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A review by righteousridel
Warship by Joshua Dalzelle
4.0
Creative Worldbuilding and Perfect Execution
A terrifying new enemy after centuries of peace and abundance is the setting for Warship, written by an author who looked at the immense expanse of space and asked: why fight? Typically the worldbuilding for a military sci-fi universe doesn't bother with such basic questions, but starting from the premise of near-infinite resources, readers are introduced to a natural, organically built society rich in politics and technological advancements that may arise in five-hundred years. What's truly impressive is this creative, deep worldbuilding comes through in small glimpses and brief interactions, because the plot of Warship is about a spaceship firing its guns in anger.
The overall story is lifted from similar novels in the Age of Sail category. There's an introductory shakedown cruise where you meet the Captain, his officers, and learn what you need to about the technological capabilities of the setting. There's the threats: career bureaucrats, political corruption and whispers of external dangers beyond the horizon. The Captain even embodies a certain archetype that is common in this genre - a skilled, well-meaning individual unlucky by birth and lacking political connections. This is not a groundbreaking novel.
Yet the execution is perfect. These tropes work, and they provide a variety of threats and thrills for readers as the author builds momentum towards some truly epic showdowns. Everyone wants to see the underdog win. After a technically competent but thoroughly mediocre set of introduction chapters, we launch right into the "terrifying new enemy" and I found myself unable to put the book down. Action, brilliance, heroism -- all the elements are here. The setting is excellently developed, the pacing is great, and the threats (foreign and domestic) are frightening, tense, and vile.
Recommended - it's not quite grimdark, but this is exactly the kind of self-serious novel I love.
This series reminds me a lot of Space Carrier Avalon but Joshua Dalzelle doesn't have Glynn Stewart's capability to write epic cliffhangers. I think this is one of the author's earlier novels, so I'm hopeful that his writing improves over time. There are scenes that should absolutely invoke tension, awe, and a sense of epicness... but the verbiage let Mr Dalzelle down.
As well, I think the author went a bit easy on the mutiny subplot, which could have used a few more scenes. Both its build up and resolution felt abrupt. That's too bad since I was enraged at the mutineers, but then the Wolfe resolved the problem in the blink of an eye (with the ability to lock out sidearms digitally, something that needed better foreshadowing).
Admiral Winters was a much better antagonist. Her career-minded and racist personality was nicely crafted for readers to hate but again, she got defeated far too easily. The author should have spent more time on scenes showcasing how truly screwed Wolfe was, and built up all these internal enemies the same way the Phage are built up.
It's a good start. I might be a little biased. All the recent sci-fi universes I've read have been worse: Expeditionary Force, Space Team, Expanse (probably an unpopular comparison), The Lost Fleet and Star Carrier.
Series Overall Spoiler-Free Thoughts
★★★★☆ Warship (Black Fleet Trilogy, #1)
★★★☆☆ Call to Arms (Black Fleet Trilogy, #2)
★★☆☆☆ Counterstrike (Black Fleet Trilogy, #3)
Never a groundbreaking story, the Black Fleet Trilogy leans heavily on existing tropes and extremely fast-paced storytelling. This ends up being a double-edged sword, as the author races towards a conclusion that is neither surprising nor satisifying. If you're looking for a safe, easy read, this is for you.
★★☆☆☆ - Not recommended with reservations.
A terrifying new enemy after centuries of peace and abundance is the setting for Warship, written by an author who looked at the immense expanse of space and asked: why fight? Typically the worldbuilding for a military sci-fi universe doesn't bother with such basic questions, but starting from the premise of near-infinite resources, readers are introduced to a natural, organically built society rich in politics and technological advancements that may arise in five-hundred years. What's truly impressive is this creative, deep worldbuilding comes through in small glimpses and brief interactions, because the plot of Warship is about a spaceship firing its guns in anger.
The overall story is lifted from similar novels in the Age of Sail category. There's an introductory shakedown cruise where you meet the Captain, his officers, and learn what you need to about the technological capabilities of the setting. There's the threats: career bureaucrats, political corruption and whispers of external dangers beyond the horizon. The Captain even embodies a certain archetype that is common in this genre - a skilled, well-meaning individual unlucky by birth and lacking political connections. This is not a groundbreaking novel.
Yet the execution is perfect. These tropes work, and they provide a variety of threats and thrills for readers as the author builds momentum towards some truly epic showdowns. Everyone wants to see the underdog win. After a technically competent but thoroughly mediocre set of introduction chapters, we launch right into the "terrifying new enemy" and I found myself unable to put the book down. Action, brilliance, heroism -- all the elements are here. The setting is excellently developed, the pacing is great, and the threats (foreign and domestic) are frightening, tense, and vile.
Recommended - it's not quite grimdark, but this is exactly the kind of self-serious novel I love.
Spoiler
The following is in spoiler tags, and I say so since some Goodreads clients may not respect it. You've been warned:This series reminds me a lot of Space Carrier Avalon but Joshua Dalzelle doesn't have Glynn Stewart's capability to write epic cliffhangers. I think this is one of the author's earlier novels, so I'm hopeful that his writing improves over time. There are scenes that should absolutely invoke tension, awe, and a sense of epicness... but the verbiage let Mr Dalzelle down.
As well, I think the author went a bit easy on the mutiny subplot, which could have used a few more scenes. Both its build up and resolution felt abrupt. That's too bad since I was enraged at the mutineers, but then the Wolfe resolved the problem in the blink of an eye (with the ability to lock out sidearms digitally, something that needed better foreshadowing).
Admiral Winters was a much better antagonist. Her career-minded and racist personality was nicely crafted for readers to hate but again, she got defeated far too easily. The author should have spent more time on scenes showcasing how truly screwed Wolfe was, and built up all these internal enemies the same way the Phage are built up.
It's a good start. I might be a little biased. All the recent sci-fi universes I've read have been worse: Expeditionary Force, Space Team, Expanse (probably an unpopular comparison), The Lost Fleet and Star Carrier.
Series Overall Spoiler-Free Thoughts
★★★★☆ Warship (Black Fleet Trilogy, #1)
★★★☆☆ Call to Arms (Black Fleet Trilogy, #2)
★★☆☆☆ Counterstrike (Black Fleet Trilogy, #3)
Never a groundbreaking story, the Black Fleet Trilogy leans heavily on existing tropes and extremely fast-paced storytelling. This ends up being a double-edged sword, as the author races towards a conclusion that is neither surprising nor satisifying. If you're looking for a safe, easy read, this is for you.
★★☆☆☆ - Not recommended with reservations.