Galaxy Outlaws: The Complete Black Ocean Mobius Missions, 1-16.5

De: J. S. Morin

Narrado por: Mikael Naramore

Includes re-recorded Salvage Trouble with all new opening scene to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Black Ocean in audio.

Meet the galaxy's unluckiest outlaws.

Carl Ramsey is an ex Earth Navy fighter pilot turned con man. His ship, Mobius, is home to a ragtag crew of misfits and refugees looking to score a big payday but more often just scratching to pay for fuel. The crew consists of his ex-wife (and pilot), a drunkard, four-handed mechanic, a xeno-predator with the disposition of a 120kg housecat, and the galaxy's most wanted wizard.

Along the way, the Mobius crew crosses paths with the Black Ocean's vilest scum, from pirate fleets to criminal syndicates, and most law-abiding scum, including Earth Interstellar Enhanced Investigative Organization, ARGO high command, and the Convocation of Wizards. Time and again, riches lie just out of reach, because for all the talents Carl Ramsey and his crew possess, they've also got an outlaw's greatest weakness: a conscience.

Galaxy Outlaws is a collection of all 16 Black Ocean missions chronicling the adventures of the starship Mobius and her crew, along with 6 short stories. This series is the perfect cure for the Firefly season two blues. It's what you'd get if the Orville took place on Serenity, or if Star Wars had wizards instead of Jedi.

©2017 J.S. Morin (P)2025 J.S. Morin

An example of things that could have been.

What do you get when you combine a talented voice actor, an excellent premise, and a Firefly-esque atmosphere?

A book that should have been a lot better.

Don't get me wrong, it's not bad. There are parts that are genuinely good. Some amusing, some touching, some entertaining... but not as many as you'd expect. Of the 85-odd hours this book (series?) spans you're going to genuinely enjoy about a dozen of them. There are some likeable characters, there are some interesting characters, and there are some silly characters. Some of them grow and progress, others simply exist to fill out roles in the story. The characters all have that well-worn feel of familiarity however, and that isn't necessarily a good thing.

The pacing is odd, some parts get glossed over with little regard to events. Others draw out endlessly for no real reason. If you watched Star Trek: The Next Generation and thought the plot was complex and well thought out, you'll find this just to your liking. If you thought the plot was thin in spots with plot holes you can get lost for a fortnight in and as predictable as a Japanese train... well you'll find more of the same here.

All this may sound harsh, but the point is there was such a possibility here. The universe and concepts in it are excellent (if you ignore the giant holes and accept things as they are) but the big issue is that there wasn't more done with it. It's like entering a cooking show where the goal is to make the best macaroni and cheese and you make the box stuff and throw it on a plate in front of the judges. It's not bad, and will certainly do in a pinch... but it could have been much better with just a bit of effort and originality.

Epic episodic adventure, over 80 hrs of fun

Although inspired by the TV show Firefly, this space opera isn't a knock-off or fan fiction, it's an odyssey in space, full of characters to love and loathe, annoy and entertain through scores of adventures. It's the most value in hours of entertainment that I have ever gotten out of a single credit. My only advice would be not to binge listen too heavily, although the story as a whole progresses throughout all 83+ hours, it is a slow progression and if you listen to too many missions in a row it may seem a little repetitive in themes and character reactions. That aside I enjoyed the ride immensely and the only reason I noticed the repetition is because I didn't want to stop listening until I reached the end. So spend that credit, it's worth it (and no one is paying me to say that or anything) and then strap in and get ready to embark on an epic journey across the galaxy.

Galaxy Outlaws is fantastic!

I picked this up because I am a fan of the narrator Mikael Naramore. So glad I did since I fell in love with this group of misfits and their crazy escapades. Also was really intrigued by the host of sentient species in this galaxy. Usually like hard science fiction but the existence of magic seemed to fit here. Highly recommend this compilation of all the Black Ocean Mobius Missions. Great bang for the buck.

A Browncoat's Dream Realized

Within the unfathomable depth of the Black Ocean, J.S. Morin has created a universe akin to a masterpiece watch. From the outside, we see beautiful simplicity that functions only as a result of the impossibly precise internal mechanics that lie hidden just beneath the surface. Every piece functions towards the common goal of driving a story that leaves the reader/listener entranced. The characters will become a part of your world, their personalities crafted meticulously as though helped along by a bit of magic. The worlds, ships, and workings of magic and technology blend seamlessly into the story. No loose ends exist to untidy plot lines. In this collection, J.S. Morin grants us a remarkable gift, creating our very own "Mobiustania" in which to share the adventures of friends and family, to thwart the machinations of adversaries and obstacles. I challenge anyone who has yet to read this anthology to look a strange wizard in the eye, and lose themselves in a world they will never want to leave. Throughout the entirety of this collection, I asked myself repeatedly how it was that I became so completely enthralled in the stories. Upon hearing the message from the author at the end of the final tale, I had my answer. Mr. Morin, on behalf of Browncoat's everywhere, thank you for keeping the spirit of adventure alive. Thank you for creating a new world for us to explore. Most of all, thank you for doing it right. You've taken readers out into the black, and managed to give a world of fans their sky back.

85 hours for one credit can’t go wrong

Big Bang for the credit. I broke it bown by 20 hours and listen to other books instead of the hole 85 hours.