Joki

Easy Sci Fi Listen

Revisado: 10-20-22

This book ends another story arc - the Peterwald/Alwa saga. A lot of long-standing characters are jettisoned and quite a few new ones show up. Kris now has a daughter, a husband, and a great desire for a desk job. Unfortunately, the universe has other plans as Kris is drawn into the Peterwald civil war as a mediator.

Story: Kris is summarily requested to return home - which she does with infant and husband in tow. Turns out she's been requested personally by emperor Peterwald to negotiate a peace between his wife and daughter. Unfortunately for Kris, the empress would rather just slaughter both her and Vicky and then happily take over the empire. Can Kris protect her husband and child and still help bring peace to a humanity that greatly needs it considering the threat it is facing?

Dina Perlman, the audio book narrator, does an excellent job as always and I appreciate that she has narrated all of the Longkinfe series to date. As with the previous books, you know what you will get here - it's not high sci fi but it is bubble gum space opera that is especially good when narrated since it is easy to follow.

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Another Enjoyable Aaron Series

Revisado: 09-22-22

This is an enjoyable urban fantasy set in 1860s in the Dakotas. It very much has a gold rush theme but with gold replaced by a new substance called 'crystal' - a rock with interesting properties (mostly explosive). The story follows the POVs of three women - each uniquely different and with different objectives and goals. Rachel Aaron's strength has always been her quirky characters and those who have enjoyed her other books should really like this series as well. Note: I listened to the audio book and the narrator had a unique voice that felt right for the characters and setting. It was an enjoyable listen.

Story: Three people will meet fate in an outpost fort near Deadwood, South Dakota: Mary (a half Lakota guide to the mining tunnels), Josie (who has come to claim the inheritance of her wealthy but recently deceased mining company owner Uncle), and Rel (who came to the fort to find the murderer of her family). Their paths will cross and each will have their demons and secrets as they must band together and survive the claim of the century.

Each of the main characters has a unique backstory and voice - you will never confuse the characters. Upright Josie, mousy Mary, and vicious Rel each have to survive a fort full of soldiers and men - while also managing to survive in the mines as well. There are several side characters and one male gets a small POV section now and then. But for the most part, we are following the main three and their stories.

There is plenty of action and those who read Aaron know to expect interesting sidekicks and very fun interactions with all kinds of objects. There isn't much 'magic', which I preferred. The story is fairly straightforward mining with a bit of the mystery of the crystal and why it is so desired by the US government and the miners. This first book is about the main characters meeting and then getting to know each other's good and bad parts.

The audio narration was well done. The narrator doesn't do accents well but she had a good sympathetic read for Aaron's style and uniqueness. It was well worth listening to the audio version to really get into the feel of the 1860s and the various characters.

In all, an enjoyable romp as always from Rachel Aaron.

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Tomb Raiding and Mutineers

Revisado: 07-31-22

If you have stuck by the series this long (12 books in) then you know not to look too closely, challenge the science, or expect deep dialogue. The Kris Longknife series is bubble gum space opera that you just enjoy as mindless entertainment when you want to turn off your brain. I continue to use it as a nice diversion - it is especially great as an audiobook because you don't need to give it your full attention.

With this book, we are full in the middle of the Alwa defense arc. Kris is continually promoted, has managed to create valuable logistics and manufacturing infrastructures, and the colonists/fleet are no longer starving. Best of all, beer is being produced again!

Story: Penny brought valuable information back: using the star charts found in ruined alien ships, her team found the homeworld of the aliens. Kris sets out on a mission of discovery - to find out more about the aliens and learn how to deal with them. What she finds is horrifying - and she will return to Alwa with that knowledge only to discover a stolen fleet by mutineers. In tracking them down, she will find yet another world of sentients - this time one paralleling 1950s America. She soon realizes she will have to make contact with them and warn them of the coming threat: there is a fleet of alien death ships poised in the next system over.

With this book, we get a bit of Lara Croft as Kris sets out to learn more about the aliens. Cue pyramids, traps, and tomb raiding. At the same time, her sociologists will interact with a strangely primitive set of people on the planet. After that, she will also have to deal with mutineers who steal several ships. The head of the mutiny will be an individual that Kris has already dealt with in the past.

Note: I listened to the audio version, narrated by Dina Pearlman. She does a fine job.

