This is the continuing sage of newly made Captain Nathan ...
343154
This is the continuing sage of newly made Captain Nathan Scott and his valiant crew of the Aurora.  The Aurora survived the Ta'Akar attack and is now trying to get repairs needed done before they are detected.  The Captain is planet side with a local farmer trying to make a deal for food and get some more information about Haven when they are discovered by the Ta'Akar.  Both the ground crew and the Aurora are attacked in this fast paced and action packed second installment of "The Frontiers Saga".  I couldn't put the book down.  I am anxiously awaiting for the next book "The Legend of Corinair".
1712571
Note: review contains some spoilers.  Once again Chris Nuttall has written an excellant series that I can sink my teeth into - well-developed characters, an interesting universe that continues to expand as the series has progressed, great battles that are so gripping that they leave me on the edge of my seat and I'm really enjoying the different plot-lines and themes.  In the third outing of the Angel in the Whirlwind series, Kat Falcone and newly minted Captain, Sir William McElney, are sent to a far-flung sector of the Commonwealth as unofficial envoys to improve relations between the Commonwealth and the colony worlds there.  They are tasked not only in building relations with major planetary systems, dealing with pirate activity, acting as protectors for frieghter convoys, but they are also there to confirm intel suggesting the Theocracy is showing an interest in the area. However, before they leave, William has to take charge of his first command as Captain of the Uncanny, a battle-cruiser known as the unluckiest ship in the Fleet.  In the process, William has to work hard to build morale amongst the crew and instill naval values - a task that proves challenging and that could see him lose his ship.  Looking forward to the next book in series which comes out in May :)
1775317
Just as the previous two installations, this one continues with the exciting naval and marine action as Ensign Stone thinks outside the box and leads humans, drascos, and piglets against their Hyrocanian foes. I am beginning to suspect that there is another enemy lurking in the background, so I'm confident that there will be more to the story. OO-rah!
3436784
Get to know a new charcter.  And a new situation for Betsy and Smythe.  And "forges ahead" takes on new meaning.  You will not be disappointed with this new book.
2484608
Yet again a combination of Hi Tech and adventure and suspense always waiting for something else to foil Nathans plans. Well written always moving at a brisk and then sadly its all over and yet again we have to wait for the next episode, hurry up Ryk :-)
2063413
Captain Coloma of the Clarke and her staff are in limbo as their fate for taking a missile to prevent an alien ship from being destroyed and starting a war. She is assigned a job to shepherd the sale of an antiquated ship to Earth. Something must be done to get the planet back into the colonial Union as it's being courted by other races.

The old ship runs, but all equipment is out of date.

Then they discover something else is going on.

Scalzi continues to build his story through these weekly chapters, heading toward a whole that promises to be a great addition to his body of work.
3611272
While I must say this was one of the faster reads in the series it was also one of the finest to date. I say, to date, as I honestly can't wait to see what the next one entails and wish it was out next week!

Overall in this book we see the good captain fighting once again not only the Syndic but (to a lesser extent this time) his own command. While this may be seem by some to be a bit odd in that you would expect he would have won more favor by now it still holds you to the book wondering how he will deal with a war (of sorts) on three fronts. The Syndic, his command and even himself. Perhaps the greatest question not yet answered is who is the 4th party who seem to be helping the Syndic but perhaps have designs of their own on the whole of Humanity?

Without going too much into the book it's perhaps a bit "simple" in its writing and style but frankly that's what makes it so appealing. Gone is the over technical details of the battles. Gone are the overdone explanations of technology. Here is simply one guy trying to figure out how to get home and get the rest of his group home too, when most days you feel he'd rather just give up.

I think that's why most find the series so appealing in that we can actually relate to this guy on some level or another and in that aspect want to read more and more of the series
1951125
Unlike the previous book in the series, Ghost Ship, this book is almost totally Theo, and that is a good thing.  There are just a few short interludes involving her mother Kamele, Uncle, and the Korval clan.

Theo is off with Bechimo trying to establish a long loop trading route.  She has no experience as a trader but she has help from her 2nd pilot Clarence.  Bechimo is still unsure whether Theo should be the Captain.  In addition the Department of Interior still gunning for both her and her ship.

