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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I listened to this in hopes of finding something similar to Becky Chambers' series. Chambers writes everyday lives of galactic citizens, although she does time their lives to a cultural zeitgeist. Lowell's book is okay. It's definitely everyday life, and is soporific. It's not bad, but it's lacking.
I relished this space opera, unlike many in the genre this isn't a military SF title, rather a young man is forced to sign up for the Merchant Marines of the future, I give it a good 4 1/2 stars and I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys Becky Chambers space opera series.
It's rare to encounter a book where there's really no tension or conflict. It's more rare when that's enjoyable. I'm going to binge the rest of this series in a bit of a feel-good sci-fi cleanse. Soon it will be back to grey characters and broken dreams. Alas.
2.5 rounded up.
I was originally recommended this series last year on Reddit while I was looking for more slice of life sci-fi books like The Long Way to An Angry Planet by Becky Chambers.
I finally got around to it yesterday and while it was good enough for me to finish, I’m not sure I care to continue with the series. Lowell definitely achieves what he set out to in portraying everyday life for normal people on a trading spaceship, evidently I just don’t find that particularly interesting.
The only thing I really had an issue with was the dialog, which I felt was often wooden and generally not very good. I’d say if you’re interested in extremely low-stakes sci-fi, this is worth trying but maybe don’t expect too much from it.
I was originally recommended this series last year on Reddit while I was looking for more slice of life sci-fi books like The Long Way to An Angry Planet by Becky Chambers.
I finally got around to it yesterday and while it was good enough for me to finish, I’m not sure I care to continue with the series. Lowell definitely achieves what he set out to in portraying everyday life for normal people on a trading spaceship, evidently I just don’t find that particularly interesting.
The only thing I really had an issue with was the dialog, which I felt was often wooden and generally not very good. I’d say if you’re interested in extremely low-stakes sci-fi, this is worth trying but maybe don’t expect too much from it.
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
a bit better than average but it was repetitive
So, there's not much "plot" in this book, and I could see how others might think that it's boring, since a lot of it is about trading and how to make profit. I really enjoyed it, though. The optimistic, slice-of-life occurrences on a space freighter hit the spot and made for a fun comfort read.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did not finish this book. From reading other reviews I see that I was correct in my guess that nothing interesting ever happened. By "interesting" I mean paying at least some respect for the rules of the genre, which is science fiction, probably intended for a younger audience.
When I pick a genre book I expect all the trimmings that come with these rules. For science fiction that would be plenty of conflict, overcoming of obstacles, clever hero, horrible villain, wonderful discoveries, characters forged in fire, nail biting suspense, all set in some well designed universe. Not this book. This book is as bland as an overcooked congee.
Ever wondered why Goethe is remembered for Faust and not for Hermann and Dorothea? That's why.
When I pick a genre book I expect all the trimmings that come with these rules. For science fiction that would be plenty of conflict, overcoming of obstacles, clever hero, horrible villain, wonderful discoveries, characters forged in fire, nail biting suspense, all set in some well designed universe. Not this book. This book is as bland as an overcooked congee.
Ever wondered why Goethe is remembered for Faust and not for Hermann and Dorothea? That's why.