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Foile is Foiled

Revisado: 07-31-22

This is a short novella that retells situations from the Kris Longknife novel Furious from the perspective of Investigator Foile. It is a complete story and gives more information on Kris' flotilla as well as setting grandfather Al up as a possible villain. Foile is given a lot of character development as he tries to puzzle out the Longknife riddles - all the while running a department, getting rebuffed by the politics, and taking care of his wife/family.

This isn't necessary to read to understand anything in the Longknife series and is best for those who want to read more in the Longknife universe while waiting for the next novel to be published. As an strange sidenote, the cover image is of Kris when she was young and at ball, according to the author.

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A New Arc Begins

Revisado: 07-31-22

With this novel, we begin the next big story arc as Kris takes governance control of the Alwa planet. There are a lot of politics, clash of cultures, and the need to quickly set up a defense and supply infrastructure on the undeveloped planet. The aliens are coming - and Kris will have to scramble to be ready for them.

Story: King Ray has tasked Kris with the defense of Alwa. This means a jump in status, a new title or two, and a fleet to manage. But it also includes being the viceroy of an independent colony that has no interest in joining Ray's Kingdom. Kris has to bridge starving colonists who need supplies and relief, an alien race of bird-like creatures with their own motivations, and a looming threat of Alien attack in the near future.

The book begins with Kris' marriage and honeymoon on Alwa. It is a long and overly written section that really didn't add much to the story, characters, or plot. Fortunately, it is interrupted by news that requires Kris and Jack to get back to business. Kris is finding her grandma Rita to be as annoying as a born Longknife, King Ray discovers his wife might be glad to be rid of him, and Rita is about to find out that her precious son is somewhat of a misguided villain himself. All the while, Kris has to figure out how to get the infrastructure in place to not only save the colonists from starvation but also feed a huge fleet. Cue Smart Metal (TM) to the rescue.

This book is a bit of a change because it is more about terrafarming and creating infrastructures on both the planet and in space. It is clearly a thankless job but one that is desperately needed - and quickly - in order to be able to face the incoming alien attack. To do this, Ray has given Kris key resources (such as a space station) and key people who will become very important in the coming books. At the same time, Penny is sent on a mission to find the homeworld of the nameless aliens and try to gain an understanding of who they are and why they are so relentless.

This begins the Alwa defense arc which will cover several novels. Note: I listened to the audio version and it was read by Dina Pearlman, who does a fine job.

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Vicky Takes Charge

Revisado: 07-31-22

Vicky is coming to realize that outright rebellion may be the only way to save the empire. But does she dare work against the father she still loves in order to save his empire? This book has plenty of action and ends on a cliffhanger - but be aware that the next book in this series comes after several Kris Longknife books should be read or you will have massive spoilers in that series (there is a long timeline gap in which Kris has a lot of life changes).

Story: Vicky has now stood up to her stepmother and defied her father. But her stepmother has also consolidated her power base and is sending out fleets to wipe out Vicky and the rebellion. Through it all, Vicky wonders how this is happening behind her father's back - and why her father doesn't see the ravage of the empire committed by his new wife's family. Vicky will have to step up and lead a rag tag rebellion to save not only these remote worlds but also her father's empire.

Vicky's character development arc continues as she pretty much turns into a Kris Longknife. She is saving starving people, building a support base, surviving assassination attempts, and leading artfully in battle. Fortunately, Vicky relies more on her colleagues than Kris has had to do - friends who have more knowledge in their areas and lend her their expertise - so we have a more believable story.

That said, this is bubble gum space opera - fun and silly and not to be taken too seriously. Just enjoy the ride and some mindless entertainment. Note that I listened to the audio version and it was read by Dina Pearlman, who does all the Kris Longknife books. The narration was good and I appreciate the continuity.

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Introduction to a new series

Revisado: 07-31-22

This 50 page novella gives us a different perspective of events that happened in Kris Longknife books 5 and 6 (Intrepid and Audacious): from that of Vicky Peterwald, Hank's sister. It is also an introduction to the Vicky Peterwald series. You will have want to have read the Kris Longknife books first to really appreciate the story and character arc of Vicky Peterwald.

Story: Her brother and heir to the throne is dead; Vicky knows the person responsible is Kris Longknife. To show her loyalty to her father and because she didn't completely hate her brother, Vicky attempts to assassinate the Longknife. But she greatly underestimates Kris' wiliness and ability to survive.

