This is a “space opera” story, but set in a hyper-cliche and difficult to believe universe, with cliche aliens and cliche dialogue. “Give them time, Kladomaor, they are but a young species, yet, they show great potential”
Normally, I’m a fan of shallow, but fun space opera, but I felt like the universe was large, yet the character set was tiny and stilted.
Two Boxans, presumably not of any position in the government constantly make universe-altering decisions and speak for an entire species. In fact, the whole concept of the common use of the phrase “This species is….” is a bit silly. Assuming all members of a species are defined by a small and very limited (and often a bit silly) set of characteristics is outlandish and shallow.
The science portions of the story, such as the Athena being described as the humans first spacecraft to venture far from Earth… it’s extremely outlandish that it would have fuel, supplies and other consumables to do much other than its intended mission. To divert the mission and then have occupants for (apparently) several years is silly. For humans to live in (apparently) zero gravity for months/years without anything other than a passing reference to it… and for there to be little to no recognition of the scale of planetary spaces and distances… stretches the bounds of credibility and makes the story break immersion too much. I mean, at least he TRIED to give a nod to a spacecraft needing fuel, but it’s just so “magical” how that issue is resolved in this series.
This is a story about aliens where entire species are essentially the same personality, where the actions of 4 or 5 people on the fringes of society somehow dictate the direction of entire multi-solar system governments and where science and technology are tossed out the window in favor of having silly “hand to hand combat” trials and other tropes.
It’s another science fiction story where “humans are extra special above all other species of aliens” is a main theme and main crutch and human technology is FAR more durable and flexible than it should be given the apparent level of science at the beginning of the story.
Not my cup of tea. Check out the “Star Carrier” series by Ian Douglas for a really solid Space Opera (if you can stomach a little time travel), or the “Castle Federation” series by Glynn Stewart if you prefer one that’s a little more grounded and has some neat takes on starship technology (by has a slightly moralistic tone), or the “Lost Fleet” series by Jack Campbell if you like space battles and a high pace with consistent use of technology and even real concepts like “fuel” and minimal “deus ex machina” to rescue the hopelessly outmatched humans (like this series). Or the “Dutchy of Terra” series if you want a real “rah rah Humans really are crafty” story without quite as much stilted dialogue and cheesy “all species are defined by one individual”.