This is a very nice read with a good balance between talk and action.  And we encounter some old friends of Theo from her days at the pilot academy.
4307785
Nathan and Cameron now have more resources in their battle with the Jung, but each engagement is more perilous than the last.  The Ghatazhak find a purpose well suited to their conditioning, and the allies figure more prominently in the defense of Earth.  A fast paced, well written continuation of all the things that make each Episode a great read.  Highly recommended.
231003
Just as Alan Lewrie has gotten much better at this Royal Navy thing, Lambdin has gotten better and better at writing novels about him. From a feckless 17-year-old midshipman, Lewrie has advanced in this seventh in the series to an experienced, competent commander of his own ship-sloop, . . . though he's sometimes equally feckless. If only he could keep his breeches buttoned, his life would have a lot fewer problems in it. But even with a loving wife and three kids back home, he still finds himself involved, willy-nilly, with the lovely young Phoebe Aretino from the previous installment. He won't keep her, though, which is just as well for him. On the professional front, having been posted off to the Med, Lewrie finds himself participating in a small way in that spectacular victory over the Republican French navy known as the Glorious First of June. Then he's off to join Hood's fleet and to participate in the conquest of Corsica as a colleague of Capt. Horatio Nelson -- and to be caught up in the machinations of Mr. Twigg, the spy from his time in the Far East, as well as Choundas, the French captain and pirate who has good reason to hate him, . . . and of whom Lewrie admits well-justified fear. The author seems to have gotten under control his penchant for over-writing and over-reliance on period slang, and his ability to clearly describe naval actions and ship-handling have progressed from occasionally shaky to considerably above average. But most important, Alan Lewrie, filled with self-doubts and a full realization of his own shortcomings even while he repeatedly proves his courage and his worth to the navy, is a fully realized human being of whom the reader can develop some understanding and about whom one cares -- even when he does something personally stupid.
3956982
It seems the TNG relaunch had been stuck in the mud but with this release, it has started to move forward. Several well known characters are explored here and the Enterprise-E has finally started to settle on a new and unique command crew. This isn't your daddy's TNG! The themes of family, growing up, and facing your worst demons give this a complex and satisfying feel. The Borg are almost an afterthought which isn't a bad thing here. A perfect setup for David Mack's Destiny trilogy to come later this year. Pick this one up!
4218419
The ending left me short. Hopefully there will another installment that explains the ending. The story was a little short for much character development. I have enjoyed "The Golden Age of the Solar Clipper" series and was very pleased to see that Nathan Lowell is continuing the story of Ishmael Wang with the new "A Seekers Tale" series. More background for the Deep Dark so I will buy the next installment to get some answers.
3072954
Ish has been on the William Tinker about thirteen years now. Things are going well in the deep dark space as he sits as First Mate to his Captain Freddie. Until there is an abandoned ship found floating through space. What they find there is one thing that will never leave Ish's mind and a stark reminder of the deep dark space they fly in. Ish's work with this abandoned ship may bring him to the attention of others, having him invited to sit for Captains test. Things are about to change with a new Captain coming to the William Tinker, and Ish now with his Captain license can take command of the ship the Captain is moving up from - The SC Agamemnon. But with the reputation of the crew bring Ish down, or can he make a difference there as well?

The first episodes of what they find in the lost ship reminds me of a Star Trek episode. The ship is a prime example of what could happen if you don't take care of your ship. Tragic and scary to think on.

Ish has a wife who waits for him to return to station and he passes his Captains test... The things that Ish should have, yet I wonder about his wife. Even though they've been together for seven years, I remember the feeling on the ship with Pip's Aunt and Uncle. That's what feels natural for Ish, to me. But if this works, my hats off to him.

Very touching with the relationships, friends and how people come and go in the lives here. Everyone moves on and ages. And I got a kick out of how much everyone knows Ish. They just know he's going to take the offered Captain-ship, no matter the reputation of the ship and crew. And, maybe that is a bonus - a challenge - for him. He is so predictable. LOL!

Ish's new ship has three of the biggest trouble makers in the fleet, who don't step over the line to in order to be removed. Ish is amazing with these people. Starting with the love for coffee and food, all else will follow suit. He works with the good in each person, not the same as others who have been scolding for their wrongs. Ish learns what their specialties are by what others notice as wrong. As I've said in previous books, Ish is great at finding what people are amazing at. He's firm with them yet wants these people here and to do their best. Even when Ish reprimands he makes the crew member feel comfortable and wanted at the same time.

