Military SF Amazon offer

[Vertigo]

I've seen little mention of Evan Currie on the Chrons. But I have just come across an Amazon offer that I think will get me trying him. The first two books in his Odyssey One series are on offer on Amazon UK (don't know about other Amazons) for 99 pence each. So I figure I can't really go wrong at that. Note this offer is, according to Amazon, for today only, ending at midnight.

Having checked on Goodreads, the first book - Into the Black - has an average rating of 4.02 which is pretty high for GR and that is from 2,357 ratings so that's probably a few too many for it to have been artificially ramped by friends and family. It is, as the title says, military SF which I enjoy but, from reading some of the GR reviews, it is apparently a bit heavy on the military and a bit light on the SF, which is maybe not so good (for me at least). However for a couple of quid I figure it's worth a go.

Don't hold your breath for any comment from me though. With all the books I have piled up to read it may be a while before I get around to it.

*note to self 'must stop buying books until my pile is below fifty'*

 

[Parson]

Ahem, Vertigo, my good man. ---- Who do you know that reads a lot of military S.F. on his Kindle?????


Evan Currie is solid. I've read what I believe are all of the Odyssey One books. I would rate them a pretty solid 4 of 5. It's been a while so I'm having difficulty remembering particular details, but since our tastes usually run in the same line I have no difficulty recommending them to you.

 

[tinkerdan]

I would suggest, if amazon UK allows, read the sample of the first book Into the Black and if you can slog through all of that at the beginning you may make it through the rest.

I got to read two chapters and not much happens mostly introduction to characters and back-story. Mostly mundane stuff at that.

I found it difficult to continue though I can read the entire thing for nothing if I chose to.

 

[Vertigo]

Ahem, Vertigo, my good man. ---- Who do you know that reads a lot of military S.F. on his Kindle?????


Evan Currie is solid. I've read what I believe are all of the Odyssey One books. I would rate them a pretty solid 4 of 5. It's been a while so I'm having difficulty remembering particular details, but since our tastes usually run in the same line I have no difficulty recommending them to you.

Hehe I wondered if you might not have come across these, Parson.

I would suggest, if amazon UK allows, read the sample of the first book Into the Black and if you can slog through all of that at the beginning you may make it through the rest.

I got to read two chapters and not much happens mostly introduction to characters and back-story. Mostly mundane stuff at that.

I found it difficult to continue though I can read the entire thing for nothing if I chose to.

I did take a look inside and read the opening pages. I didn't have too much of a problem with it and I can take quite a lot of info dumping without baulking, especially at the beginning of an SF book and I'm certainly prepared to give it a go at that price. I could get three of these for the cost of a pint of beer.

 

[Vertigo]

Well I did go on to read the whole of the first book and, yes, I did find the start a problem and very nearly gave up. Classic example of a self-publishing author who figured he could skimp or even skip the editor phase. However it was definitely worst in the opening chapters and did improve. I thought the story was very good and all my criticisms came down to editing ones (and a few science ones). For example he has a terrible habit of breaking off from some intense suspenseful battle action into longish digressions on the origins of some weapon or defence system that is about to be used. The sort of thing a good editor should have stomped on. I have also noticed that since I got the first book there is a new 're-mastered' edition available (based on feedback from readers apparently) which, glancing at the opening pages, seems to have streamlined them at least.