Only part of this book is about rehashing the Longknife assassination. Rather, it is an introduction to an upcoming character development arc/series as Vicky is placed under the command of avuncular Admiral Krätz and gains valuable experiences. Vicky is at first peeved that she starts as a lowly lieutenant while her brother was made a commodore when he went into the service. But she will soon come to realize that power should be earned and not given. As well, she will have to use her intellect and reason rather than her physical assets to make her mark in the world.

I listened to the audio version and it was read by Dina Pearlman, who also narrates the Kris Longknife series.

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Heist/Courtroom Drama This Book

Revisado: 05-19-22

Mike Shepherd likes to theme each of his novels around a certain plot type or genre: with Furious, we get a JAG military court hearing next to a simple Die Hard type of heist. This is in addition to Shepherd exploring various cultures and societies (Japan, this time). Your enjoyment of this particular book will likely depend on whether you want pew pew space battles or can enjoy the wordplay in a typical courtroom.

Story: Kris needs to get to her grandfather Al, talk with him, and stop the foolhardly plan he is hatching to trade with the hostile aliens. Unfortunately, she's still confined in "Siberia" and neatly tucked out of the way by her great grandfather, King Ray. But Kris has resourceful allies and she can be a very slippery princess. The problem is, where can she go that is safe when she is wanted in nearly every world as an "enemy of humanity?"

This was a fun read and is less about space battles and more about outsmarting opponents in various situations. Fortunately, Shepherd doesn't write her outsmarting lawyers in a court of law - that would be ridiculous. For that she has help in the form of new allies. But of course, as with every where she goes (including the Musashi Imperium), she makes friends and special allies. This book was a lot more about her allies coming to her rescue rather than her miraculously saving the day - again.

This was a brutal one for the narrator - I couldn't help but wince every time a Japanese person would mispronounce a Japanese word or name. But it is what it is and I just had to ignore the distractions since I'd rather have this narrator continue the series rather than having someone else brought in.

There is a large plot twist in the end and it will be interesting to see where it goes from here.

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More on Trouble and Ruth

Revisado: 05-10-22

A nice look at the end of Daring but from a different perspective: Kris' grandfather Trouble. We get a nice view into the great relationship that Ruth and Trouble share as well as their concern for Kris and her well being. This is also a bridge that explains how Kris ends up in "Siberia" and separated from her friends and Jack in the next book, Furious.

This is a short novella but meaty enough to be worth the read. It will give more insight into Trouble as well as how deep King Ray has his head buried in the political machine. The theme of the book is that Ruth's love saved Trouble but when Ray lost his wife Rita, he lost too much of his humanity at the same time.

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Exciting

Revisado: 05-10-22

With this 9th book, Shepherd manages to keep the plot interesting and moving forward. There are some big issues with characters behaving inexplicably (e.g., Admiral Kratz goes from loving father of two girls/thoughtful man to impulsive, intractable, and a bad role model for Vicky) that frustrated but the space battles were quite entertainment enough to make up for it. I listened to the Audible narration and the narrator (who does the entire series) is consistent and makes it easy to distinguish characters.

Story: Kris wants to get as far away from the politics as possible - and ends up going into uncharted space to try to find what is killing Iteechee ships. What she finds is unimaginable: a moving alien civilization whose mission appears to be to destroy and then devour all life and resources on planets they encounter. Worse, the aliens shoot first, won't communicate, and are on a trajectory to destroy a world bearing bird-like sapiens. Can Kris turn away and let the world be destroyed or does she start a war with a civilization that produces world-sized battle ships?

The book had an interesting trajectory of Kris finding a world that had been obliterated fairly recently and then the alien ship that did the destroying. Although she has the Peterwald destroyers as well as some battle ships from her grandfather, they are tiny compared to the behemoth they would have to fight if they want to save that world. She also has civilians on board in the form of Cara and the boffins who make the decision even harder.

The running joke is, of course, that Kris is constantly being told not to start a war but always seems to be doing so. The battles this time were quite exciting and there was also the thrill of the unknown alien prowess (rather than the usual villain just being stupid and full of hubris (read: Peterwald)).

There is more character development, especially on the relationship between Kris and Jack. But also Vicky learning from Kris (for good or bad) and how each character reacts to the threat/how they should deal with it.

In all, I am still enjoying the series. It's not high literature or even high science fiction. But it is a nice diversion, especially in audiobook format.

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