Carl

Ok.....Everyman screw-up post-teen goes to war in space after evil aliens bombard Earth -- and he (painfully) becomes a man. It sounds familiar, but this book (and the inspired narrator) give this story a series of clever twists. If you like books like Redshirts (or the discussions surrounding Bun-bun -- the massive future tank-like armored vehicle in Ringo's Aldenata series -- not the rabbit) quick-witted, quick-moving with lots of wry asides. . .this is a winner. How did I miss this? And there are 4 more on Audible !!! It deals with serious issues along the way, and the plot actually picks up more of an edge as it goes -- but for a refreshing and smart book, you will like it. One reviewer (who still gave it 4 stars) wrote they had fun but that the story was a bit simplistic. Each time I started to think it was simple I realized the author was playing on themes and almost clichés that I was supposed to recognize and anticipate. Then we veered off in another direction. I am really looking forward to book 2 in the series. (I have not read this in print at all so I can't really compare, but this is so good on audible....the inflections of the reading are great.) In conclusion, I note that I review about one in 10 books I listen to. I reviewed this, hope it is useful.

Don't groan like that. I know, it isn't fair to say an author is "like" another...even if it is Neal Stephenson-like. I get it. But I consider the comparison high praise, and the other reviews of this book focus too much on the 80's video-game aspect. This is much more sophisticated than 80's gamer fan lit. (It is closer to Cryptonomicon or Snow Crash than That 70's Show or Wargames.) Sure there are a lot of 1980's pop-culture references (including gaming) but that isn't all there is here. I wasn't really into either (80's pop-culture or gaming) but I really liked this. Just like Cryptonomicon wasn't about WWII, this isn't ABOUT the 80's or gaming. It is just weird to have SF set in a known place. My dad was a sailor in the Pacific in the war, so I knew about most of the islands and battles in Cryptonomicon. Similarly, I was in my 20's in the 80's....so I knew all of the places here in the same way. Very effective.

One sort of unconnected, random additional observation: When I was a kid reading Heinlein's books for boys, the alienated youth and seekers went to space...went outwards to escape the ordinary and become adults. Now they go deep into the machine in many books. But if it is true that the journey is the important thing -- not the destination, both amount to the same thing.....a journey to find companionship, personal honor, the answer to a mystery and humor. This is a nice job of describing such a journey -- I believe it is well worth the credit and the time. Finally, this is the second time I've liked a Wheaton read. . .which also surprises me. I've always felt he was a little too 'meta,' a bit too much need to be in on the joke to be a good narrator. Not here. (Maybe his appearances on the Big Bang, where he played himself being such a character.....who knows?) But I've got to admit -- I liked him again here...he makes Wade a real person when it would be easy not to.

Another of those science-fiction-set-in-familiar-places-and-times like Halting State. Not centered on space or jump gates -- not even sure it is really science fiction.....but it is GOOD fiction and certainly not based in what we normally think of as reality. Unlike my usual reviews -- I'm not going to say a lot more about this one. No comparisons or discussion. You should listen to it because someone put an awful lot of thought and work into making this fascinating. They did quite the job of it. I also liked the narrator generally, but she has an intra-sentence rhythm that I found hard at times -- just saying for next time.

Wow...Seriously.....When I reviewed the first book in the series, I noted that "while one book does not a great, sweeping space opera (usually) make -- this book is a solid foundation for what could be a great series. . .in the tradition of Campbell's "Lost Fleet," or other similar series (Ian Douglas, John Ringo, William Dietz, David Weber, David Drake, John Scalzi.") This second book moves from that foundation to a full realization of a great series in one brilliant step. I faulted the author for that first effort not being a masterpiece of control of language and syntax." But this second book moves the series into the realm of the Lost Fleet and the Dietz takeoff on the Foreign Legion. The maturation of the ideas and writing style is amazing. Multiple but understandable story lines, great battle scenes, a mix of humor and serious thought. I can't put it more simply: listen to this book if you like hard science fiction and space warfare (but start with the first one!) It is a great new series. The narrator was fantastic too -- not only a good storyteller, but a range of good voices. I recently said that I wished that Audible allowed each frequent listener a sixth star once a year so that I could award it to Peter Hamilton's latest -- but as much as I loved that book, this one gives it a run for the money. . .maybe we could make it two a year !

So that I don't bury the lead -- this is one sophisticated, complex wonderful book. The narration is great as well. I wish Audible/Amazon would allow folks who listen to more than 20 books a year to, just a once a year, give a 6 star rating. Just one. Like a premium frequent traveler rating. I'd love to see the books that made that list. I'm certain this would be get the 6th star from a lot of people.

I enjoy historical biographies and hard science fiction particularly when the Sci-Fi comes in very long books or multiple book series -- with one or more of the following themes: modern space operas, complex storylines, detective or noir/cyberpunk overtones, cascading clever thoughts/dialogue and/or military. This has led me to earlier works by Peter F. Hamilton (Void Trilogy, Greg Mandel Series), Dan Simmons (Hyperion), Alastair Reynolds (Revelation Space Trilogy, Terminal World), Richard K. Morgan (Altered Carbon) and most recently Charles Stross. (Halting State and Rule 34.) (A swirling, clever, funny and very complex pair of police procedurals done just enough into the future to look at the next big thing in social engineering, computing, communications and just about anything else you can imagine.)

I never thought I'd say that I liked another Hamilton book as much as the Void Trilogy -- and this is a slightly different type of animal. Where that was broad and wild, this is tight and classy. It is like Wallander (obscure Swedish police procedural reference) meets the Void Trilogy. It IS "modern space opera, complex storyline, detective or noir/cyberpunk overtones, cascading clever thoughts/dialogue and/or military."

