Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Barely managed to finish this one, September 28, 2009
With all the other reviews favorable, I almost hesitate to write this, but I'm still kicking myself for paying $0.99 for this book when first released, so feel the need to offer a warning now that the price is higher.
I consider Rogue Hunter a sophomoric effort. It paints an interesting universe and possible future for humankind. However, the sheer number and impossibility of Zyra's near-escapes quickly grew tiring. It's customary in sci-fi books to at least nod in the direction of scientific credibility, but this one was more like a James Bond book in that regard.
As a computer professional, I was also astounded at how quickly and easily Zyra was portrayed as accessing in a second or two locks and computers whose designs spanned hundreds of years and multiple alien civilizations. I also cannot imagine a real place with security forces as easily overcome as almost every place in this book. I found Zyra's encounter suit interesting, though not credible in its constantly being close to failure yet never actually useless. The single least credible scene for me was when Zyra hijacked a spaceship, supposedly held a gun on its captain for a multi-day trip during which the captain was not even allowed to use a bathroom.
As noted by another reviewer, the book did improve somewhat in the second half, particularly when Zyra rescued and grew to care about a child, and further as she began to care about more than revenge, but by the end of the book my earlier lower opinion had returned, and I just wanted out.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!, August 4, 2009
I don't usually read Sci-Fi books set in space, but I made an exception in this case. I'm glad I did.
Plot/Storyline: 4.50 Stars
The plot was concise and straightforward without a lot of side plots to confuse the reader. It was well executed and, for a sci-fi novel, fairly realistic.
The story starts off with a bang with one thing after another happening to poor Zyra. After the first chapter or two, I started to wonder if maybe this was just going to be some biography of Zyra without an overall plot. However, the author ties all of Zyra's adventures together nicely.
There were a few interludes with pieces of the story told from other viewpoints. These just seemed unnecessary as we were following the main character and only needed to know what she knew, when she knew it.
Character Development: 5 Stars
This was an awesome story with a terrific main character, Zyra. The character development for Zyra was wonderful, making the reader feel part of her story.
All side characters were developed to an appropriate level for the reader to understand their motivations.
Writing Style: 5 Stars
The dialogue was realistic and rather humorous, but never in the wrong places. In other words, the main character wasn't constantly getting off 'zingers' at inappropriate moments, but was an intelligent conversant.
Editing/Kindle Formatting: 5 Stars
The book is extremely well edited with little or no errors. The Kindle formatting was also nice with a picture of the cover as the first page.
Overall:
A fascinating sci-fi adventure novel from an extremely talented and imaginative author.
Rating: PG-13 for violence and sexual innuendo
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Go, Zyra!!, August 27, 2009
This is the first space opera novel I've spent the time reading - and it was very exciting stuff. The language (futuristic language) and settings were utterly believable - check out Zyra's outfit: the "encounter-suit (an exoskeletal arrangement of high-tech machinery and 52nd century body armor), to detect even the slightest variation of her bio-signs - a most vital instrument during her 'hunts.'" Snazzy!
Zyra is not to be messed with; she was a cadet in the Intergalactic Alliance Space Marine Academy. The action scenes really showcase her excellent fighting abilities. Now lest you think that the character is a kick-butt girl with no brain, there's the following text (from the book):
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Contrary to popular belief, thorough investigation of her targets (not her trigger finger!) was the reason for her success as an intergalactic bounty hunter.
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I enjoyed the above passage in the book lots. At the same time that Zyra is trying to "fit together the pieces" of the puzzle (regarding her efforts in locating Fal Orono's hiding place) - the reader is given an extremely detailed and vivid backdrop of the world this entire story takes place in. I thought that was very skillful and original on the author's part.
The strength and internal struggles of the lead female character were well-presented - she is a great strong, female protagonist. She's dead focused on a mission - she's intelligent - she's able to "move with a fox's grace", while infiltrating a missile base! Reminds me of the accomplished, acrobatic Lara Croft (from the ubertastic Tomb Raider world).
The ending leaves you wanting to know what happens next (in a good way) - which you can find out in the sequel. The last line of Rogue Hunter totally sums up Zyra's character - a very satisfactory line that resonates long after.
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