officerhalf's review
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mamabearreading's review
4.0
Having never read any of the other Black Oceans series I wasn't sure if I would be lost reading a new series in the same universe. While there were moments near the end that I knew would be richer for having known, I instead found that it just made me really want to go and read those books to find out their stories!
The aliens stuck out to me as really well done, how humans were only a part of the population, how some aliens had evolutionary backstories that explained just how alien the future was, and how species tended to self segregate themselves, so some places had predominantly more of one species, like immigrants that came through Ellis Island did in America.
Something that I didn't expect was the way this universe has both magic and science. The blending and clashing of those two very different elements made what was already a good story a fasinating one.
In the end it's always the characters that really make the story and I really enjoyed this cast. Tiffany felt like the 16 year old she was, too mature from things life had thrown at her, but still so innocent, the weird balance of being that age.
Esper was a believable female character, not just "a man in a dress" as some females are written. Interesting, full of stories that I now wish to hear, smart, does make her own mistakes, a very interesting character. And at no point did she "feel how her boobs moved as she walked". (One of my biggest pet peeves... Seriously people, unless they are extremely sore, we don't notice them when we walk/run/go down stairs/etc. Don't do that.)
And, as I knew I would from the moment I met him, I adored Kubu! Come home with me, I'll be your adopted mommy! Even if I could never afford all the food you need...
1 Star - Hated It
2 Stars - Didn't Enjoy It
3 Stars - It Was Okay
4 Stars - Really Enjoyed It
5 Stars - Loved It
The aliens stuck out to me as really well done, how humans were only a part of the population, how some aliens had evolutionary backstories that explained just how alien the future was, and how species tended to self segregate themselves, so some places had predominantly more of one species, like immigrants that came through Ellis Island did in America.
Something that I didn't expect was the way this universe has both magic and science. The blending and clashing of those two very different elements made what was already a good story a fasinating one.
In the end it's always the characters that really make the story and I really enjoyed this cast. Tiffany felt like the 16 year old she was, too mature from things life had thrown at her, but still so innocent, the weird balance of being that age.
Esper was a believable female character, not just "a man in a dress" as some females are written. Interesting, full of stories that I now wish to hear, smart, does make her own mistakes, a very interesting character. And at no point did she "feel how her boobs moved as she walked". (One of my biggest pet peeves... Seriously people, unless they are extremely sore, we don't notice them when we walk/run/go down stairs/etc. Don't do that.)
And, as I knew I would from the moment I met him, I adored Kubu! Come home with me, I'll be your adopted mommy! Even if I could never afford all the food you need...
1 Star - Hated It
2 Stars - Didn't Enjoy It
3 Stars - It Was Okay
4 Stars - Really Enjoyed It
5 Stars - Loved It
mylhibug's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
tfrette's review
4.0
Esper and Kubu are the most interesting mercenaries I’ve come across in a while. They’ve got big hearts and an unconventional approach. Yet there is much more to meets the eye than just a pretty girl and her dog. Instead of guns and explosives, Esper and Kubu rely on their wits, some magic, and sheer determination to get the job done.
The story is clever and moves quickly, and the characters are interesting and nuanced. Its definitely a fast read and I’m very much looking forward to the next installment.
I originally read the Black Ocean Mission Pack 1, and found this story easy to follow. As a spin-off, the background of the technology, magic, and culture isn’t very well explained, but I think a reader will be happy with this story if they’re not familiar to the setting.
The story is clever and moves quickly, and the characters are interesting and nuanced. Its definitely a fast read and I’m very much looking forward to the next installment.
I originally read the Black Ocean Mission Pack 1, and found this story easy to follow. As a spin-off, the background of the technology, magic, and culture isn’t very well explained, but I think a reader will be happy with this story if they’re not familiar to the setting.
littlebearreading's review
4.0
Having never read any of the other Black Oceans series I wasn't sure if I would be lost reading a new series in the same universe. While there were moments near the end that I knew would be richer for having known, I instead found that it just made me really want to go and read those books to find out their stories!
The aliens stuck out to me as really well done, how humans were only a part of the population, how some aliens had evolutionary backstories that explained just how alien the future was, and how species tended to self segregate themselves, so some places had predominantly more of one species, like immigrants that came through Ellis Island did in America.
Something that I didn't expect was the way this universe has both magic and science. The blending and clashing of those two very different elements made what was already a good story a fasinating one.
In the end it's always the characters that really make the story and I really enjoyed this cast. Tiffany felt like the 16 year old she was, too mature from things life had thrown at her, but still so innocent, the weird balance of being that age.
Esper was a believable female character, not just "a man in a dress" as some females are written. Interesting, full of stories that I now wish to hear, smart, does make her own mistakes, a very interesting character. And at no point did she "feel how her boobs moved as she walked". (One of my biggest pet peeves... Seriously people, unless they are extremely sore, we don't notice them when we walk/run/go down stairs/etc. Don't do that.)
And, as I knew I would from the moment I met him, I adored Kubu! Come home with me, I'll be your adopted mommy! Even if I could never afford all the food you need...
1 Star - Hated It
2 Stars - Didn't Enjoy It
3 Stars - It Was Okay
4 Stars - Really Enjoyed It
5 Stars - Loved It
The aliens stuck out to me as really well done, how humans were only a part of the population, how some aliens had evolutionary backstories that explained just how alien the future was, and how species tended to self segregate themselves, so some places had predominantly more of one species, like immigrants that came through Ellis Island did in America.
Something that I didn't expect was the way this universe has both magic and science. The blending and clashing of those two very different elements made what was already a good story a fasinating one.
In the end it's always the characters that really make the story and I really enjoyed this cast. Tiffany felt like the 16 year old she was, too mature from things life had thrown at her, but still so innocent, the weird balance of being that age.
Esper was a believable female character, not just "a man in a dress" as some females are written. Interesting, full of stories that I now wish to hear, smart, does make her own mistakes, a very interesting character. And at no point did she "feel how her boobs moved as she walked". (One of my biggest pet peeves... Seriously people, unless they are extremely sore, we don't notice them when we walk/run/go down stairs/etc. Don't do that.)
And, as I knew I would from the moment I met him, I adored Kubu! Come home with me, I'll be your adopted mommy! Even if I could never afford all the food you need...
1 Star - Hated It
2 Stars - Didn't Enjoy It
3 Stars - It Was Okay
4 Stars - Really Enjoyed It
5 Stars - Loved It
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