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reviewsfeedblog's review against another edition
5.0
Whether or not you have read any books in the Lost Solace universe, Grubane is easy to pick up and enjoy. It can be read as part of the series or as a standalone book; the narrative isn’t dependent on knowledge of events in the others. I read the first book of the Lost Tales (Helene) back in March having not read the main series. It didn’t matter in the slightest! I read Grubane with an idea of what to expect with the author’s writing style and the universe the story is set in, in general terms, but the storylines are different and are independent of one another. In addition to these shorts, have some of the main series books to read. It will be interesting to see how these all tie together later.
You might think that the narrative could come across as clinical given that the tale is told from the perspective of an AI. That isn’t the case at all! The AI’s featured in the books I have read so far are really quite special. They are highly intelligent and through human contact, they learn a lot about humans and go on to develop personalities of their own. The dynamic between Grubane and Aurikaa12 is one that emphasises the point that humans and technology can learn a lot from each other.
Through Aurikaa12 we learn a lot about the prestigious Major Grubane and there is plenty of character development. The difficult scenario he finds himself in and how he responds to such tells us a lot about him as a person. The chess component of the novel is very interesting as it proves that the Major is an excellent strategist. I also liked how the events in the book were analogised to a game of chess as well!
There is no shortage of action in Grubane and the fast-paced narrative makes this very easy to pick up and become immersed in. I read Grubane in just a couple of sittings. The narrative packs in plenty of plot twists and unexpected moments despite being just over one hundred pages long. It’s the perfect length to still be long enough to invest in the characters and storyline but also accessible and a relatively quick read. Personally, Grubane struck the perfect balance on the length to have the best of both.
You might think that the narrative could come across as clinical given that the tale is told from the perspective of an AI. That isn’t the case at all! The AI’s featured in the books I have read so far are really quite special. They are highly intelligent and through human contact, they learn a lot about humans and go on to develop personalities of their own. The dynamic between Grubane and Aurikaa12 is one that emphasises the point that humans and technology can learn a lot from each other.
Through Aurikaa12 we learn a lot about the prestigious Major Grubane and there is plenty of character development. The difficult scenario he finds himself in and how he responds to such tells us a lot about him as a person. The chess component of the novel is very interesting as it proves that the Major is an excellent strategist. I also liked how the events in the book were analogised to a game of chess as well!
There is no shortage of action in Grubane and the fast-paced narrative makes this very easy to pick up and become immersed in. I read Grubane in just a couple of sittings. The narrative packs in plenty of plot twists and unexpected moments despite being just over one hundred pages long. It’s the perfect length to still be long enough to invest in the characters and storyline but also accessible and a relatively quick read. Personally, Grubane struck the perfect balance on the length to have the best of both.
ljwrites85's review against another edition
4.0
This is actually the second novella in the Lost Tales of Solace series but each story is written as a standalone so you don’t need to have read the other book in the series to read this one. Each of the novellas also tie into the author’s Lost Solace series there’s plenty to read for sci-fi lovers out there.
I read and enjoyed the first book in the series Helene, a couple of months ago so I was eager to see what Karl Drinkwater had in store for me this time.
Grubane is a major in the UFS (they basically run most of the colonies in space and pretty much want to take over everything). He’s been sent on a mission that quickly turns ugly and we see the fearsome major in action.
What I love about these books is the unique perspective the author uses to tell the story, this time it was mostly from the AI Aurikaa 12’s POV. As the story goes on, you can see it becoming more self aware, trying to interpret the world around it, particularly Grubane himself.
For me, this book lacked a little of the humour of the first book Helene but that was a minor thing overall.
Grubane is a slick sci-fi story and a perfect way to escape reality for a while.
I read and enjoyed the first book in the series Helene, a couple of months ago so I was eager to see what Karl Drinkwater had in store for me this time.
Grubane is a major in the UFS (they basically run most of the colonies in space and pretty much want to take over everything). He’s been sent on a mission that quickly turns ugly and we see the fearsome major in action.
What I love about these books is the unique perspective the author uses to tell the story, this time it was mostly from the AI Aurikaa 12’s POV. As the story goes on, you can see it becoming more self aware, trying to interpret the world around it, particularly Grubane himself.
For me, this book lacked a little of the humour of the first book Helene but that was a minor thing overall.
Grubane is a slick sci-fi story and a perfect way to escape reality for a while.
karlou's review
5.0
Grubane is the second Lost Tales of Solace story after Helene and once again is set just before the full-length novel, Lost Solace. This self-contained novella can very easily be read as a standalone but returning readers will appreciate discovering how the series ties together.
Here, the central characters are Major Grubane (who also features in Lost Solace) and the ship's AI - Aurikaa12. One of the highlights of this series is the important role the AI characters are given; they are not merely devices designed to engender a sense of intrigue or fear as to their eventual capabilities, and their developing abilities - and concurrent sentience - are a welcome feature in these thought-provoking books. The conglomerate AI for the Aurikaa cruiser is made up of a hundred level 6 AI splinters and while AI levels two to five perform subsidiary back-up, it's the new sixes that compose the overall mind. Aurikaa12 is Grubane's personal splinter and has thus developed differently from its siblings and though supposedly incapable of experiencing feelings, acknowledges that they see it as mildly divergent or corrupted and it considers them overtly functional.
