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andra_mihaela_s's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars!
This was a lovely sequel! ^_^
Our protagonist is finally trying to tackle the huge problem of moving on from his star-piloting days when luck has him in an impasse once again! :))))
CW: death, implied slavery and forced labour, exploitation on a minority/species
This was a step-up from the first book: Jacques's complex feelings on his past and future, his morals whom are challenged quite brutally , albeit in a comical way; the whole aftermath with Mr. Henderson, Daniel and Miss. Worden, Malcolm Sturb and Daversham Derby ....and the heist! 0_0...a packed novel I must say.
As it was with the first instalment, the audio done my the author himself was great and on point with the action! :)
For me, this worked on multiple levels, some people won't stand our protagonist at all, thus, won't like at all what's happening... although Jacques is giving a lot of knowledge on this future post-quantunnelling era, we don't really explore the setting as some would want; instead we simply watch our MC as he tries to get out from every sticky situation he ends up. For me, that worked really well because I WANT TO SEE A WORLD IN WHICH GETTING TO KNOW EVERY LITTLE INCH OF IT ISN'T THE POINT...I just want to feel as it's real and Jacques has more important thoughts that politics, space-travel and good vs evil debates (don't get me wrong, I love that as well, but it was clear from the first line in book 1 that we won't get that ^^)..even though those thoughts are mundane and somewhat silly.
Despite all that, we have once in a while a glimpse in what the human race did and still does: the constant issue we discuss is the star-piloting era and how everyone sees it..some moved on, some didn't, others managed to profit from it now that it passed, and another portion just got stuck in a limbo (Jacques, Derby, Sturb and even Terrorgorn/Terragorn (I'm not sure how to write his name) are a few of those);
Other issue brought up is corruption and mafia/empire building through the Henderson Org. and Worden...which present multiple stories for the same topic....I cannot believe I say this..but Daniel gets his villain origin story in this at the same time as Jacques begins to care for him >..>...everything that happened at the end with Terrorgorn and the Biskottis...and how corruption, neglect and exploitation has created such a horrible circumstance for a new unpredictable force to appear.
And lastly, the racism mixed with slavery is touched upon in this book with the Biskottis(again...I hope I write the name correctly)...really briliant to paint the picture using the fastfood and tourism industries...very telling as how people will treat others different from them and later on blame the outcome on the victims.
In the end, I feel Jacques doesn't need a new book as he managed to take a step in a new life and also helped others to do so(I'm quite proud of him actually! ^_^ ), but if Croshaw ever returns to this series and decides Jacques is done in his adventures, I will be here! (I'm a little sad,not gonna lie, about the direction his and Warden's work relationship went and all that well-deserved hostility...never thought Blaze would be a problem, but oh well...not something worth crying over.)
I only want one thing....TO FIND OUT IF MY THEORY ON WHO'S JACQUES MCKEOWN IS RIGHT!!! >..<... I need to know....I really do...0_0...so please, give me another book!!! >..<
In conclusion, I highly recommend this series to those of you wanting a funny and satirical space-opera where we care more about one person's exploits and desires than the overall universe..this is more or less someone's journey in getting over his past glory and learning how to live in the present while facing some truths about himself and the rest of his pears...yeah...that's it...like your grandpa who cannot let go of his outdated worldview and only makes some realisations when the past clashes with his present and things suddenly weren't that great back then... ^^
Enjoy
This was a lovely sequel! ^_^
Our protagonist is finally trying to tackle the huge problem of moving on from his star-piloting days when luck has him in an impasse once again! :))))
CW: death, implied slavery and forced labour, exploitation on a minority/species
This was a step-up from the first book: Jacques's complex feelings on his past and future, his morals whom are challenged quite brutally , albeit in a comical way; the whole aftermath with Mr. Henderson, Daniel and Miss. Worden, Malcolm Sturb and Daversham Derby ....and the heist! 0_0...a packed novel I must say.
As it was with the first instalment, the audio done my the author himself was great and on point with the action! :)
For me, this worked on multiple levels, some people won't stand our protagonist at all, thus, won't like at all what's happening... although Jacques is giving a lot of knowledge on this future post-quantunnelling era, we don't really explore the setting as some would want; instead we simply watch our MC as he tries to get out from every sticky situation he ends up. For me, that worked really well because I WANT TO SEE A WORLD IN WHICH GETTING TO KNOW EVERY LITTLE INCH OF IT ISN'T THE POINT...I just want to feel as it's real and Jacques has more important thoughts that politics, space-travel and good vs evil debates (don't get me wrong, I love that as well, but it was clear from the first line in book 1 that we won't get that ^^)..even though those thoughts are mundane and somewhat silly.
Despite all that, we have once in a while a glimpse in what the human race did and still does: the constant issue we discuss is the star-piloting era and how everyone sees it..some moved on, some didn't, others managed to profit from it now that it passed, and another portion just got stuck in a limbo (Jacques, Derby, Sturb and even Terrorgorn/Terragorn (I'm not sure how to write his name) are a few of those);
Other issue brought up is corruption and mafia/empire building through the Henderson Org. and Worden...which present multiple stories for the same topic....I cannot believe I say this..but Daniel gets his villain origin story in this at the same time as Jacques begins to care for him >..>...everything that happened at the end with Terrorgorn and the Biskottis...and how corruption, neglect and exploitation has created such a horrible circumstance for a new unpredictable force to appear.
And lastly, the racism mixed with slavery is touched upon in this book with the Biskottis(again...I hope I write the name correctly)...really briliant to paint the picture using the fastfood and tourism industries...very telling as how people will treat others different from them and later on blame the outcome on the victims.
In the end, I feel Jacques doesn't need a new book as he managed to take a step in a new life and also helped others to do so(I'm quite proud of him actually! ^_^ ), but if Croshaw ever returns to this series and decides Jacques is done in his adventures, I will be here! (I'm a little sad,not gonna lie, about the direction his and Warden's work relationship went and all that well-deserved hostility...never thought Blaze would be a problem, but oh well...not something worth crying over.)
I only want one thing....TO FIND OUT IF MY THEORY ON WHO'S JACQUES MCKEOWN IS RIGHT!!! >..<... I need to know....I really do...0_0...so please, give me another book!!! >..<
In conclusion, I highly recommend this series to those of you wanting a funny and satirical space-opera where we care more about one person's exploits and desires than the overall universe..this is more or less someone's journey in getting over his past glory and learning how to live in the present while facing some truths about himself and the rest of his pears...yeah...that's it...like your grandpa who cannot let go of his outdated worldview and only makes some realisations when the past clashes with his present and things suddenly weren't that great back then... ^^
Enjoy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Colonisation, and Slavery
Moderate: Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Grief
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