineated. By the end it was compelling. Very much looking forward to book 2.
missknown's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
What seems like a simple rescue mission to a distress call, it becomes something much bigger then Captain Shann could ever imagine. There is murder, an unknown enemy, a lot of questions and barely any answers.
It’s a hard sci-fi story filled with all the technology, science, and details the genre requires while having loads of action to leave you up all night turning page after page. The book is told in three different perspectives, showing different approaches, motivations, troubles, and conflict each of the characters go through.
One of the things that I enjoyed a lot was the connection to our Earth, the version of it that we know. And while the book is set 100 years in the future and humans are colonizing the solar system, there are a few references to our time making the story closer to home, more recognizable.
Another high note was how Captain Shann’s disability isn’t a pity card or a defined characteristic of the character. Her disability is something that she has, not something that she is. And while she expresses her difficulties in the past and the present, and even the barriers that she needs to overcome because of her disability, it’s not the focal point of the story or the character. I enjoyed how badass she was portrait while still not having both legs.
Bottom line, there are still some loose ends and plot points that could be explored even further in a possible sequel. *fingers crossed* Although I must say that this book works as a standalone since it has an end to the mystery, it would just be a shame to stop there. *winky face emoji*
It’s a hard sci-fi story filled with all the technology, science, and details the genre requires while having loads of action to leave you up all night turning page after page. The book is told in three different perspectives, showing different approaches, motivations, troubles, and conflict each of the characters go through.
One of the things that I enjoyed a lot was the connection to our Earth, the version of it that we know. And while the book is set 100 years in the future and humans are colonizing the solar system, there are a few references to our time making the story closer to home, more recognizable.
Another high note was how Captain Shann’s disability isn’t a pity card or a defined characteristic of the character. Her disability is something that she has, not something that she is. And while she expresses her difficulties in the past and the present, and even the barriers that she needs to overcome because of her disability, it’s not the focal point of the story or the character. I enjoyed how badass she was portrait while still not having both legs.
Bottom line, there are still some loose ends and plot points that could be explored even further in a possible sequel. *fingers crossed* Although I must say that this book works as a standalone since it has an end to the mystery, it would just be a shame to stop there. *winky face emoji*
pvn's review
4.0
This has well written characters, an entertaining and sometimes complex plot, and some mystery thrown in. It also has some action, and kept me engaged. Recommended for scifi and space opera fans.
I really appreciate the ARC for review!!
I really appreciate the ARC for review!!
More...