wiseard's review against another edition
4.0
It really is Hunt for Red October in space. Mostly. But it's really nice executed. Good characters and some solid plot. Fantastic space engagements.
Only minus is the way that they run from an AI. That's just a huge plothole.
Only minus is the way that they run from an AI. That's just a huge plothole.
nightstorm's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! I need more of Captain Susan Kamala and the Ansari's crew, immediately. I'm not usually drawn in to military sci-fi, but this book was fantastic. The banter of the crew and the Xre's perspective were particularly enjoyable. There were several moments that had me laughing out loud and reading excerpts to my husband. Whip-smart and engaging, I thought the author hit just the right balance of serious and snarky in this tension-filled drama. I won't give any spoilers away, but when I realized how the final sequence was going to shape up, I almost jumped off the couch yelling "yaaassss!!!" Maybe a little predictable, but it was still such a feel-good moment - I absolutely loved it. I look forward to the next book in the series.
clinozoisite's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
raforall's review against another edition
4.0
Review in the September 2020 issue and on the blog: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2020/09/what-im-reading-in-black-by-tomlinson.html
Three Words That Describe This Book: snarky, thought provoking, character driven
Three Words That Describe This Book: snarky, thought provoking, character driven
lancenichols's review against another edition
5.0
Started off with a bang
Really good start to a series. I can’t wait to hear what happens to the ships and crews in the future.
Really good start to a series. I can’t wait to hear what happens to the ships and crews in the future.
deetee's review against another edition
Boring. No character development. Generic plot. Generic aliens.
bory's review against another edition
4.0
A solid military science-fiction book. No frills, no unnecessary extras.
I liked this book a lot. From the cool FTL technology, to the fun banter between the crew of the Ansari, it was all top notch, in my book. Susan Kamala, in particular, is a no nonsense, badass, competent captain with an enjoyable sense of humor that didn't take herself too seriously, all of which I liked.
The Xre, while not particularly original as far as alien species go, were still interesting because we got to know them through Thuk and Kivits, instead of them being portrayed as this monotonous mass of "other".
The space battles were engaging, detailed, and there was enough personal stakes because we got to spend so much time with the crews as the action was progressing.
Now, the Methuselah plot(s), on the other hand... Okay, they weren't bad, by any stretch of the imagination. But they did not connect to the interstellar, interspecies incident in progress over Grendel until the very last pages of the very last chapter. And, while corporate politics and espionage have their time and place in a story... I just kind of wanted to get back to Grendel, Susan Kamala, and the rest.
And, oh, happy day, a book with no irrelevant, forced romantic subplot! I'm so happy I could scream. I've had a rough go on this front this year, honestly. Well, there was a small section devoted a very cringe android sex thing, but it had a purpose, it was brief, and it ended without fanfare.
Overall, a very enjoyable read. I'm sad that In the Black, by the end, is very obviously meant to be a book 1 of several, yet, going on two years now, there has been no word from either author or publisher on a sequel. I can only hope that a follow-up book comes out at some point soon.
I liked this book a lot. From the cool FTL technology, to the fun banter between the crew of the Ansari, it was all top notch, in my book. Susan Kamala, in particular, is a no nonsense, badass, competent captain with an enjoyable sense of humor that didn't take herself too seriously, all of which I liked.
The Xre, while not particularly original as far as alien species go, were still interesting because we got to know them through Thuk and Kivits, instead of them being portrayed as this monotonous mass of "other".
The space battles were engaging, detailed, and there was enough personal stakes because we got to spend so much time with the crews as the action was progressing.
Now, the Methuselah plot(s), on the other hand... Okay, they weren't bad, by any stretch of the imagination. But they did not connect to the interstellar, interspecies incident in progress over Grendel until the very last pages of the very last chapter. And, while corporate politics and espionage have their time and place in a story... I just kind of wanted to get back to Grendel, Susan Kamala, and the rest.
And, oh, happy day, a book with no irrelevant, forced romantic subplot! I'm so happy I could scream. I've had a rough go on this front this year, honestly. Well, there was a small section devoted a very cringe android sex thing, but it had a purpose, it was brief, and it ended without fanfare.
Overall, a very enjoyable read. I'm sad that In the Black, by the end, is very obviously meant to be a book 1 of several, yet, going on two years now, there has been no word from either author or publisher on a sequel. I can only hope that a follow-up book comes out at some point soon.
pctek's review against another edition
2.0
What a con! The blurb says hey find a mysterious alien ship....and must navigate a diplomacy.
Half way through we suddenly get some aliens but they KNOW each other....what mysterious...
And it';s stuffed with military jargon and descriptions of weapon launching etc.....utterly boring.
Half way through we suddenly get some aliens but they KNOW each other....what mysterious...
And it';s stuffed with military jargon and descriptions of weapon launching etc.....utterly boring.
rpmiller's review against another edition
5.0
What a fun read! My eyes were actually watering up during the climax, making it hard to actually read, too. Well, all out action, some corporate intrigue in the background, even political machinations of an alien race, well, all in all a fascinating story. Too bad, or maybe too good, it sequel is necessary. The only problem I have is with some political statements in the acknowledgements. At least the take on the pandemic was somewhat reasonable, and this is the best acknowledgement of that issue I have yet read.