Fantastic space opera
341483
Very much like Heinlein.  I loved the concept and execution of this book.  Scalzi packs so much action and character development into this slim novel.  I can't wait to read the sequels.
2197825
This is a very good book. I first picked it up in the library and read the initial 60 pages. Then I couldn't stop thinking about it-- the situation and characters and excellently realized future universe was fascinating and very compelling.

This is a space opera that blends all the good from Star Wars and Star Trek with particularly great characterization.

Highly recommended.
4578523
The fertile imagination of author Raymond Weil continues to generate a detailed and compelling vision of the Federation's defense of humanity and it's allies.  Admiral Jeremy Strong continues to lead his forces in overcoming genocidal aliens, and allying his forces with the AI's of the long-dead Originators. Two steps forward and one step back.  Can't wait to the next in this awesome space opera series!
2648486
I really enjoyed this book. The story was well laid, and the action sequences were superb. I highly recommend this book for any fans of space opera scifi.
2015129
As other reviewers have noted, this is a well written book, with three dimensional characters, an intriguing plot and a rich and devolping background.  This is really intelligent adventure space opera, which offers gripping action but also grapples with meaningful themes, principally what does it mean to be human and what might the impacts of ungoverned or misused technology be on people and the human race.

As a reader steeped in the initial trilogy ( I reread it before starting this book), I loved the new take on familiar characters and the evolution of the series universe.  I do think that the book would have benefitted from a short preface to bring new readers or forgetful ones up to speed.
4473278
This book brought a wonderful space opera to a complete and satisfactory finish. This imaginative story introduced delightful and interesting characters. Some were good. Some were pure evil. Some were both good and bad. The action was relentless but tied together plausibly. I'll be looking for more from Hugh Howey.
4545681
A great space opera, with enough details about the characters to make them seem like real people.  Lots of action and sub-stories. I especially like the author's incorporation if references to sci-fi classics.
2260220
Blount has blended several different Science Fiction subgenres into this lovely story following our space heroine Aetheria Peregrine. Its a space opera with a touch of military/space war, a hint of planetary romance, and a lot of adventure in a strange utopia/dystopia world.

The book is well paced and very well developed and Blount has done a GREAT job with world building as well, layering rich histories and secondary characters throughout the story. One thing I really appreciated is his focus on the main character Aetheria - so often in SciFi, the characters personality can get lost in the world building. But Aetheria is compelling, even when shes being morally  flexible.

Also, unlike other Kindle published books Ive recently read, Blounts clear, descriptive writing and outstanding editing allowed me to stay engaged in the story.  For its ingenuity and great storytelling, I give this 5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone who is a SciFi adventure fan.

Hopefully we will see more Aetheria Peregrine adventures in the future!
4758174
I honestly couldn't put this book down. Marko expertly pulls together all of the threads of his previous novels into a non-stop action filled adventure that doesn't disappoint. Overall the scenes on the Indy are the best, with a level of tension reminiscent of The Hunt for Red October. He's really come into his own with Lines of Departure and this book, Angles of Attack, and presents the plot in a cinematic style that works wonderfully for the gigantic space opera he unfolds.
I really enjoyed the character development that his hero Andrew Grayson undergoes as he's matured from a fresh recruit into a grizzled veteran that understands and accepts the consequences of the life he chooses. The rich tapestry of supporting characters is fantastic as well and help to showcase various aspects of the war.
There are a few minor issues with the novel however... especially concerning a certain method for attacking Lanky ships that was developed in the second book. I often thought, why aren't they using this method to wipe the Lankies out at every opportunity? Marko does hedge against this by saying that the Lankies are hard to track but it seemed like that was tacked on to help him tell the story he wanted to tell, instead of one that would have naturally developed from the conclusion of the second book.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves science fiction. Marko is a great writer, with a fun style, and I look forward to his future work!
3782535
This rousing science fiction adventure yarn, in the space opera tradition, is far better crafted than today's average first novel.  Set in a far-future galaxy widely colonized by humans, who have come into contact with various alien races, it features interplanetary intrigue, strong plotting and characterization, and a LOT of well-written action.  But it also pays serious attention to interpersonal relationships and moral issues; this is not a shallow novel.