As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Twelve is developing beyond its apparent capabilities and though it is clearly superior in many ways to humans, it's also obvious that it envies some human abilities. Unlike the previous books, Twelve hasn't adopted sexual characteristics and thinks it would be happy with indeterminate plurality, wryly observing that humans are uncomfortable with non-binary systems. It also realises that it could use this discomfort for analysis, predictions and manipulation during interpersonal relations and although this is undoubtedly an aspect of Twelve's personality which is potentially unsettling, it plays chess games against Grubane and may be merely adapting its tactics in order to gain an advantage over a worthy opponent.
Throughout the novella there are excerpts from Grubane's treatise entitled 'The Philosophy and Application of Ancient Games' in which he discusses chess strategies which could equally apply to militaristic actions. Like Twelve, Grubane is a master tactician but when a third party interferes in his mission, it becomes ever more difficult to figure out exactly who is doing the bluffing. This clever novella twists throughout meaning I was never quite sure of the outcome.
Grubane's intricate, intelligent plot belies its relatively short length as Karl Drinkwater explores geopolitical tensions and control amidst a background of identity and belonging. Though set in a world very different from our own, the humans here aren't so unrecognisable with their dogmatic beliefs and sense of superiority based on skin colour uncomfortably familiar.
There is so much potential here for further development of these characters and I would welcome a return visit to the Aurikaa. Twelve's perceptive observations are frequently peppered with the the dry wit I've come to associate with the AI characters in this series and Major Grubane is a fascinating, complex man who I hope we see more of in the future. The world-building within the Solace world continues to excel and I highly recommend both Grubane and the series as a whole to anybody who enjoys astute, immersive science-fiction.
Here, the central characters are Major Grubane (who also features in Lost Solace) and the ship's AI - Aurikaa12. One of the highlights of this series is the important role the AI characters are given; they are not merely devices designed to engender a sense of intrigue or fear as to their eventual capabilities, and their developing abilities - and concurrent sentience - are a welcome feature in these thought-provoking books. The conglomerate AI for the Aurikaa cruiser is made up of a hundred level 6 AI splinters and while AI levels two to five perform subsidiary back-up, it's the new sixes that compose the overall mind. Aurikaa12 is Grubane's personal splinter and has thus developed differently from its siblings and though supposedly incapable of experiencing feelings, acknowledges that they see it as mildly divergent or corrupted and it considers them overtly functional.
As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Twelve is developing beyond its apparent capabilities and though it is clearly superior in many ways to humans, it's also obvious that it envies some human abilities. Unlike the previous books, Twelve hasn't adopted sexual characteristics and thinks it would be happy with indeterminate plurality, wryly observing that humans are uncomfortable with non-binary systems. It also realises that it could use this discomfort for analysis, predictions and manipulation during interpersonal relations and although this is undoubtedly an aspect of Twelve's personality which is potentially unsettling, it plays chess games against Grubane and may be merely adapting its tactics in order to gain an advantage over a worthy opponent.
Throughout the novella there are excerpts from Grubane's treatise entitled 'The Philosophy and Application of Ancient Games' in which he discusses chess strategies which could equally apply to militaristic actions. Like Twelve, Grubane is a master tactician but when a third party interferes in his mission, it becomes ever more difficult to figure out exactly who is doing the bluffing. This clever novella twists throughout meaning I was never quite sure of the outcome.
Grubane's intricate, intelligent plot belies its relatively short length as Karl Drinkwater explores geopolitical tensions and control amidst a background of identity and belonging. Though set in a world very different from our own, the humans here aren't so unrecognisable with their dogmatic beliefs and sense of superiority based on skin colour uncomfortably familiar.
There is so much potential here for further development of these characters and I would welcome a return visit to the Aurikaa. Twelve's perceptive observations are frequently peppered with the the dry wit I've come to associate with the AI characters in this series and Major Grubane is a fascinating, complex man who I hope we see more of in the future. The world-building within the Solace world continues to excel and I highly recommend both Grubane and the series as a whole to anybody who enjoys astute, immersive science-fiction.
pixiejazz's review
3.0
Grubane is another little novella set in the Lost Solace series. I have not read said series, but I did read Helene, which is book one in the Lost Tales of Solace novella set. And I rather enjoyed that one. Grubane follows a commander on a UFS ship as he discovers he may have to commit genocide to bring a planet to heel. Along with his AI, Aurikaa, Grubane will use his knowledge of chess to do things his own way. But will he succeed?
Lots of action, and full of twists. Even readers who haven't tackled the main series can read this novella and get a feel for the character of Grubane. Plus, who doesn't love unique AIs?
I'd recommend this novella to fans of the main series, or fans of sci-fi in general. It's definitely an interesting read.
3.5 stars.
Lots of action, and full of twists. Even readers who haven't tackled the main series can read this novella and get a feel for the character of Grubane. Plus, who doesn't love unique AIs?
I'd recommend this novella to fans of the main series, or fans of sci-fi in general. It's definitely an interesting read.
3.5 stars.
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