Linesman

De: S. K. Dunstall

Narrado por: Brian Hutchison

Duración: 12 h y 41 m

Resumen del Editor

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.

Wish it was a series

Would you listen to Linesman again? Why?

Yes it has likeable characters in it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Marie she has power and no power at the same time.

Have you listened to any of Brian Hutchison’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't think I have

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

Yes I could listen to this book till the end

Any additional comments?

I like how the author left room to turn this book into a series and also how he made the characters more human with their flaws

Best Scifi Story I've Read in a Long Time

The author has created a fascinating universe that I can't wait to return to. The lines concept is extremely interesting and new. Ean's interaction with the lines holds the promise of many great stories to come. Narration was competent. My main criticism is that vocal character delineation was mostly only fair and there were times when I had difficulty telling which character was speaking.

Lovely first book

This is their first book and they are superb writers. I have read and re-reading this series and have loved it more each time.

Wonderful Characters and Unique Storyline!

Ean Lambert is a linesman but his skills are different than most linesmen. Lines are paths of energy which serve specific purposes on space ships. Lower lines (1 through 5) control more basic systems not needed for space travel, and these are on planets too. The technology is not completely understood and no one yet knows the purpose of lines 7 and 8. Most linesmen have a special extra sensory perception and have been taught to manipulate the lines by pushing them into place to keep them working properly. The linesmen are certified at the highest level, 1-10, that they can manipulate.

Ean’s contract is with one of the least respected cartels but Ean was glad to sign on for the training and the chance to become a linesman. His boss did manage to get him certified as a Level 10, although it was all a bit unorthodox because Ean doesn’t manipulate the lines like the others. He hears the songs of the lines and sings to them – and they respond. Ean doesn’t get the respect the other high linesmen get, but while other 10s were out at the ‘confluence’ trying to learn the secrets of an alien ship, Ean has been busy fixing lines on many ships and gaining a reputation as a reliable, if strange, linesman.

Ean’s life is suddenly changed when his contract is bought by an angry woman from the Lancastrian Princess. Ean was raised in the slums of Lancia so he doesn’t have warm feelings towards their rulers. The crew doesn’t welcome him warmly, although the lines do. Slowly the crew, especially the ship’s owner, Michelle, her high-ranking bodyguard, Abram, and eventually the ship’s captain, Helmo, begin to appreciate Ean’s unique talents. When they realize that Ean can communicate with the mysterious alien ship, he quickly becomes their secret weapon. He discovers line 11 on the alien ship, learns the purposes of the other lines and realizes that he can use the lines collectively. Which is a big help when enemies first try to attack the alien ship and then try to kidnap Ean.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Ean and the lines. (I suppose some might relate if they have a car or other object they pat and croon too.) The story is told in third person primarily focused on Ean but rotating to other characters too. One of these is Jordan Rossi, an arrogant, rival Level 10 who thinks Ean is crazy and dangerous. Ean is assigned his own bodyguard, Radko, and I like her no nonsense attitude. There is political intrigue that Ean becomes entangled in even though he doesn’t fully understand it all.

The story is full of strong, likeable characters and has a fresh storyline full of action and intrigue. The writing flows well; mostly at a quick pace. When I had to turn it off, I was anxious to get back to listen to more. This book has an appropriate ending but there is clearly more for the next book and I look forward to continuing the adventure. I really like the characters and the unique storyline in this. I’m ready to listen to more.

Audio Notes: Brian Hutchison does a wonderful job with the narration. He gives each character their unique personality, flair and emotions, and his narration flows so well that you aren’t conscious of the reading. There are a few slower points in the story and he manages to maintain a good flow even through those. The narration definitely enhanced my enjoyment of this story and I highly recommend this in audio format.