When I read Charles Stross' Halting State, I initially found it hard to get into the three rotating storylines and the fact that the narration is, oddly, in the second person -- but it was worth the work to do so. This one takes no such early work. Pay your one credit, hit the button an WHOOOOOSSSHHHH ! You are off. Like Halting State, it is a rock solid police procedural with a clever and appealing set of smart characters.

It is like listening to a great new song...you sort of know the rhythm and style but WOW. Toby Longworth is perfect too -- superb meld of material and delivery. Like I said, a 6 on a scale of 5.

New entry on the top ten.

Smart tough female lead character. Fairly hard sci-fi. I always wonder, with the great success of Jack McDevitt's character Chase Kolpath and Weber's Honor Harrington, why there aren't more tough female leads in sci-fi. Look at what Neal Stephenson has been able to do at times. I'm also a sucker for great narration. I haven't heard Charlie Norfolk narrate before -- but what a great talent. This starts in three plots that come together....and when they do it is a real fast ride.

While one book does not a great, sweeping space opera (usually) make -- this book is a solid foundation for what could be a great series. . .in the tradition of Campbell's "Lost Fleet," or other similar series (Ian Douglas, John Ringo, William Dietz, David Weber, David Drake, John Scalzi). There are really good ideas here, and excellent battles in space. The seeds are also planted for what is coming next -- along with a number of really good "concepts" about technology.
I did not read earlier iterations of this book, just listened to the 'final' Audible version -- which I thoiught was EXCELLENT. The writing is not tight -- but tight is not what I think of as the 'be all and end all' in this type of "writ large"" type of opening salvo. And it seems clear that as this rolls out it will provide an opportunity for greater control of language and syntax. But this is no amateur venture by a mile. This is a fine story well written and well performed.
If you liked the Lost Fleet you will love this. If you enjoyed the Dietz takeoff on the Foreign Legion, you will also appreciate the sinilarities here.
I cannot wait for the next book -- and what more can you say about a new writer and series ????

I had not read anything by Tony Daniel previously -- and have been unhappy with the last three books I've read. Too simple, or derivative. I keep looking for something like Dan Simmons' Hyperion series or Peter Hamilton's Commonweath/Void books. Something with a little "there" there. I also enjoy darker pieces like Alastair Renolds (Revelation Space) or Charles Stross' post-moderns (Halting State / Rule 34). I also like some good old fashioned military sci-fi like John Campbell's Lost Fleet, John Ringo's Aldenata Series (or his new Gate series).

This book was a breath of fresh air -- complex players, clever plotting, a hard science edge. It is a very good start to what I hope will develop into a great series. It is Military Sci-Fi (somewhere between Ringo and Campbell) but with a little complexity and darkness mixed in.

When I first started it, I thought: "Ok, bad aliens bomb earth. . ." But the characterization, clever (and well fleshed-out) aliens, and smart plot make this a cut well above the average. There is definately military sci-fi here -- and it is quick and intelligent. But there is also a well-laid foundation for broader thinking and deeper plots to come.

The conclusion builds well, and by the time you get there -- you are fully engaged in the action. This was a pleasure, and I hope that there will be more to come.

[See Review of Halting State]

I enjoy hard science fiction particularly when it comes in very long books or multiple book series -- with one or more of the following themes: modern space operas, complex storylines, detective or noir/cyberpunk overtones, cascading clever thoughts/dialogue and/or military. This has led me to works by Peter F. Hamilton (Void Trilogy, Greg Madel Series), Dan Simmons (Hyperion), Alastair Reynolds (Revelation Space Trilogy, Terminal World), Richard K. Morgan (Altered Carbon) and most recently Charles Stross.
Halting State and Rule 34 are a swirling, clever, funny and very complex pair of police procedurals done just enough into the future to look at the next big thing in social engineering, computing, communications and just about anything else you can imagine.
When I read the first book, Halting State, I initially found it hard to get into the three rotating storylines and the fact that the narration is, oddly, in the second person -- but it was worth the work to do so. This book is less frantic and easier to track than the first one. Again though, it is a rock solid procedural with a clever and appealing set of smart characters. Once again, the FANTASTIC Scottish dialect (and absolutely tremendous performance by the reader) and will sweep you away as the twists and turns look like a cross between HOMELAND and a LaCarre novel. I have moved these two book up to my top ten list -- and hope that we get a wee bit more in the future.

I enjoy hard science fiction particularly when it comes in very long books or multiple book series -- with one or more of the following themes: modern space operas, complex storylines, detective or noir/cyberpunk overtones, cascading clever thoughts/dialogue and/or military. This has led me to works by Peter F. Hamilton (Void Trilogy, Greg Madel Series), Dan Simmons (Hyperion), Alastair Reynolds (Revelation Space Trilogy, Terminal World), Richard K. Morgan (Altered Carbon) and most recently Charles Stross.
Halting State and Rule 34 are a swirling, clever, funny and very complex pair of police procedurals done just enough into the future to look at the next big thing in social engineering, computing, communications and just about anything else you can imagine.
I initially found it hard to get into the three rotating storylines and the fact that the narration is, oddly, in the second person -- but it was worth the work to do so. If you start the read, stay with it. It is like a fantastic rollercoaster that is always running just a bit above your comprehension. Fun is made of corporate-speak, internet over-connection and geeks galore -- but at the bottom this is a rock solid procedural with a clever and appealing set of smart characters.
The initial mechanism of a bank robbery of a bank that exists only within an online game should not deter those who are not gaming fans....it is just a first step. The fun begins with the FANTASTIC Scottish dialect (and absolutely tremendous performance by the reader) and will sweep you away as the twists and turns look like a cross between HOMELAND and a LaCarre novel. I have moved these two book up to my top ten list -- and hope that we get a wee bit more in the future.