pjonsson's review
2.0
I do not understand why this book gets so many 4 and 5 star reviews.
The ending, which I know doesn't appeal to some people, do not disturb me that much but...
The author really has little understanding of science which makes the fictional science less believable. For instance openable gunports and manually loaded guns on, what is supposed to be, a futuristic space battleship. Come on!
She has absolutely zero military knowledge which makes the military action just plain dumb. To add to the latter she makes the military personnel unbelievably stupid.
The LEN are, unbelievable as it is, even more stupid than the military which is just a nuisance. A nice depiction of todays useless UN carried into the future though!
The read is not a total disaster which is why it gets 2 stars instead of 1 and I will try to get through the rest of the trilogy (update: I first thought this was a trilogy but now I realize there's at least one more book in the series) just since I want to complete things but my hopes for this trilogy are not that high any more.
The ending, which I know doesn't appeal to some people, do not disturb me that much but...
The author really has little understanding of science which makes the fictional science less believable. For instance openable gunports and manually loaded guns on, what is supposed to be, a futuristic space battleship. Come on!
She has absolutely zero military knowledge which makes the military action just plain dumb. To add to the latter she makes the military personnel unbelievably stupid.
The LEN are, unbelievable as it is, even more stupid than the military which is just a nuisance. A nice depiction of todays useless UN carried into the future though!
The read is not a total disaster which is why it gets 2 stars instead of 1 and I will try to get through the rest of the trilogy (update: I first thought this was a trilogy but now I realize there's at least one more book in the series) just since I want to complete things but my hopes for this trilogy are not that high any more.
mferrante83's review
4.0
If you enjoy solid, exciting and well-crafted military sci-fi do yourself a favor and check out R. M. Meluch’s The Myriad. Honestly stop reading this review and check it out. The novel makes an interesting discussion piece, more on that later, and is definitely one of the more engaging military sci-fi novel I’ve read. The Myriad takes an interesting premise with characters whose personality’s are ratcheted way up to 11 and really runs with it right up until the heartrending twist at the novel’s close.
The Myriad takes the idea that despite Rome’s fall the Roman Empire never really died just went into hiding amongst secret societies. On day the opportunity arises to abandon Earth for a new home: the planet Palantine and Rome jumps at it severing ties with Earth and starting the first Galactic Civil war. The Myriad opens just as the Palantine has surrendered to the League of Earth Nations due to the emergence of a new and merciless enemy known only as the Hive. Inhuman carnivores the Hive are attracted to the FTL communication employed by both sides. The Merrimack has been assigned the task of eliminating a finding the Hive home-world and are joined in this endeavor by a Roman Patterner Augustus; an experiment in posthuman engineering. It is on this mission that The Merrimack stumbles across the titular Myraid, a cluster of stars that houses an isolated civilization and other potentially more useful secrets.
Name any number of sci-fi influences and The Myriad can be seen borrowing from just about all of them. There are shades of Battlestar Gallactica (the Commander of the Marine pilots reminded me of Colonel Tigh), a dash of Aliens, a pinch of Starship Troopers, and heck even a light dusting of Star Trek. Meluch pulls all these disparate influences into a convincing and refreshing whole that manages to stand well on its own. This isn’t really a novel about fine details and intricate science but one about high adventure and bold deeds; more adventure sci-fi than hard sci-fi. Meluch has done her best to make the Merrimack feel more like an traditional sailing vessel with nice touches like the swords issued crew members (effective against boarders, human or otherwise), to the fact that the futuristic guns aboard the vessel are hand loaded by crews, and there is something delightfully old school (if not historically accurate) about the use of animals and insects on board as low-tech sensor systems.
The characters are all very much the gung-ho over-the-top types. Captain John Farragut is a cavalier, no-holds barred swashbuckler type; as adept with strategy and tactics as he is with his sword. The Marine commander, Colonel Steele is an overly aggressive take action type who lusts after one of his soldiers, the ship’s “morale officer” Kerry Blue (yes, that’s a euphemism). While the Roman Patterner, Colonel Augustus, is as precisely as arrogant and holier-than-thou as one would expect. It goes on and on; everyone painted in bold strokes. While it doesn’t touch too closely on the finer details of human emotion and relationships these broad strokes do provide for an easy connection to the characters and the perfect framework for high energy action.
