With the Lightnings: RCN Series, Book 1

If you enjoy the adventure of The Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian then you will probabibly enjoy this series. It has the character development and excitement of the older series with a twist that it is in space.
On an entirely different note Drake's mix of male and female characters is wonderful and suprising in the usually male dominated space adventure. He has created a suprising duality in the roles played, at times turning convention on its head and at other times presetning characters in a traditional manner. At times I think he fooled the narrator as there are a couple of times the female sergeant has a really deep voice. Drake has done a suprisingly good job at making the sex of the character not a factor in their position or rank. Very well done.

I actually just fininshed the 1st book last (because of the ratings ya-know), and have to say I liked it the best. Maybe it's because I already knew so much about the characters that seeing how they all got together made the book more interesting.
Also, I do agree with the author that this is not your typical military Sci-Fi Space-Opera. It's geered more to a grown-up audience.
I will difintely buy any new releases.

Like one of the reviewers said "Master and Commander in Space".
This series is definitely worth reading, despite everything good I can say about the first book, you should understand that it's only the beginning of the main plot.

The main characters have a real feel, and they are very different, so everyone can find someone they like.

David Drake has always been one of my favorite authors. He and David Weber lead the pack in action packed, easy reading space adventure stories. The Lt. Daniel Leary series is no exception. I have been waiting for this full series, and the entire Honor Harrington series, for a long time. At least this one finally got into audio production.

From long experience, I have found that even the very best audio book can be destroyed by a Narrator who either can't get into the story, or can't manage the character voices properly. Victor Bevine, the narrator for this series, does a very good job with character voices and meaningful dialog. His only failing is in the reading of narration. His flat, unemotional delivery stays the same no matter what the situation happens to be. He reads the setup for high emotion fight or flight scenes no differently than he reads a change of scenery description. He only manages to get emotionally involved with what's actually taking place in the story when the characters speak. Those abrupt changes in style, flat to emotional and back, make for some very strained listening at times.

Now, having said that, I still highly recommend this audio book. However, if you have the time, I would ask that you to read the hard copy first. That effort will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the series. If not, you will still enjoy this audio presentation; I certainly did!

- Mike -

This first book starts slowly, and you realize why as the story progresses. Drake takes his time building some depth to his characters, allowing them to grow so that when thrown into an extraordinary circumstance, their actions are believably lucky. The first segment may seem to drag a bit, but hang in there. The second segment is really fast moving and gripping. I like character development and fast plots. The character development early on makes the later action that much more fun. This is a really good listen, and I am now ordering the next one.

Fans of the standard Age of Sail novels will quickly recognize the jargon and speech patterns in this and follow on novels. The translation is very clunky at times, appearing forced and artificial, but the characters and story usually make this a minor irritation. However, keep this in mind if expecting the naturally flowing, organic dialogue of the Hammers series, and other works of Drake.

The choice of narrator, however, is problematic. Bevine has a fine speaking voice, and captures meaning and tone well. However, he has a very low energy delivery that is very much at odds with the more energetic, swashbuckling elements of the novel, of which there are many. There are times when the tension and action of a scene are completely undermined by what I would almost describe as a 'bedtime story' voice.

All in all a good story, one that seems to indicate that it will get better as the series matures, and a narrator that perhaps needs to drink a little more coffee before sitting down before the mic.

Just could not get into it, this was plodding to me, it's hard to define what I did not like about it but I just did not care about any of the players involved.

This is an enjoyable series, well written and narrated. Initially I was wary of the modelling on Patrick O'Briens series but I have absolutely no complaints and I am happily working my way through all David Drake's stories. It's a delight to find a great storyteller.

I love this series for the same reasons mentioned by many other reviewers. I have re-read them several times. Unfortunatly, the performance on this series is, in a word, pedantic. I am sure that there are people who love Mr. Bevine's reading, and I begrudge no-one a job. I just have a hard time listening to him. I am dyslexic, and I listen to audiobooks so I can get through them faster than reading them on my own, but this series I prefer to read.

The story seemed so focused on character development that the science was seemed in the way. Very slow start and, frankly, plodding. I never bought into the main characters and did not care to see how things turned out. For the first time in 15 years of listening to science fiction on Audible, i did not finish a book.