Perdition

Dred Chronicles, Book 1

By: Ann Aguirre

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate's most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid. Life inside is even more bleak. Hailed as the Dread Queen, inmate Dresdemona "Dred" Devos controls one of Perdition's six territories, bordered on both sides by would-be kings eager to challenge her claim. Keeping them at bay requires constant vigilance, as well as a steady influx of new recruits to replace the fallen.

Survival is a constant battle, and death is the only escape. Of the newest convicts, only one is worth Dred's attention. The mercenary Jael, with his deadly gaze and attitude, may be the most dangerous criminal onboard. His combat skill could give her the edge she needs, if he doesn't betray her first. Unfortunately, that's what he does best. Winning Jael's allegiance will be a challenge, but failure could be worse than death.

©2013 Ann Aguirre (P)2013 Tantor

The only flaw is no sequel on audiobook

I loved this book, I just wish there were follow up books available on audio book format

Such a GREAT story. Movie to come for sure

What did you love best about Perdition?

This book has me in withdrawal for more. I NEED book 2 to be written! OMGosh, the story is all-consuming and envelopes the reader in the fast-paced plot. It's not overcomplicated and doesn't try to do too much like some other authors tend to do in this genre. Just a perfect integration of plot, character and future-based fantasy, with a nod to esoteric literary analysis of conflict: man v man, man v nature, man v himself, etc...

Who was your favorite character and why?

duh... Dred! Her character is endearing yet I am scared of her, loving yet being loved by her is dangerous, strong yet within believable limits of human frailty, mysteriously guarded yet I feel like I know her well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found myself experiencing several "OMG, I've got to reread that!" moments throughout the book.

Grabbed me from the start

Within the first few pages I was hooked on the story. The narrator has an usual cadence to her speech that really works for me.

Kate Reading did it again

I don't think I would have read this book if not for Kate Reading. It was a nice book and am looking forward to the sequel. Kate has all the voices and makes you know that each person is a seperate charactor.

Thanks again Kate for broadening my horizons. Now if you could help with my spelling.
Steven

Prison Ship Scifi

This is the first book I have read written by Ann Aguirre and I liked it. Entertaining SCIFI view of a future high security prison ship, the inmates and their tribal society. There are no guards and the prisoners on this ship are the dregs of the universe, but surprisingly the main characters are likeable. The book contains lots of action, subterfuge and violence. This is an entertaining story and very well narrated. Kept my interest and I will read any squeals.

A Refreshing Book!

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book because its style was new to me. Dread runs a successful prison territory and is challenged by 3 other factions after gaining a super-human recruit fresh onto the prison ship. This book contains a lot of action and some sexual content. If you would like a break from the usual dystopian books and enjoy this authors other books, than I suggest this book to you.

love Kate Reading but she can only do so much

kate reading is fabulous as always, but even she can only do so much with a predictable storyline and forced character development. instead of making a character seem tough and jaded the author would just have the character say "I'm tough and jaded" it wasn't believable.

Liked it - But Was Kind of Bored With This One

Perdition is one part Kick A heroine, one part alpha male, and one part actioner - all leading up to an anti hero that you root for despite what she does to survive.

Dred murdered the previous leader of the faction in which she's now queen. But the other factions in the prison barge have realized that if they form an alliance, they can wipe out Dred's hard won peace and divvy up her part of the ship. It will drive Dred to make a horrific alliance of her own - with psychotic murderers and those who committed the most terrible of crimes to have earned them a life sentence on the barge. But Dred has allies within her kingdom and a trump card in the form of Jael, a mercenary like character with a secret that can save them both.

IN all, I liked but honestly didn't love Perdition. Sure, there were the Aguirre staples in there - lots of gore and violence and horror. But I think the setting actually upstaged the characters. Both Dred and Jael were a bit of a blank slate and very hard to get into. I didn't feel like either was a real person and it was too much like reading a graphic novel but without the pictures. If Jael is Superman then Dred was very much a Wonder Woman - complete with a 'golden lasso' type chain. Perhaps because of that, it did feel very cartoony.

That isn't to say this isn't a good novel. It is solidly written and flows well. Aguirre's strength, building a world, is well represented and you do feel like you are in that universe easily. But somewhere in the middle I kind of got bored and found I wasn't caring about any of the characters. If anything, the side characters ending up being more interesting and with a lot more complexity in their emotions, personalities, and motivations.

In all, a decent sci fi with a touch of horror and romance.

Ignore the crappy cover art .

This is a great book ! it held my attention completely for 2 days straight !