Linesman

By: S. K. Dunstall

Narrated by: Brian Hutchison

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

First in a brand-new, thought-provoking space opera series.

The lines. No ship can traverse the void without them. Only linesmen can work with them. But only Ean Lambert hears their song. And everyone thinks he's crazy.... Most slum kids never go far, certainly not becoming a level 10 linesman like Ean. Even if he's part of a small and unethical cartel, and the other linesmen disdain his self-taught methods, he's certified and working. Then a mysterious alien ship is discovered at the edges of the galaxy. Each of the major galactic powers is desperate to be the first to uncover the ship's secrets, but all they've learned is that it has the familiar lines of energy and a defense system that, once triggered, annihilates everything in a 200 kilometer radius. The vessel threatens any linesman who dares to approach it, except Ean. His unique talents may be the key to understanding this alarming new force and forever reconfiguring the relationship between humans and the ships that serve them.

©2015 S.K. Dunstall (P)2015 Recorded Books

Love it

very different from expected and very engaging. the characters and plot are well thought out and leaves you on your toes.

Unique and fascinating world building

The concept of the "lines" is unique and well thought out, with the characters all well rendered. The story treads the well-worn "misunderstood outsider in over his head" plot line, but not in an overly predictable way. A bit slow paced at times, and the main character's level of self-doubt seemed a bit overwrought. But, overall, well worth the listen. The spoken performance was solid, but the characters could be made a tad more distinct. There were a few times it was hard to tell which character was speaking.

New space-opera series

Brian Hutchinson's voice is pleasant and well modulated, making it easy to listen while driving. This is book 1 in a space-opera series, still under development, told in 3rd person POV. The characters are suitably likable or treacherous. The plot revolves around political alliances, alien technology, and learning how a linesman can best interface with a ship.

Science-fiction elements include futuristic humans who've colonized on planets far from Earth, and sentient energy lines that control various components of a ship, including jumping into the void. The science is soft and glossed over. There is very little explanation of how these intelligent lines work, or why Ean (and other linesmen) can communicate with them. They are created from chemicals in a factory but are sentient, thinking and feeling?

The story is fairly interesting and heartwarming, with some humor and some dangerous, suspenseful scenes. The political discussions were interesting, yet they waxed on, becoming a little tedious at times. At times, Ean dwelt too much on how other linesmen have slighted him, the singing upstart from the slums. Yet I liked Ean and wanted him to develop his potential as a virtuoso lineman.

This plot includes a nice cast of secondary characters, especially Princess Michelle, guard Radko, Captain Helmo, security commodore Abram. We also meet Rebekah Grimes and Jordan Rossi, level 10 linesmen, Rossi's assistant Fergus Burns, and Admiral Katida of planet Balian.

I think of the lines / ship as characters, too. I like the scenes where they speak or act with autonomy. However, as a character, I feel the lines/ships are amorphous, too nebulous.

No cliffhanger. The plot ends on a finished note. I'd be interested in another book. Want to learn more about the creatures who first piloted the alien ships. And I want to know who/ what Ean is.

Snoozer

There are many good reviews for this book, but I found it BORING. Reminded me of my attempt to stay conscious during a course I took in college “The History of Medieval Expansion in Europe”.

highly enjoyable light read

Read this once, then listened to it a couple years later. Good ideas and twists. Some phrases in the character development become repetitive. Well read with range of voice. I enjoyed yhe novel
both times I picked it up.

interesting concept. action is a little confusing

I like to smoke a lot but I found that some of the action sequences were confusing. The way the author describes activities and conversations without setting context makes it sometimes a little difficult to understand what's going on. nevertheless it was good enough that I decided to buy the second book in the series.

Exceptionally Enjoyable Energy

Where does Linesman rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Linesman is a 5-star General for Overall/Performance/Story.

What did you like best about this story?

Inventive writing and good storytelling- and what else is there to want? These are two entirely different creative faculties, and by no means always found together.

What does Brian Hutchison bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Characters spring to life through his voice and cadences. Yet you are never aware of him personally. That is my standard for real genius in narration. The greatest narrators never make themselves more conspicuous than the story itself: they merely embody it perfectly.

I only wish Brian Hutchison narrated many more audiobooks. For example, he made the Rot & Ruin series by Jonathan Maberry considerably more entertaining than reading the books.
(And they were good books of their kind in the first place.)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I didn't want it to be over.

Any additional comments?

Dear S.K. Dunstall:

You are among the very best writers of modern science fiction. I know this because I have read practically everything, sorry to say.
So please write more.

Thank you.

High fantasy in a spaceship

It's very low on technobabble, has a good twisty plot, and interesting characters. It kind of reads like a fantasy novel (complete with unique mind based talents) set in space. Reminds me of some of Anne McCaffrey's books. I recommend it.

Linesman is a Great Start to a New Universe

Linesman is a fresh concept in humans meet aliens. It is a thoughtful peace that has a insecure main character with people around him who value him more than he can understand. The main supporting characters are developed smoothly and interestingly. The author has a nice blend of showing and telling that fits the audio format well.

The narrator does very well in that I have no problem with knowing who is talking when. There are no strange or jarring voices. He is just a bit stilted from time to time. That's not quite the right word, but I do become aware of him for short durations, but not at times that are detrimental to the story. I wonder if this is an audio editing issue. I think he can improve and become a great and effective narrator. I wish I could score the narrator at 4.5 stars.

Overall the story grabbed my attention from the beginning and never let it go. There is action, but this is not a space opera at all. This is solid thoughtful development of a universe with new rules. You care about the characters. You care about the lines.

One annoying hole in the middle is a problem. I kept saying, "How did they get so many soldiers on a ship without anyone noticing a very large shuttle or lots of shuttles going where none should be going." The author uses this tactic more than once and you would think any competent crew would notice this detail. That is one the author should tighten up. BUT once you get by that, the story is on track again.

Overall this is one I very much enjoy and highly recommend it.

Outstanding Story...Very Entertaining.

If you could sum up Linesman in three words, what would they be?

Unique; Original; Believable

What did you like best about this story?

The premise is interesting and the story itself does a great job of setting the premise in an interesting situation.

What does Brian Hutchison bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He was a very good reader. Since I like the audible format, I was completely happy with his presentation, but can't say that he added anything that stands out beyond good, solid, and reasonable story telling.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

From Inauspicious Beginnings to Glory