Massively disappointed - returned after Chapter 28

It pains me to write this review (as I do agree with some of the political opinions expressed). Usually, I am NOT reading or listening to a book to get lectured by the author on their personal world views! A lot of Sci-Fi franchises have been hijacked by left wing, identity group politics and it really, really turns fans off. Fans just want good storytelling. If u want to challenge people's presuppositions?....do it through challenging and absorbing stories that get them thinking....Star Trek used to do this brilliantly (pre-STD).

7 people found this helpful

Oppertunity Lost.

The author is clearly very talented creative individual at a technical level and the story concept was excellent, but Bartlett missed the opportunity to deliver an outstanding story by trying to shoehorn in plot devices that were completely unnecessary which detracted greatly from the overall narrative.

Before I wrote this, I did try and reach out to the author (check your reddit account) requesting some clarification on the issues I will be discussing below. Had he replied, I could have possibly framed this in a more favorable light if I understood the narrative within the broader context of his other books. But as he has failed to get back to me, I am going to have to write the review with what I have at hand, this boxset. It is important to remember that the plot point is a rather minor and if you are able to take it for what it is, the rest of the book is rather enjoyable and worth listening too.

The story is of a disgruntled Commander who has to take his fleet into battle forcing him to juggle between protecting the vast civilian population on board and the posturing of a corrupt government. On it's own this has great potential for an excellent expansive story and the author has the talent to pull it off.....except for his need to unnecessarily shoehorn in a really bad and derivative take on race politics.

The author attempts to frame internal onboard conflict as tension between the various species of aliens who live within his population, which again, this has so much potential. This fails on so many levels thought because the issue is presented and framed as it is in real life with the same race relations and arguments and causes. This is rather problematic as here on earth we are the same biological species, not a group of humans living with bird like aliens or whatever alien species that is dragged into this mess. The arguments fundamentally fail in this respect because they can not reflect the same arguments and systems of motivation of our real world because they do not have the same historical or social context with which to be developed, and 'race' as presented in the book fails as humans are not biologically different from one another because of the color of our skin.

And the arguments from both sides are just so reductionist and derivative it made me laugh out loud and roll my eyes nearly every time I came to these sections. The avatars used to represent the 'left' were hysterical, utterly unreasonable idiots who were the 'real racist', while the avatars for the 'Nazi' weren't actually racist but just some assholes trying to stir shit up for revenge.

The Commander meanwhile is a 'centrist' who just cant fathom all this race tension, routinely giving utterly tone-deaf speeches which are meant to unite everyone. In real life he would be the guy who claims he is 'colorblind' because his best friend is from whatever minority group (seriously, he makes this argument because his best friend is one of the bird people), or 'racism doesn't exist', while crying 'cant we all just getting along?'. Instead he does nearly nothing to actually listen to the lived experiences of other people (species?) or offering any means to addressing the grievances or fixing any of the problems, trying to 'both sides' the whole mess.

Now, I don't know what the authors personal political beliefs are, and it doesn't matter. Nor do I know if the way this is presented is on purpose in order to frame the protagonist as a bit incompetent and unaware leading to making the situation worse. But overall, it was completely unnecessary plot device that felt like it was not thought out and was presented in the most asinine and ineffectual way possible.

The only other major issue is that sometimes the author seems to get lazy and will present a potentially major plot point and then just sort of wrap it up in one sentence, For instance, this is one example of many, they are looking for a specific individual on a planet and after a very good lead up surrounding the emotional impact it would have on his friend, the protagonist goes on on how they 'spent days looking and were just about to give up...... oh we found her and she's now on board,' all within a few sentences and without any real exploration of the planet or events .The author very much violated the 'Show; Don't tell' concept leading to so much potential lost for character and world building.

In conclusion, if you are okay with an excellently written book with except to one minor (or major depending on how you look at it) flaw in the world building, the story overall is worth listening too. But if you think you might have the experienced spoiled because you want a flawless book, then this one is not for you.

3 people found this helpful

another good read

great to get all 3 books in one hit. at times the battles were relentless and I got lost a few times but still a good story

2 people found this helpful

Do not like being forced to do this!

Good book. Should not be forced to review... should be optional. wil not do it again.......

1 person found this helpful

Epic sci fi

Excellent all round epic of science fiction spanning the books. The superb narration put me right in the moment, right in the battles, the struggles and continued to do so right up to the climax. This was the second trio of Ixan prophesies and it was just awesome in every sense. 👍👍👍

1 person found this helpful

Great ideas, Great story, Mediocre politics

I'll start with the most vital part. These books are heavily paralleled to our politics with cancel culture, fascism, communism and much else. If you are leaning very left or far right, you might not enjoy these books because the author is openly mocking your positions. If you are less of the extremes, SJW, X supremacy, etc, and can stomach the parallels, you can continue reading this review but if that turns you off, these books ain't for you.

Spoiler alert if proceeding.

To continue on this, There is an obvious political message along the lines of "Extremism on all ends wrap onto each other and actions for political ideals with no concern for consequences will inevitably lead to corruption and censorship". Which is a fine message to have in your book, one I happen to agree with. The big issue here is it is far too much on the nose, the parallels are extremely blatant and not at all changed to disguise them even the slightest. It makes it far too obvious what he is going for already early on and it hinders in a sense the message cause the extremes that needs it will filter out the book after a few chapters as he clearly mocks SJWs and X supremists and such.

Now if we go past that, the science is of course bugger all but the concepts used are fascinating, especially how interdimensional travel works and how it can be used to travel within a given universe. It was so good I have started spinning on it for a setting I am working on. He danced with the old trope of Progenitors seeding galaxies, the ancient ones and does a cute subversion of it in a way. Unfortunately the way it is subverted is kinda mediocre and border line nonsensical. I feel if he had played it more straight it would have been better. Played them straight while having the faction that ended up being them would have been even better and made for a great third series. The lost opportunities saddens me.

The story progression is somewhat predictable as you get more pieces you see the inevitable path it will take and how it will end so it is no real surprise but it is a great journey. The characters are great. The ending is a bit of a downer, if realistic given the premises.

And the performance? Absolutely outstanding, I cannot say anything bad there. He is great. I will probably miss that the most.

Over all, 5/5, would recommend it despite the missed opportunities and politics.

Great read/listen

Title says it all. I really been enjoying scott bartlett books and highly recommend his reading order. I'm off to the next set if you like space opera, battles, stories with plots etc etc your gonna like these very much.

The juice is worth the squeeze!

Quite dark in places and heavy on the politics but a good story overall.

a great adventure

a well balanced story line following the adventures and missions of Vin Husher., as he plans and develops strategies to save the universe. a great listen well preformed.

I actually cried...

Another Rollicking Space Saga to rival Star Wars. But I don't think a movie would do justice to the many military engagements.

That's space battles for the ungeek among you... lol