Scan barcode
hlau's reviews
115 reviews
Warship by Joshua Dalzelle
Motley crew, marginalized ship, flawed but capable and honorable captain. Check. Check. Check. There's a wink and a nod in this story that deviates at least a little from the standard hard space scifi military book. It doesn't quite go where you expect and it isn't weighed down fully with space combat logistics (which is neither good or bad). But it's fun for a rainy afternoon.
Disclaimer, this is the first Joshua Dalzelle book I've gotten into and I'm jumping into Call to Arms next. But so far, if you like the Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell, this will probably fit very nicely in that niche.
Disclaimer, this is the first Joshua Dalzelle book I've gotten into and I'm jumping into Call to Arms next. But so far, if you like the Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell, this will probably fit very nicely in that niche.
Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi
5.0
It's hard to go wrong with John Scalzi. But this one is particularly funny given the angle he took. Written with his characteristic wit and pop culture tie-ins, he's also added some color commentary on how he sees Hollywood. When I was looking for something low stakes but highly entertaining this one stood out. If you want a fun twist on first contact that deals with some of the probable realities of what humanity would actually say or do when alien show up give this one to read.
Unbroken Faith by Glynn Stewart
4.0
You would hope that when humanity gets to the stars it will be able to finally shake itself loose from the petty squabbles we still have today. So that what's left of us is perhaps the best that we take with us. Stewart's Dakotan Confederacy replays that sentiment in this third installment. Or tries at least. The tale of James Tecumseh is by far the highest form of compliment to any fans of Jack Campbell's Blackjack Geary, in tenor and action. I was a little wary of all the political and backhanded politics woven into this one about two thirds into it (I get bad flashbacks to the political tediousness of Weber's later Honorverse in that regard) but it does set up a resolution that is very satisfying.
A fitting installment, and a decent one if it is the end, which I doubt it is.
A fitting installment, and a decent one if it is the end, which I doubt it is.
Colonyside by Michael Mammay
4.0
Mammay's writing and dialogue structures are a fresh departure from most of the static for this genre. It takes into account alot more reality in the interplay between actual people which makes for an interesting read. I've been through Planetside and Spaceside and it's a consistent feature throughout. There's almost no space warfare but rather alot more on the ground battle considerations, tactical descriptions but also a very healthy whodunnit wrapped up in political intrigue against a backdrop that happens to be spacefaring civilization. And when I say political I do not mean the level of Honor Harrington's. Mammay is far closer in comparison to a John Scalzi in his prose, irreverent, intelligent and entertaining.