This military SF novella is first in a series, and it has the feel of an introduction. I liked learning about the world Beth inhabits. The social setup is an interesting starting point, although a bit short on concrete detail, but I’m happy enough to run with it. Beth comes across as well-intentioned but naive, but other than that her character didn’t really stand out for me.

The plot is pretty straightforward. After the first mission, Beth is whisked off for training, and there’s very much a flavour of “outsider kid arrives at a new school and has to establish her place by proving herself to her detractors.”

Entertaining light read.

Underwhelmed

This read as a YA novel with bad language. The main character lacked a defining voice and her depth was shallow. The world-building had the appearance of depth, but little more than the facade was truly available, and that had inconsistencies. Character tropes were strewn about with abandon-the surly Master Chief, the vivacious best friend, the big mean man. Nothing happened that did not directly move or inform the central plot.

The really bad part was the physics. The ship can detect ‘weapons fire’ but doesn’t know what it is? Then how is it being tracked? It should have described what the sensors were picking up, at the very least. The helmets require full 3D scans of a pilot’s skull to manufacture, and it is apparently airtight, but you can pop it right off and suffer no ill-effects in vacuum. Really, the whole sequence where she retrieves her ‘nemesis’ was poorly contrived.

It felt forced. The narrative did not have an organic feel. It didn’t really feel much of anything.

I will not be continuing with this series. ( )

Underwhelmed

This read as a YA novel with bad language. The main character lacked a defining voice and her depth was shallow. The world-building had the appearance of depth, but little more than the facade was truly available, and that had inconsistencies. Character tropes were strewn about with abandon-the surly Master Chief, the vivacious best friend, the big mean man. Nothing happened that did not directly move or inform the central plot.

The really bad part was the physics. The ship can detect ‘weapons fire’ but doesn’t know what it is? Then how is it being tracked? It should have described what the sensors were picking up, at the very least. The helmets require full 3D scans of a pilot’s skull to manufacture, and it is apparently airtight, but you can pop it right off and suffer no ill-effects in vacuum. Really, the whole sequence where she retrieves her ‘nemesis’ was poorly contrived.

It felt forced. The narrative did not have an organic feel. It didn’t really feel much of anything.

I will not be continuing with this series. ( )

This smart, action-packed space opera follows a savvy Filipina named Beth who transitions from private piloting in space to the Navy. She's the first to meet--and survive--an encounter with aliens, and the Navy knows a good asset when they see one.

I found this to be a highly enjoyable, fast read. It follows some of the tropes of the genre, but I genuinely enjoyed the cozy feel and the inventive twists that Brazee brought to his characters and worldbuilding. On a selfish note, I love getting to read about a main character who shares my name--that doesn't happen often! ( )