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philibin's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.25
(2.25 Stars)
I just couldn't get into this book... None of the characters resonated with me, I found the "world" flat, and I couldn't connect with anything.
Some elements of the book started out interesting, but it just didn't go anywhere and I thought it was boring and confusing.
I just couldn't get into this book... None of the characters resonated with me, I found the "world" flat, and I couldn't connect with anything.
Some elements of the book started out interesting, but it just didn't go anywhere and I thought it was boring and confusing.
madisonkane321's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mary_soon_lee's review
This is the opening novel in "The Galactic Cold War" series, which, at least based on this first book, appears to combine elements of espionage, space opera, and military science fiction in what proved to be a thoroughly entertaining mix. There are two main protagonists, both of whom I liked. There's abundant humor. There's darkness sufficient to give the book some weight, but not so much that it becomes a bleak reading experience.
I'll mention two minor quibbles....
Firstly, I found the prologue the least engaging and most generic part of the book -- it read like vanilla military science fiction. Since I enjoy military science fiction, that was still fine, but it didn't convey the individuality or humor that the rest of the book possesses. As a result, I picked up the book a couple of times over the past year, read the start, and then set it down again. Once past the prologue, I became hooked.
Secondly, while I thought the two main characters were well done, some of the supporting cast, especially Tapper, felt closer to stock characters (albeit, in Tapper's case, a stock character that I enjoy).
Quibbles aside, I enjoyed this very much. Enough so that I ordered the next two books before I'd finished reading this one.
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).
I'll mention two minor quibbles....
Firstly, I found the prologue the least engaging and most generic part of the book -- it read like vanilla military science fiction. Since I enjoy military science fiction, that was still fine, but it didn't convey the individuality or humor that the rest of the book possesses. As a result, I picked up the book a couple of times over the past year, read the start, and then set it down again. Once past the prologue, I became hooked.
Secondly, while I thought the two main characters were well done, some of the supporting cast, especially Tapper, felt closer to stock characters (albeit, in Tapper's case, a stock character that I enjoy).
Quibbles aside, I enjoyed this very much. Enough so that I ordered the next two books before I'd finished reading this one.
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).
violinknitter's review
3.0
It’s fine. It’s a fun, not too serious read. I think it didn’t help that I was reading it in little pieces before bed at night... kind of broke up the flow of the story a bit. I feel like I should be more thrilled with this, being a longtime Incomparable Podcast listener, where Dan Moren is a regular panelist. But... eh, it was fine! Not sorry I bought the book, but neither is it going to become one of my comfort re-reads.
therandomgeek's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jwillis81's review
3.0
I was really conflicted about this book. On the one hand, I loved the quality of the writing. The author has a great sense of humor, good comic timing, and knows how to deliver a well-paced story. On the other hand, the story itself and the characters just didn't catch my interest. I kept reading because I was enjoying the experience of actually reading the words on the page, but found that the book itself wasn't particularly memorable. I would definitely be interested in checking out other, later works by this author, but this one was a bit of a disappointment for me.
benshoemaker's review
5.0
A fantastic first novel! A wonderful blend of sci-fi and espionage with delightful characters, an absorbing plot, and generous portions of wit and charm. I am eager to read the sequel(s) when published, because there will be more, right? Right?
arrik's review against another edition
3.0
Fun Read for Dan's First Fictional Outing
I've followed Dan in his tech journalism career for many years. I especially enjoy listening to him on podcasts, whether the techy kind or the geeky culture kind. He's got a great humor and wit. And that translates to his fiction. This was veritable Dan as I know him from listening to him. This adventure was a fun read and I think was a solid first publication. I did feel like some key pieces of the story were shallow. For instance, I felt like Eli's sister, while obviously a huge emotional piece for the main character, just wasn't delved into to pull the weight that it should have. The ending wasn't quite the heart racing page turner and the ultimate fate of the book's antagonist felt brushed off. But, the sarcasm, quick wit, and heavy Star Wars influence were all expected and delightful. Congratulations!
I've followed Dan in his tech journalism career for many years. I especially enjoy listening to him on podcasts, whether the techy kind or the geeky culture kind. He's got a great humor and wit. And that translates to his fiction. This was veritable Dan as I know him from listening to him. This adventure was a fun read and I think was a solid first publication. I did feel like some key pieces of the story were shallow. For instance, I felt like Eli's sister, while obviously a huge emotional piece for the main character, just wasn't delved into to pull the weight that it should have. The ending wasn't quite the heart racing page turner and the ultimate fate of the book's antagonist felt brushed off. But, the sarcasm, quick wit, and heavy Star Wars influence were all expected and delightful. Congratulations!
turrean's review
5.0
Too many science fiction novels focus on the whiz-bang special effects, and then rely on stock characters with crystal-clear good / bad alignments. Fortunately, Moren's story is free of this defect: characters on all sides of the political & cultural divides in the novel are a blend of good and bad (and indifferent), giving the novel a healthy and welcome dose of reality.
Not that there aren't some whiz-bang battles and high-tech gadgets within. Moren drops hints along the way about the super-secret technology that will change the galaxy, and the opening and closing battles in particular provide plenty of action. Spy thriller fans will rejoice in the presence of one Simon Kovalic and his sidekicks, as they track down missing operatives and shadowy Caledonian provacateurs. But it's the internal and interpersonal journeys that are the novel's real strength. Political, cultural, and family alliances shift in a lifelike--and sometimes heartbreaking--way.
There was a distinct lack of estrogen in this universe, though. One female character was there largely to provide motivation for others' rage; another did pack a solid punch, but was not a major presence; another was supposedly intelligent, but was motivated only by romantic interest. (Moren gets extra points for giving us a glimpse of an older woman, but loses them all because she is shopping.) My favorite female character was sadly relegated to only one scene. Here's hoping this oversight will be corrected in future excursions to this part of the galaxy.
Finally: a note on the audiobook version. The narrator did a fine job with the "Caledonian" accents. Elijah Brody's voicing was very good--young, defiant, and sometimes bewildered. Simon Kovalic's was more problematic; not sure that a very proper British accent was the best choice for him.
Not that there aren't some whiz-bang battles and high-tech gadgets within. Moren drops hints along the way about the super-secret technology that will change the galaxy, and the opening and closing battles in particular provide plenty of action. Spy thriller fans will rejoice in the presence of one Simon Kovalic and his sidekicks, as they track down missing operatives and shadowy Caledonian provacateurs. But it's the internal and interpersonal journeys that are the novel's real strength. Political, cultural, and family alliances shift in a lifelike--and sometimes heartbreaking--way.
There was a distinct lack of estrogen in this universe, though. One female character was there largely to provide motivation for others' rage; another did pack a solid punch, but was not a major presence; another was supposedly intelligent, but was motivated only by romantic interest. (Moren gets extra points for giving us a glimpse of an older woman, but loses them all because she is shopping.) My favorite female character was sadly relegated to only one scene. Here's hoping this oversight will be corrected in future excursions to this part of the galaxy.
Finally: a note on the audiobook version. The narrator did a fine job with the "Caledonian" accents. Elijah Brody's voicing was very good--young, defiant, and sometimes bewildered. Simon Kovalic's was more problematic; not sure that a very proper British accent was the best choice for him.