Our two main characters, Ziva and Aroska, are humanoid aliens of the Haphezian race, taller and stronger than Earth humans (and much in demand in the galaxy as military allies or mercenaries), but otherwise much like them, except for more varied and vivid hair/eye color and having two stomachs and only needing to eat every few days.  Both characters are agents of the Haphezian Special Police, newly assigned to work together against their planet's terrorist insugency; but Ziva also works as a government-employed assassin --in which capacity, a few years previously, she killed Aroska's brother.  And Haphez is in the middle of tense interactions between the human Federation, the rebels fighting against it, human fringe planets like Tantal that maintain their independence (and whose hereditary Governor and his son are currently on a diplomatic mission to Haphez) and the reptilian Sardons, who recently fought a war with Haphez --and might again.  All these conflicting agendas create plenty of tension; add in a sinister plot with nasty aims and homicidal tactics, and events come to a boil quickly.

Ziva is a wonderfully-drawn, complex character; and Aroska and the other major characters are very life-like as well.  Fisch throws some twists and turns into her plot, and the last chapters especially are suspenseful right up to the end.  (There's no sexual content here, and minimal bad language, strictly of the h- or d-word sort.)  Highly recommended for readers who like action SF, in which both genders get to be part of the action!
3927099
The whole Slaver Wars series is a fantastic read and has developed through to the dual galaxy scenario with excellent consistency logic. I can't wait for the continuation of the series and hope that the next installment is hundreds of pages long just to allow the story to progress as it has.
3592112
I decided to check this out after the SciFi series got my attention, and I'm glad I did.  It's engaging near future space opera that I couldn't put down.

The book is set in the near future, after the settlement of the asteroid belt, Mars, and some of the moons but before interstellar exploration, and follows two characters: Morgan, a world-weary Belter detective, and Holden, an idealistic ship's officer.  The various characters find themselves in a action-packed thrill ride, where almost every chapter seems to feature a life or death gun-fight, ship to ship battle, or jaw-dropping revelation about the secrets behind the conflict.

Overall, I liked it a lot.  I couldn't wait to see each new chapter, and almost every one had a couple surprises that made me catch my breath.  My only gripe is that some of the characterization seemed plot driven.  Pretty much every character starts the series as one of the dregs of their profession, but turns under pressure out to be one of the best in the system at what they do.  Other than that, I liked it a lot!
1887310
This is the pinnacle of space opera. David Weber has great character development and sets up a great background with his descriptive narration. I've read all of the Honor Harrington series and am anxiously awaiting the next.
1194929
This was a thoroughly enjoyable sci-fi space opera.  It was big, original and bold.  It was packed with a host of wonderful, imaginative technology as well as an array of well-developed characters.  It was everything you could ask for from this genre(s) and then some.

Ive never read anything before by this author, but I instantly connected with his style of writing, to which there is a real fluidity, sharpness and creativity.  I think James McCormick will attract a lot of new fans with this and Im certainly one of them.
597843
I have been reading Sci-Fi since the early 60s and I believe that with The Synchronicity War series, Dietmar Wehr in many ways rivals the old masters of the genre. This is a compelling and entertaining space opera, with lots of exciting action and first contact with several aggressive alien races, as well as time travel and AI s, who are central to the story line. The physics involved in the handling of various and intertwined alternative time lines and the navigation of the mind boggling distances covered in these novels could easily become quite confusing in the hands of a lesser writer, but he makes it all work beautifully.
The Retro War is separate from the trilogy, but it is connected and ties up the loose ends satisfactorily. And now there are rumours of a Retro War Part B, and I must say I am eagerly looking forward to another visit to this fascinating universe.
2624032
This is not "War And Peace". This is space opera at its finest! Ryk's writing in this book with all the abrupt changes in point of view was disconcerting. If I could have given a 4.5 then I would have for this. But I just plain enjoyed reading it so much that he got 5 stars instead of 4. Way to go Ryk. I for one will be buying your next book in this series as soon as you get it out!!
1248508
I started with the first of the series, and this is the most recent.  It's relatively slow pace allows you to really appreciate the character development. The underlying issues of global trade add a sophisticated underpinning usually lacking in "space opera." I really could not stop reading, and am really looking forward to the next one.

I also recommend the audio versions available. The author reads them, and reading style perfectly matches the pace of the books.

I have not written an Amazon book review before, but now that Nathan's books are available here I think he deserves more than just my purchases!