Seems Like Half The Story Is Missing

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not without the sequel being better. Verdict is still out on this story.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The beginning.

Any additional comments?

The problem with this story is that, after the beginning, not much happens. Having read the description, you'd think that you're in for some war between empires, but by the end of the book, you're very much still waiting for that to happen.

There is an interesting build up, but this is spoilt a little by the unbelievable baddies, all of whom seem to have no redeeming or believable qualities what-so-ever. The Prime Minister reminds me of the baddy who appeared in the Honor Harrington series (the one who tried to jump her in the shower) and that's not a good thing, given how poor that series was (until I got so fed up that I gave up on it).

Hopefully future instalments will pick up the pace a bit and won't try to drag things out needlessly in a poor attempt to sell more books (*cough* David Weber *cough*). It would also be nice to see some reasoning and believability with the villains in the story. Also, something which makes the main characters a little more memorable too.

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Essentially Weber-light

A different worldbuilding/background (which is interesting BTW) and less political-philosophical meandering. But in in most other aspect this is a good substitute to for any abstinence in wating of the next Honor Harrington book.
The characters are less engaging, but this may grow over time as the author gets to know them.

The narrator is good, but sometimes he forgets/fails to change the voice between different charcters.

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Spot the derivative ideas

Quite enjoyable, and the author is clearly a David Weber fan, using several ideas from both The Honorverse and Safehold series. If you know both series, it's quite entertaining spotting them. I enjoyed it enough to want to know what happens next, though the narrator is fairly dire., particularly his 'women's voices, which are more than a bit on the squeaky side.

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Dull & Dreary

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

Difficult to say but it certainly was not for me. I stuck with it to near the end and decided it was total waste to time and a credit. Should have returned it under the superb Audible returns scheme.

What could Doug Dandridge have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Tightened up the plot considerably.

How could the performance have been better?

Monotone voice lacked engagement or excitment.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Exodus?

At least 50%.

Any additional comments?

I really don't like giving poor reviews but on this occasion ...

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