Review by rtyson -- Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship ...
-
rtyson
- Posts: 13
- Joined: 18 Dec 2019, 20:53
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 9
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rtyson.html
- Latest Review: Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord by Braxton Cosby
Review by rtyson -- Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship ...
[Following is a volunteer review of "Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord" by Braxton Cosby.]
In Steel Reign: Flight of the Starship Concord by Braxton A. Cosby, ex-spy, ex-thief, and ex-bounty hunter Steel Reign is on a solo mission to rescue his sister, Olia, from the gladiators. The question remains. How will he do it? Famous, hunted, and generally low on cash, the outlook looks grim. His strategy implodes when an unusually rich computer geek, Gifford, forces his way into the quest. Can Gifford be trusted? Could Gifford’s help be what Reign needs to find Olia across the star systems and bring her back safely? Is Steel’s desire to work solo getting in the way of saving his sister?
Steel Reign: Flight of the Starship Concord is a part of the Gemini Chronicles. It can be read as a stand-alone read or in unison with the rest of the series. The story began slowly, as the author developed Steel Reign’s character and explained his backstory. After a quarter of the way into the book, the story built up, and the pace quickened. The author mastered the use of emotional tension and used it liberally throughout the book. There were also twists in the plot along the way. Overall, I would say that this book was easy to read. The end was a break in the tension, but it was too quick to be fully satisfying. The ending pulls the audience into the next book of the series.
The author used both dialog and action in his scenes. There were sexual undertones, references, and innuendos continuously. There was also reference to the possibility of intimate relations with bisexuals. All the characters used vulgar language. Characters in the story slurred common vulgar-words, but their meanings were obvious. The most commonly used words were “bullsheat” and “fook”. The humor was often crass, sexual, or both. The book was 400 pages long, approximately 180 words per page. There were very few grammar or punctuation errors.
What I liked least about this book was the constant sexual thoughts of the main character. I don’t enjoy that kind of thinking or humor. The characters were colorful, but I didn’t find them very likable. The main allure for the characters was their pain from past hardships, not the purpose behind their choices. In this respect, I thought the story felt a little frozen since it seemed limited to the main character’s willingness to act.
What I liked most about the book was the author’s mastery of drama and emotional tension. However, it seemed displaced in a science fiction novel. Though the main character was said to make choices based on logic and not emotions, the story seemed to prove the opposite. I find this type of emotional conflict desirable in romance novels but not in science fiction. More strategic action and less intrigue would have improved the plot and the pace. I was conflicted when deciding a score for this book. I didn’t enjoy the characters' personalities, but I also thought that they were well written. I disliked the emotional intrigue, but it was well done. It just was not what I wanted when reading science fiction. For these reasons, I am giving this book 3 out of 4 stars. I enjoyed the author’s writing skill, and I am sure that someone else would enjoy this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes emotional tension and doesn’t mind sexual and crude references. Though a teenager might enjoy this book, I think that the quantity of sexual content makes it more appropriate for adults.
******
Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In Steel Reign: Flight of the Starship Concord by Braxton A. Cosby, ex-spy, ex-thief, and ex-bounty hunter Steel Reign is on a solo mission to rescue his sister, Olia, from the gladiators. The question remains. How will he do it? Famous, hunted, and generally low on cash, the outlook looks grim. His strategy implodes when an unusually rich computer geek, Gifford, forces his way into the quest. Can Gifford be trusted? Could Gifford’s help be what Reign needs to find Olia across the star systems and bring her back safely? Is Steel’s desire to work solo getting in the way of saving his sister?
Steel Reign: Flight of the Starship Concord is a part of the Gemini Chronicles. It can be read as a stand-alone read or in unison with the rest of the series. The story began slowly, as the author developed Steel Reign’s character and explained his backstory. After a quarter of the way into the book, the story built up, and the pace quickened. The author mastered the use of emotional tension and used it liberally throughout the book. There were also twists in the plot along the way. Overall, I would say that this book was easy to read. The end was a break in the tension, but it was too quick to be fully satisfying. The ending pulls the audience into the next book of the series.
The author used both dialog and action in his scenes. There were sexual undertones, references, and innuendos continuously. There was also reference to the possibility of intimate relations with bisexuals. All the characters used vulgar language. Characters in the story slurred common vulgar-words, but their meanings were obvious. The most commonly used words were “bullsheat” and “fook”. The humor was often crass, sexual, or both. The book was 400 pages long, approximately 180 words per page. There were very few grammar or punctuation errors.
What I liked least about this book was the constant sexual thoughts of the main character. I don’t enjoy that kind of thinking or humor. The characters were colorful, but I didn’t find them very likable. The main allure for the characters was their pain from past hardships, not the purpose behind their choices. In this respect, I thought the story felt a little frozen since it seemed limited to the main character’s willingness to act.
What I liked most about the book was the author’s mastery of drama and emotional tension. However, it seemed displaced in a science fiction novel. Though the main character was said to make choices based on logic and not emotions, the story seemed to prove the opposite. I find this type of emotional conflict desirable in romance novels but not in science fiction. More strategic action and less intrigue would have improved the plot and the pace. I was conflicted when deciding a score for this book. I didn’t enjoy the characters' personalities, but I also thought that they were well written. I disliked the emotional intrigue, but it was well done. It just was not what I wanted when reading science fiction. For these reasons, I am giving this book 3 out of 4 stars. I enjoyed the author’s writing skill, and I am sure that someone else would enjoy this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes emotional tension and doesn’t mind sexual and crude references. Though a teenager might enjoy this book, I think that the quantity of sexual content makes it more appropriate for adults.
******
Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord by Braxton Cosby
