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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I listened to this as podiobook. Really enjoyable, and since it is free, it is definitely worth the price. The characters are not wildly well defined and there's very little description of place, but hey, there's spaceships and making friends, and making money. It's fun.
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a strange little gem. I rated as 3/5 stars because it just is not a lot of things. It really has no plot to speak of, the ending feels unfullfilling because of the lack of a plot structure. But yet, it is a page turner. It is literally the day in a life- if the subject were a teenage genius with no ambition. The start is strong: boy’s mom dies, he learns he is in mega debt if he can’t figure out how to get a job ASAP. And then begins the journey of Ishmael where because , people just seem to like him, he gets help and does well for himself. Very little drama that is not almost immediately solved. But it is just all kinda sweet and… well… addictive. I enjoyed the read and will likely revisit when I just need a cozy scifi about a world where most people are nice and helpful and good guys get ahead.
I am convinced this book is a secret plot by an Economics professor to trick readers into learning Econ 101. There are literally chapters of people talking about prices for goods in various ports, profit margins, and weight allotments. There are some 1-dimensional characters telling this story that, econ lectures removed, might be a novella. Painful.
If you asked me if I like the genre "space opera" I'd probably shrug and say I like to read good stories regardless of genre. But I really like this series.
I like the pace, the story, the characters. Here are a few things that crossed my mind reading this first one:
1. All this young people on a spaceship, locked in together for how many weeks, and no hanky panky? (This is later clearly addressed.)
2. Wang, the MC, is a bit of a wonder-child. I like flawed characters, and in the first couple of books Ishmael really doesn't have many.
3. Too many people, too far in the future, get his joke about "Call me Ishmael." I mean, not really that many people would get it today.
But these are all minor criticisms that did not mar my enjoyment of the story. In fact, I bought the second in the series within 5 minutes of finishing this one.
Read this if you feel like you need a break from stories that move a breakneck speed. This one is nice and easy-going. Slow, but not in the least bit boring. Relaxed. Calm. Entertaining.
I like the pace, the story, the characters. Here are a few things that crossed my mind reading this first one:
1. All this young people on a spaceship, locked in together for how many weeks, and no hanky panky? (This is later clearly addressed.)
2. Wang, the MC, is a bit of a wonder-child. I like flawed characters, and in the first couple of books Ishmael really doesn't have many.
3. Too many people, too far in the future, get his joke about "Call me Ishmael." I mean, not really that many people would get it today.
But these are all minor criticisms that did not mar my enjoyment of the story. In fact, I bought the second in the series within 5 minutes of finishing this one.
Read this if you feel like you need a break from stories that move a breakneck speed. This one is nice and easy-going. Slow, but not in the least bit boring. Relaxed. Calm. Entertaining.
This is a surprisingly good 'slice of life in the future' series, that I completely enjoyed. To be honest the main character is one of those "mary sue" characters who ends up being amazing at everything he does, but the story is well crafted enough that you don't mind too much.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the first book in an SF series about life aboard an interstellar freighter. It's a comparatively low-key, low-stress story with likable characters. If you crave space battles and thrilling action sequences, this is not the book for you. But if the unremitting onslaught of grim news is depressing you, this may be welcome. There's a sympathetic main character in Ishmael, a well-meaning youth whom circumstances lead to an entry-level position on a freighter. Friendship, kindness, and coffee feature prominently. I found it very enjoyable, almost soothing. [There are some moments of stress and it opens with a death, but it's a gentle-hearted book.]
Four out of five caffeine stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Four out of five caffeine stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Easy to read but not particularly compelling, I’m not so intrigued by discussions of trade. I wished there was more introspection.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
Space thrift shopping. Cozy, but with a lot of accounting.