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richardrbecker's review against another edition
3.0
Ark Royal by Christopher Nuttall won't find fans in everyone. The story is straightforward. The characters are cutouts. The aliens are expectant. The tone is made-for-television military space opera.
And yet, despite several cliches and leaps of faith, Nuttall manages to wrestle what for other authors would be a cliche action story that crosses vintage military naval fiction and colonial adventurism into something surprisingly engaging as it skips along the surface of something infinitely grander. It isn't even hard to imagine why so many people seem to enjoy its predictable fun. It smacks of nostalgic sci-fi pulp fiction.
And yet, despite several cliches and leaps of faith, Nuttall manages to wrestle what for other authors would be a cliche action story that crosses vintage military naval fiction and colonial adventurism into something surprisingly engaging as it skips along the surface of something infinitely grander. It isn't even hard to imagine why so many people seem to enjoy its predictable fun. It smacks of nostalgic sci-fi pulp fiction.
hellboundheart's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jimyster's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad, I found this first book in the series of Ark Royal pretty enjoyable. I listened to the unabridged audible version on my way to and from work. The narrator made me chuckle at times trying to imitate a woman's voice. I will most likely get book two sometime in the future.
jgcully's review
5.0
This is an excellent Sci-fi read. The author has poured his experiences and knowledge into this book and it really shows. It breaths real life into a science fiction setting, adding a layer of detail and realism that I found very interesting.
My only comparison would be the 'Lost Fleet' series but this book, in my humble opinion, is better. The setting feels more real, the little details more noticeable and the characters seem a lot more rounded. The battle scenes are epic and interesting, yet at the same time not overwhelming in there detail. Christopher has the balance just right.
An excellent read for anyone interested in ship to ship battles in the depths of space, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
My only comparison would be the 'Lost Fleet' series but this book, in my humble opinion, is better. The setting feels more real, the little details more noticeable and the characters seem a lot more rounded. The battle scenes are epic and interesting, yet at the same time not overwhelming in there detail. Christopher has the balance just right.
An excellent read for anyone interested in ship to ship battles in the depths of space, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
theartolater's review
4.0
I grabbed this book off of the Amazon lending library because it came pretty well-regarded and I'm always looking for something a little different from there. This ended up being a pretty solid science fiction novel, though, in which an alien race appears to be trying to take over the solar system and it's up to the ragtag, tired old spaceship to be the system's last defense.
The book definitely borrows heavily from existing tales, most notably from Battlestar Galactica in many ways, but it does so in a pretty fun way. While it feels a little longer than it needs to be for what it accomplishes, that's ultimately okay.
Overall, a decent read. Will likely look up the sequel eventually.
The book definitely borrows heavily from existing tales, most notably from Battlestar Galactica in many ways, but it does so in a pretty fun way. While it feels a little longer than it needs to be for what it accomplishes, that's ultimately okay.
Overall, a decent read. Will likely look up the sequel eventually.
brandt's review against another edition
3.0
This was an alright book. Could have used some more details in some areas, but other than that it was an easy read.
richardrbecker's review against another edition
3.0
Ark Royal by Christopher Nuttall won't find fans in everyone. The story is straightforward. The characters are cutouts. The aliens are expectant. The tone is made-for-television military space opera.
And yet, despite several cliches and leaps of faith, Nuttall manages to wrestle what for other authors would be a cliche action story that crosses vintage military naval fiction and colonial adventurism into something surprisingly engaging as it skips along the surface of something infinitely grander. It isn't even hard to imagine why so many people seem to enjoy its predictable fun. It smacks of nostalgic sci-fi pulp fiction.
And yet, despite several cliches and leaps of faith, Nuttall manages to wrestle what for other authors would be a cliche action story that crosses vintage military naval fiction and colonial adventurism into something surprisingly engaging as it skips along the surface of something infinitely grander. It isn't even hard to imagine why so many people seem to enjoy its predictable fun. It smacks of nostalgic sci-fi pulp fiction.
mks's review
3.0
The book read like it was written in the 70s or 80s. Story was interesting, but if it was written and published in 2014, some off the attitudes seem archaic. The narrator was alright, but every voice is basically gruff and gruffer.
brandt's review
3.0
This was an alright book. Could have used some more details in some areas, but other than that it was an easy read.