Generally I like the series and the main characters. He does a good job of growing the characters and making sure we know who the important supporting characters are. However, he repeats the same grave descriptions to the point they become irritating at times and distracts from the movement of the story. Sometimes in the car I yell, “I get it! GO ON!” or “Not AGAIN, please!” I have also started seeing a Hollywood bigger explosions pattern. The main characters on the main ship keep fighting off more and more and more ships. Example, in this book the main captain and crew ends up fighting off a total of 5 ships. Everything is worse and worse and worse, oh this is paralleled in a really big battle light years away, and then SUDDENLY the protagonist pulls out that little ooomph and destroys the enemy in a single blow after being forlorn. But never say die twice too many! I get this from Hollywood, I don’t need or want it in decent book, I expect growth and movement. This is not to say he totally fails, he doesn’t. The books are solidly crafted and I do like the characters in the end, but editing out some “oh, dear lordy” melodrama wouldn’t shorten the books too much and keep me from rolling my eyes in frustration at times in listening.
Review from Ruins of Empire →