The novel ends with a bang. A real gut-shot of an ending. Really, the less said about it the better. It didn’t really mar by enthusiasm for the novel by any means but absolutely did not see that twist coming. The Myriad, with its easy characterization, fascinating world, and entertaining action makes for a quick read. It definitely left my ready to jump immediately into the second book The Wolf Star. While not a perfect novel by any means, there is a certain adolescent quality to the relationships (particularly the romantic leanings of several crew members, an area that other military sci-fi series sometimes struggle with as well) depicted in the novel, but as gung-ho military sci-fi The Myriad works quite wonderfully. If you’re looking for an entertaining read that will have you on the edge of your seat, and ready for more once you’ve hit the last page, you need look no further than The Myriad.
The Myriad takes the idea that despite Rome’s fall the Roman Empire never really died just went into hiding amongst secret societies. On day the opportunity arises to abandon Earth for a new home: the planet Palantine and Rome jumps at it severing ties with Earth and starting the first Galactic Civil war. The Myriad opens just as the Palantine has surrendered to the League of Earth Nations due to the emergence of a new and merciless enemy known only as the Hive. Inhuman carnivores the Hive are attracted to the FTL communication employed by both sides. The Merrimack has been assigned the task of eliminating a finding the Hive home-world and are joined in this endeavor by a Roman Patterner Augustus; an experiment in posthuman engineering. It is on this mission that The Merrimack stumbles across the titular Myraid, a cluster of stars that houses an isolated civilization and other potentially more useful secrets.
Name any number of sci-fi influences and The Myriad can be seen borrowing from just about all of them. There are shades of Battlestar Gallactica (the Commander of the Marine pilots reminded me of Colonel Tigh), a dash of Aliens, a pinch of Starship Troopers, and heck even a light dusting of Star Trek. Meluch pulls all these disparate influences into a convincing and refreshing whole that manages to stand well on its own. This isn’t really a novel about fine details and intricate science but one about high adventure and bold deeds; more adventure sci-fi than hard sci-fi. Meluch has done her best to make the Merrimack feel more like an traditional sailing vessel with nice touches like the swords issued crew members (effective against boarders, human or otherwise), to the fact that the futuristic guns aboard the vessel are hand loaded by crews, and there is something delightfully old school (if not historically accurate) about the use of animals and insects on board as low-tech sensor systems.
The characters are all very much the gung-ho over-the-top types. Captain John Farragut is a cavalier, no-holds barred swashbuckler type; as adept with strategy and tactics as he is with his sword. The Marine commander, Colonel Steele is an overly aggressive take action type who lusts after one of his soldiers, the ship’s “morale officer” Kerry Blue (yes, that’s a euphemism). While the Roman Patterner, Colonel Augustus, is as precisely as arrogant and holier-than-thou as one would expect. It goes on and on; everyone painted in bold strokes. While it doesn’t touch too closely on the finer details of human emotion and relationships these broad strokes do provide for an easy connection to the characters and the perfect framework for high energy action.
The novel ends with a bang. A real gut-shot of an ending. Really, the less said about it the better. It didn’t really mar by enthusiasm for the novel by any means but absolutely did not see that twist coming. The Myriad, with its easy characterization, fascinating world, and entertaining action makes for a quick read. It definitely left my ready to jump immediately into the second book The Wolf Star. While not a perfect novel by any means, there is a certain adolescent quality to the relationships (particularly the romantic leanings of several crew members, an area that other military sci-fi series sometimes struggle with as well) depicted in the novel, but as gung-ho military sci-fi The Myriad works quite wonderfully. If you’re looking for an entertaining read that will have you on the edge of your seat, and ready for more once you’ve hit the last page, you need look no further than The Myriad.
casperl0ck's review
4.0
Review originally on: https://itchyminds.wordpress.com/2015/07/06/the-myriad-r-m-meluch-damn-that-hurt-wheres-the-sequel/
There is, perhaps, nothing better than a story that gets you off your feet and running around, waiting to see how it goes - metaphorically, of course. But that is a quality that becomes increasingly more difficult to find as you read more and more, as you understand the tropes and devices more and more. Which makes these stories all the more precious.
