Monte

This is a great SF book - but it is an epic. If you are used to 10 second soundbites then don't start the book. If you want a carefully developed story told from the interleaved perspective of several different characters, that encompasses the mystery and investigation of an extinct alien empire, the politics of human-alien coexistance, and the threat of impending destruction from a superior force, then this is your read. The naration is quite effective and acceptable. Highly recommended.

I have to agree with a previous reviewer about the apparent quality of the subordinates. Getting reports from them is like getting blood out of stone. It does get very annoying by the end of this book. Surely the crew is aware of the requirements of the captain? Now, even the Priminae leadership seems to be having the same problems with their subordinates. Why would an admiral or ship's captain have to repeat and explain orders to a junior officer, or the enlisted - the response should be "yes sir". However, I guess the reader needs to know the reasoning behind actions.

Otherwise - very entertaining series so far. Looking forward to book three, and hoping the bridge officers get more training!

The books (1-3) are quite good and have held my interest. I will be getting book four as soon as I can. However, I sometimes wish Black Jack would just get on with life as he is in the present and get over his past, and reputation.
The narrator is in a class by himself. The tone changes and accent changes between characters leave no doubt as to who has the dialog, and the whole story comes alive through his characterizations - well done!

These books should contain a rating. In this case an NC-17 would be appropriate for violence, language, sex, and drug use. However, the book does have a captivating story and SciFi backbone.
Given the DLNV used by this author, I don't think I can bring myself to read any sequels though.

I think this is the first of the 'Ender Wiggins' library of books. I has to be - it starts with him at 6 years old. Out of all the concepts explored in Ender's Game, this is the most difficult to believe - that a 6 year old has knowledge and understanding at an adult level. However, the story in totally engrossing and makes the book hard to put down.

While it helps to have seen the series - it is still wonderful to hear this classic British comedy again and again. Basil and the cast of characters run a small hotel in Torquay (the English Riviera as Basil descibes it) where customers and staff are the only things that spoil Basil's day.