Great start to a strong series

Will written start to a great series. Narration is fantastic. Well worth the listening time

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Really enjoyed this, can't wait to listen to more

First of all I received a review copy of this book.

Space opera isn't really my bag, I like space and sci-fi but have never read a space opera before and I didn't know really what to expect other than the brief synopsis.

What I got was a really enjoyable listen, it's just over 12 hours long and is made up of the first two books in the Spacers series. 12 hours was not long enough, I flew through the books and was on edge as I listened.

The books follow the career of Tad Thatcher from his days in the military end of space corps to his transfer to the private space corps and his rise within.

Scott Bartlett did a fantastic job of dramatising things that are happening in basically a single room, a spaceships flight deck. I imagined the Star Trek bridge when Bartlett mentions the CIC in his book and I think it's probably not far off the mark. He does a great job of explaining battles and breaking them down so that even whilst driving I can visualise what's going on. Plenty of other things happen of course and it's not all set on a single space ship but using that as an example.

Scott has created a few core characters that he builds up and they are all described to a point that I can see them in my mind's eye and the narrator Mark Boyett does a nice job with different voices and accents for the characters to re-enforce them.

I ended up really caring about the characters and so when there was any peril I was genuinely on edge about what would happen, this is when I know that a book is good when I care about what will happen next. I'm also a sucker for a heroes journey so seeing a few heroes emerge in this book was great.

I'm now invested in this series and can't wait to find out what is going to happen next.

My one and only criticism is the way the book ends, it's not quite a cliff hanger but it ends not unlike many of the other chapters do. Left me wanting more though. Hope the rest of the series is just as good

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2 people found this helpful

Unity 151 sci fi booktube

Very very good. Really enjoyed it and liked the way the aliens was.

Lots of action

Very different take with lots of stuff being run by corporations and defend by them.

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Engrossing

This book describes the adventures of a spacer who is recruited to go to a distant galaxy to help bring order to a ship whose captain had passed away. It follows his adventures and rise as the entire area is turned upside down. This book is non stop adventure with many space battles as well as much intrigue. It never fails to satisfy.

This is a wonderful start to a series if the author desires.

The narrator is also outstanding.

This book is a two part book.

This book was provided free of charge in expectation of an honest review.

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Another entertaining listen

This is the first two books of spacers and very enjoyable similer the author other books. Space drama, war and decent story you can't go wrong with this

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nice

I did enjoy this book but it did feel very samey. worth the read but won't be getting any more

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"You will be in command now, Thatcher."

Fifty years before, Tad Thatcher's grandfather had fought aliens who tried to invade the Earth. The Earth won, but barely. His tales to his grandson had encouraged Thatcher to join the military and he'd always dreamed of captaining his own ship. Now, his term of service months from completion, and with his wife expecting their first child, Thatcher was unexpectedly offered his dream - a ship of his own to command, The New Jersey, whose original commander had suffered an heart attack when encountering that same alien entity whilst chasing pirates in the Unity System. The ship was owned by a private corporation, but, with news of the return of the Xanthic and war imminent, how could he refuse?

The story follows Thatcher's command, it's problems and battles following his taking the position of a the previous, easy going captain as well as encounters with enemy vessels and coming to terms with the politics of a civilian corporation. Plus, if he wants to see how wife again, he needs to find a way home. The plot is interesting with visual world building in places but character development is mostly slim, although enough to give substance to the numerous protagonists. Plenty of action which is not overburdened with technical details: a good balance. Narration is by Mark Boyett, whose calmly confident voice carries the story well, and all are given individually distinctive voices. A fine performance. Just one irritation for this British reader: the words, which appear frequently, 'corp' or 'corps' are pronounced with the letter 'p' audible (as in corpse) rather than it being silent. Always distracting to my English ear. But perhaps it's an American thing like our different pronunciations of 'lieutenant '.

An enjoyable space adventure with more to come.

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Solid with its own unique twist

I recieved a review copy of this book. Its solid and packed with action. The universe provides a believable mix of corporations, 'pirates', national fleets, an aggressive alien race, and a secretive international fleet. This mix keeps things interesting as each faction has jealously guarded their own technological advances from all others. There is a unexpected twist at the end that adds to the unique feel of the book and will leave me waiting for the next one.

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Please leave the accents alone

Story is fine - narration is good ... till various accents are tried - I could live with the the Evil Emperor Ming (Captain Moll) but the psuedo irish/scottish Engineer (beam me up Scotty!) was the final straw - it hurt my ears - sorry - just tell the story dont try to ACT it out..

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