It is in the special category that I would put The Myriad. First in the Tour of the Merrimack series, this was a gem of a book, with twists and turns I at least never saw coming. It was a back that virtually ripped my heart out and stomped on it by its end - but left me wanting more. That's another achievement in and of itself, pulling a trick like the one in this book, but at the same time ensuring that the reader will come back for the next book, will be dying for it even.
And that is perhaps one of the best measures of an author. It indicates, to me, a writing style so amazing that even extreme plot changes and character alterations do not deter you from loving the story.
Which is actually surprising because despite the amazing story-work, I feel the writing style leaves something to be desired, something to take it from 'gorgeous' to that hallowed place in your mind where you have no words left.
To summarise, this book betrayed me with its ending. But it left me yearning for the sequel.
Kudos to you, R. M. Meluch. You have a new, lifelong fan in me.
Rating: 8/10.
There is, perhaps, nothing better than a story that gets you off your feet and running around, waiting to see how it goes - metaphorically, of course. But that is a quality that becomes increasingly more difficult to find as you read more and more, as you understand the tropes and devices more and more. Which makes these stories all the more precious.
It is in the special category that I would put The Myriad. First in the Tour of the Merrimack series, this was a gem of a book, with twists and turns I at least never saw coming. It was a back that virtually ripped my heart out and stomped on it by its end - but left me wanting more. That's another achievement in and of itself, pulling a trick like the one in this book, but at the same time ensuring that the reader will come back for the next book, will be dying for it even.
And that is perhaps one of the best measures of an author. It indicates, to me, a writing style so amazing that even extreme plot changes and character alterations do not deter you from loving the story.
Which is actually surprising because despite the amazing story-work, I feel the writing style leaves something to be desired, something to take it from 'gorgeous' to that hallowed place in your mind where you have no words left.
To summarise, this book betrayed me with its ending. But it left me yearning for the sequel.
Kudos to you, R. M. Meluch. You have a new, lifelong fan in me.
Rating: 8/10.
murderbot42's review
Woof. Been a minute since I read a book that sexist that was also written by a woman. Yikes. Stay away from this author.
tome15's review
3.0
Meluch, R. M. Myriad. Tour of the Merrimack No. 1. Daw, 2006.
I picked this up again because I had forgotten I read it four years ago. Moral: don’t get old. But my one incomplete sentence review (Old school swash and buckle space opera) was accurate, it was less informative than it might have been. So. There are Americans and Romans and a hive mind fighting an intergalactic war. The characters, with perhaps one exception, are straight out of central casting, and the spacecraft and weaponry we have all seen before. Why Romans—well, the old empire went underground and then moved to terraformed planets when the technology became available. How did the Americans last so long? No clue. Ender would recognize the hive mind. The clichés are shameless and often politically incorrect. So why did I reread it again? The action was good and there was an interesting twist or two at the end. I was left thinking, “Would it not have been fun if E. E. “Doc” Smith had had black holes to fool with?” I will read the rest of the series the next time I feel like a popcorn read.
I picked this up again because I had forgotten I read it four years ago. Moral: don’t get old. But my one incomplete sentence review (Old school swash and buckle space opera) was accurate, it was less informative than it might have been. So. There are Americans and Romans and a hive mind fighting an intergalactic war. The characters, with perhaps one exception, are straight out of central casting, and the spacecraft and weaponry we have all seen before. Why Romans—well, the old empire went underground and then moved to terraformed planets when the technology became available. How did the Americans last so long? No clue. Ender would recognize the hive mind. The clichés are shameless and often politically incorrect. So why did I reread it again? The action was good and there was an interesting twist or two at the end. I was left thinking, “Would it not have been fun if E. E. “Doc” Smith had had black holes to fool with?” I will read the rest of the series the next time I feel like a popcorn read.
msjenne's review
3.0
I kind of liked this in spite of myself.
