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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I had this book on my kindle for a long time but didn't realize i hadn't read the last of this series.
Well the last of this one and the start of the next one. "Black Jack" is back at it. The Syndicats are on the ropes. Can he throw the final blow to knock them out?
Well the last of this one and the start of the next one. "Black Jack" is back at it. The Syndicats are on the ropes. Can he throw the final blow to knock them out?
I have similar opinions about this book as I have had about the others in the series. Good plotting and strategy, terrible characters. And can I just say that was...not quite the worst resolution to a romantic arc I've ever seen - I've seen a LOT of bad ones - but definitely the most bland.
I've really enjoyed this series, but I think this was the weakest book of the bunch. A lot of the things I liked about the series (the difficulties of fighting battles and communicating over the long distances in space, etc.) were kind of skimmed over in this book in favor of more human relationship type things. Overall it just felt like the author looked at all the loose ends he had and crammed them in any way they would fit. Things tied up nicely in the end, but I felt cheated out of typical Black Jack action and cunning, though things have definitely been left open for more story in the future, so I'm looking forward to that.
This brings me up to the last one published (so far). It seems like there are more planned. I find the plot interesting enough to keep me reading, but the interpersonal relationships aren't particularly well written, IMO. I'm not sure if I'll seek out the next installment if/when it's published.
I still want to throw Rione out the airlock. I hope she doesn't show up in the spinoffs
Looking back over this whole series, it was enjoyable without being great. And each book in the series could have the same epithet. I think the characterisation did get a little stronger as the books went on - characters were a touch less black and white, but still really only Rione had any sense of mystery about her. Others have commented that the romance in the novel is a bit out of place and I agree with them.
I also agree with other raters who have said the series could have been shorter. Honestly, I think this could have been an excellent trilogy with a little bit of tightening up (and removing the many pages in each book reminding you of all the things that had happened in the previous books). The star systems all felt much the same - the enemy might be waiting there, usually was, but they followed bad tactics and Geary managed to hold most of his ships to his good tactical plans and so Geary won, but lost a ship that had charged out of line. Then they were running low on supplies and worried about whether they should slow down to pick up more. Repeat that 5 times and you have most of the series.
But as I said, I think the books generally started with a good idea, and the writing improved over the course of the series, so I'll probably look into the spin-off books at a later date. Overall 3/5 seems pretty fair. I liked the series and this book, but I didn't love them.
I also agree with other raters who have said the series could have been shorter. Honestly, I think this could have been an excellent trilogy with a little bit of tightening up (and removing the many pages in each book reminding you of all the things that had happened in the previous books). The star systems all felt much the same - the enemy might be waiting there, usually was, but they followed bad tactics and Geary managed to hold most of his ships to his good tactical plans and so Geary won, but lost a ship that had charged out of line. Then they were running low on supplies and worried about whether they should slow down to pick up more. Repeat that 5 times and you have most of the series.
But as I said, I think the books generally started with a good idea, and the writing improved over the course of the series, so I'll probably look into the spin-off books at a later date. Overall 3/5 seems pretty fair. I liked the series and this book, but I didn't love them.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a good end to the first series. For all the space battles, for all the technology and minutely described conflicts... it is a story of love, honour and duty. Also helps that the battles are exciting.
Again, similar to other books in this series, neat Sci-Fi concepts, terrible love story. In this book, the love "triangle" is more downplayed than in previous novels, so it reads somewhat better. It is a satisfying conclusion to the series, while still leaving enough loose threads to allow for more stories in this universe down the line.