I do miss the old friends we started with. The new crew reminds me of Pip and others, yet a little differently. Ish tries a few tricks from his first First Mate, Maxwell. It's great to see what he does with these people. The trading comes up, one crew member reminds me of Pip with happenings and his ability to pick cargo.

One thing to remember, 'the crew follows their Captain's lead', and this crew does. To me, even early on, Ish seemed to fit in here. This crew is his family, and through the book it felt comfortable here with Ish. Nothing like when he first boarded the William Tinker, now that was rough! Ish uncovers an amazing crew and family here.

We see new places and further out in the deep dark space. Ish makes a run that shares with us more that's out there in space than we have seen before. We even learn about space as we go too, even if it helps or hurts Ish or others. Always interesting to learn what will be out in the vast dark space beyond.

In the end, I felt there should be more story here on Ish, the new crew member, and the crew in relation to new member. As if they all are in a transition of their lives.

I will be rushing into the next book with Ish. I can't seem to get enough of these stories!
2003374
The action never stops.  Nathan and his crew are still attempting to repair the Aurora, their space ship from Earth, so they can use the jump drive to return home.  However, Nathan just cannot help doing the right thing.
4509309
(Sigh)....Another great episode done and dusted......(more sighing)....now I have to wait for the next episode (bother - wish Ryk could write really, really fast, just so I can read what happens next to Connor aka clone Nathan and friends).  I really enjoyed Rescue a lot as it explained how Connor Tuplo came into being and what became of Nathan.  Don't look for any space battles - most of the action is ground-based battles which were well described and I felt like I was right there along with Jess, Josh, Loki, Connor and the rest. The majority of the episode explains what happened in the aftermath of Nathan's sacrifice as described to Connor by Jess and Commander Telles - which is good because it was one of those little story threads that I particularly wanted to know. The final chapter mostly deals with the rescue of Dumar, his family and the rest of his group from Corinair which is now occupied by the Jung.  Overall, Rescue was well written and my eyes were, (figuratively speaking of course), glued to the page and by books end I was blubbering (not ashamed to admit it folks) twice over for two favourite characters - nope can't tell you the details people, y'all will just have to find out by reading the book (aside from the fact, if you're anything like me, you don't like reading too many spoilers - it takes away from the excitement of finding out what happens next).  :)
3612233
For those of us who have been long time followers of Capt. Sir Alan Lewrie, baronet, this was a welcome addition and a fun read. If this were the first Lewrie book I had read I think I would be kind of lost in that references to previous people and adventures would not have any context. I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in sea going adventures in the age of fighting sail that they start with Lambdin's first Lewrie book and read through the series in order. I look forward to Sir Alan's next adventure.
3832155
The third volume of the Haibane Renmei story (Episodes 8, 9 and 10) continues the beautiful tradition of the previous episodes. While the previous episodes have set up plenty of mysteries, this volume begins to answer some of them while raising new questions. In fact, Rakka is asking a number of questions about the nature and purpose of the Haibane, the town, and the wall. Some of her questions are universal: for example, if we all come suddenly into this world and leave just as suddenly, what is the purpose of my existence?
Despite the new bond that forms between Rakka and Reki at the end of the second volume, Rakka's instincts are still to isolate herself from others whenever she faces emotional pain. She feels that she does not belong in this world. The kindness that she receives from the other Haibane at Old Home and from the people of the town only makes her feel unworthy and guilty. She wishes that she could just disappear. She nearly gets her wish when she becomes trapped at the bottom of a dry well. There she finds the key to her cocoon dream. As a result, Rakka learns (and finds out that she needs to learn more) about the nature of sin, of forgiveness and of atonement, but not before she breaks a cardinal rule of the Haibane Renmei.
In the tenth episode, there is a flashback to Reki's birth as a Haibane and the relationship between her, Kuramori and Nemu. It is a bittersweet story about how Nemu and Reki became true friends under the loving protection of Kuramori. Also, the episode contains an important revelation about the wall that surrounds the town.
The Haibane Renmei series is beautiful animation telling an engaging story with characters about whom the viewer will truly care. If you have not seen this series, you are denying yourself a great treasure.