Blowback: A Retrieval Artist Novel

Blowback: Your weapon today might be their weapon tomorrow.

I have read the previous novels in the series, and this one builds on the others and exceeds them in both plot complexity and depth of characterization. Talia, Police Detective Nyquist, and undercover Earth Alliance Agent Zagrando all get significant time as point-of-view characters in addition to Noelle DeRicci and Miles Flint. Agent Zagrando & Detective Nyquist no longer seem like new characters making their story lines more interesting. Personally, I like DeRicci's gruff character better in small doses, so her reduced roll was appreciated.

I enjoyed that this book had the feel of a spy novel in addition to the expected police procedural style, heightening suspense and intrigue. In the best tradition of science fiction, Rusch continues to deftly explore the essence of person-hood, individualism, and discrimination using the future as her lens.

On the downside, this book leaves too many questions unanswered and that is disappointing. When the credits rolled, it seemed like it was three chapters too soon. To be fair, a significant part of the storyline does resolve, but unfortunately, without the all-important "why's" answered. The author has admitted that the story was "too big to fit" with which I can sympathize. The cliffhanger aspect didn't feel manipulative or purposeful. Sadly, fans will have to wait longer for several of the plot threads of this book to come to fruition.

Additionally, a couple story aspects don't quite ring true (e.g. two characters arguing essentially over nothing) other than as "because the script said so" excuses for conflict. While not too off-putting, there is no doubt in my mind that the author "rushed" this one and continuity suffered. I highly recommend the book even with it's flaws and I am very optimistic that there will be an appropriate payoff in the next novel. If you are new to the series, start with one of the first 3 books. Those who like this series should also enjoy the Miles Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold.

I love The Retrieval Artist books! I have been hooked on them for years now. I was thrilled when this one was released, and I eagerly put it at the top of my list to listen to immeditately.

Lots of story lines being drawn closer together, seems like we will get an ending to some tags that have been floating along since the 3rd book in this set!

Fast paced, this book is continuing to develop deeper characters in Flint and our new head of Moon Security office. I keep wondering if the blowback is going to trace back to the first bombing of Armstrong, and the refusal of Earth Alliance entrance to that particular planet. But we readers and still in the dark on that one!

Lots of new threadlines that could be good plots for future books! I'll cross my fingers in hopes this series has not even reached the 1/2 point in total books!

Thanks, Audible Extremes for introducing the series to me in the beginning as a free read! My reading (listening) life will never be the same!

There is a lot of repetition from previous books to give new readers and old ones a small history of the series.

Otherwise the story is quite different from previous ones and the characters actually change opinions and learn from past experiences, while at the same time forgetting to learn from others.

I absolutely love the complexity of the world created in this Sci-Fi. Would absolutely recommend if you have read or heard the audiobooks of the previous installments of the series.

[My headline is stupid because I couldn't fit it into 50 characters spelled out.]Returning characters are the best part. Although, Flint's character is rather inhibited by his concern for his daughter's safety.Still, it is a real-world constraint for his character. This particular novel fails to reach maximum entertainment because it has too many (albeit connected) story-lines in such a short space. I would have preferred the book better if it were longer and had more events / scenes / etc. like some of the earlier books.

Friends or anyone interested in tense plotting with interesting characters in a future (but not implausible) world should read / listen to this--Just not first. Read the earlier books to get hooked and drawn in.

Snyder reads this kind of book very well. I look forward to his earnest and intense reading.

I am re-reading the entire series in order again to get the feel of the epic continuity.

Although once the reader knows the ending, the suspense is gone, of course, nevertheless, I find that this series stands up very well to repeat listening. Nine books is a lot of credits, but if others are like me, they'll get value indeed for their credit(s) because these are books I come back to--in order or just grabbing a random episode that I want to hear again.

I very much appreciate the writing Rusch has done in these first 9 novels in the series. She pens a good tight plot, the story arc runs true and the characters evolve as the series progresses.

I do think, though, the story wouldn't have been nearly as effective without Jay Snyder as its narrator. A great voice able to bring all the different persona in these books together as well as adding excitement to the story line gives so much to these books. I'm so impressed with his work. I intend to look for other novels he's narrated because I like the sound of his voice so much.

Blowback sets the series up for further expansion - and I'm glad. Though it did leave a few loose threads, all in all the plot is nice and tight and we understand why things are progressing the way the author has taken them.

Character development is this authors forte. She's allowed her characters to grow in their development as the time goes. This is especially important with Talia, a young outspoken girl who deserves a spin off series one of these days!

The civilization Rusch has penned is believable. It's very enjoyable to imagine meeting the aliens she's imagined and shes done a nice job of working around problems that would come from a meeting of different specie. It's quite believable.

I suggest these books be read in order. I'm sure each is set up to be sort of stand alone, but starting in the middle might be confusing, though Rusch does add a brief backstory in all the novels.

Suitable for most ages...I was listening in my car with my 8 year old grand daughter at the point where cloning was being discussed. She asked questions and I turned the book off and we had a good discussion about cloning. Now she wants to hear more of these books..it's a big jump from Mary Osborne's Magic Tree House stories she has on her iPod to Si Fi but I'm ready to encourage her to take it if she wants. I started Heinlein's Juvenile Books at 11 so why not?

A good book with action and situations where the listener is given opportunities to think about what she would think in the same situation.

Recommended Highly

I'm never disappointed by Retrieval Artist novels. I love good science fiction, and Rusch has created an incredibly compelling and delightfully-researched world.

This novel re-introduces several characters from earlier Retrieval Artist novels and traces logical development well. Characters are wonderfully, imperfectly PEOPLE, and the plotting and pacing of this particular story are especially masterful. The story is full of politics, intrigue and plain old detective work.

Jay Snyder still does an excellent job of narration.

This is very much what I've come to expect of and love in the Retrieval Artist series.

Love the series, but this one sees to be a tie-in.Previously it seemed that the story arch had been completed, but this one show that the doomsday explosion was just the beginning of a much larger and grander issue.
One area that kind of bothered me was the introduction of a new character, whom I have actually started to like, does not cross paths with the other characters. I can see that he will be important in future novels but not really this one. The is also a new character that I see following in the steps of the security chief.

Always get her books. Do not start with this one though as you need to follow the story arch.

I very much enjoy Jay Snyders narration.

The deaths at Tallia's school.

Way to leave them wanting more! I felt it ended too soon, but I hope it's because going any further requires another book, and another book.... You get the idea.

This is one of my favorite audiobook series. Rusch is an expert at weaving a science fiction story. I love every character in these books. It's one of those that I don't mind that she switches points of view constantly. And I always want more when the books are over. I highly recommend the Retrieval Artist series to anybody that loves good science fiction. Also, Jay Snyder is the perfect narrator for this series.

The book is an easy read -- it takes you and moves you forward with ease and entertainment. Many issues are relevant to earthly experience: relationships between men and women, daughters and fathers, etc. Some ideas revealed in the book are interesting to think about and some sounded silly (that is why 4 starts -- actually I would put even 3.5 stars, if there was such grade), but nevertheless it is a good read engaging in a thought with a pleasant aftertaste and feeling that you have gained some useful experience.