I do enjoy old-school military SF/space opera, as long as the women aren't too hideously portrayed, and well, it was kind of hideous but I still liked it.
I don't know. I'm reading the next one anyway.
I do enjoy old-school military SF/space opera, as long as the women aren't too hideously portrayed, and well, it was kind of hideous but I still liked it.
I don't know. I'm reading the next one anyway.
dashnell's review
3.0
The first of RM Meluch's Merrimack series is a bit two-dimensional in its characterization and features a first-contact plot as well as a villain called The Hive that left me a little cold. It took a long time of stop-start reading to finish, but the end was enough to make me want the second book, WOLF STAR. Which was good because that book is superior in every way.
jenne's review
3.0
I kind of liked this in spite of myself.
I do enjoy old-school military SF/space opera, as long as the women aren't too hideously portrayed, and well, it was kind of hideous but I still liked it.
I don't know. I'm reading the next one anyway.
I do enjoy old-school military SF/space opera, as long as the women aren't too hideously portrayed, and well, it was kind of hideous but I still liked it.
I don't know. I'm reading the next one anyway.
brownbetty's review
4.0
The review I was mentally writing as I read the book:
The Myriad: Tour of the Merrimack #1 falls into the class of Military SF that borrows heavily from Age of Sail novels. I don't by and large enjoy Age of Sail novels, unless they're exceptional, and I don't much enjoy the Military SF that echoes it. I read David Feintuch's Midshipman's Hope, and enjoyed it, but I would not read it again. That said, I quite enjoyed this book. The action is mostly military, but with some very appealing character dynamics between the captain, and the intelligence officer assigned to him; given the fact that the intelligence officer is from another galactic empire, one until recently at war with Earth, and you get an appealing tangle of resentment, distrust, and mutual respect that I found very compelling. The enemy which has united the two warring factions is horrific and well imagined, the world and its characters more original than I expect from the genre, and the physics are almost a character on their own. It's action packed, and neither the military action nor the periods between ever seem to drag. The book is never predictable and holy mother of unnamed squamous gods what the sweet zombies on Mars is--
The review I wrote after finishing the book:
The Myriad: Tour of the Merrimack #1 by R. M. Meluch is a seducer and a betrayer. I have had my heart ripped out and torn to shreds before my very eyes. I feel alone, abandoned, disconsolate, ruined. Is there really any true and beautiful thing left in the universe? Will I ever find true love? Will anyone ever love me? I'm gong to go play Killing Me Softly and eat cookie-dough ice-cream now.
The Myriad: Tour of the Merrimack #1 falls into the class of Military SF that borrows heavily from Age of Sail novels. I don't by and large enjoy Age of Sail novels, unless they're exceptional, and I don't much enjoy the Military SF that echoes it. I read David Feintuch's Midshipman's Hope, and enjoyed it, but I would not read it again. That said, I quite enjoyed this book. The action is mostly military, but with some very appealing character dynamics between the captain, and the intelligence officer assigned to him; given the fact that the intelligence officer is from another galactic empire, one until recently at war with Earth, and you get an appealing tangle of resentment, distrust, and mutual respect that I found very compelling. The enemy which has united the two warring factions is horrific and well imagined, the world and its characters more original than I expect from the genre, and the physics are almost a character on their own. It's action packed, and neither the military action nor the periods between ever seem to drag. The book is never predictable and holy mother of unnamed squamous gods what the sweet zombies on Mars is--
The review I wrote after finishing the book:
The Myriad: Tour of the Merrimack #1 by R. M. Meluch is a seducer and a betrayer. I have had my heart ripped out and torn to shreds before my very eyes. I feel alone, abandoned, disconsolate, ruined. Is there really any true and beautiful thing left in the universe? Will I ever find true love? Will anyone ever love me? I'm gong to go play Killing Me Softly and eat cookie-dough ice-cream now.
thefourthvine's review
4.0
I was hoping that this would be the book that would reunite me with SF; we're having a rather rocky relationship at the moment, and we've almost reached the stage where we return each other's gifts and can't be invited to the same party for six months.
