Orphanage: Jason Wander, Book 1

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.

Fast progressing, near future negative first contact story.

If you want something unobtrusive and easy going, than this story deserves your attention.

PS
I hope book 2 will be available soon

The title of this review is really all I wanted to say. This is workmanlike military science ficton. Not exceptional, but well over the minimum "fair average quality which would pass without objection in the trade." Like all military SF, it's really an extended essay on the stuff that matters in life: duty, sacrifice, competition, friendship, the value of life, and the fear of death, all illustrated by stories featuring the things that entertain us all: violence, sex, and good triumphing over evil. Buettner has his own slant on all of the above. Good for him. What more could we ask?

Mostly we could ask for a reader who doesn't sound like an idiot with a sinus infection. It grates. I suspect Adam Epstein is trying too hard to channel the personality of the first-person narrator, who is a fairly emotional high-school drop-out. But that doesn't make him (or any real-life high-school drop-out) an idiot. The POV character certainly doesn't behave like like an idiot, and the other characters don't react to him as if he were one. The effect is dissonant, and becomes more so as the narrator gains in rank and experience.

Still worth listening to. Hence the three stars, but the paper book would be a better choice.

I normally dont buy books this short. but i was on my phone and didnt have an time. so i took this from the audible list. its was a good story i am continuing the series even thought the books are short. the narrator is decent i just dont like some of his voices. the story is pretty good but i dont feel some of the friendships and depth of the relationships that he alludes to which i blame for the book being short. but lets get to the good. the story moves along and is a good base, author does not forget how long it takes to get places and he does not overlook some technology. so yeah not a first pick but a good pick

I am in full agreement with the other reviews. It's simple, fast paced, sci-fi. Very reminiscent of Starship Troopers in overall plot. The author does take some pains to keep the science plausible (gravity, lightspeed, propulsion, atmosphere.... issues that sometimes get glossed over.)

The narrator is mostly good except for the idiotic voices he comes up with. They're pretty awful.

I loved the story, but the story does not stand on its own. It needs a setup and some closure that hints at a series. But besides that, the story was fun and well done and the performance was well done.

Serious and fun. I look forward to the rest of the series.

The story is simple with very little technical babble. So if your looking for deep characters and a complex storyline go elsewhere.

You're going to get simple narratives and lots of action which is exactly what I was looking for.

Only negative is that the narrator took a bit of getting used to (it's the first time I've used the increase narration speed option). Once I settled into his style I really began to enjoy it.