Was this the big reconcilation of my dreams? I don't know. I read it, I enjoyed it, I only occasionally wanted to hit the author with something heavy. But this book is far from perfect.
First, the flaws.
This book feels vaguely first novelish, even though I know it's anything but. The exposition is at painful levels of telling rather than showing, although fortunately things get better in a hurry when the real action starts.
And the characters - look. If you're going to have United States Marines, and you're going to call them that, I'm going to expect them to act like U.S. Marines. Marines don't spend a lot of time crying while on duty (and, yes, it bothered me that only the female Marines cried), and they sure as shit don't break into laughter while they're in full dress as honor guard during a meeting with a foreign (alien) head of state. For some reason, I had a harder time suspending my disbelief over that than over, you know, the Roman Empire having been underground for two thousand years.
And, dear god, this contains possibly the worst romance subplot the world has ever seen: if Meluch never writes any more Kerry Blue/TR Steele, I will rejoice and rejoice and rejoice. I had to skip some pages of that, because it was like the worst romance novel ever written. Right down to it making it okay that he's an asshole to her, because he loooooooves her.
Which brings me to the biggest flaw this book had for me: the misogyny. It's obvious that Meluch loves Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, but did she have to pick up their trick of having every alien race have nonsentient females? I am so damn tired of that. And I am tired of women who have lots of sex being dumb sluts - Meluch's words, not mine. I could have done without any of that.
However, on a happier note: gay character! Some characters with other than lily-white skin! (Although not, of course, in command. I think the universe would explode if that happened.) That puts this book way at the forefront of all military SF novels in terms of diversity.
But the bottom line is: I enjoyed this. I read it quickly. I want to read more. I liked some of the characters. I liked the action. I loved Augustus and his relationship with Farragut. The twist honestly surprised and impressed me.
So this book wasn't perfect, and it wasn't my great reconciliation with SF. So what? It was fun. Frankly, in SF these days - and especially in military SF - I will totally take that.
Was this the big reconcilation of my dreams? I don't know. I read it, I enjoyed it, I only occasionally wanted to hit the author with something heavy. But this book is far from perfect.
First, the flaws.
This book feels vaguely first novelish, even though I know it's anything but. The exposition is at painful levels of telling rather than showing, although fortunately things get better in a hurry when the real action starts.
And the characters - look. If you're going to have United States Marines, and you're going to call them that, I'm going to expect them to act like U.S. Marines. Marines don't spend a lot of time crying while on duty (and, yes, it bothered me that only the female Marines cried), and they sure as shit don't break into laughter while they're in full dress as honor guard during a meeting with a foreign (alien) head of state. For some reason, I had a harder time suspending my disbelief over that than over, you know, the Roman Empire having been underground for two thousand years.
And, dear god, this contains possibly the worst romance subplot the world has ever seen: if Meluch never writes any more Kerry Blue/TR Steele, I will rejoice and rejoice and rejoice. I had to skip some pages of that, because it was like the worst romance novel ever written. Right down to it making it okay that he's an asshole to her, because he loooooooves her.
Which brings me to the biggest flaw this book had for me: the misogyny. It's obvious that Meluch loves Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, but did she have to pick up their trick of having every alien race have nonsentient females? I am so damn tired of that. And I am tired of women who have lots of sex being dumb sluts - Meluch's words, not mine. I could have done without any of that.
However, on a happier note: gay character! Some characters with other than lily-white skin! (Although not, of course, in command. I think the universe would explode if that happened.) That puts this book way at the forefront of all military SF novels in terms of diversity.
But the bottom line is: I enjoyed this. I read it quickly. I want to read more. I liked some of the characters. I liked the action. I loved Augustus and his relationship with Farragut. The twist honestly surprised and impressed me.
So this book wasn't perfect, and it wasn't my great reconciliation with SF. So what? It was fun. Frankly, in SF these days - and especially in military SF - I will totally take that.