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on September 17, 2016
This is a good science fiction story. Most authors set their stories five hundred years in the future with technology that is twenty years in the future or almost fantasy in how the author makes the technology work. Failure of imagination. Mr. Cooper's protagonist is a bad ass who uses bad ass technology. I liked it.
My only criticism is the books cover art. I almost didn't read the book. Slap the artist and tell them to learn how to hold a gun!
My only criticism is the books cover art. I almost didn't read the book. Slap the artist and tell them to learn how to hold a gun!
on April 24, 2017
Outsystem is a good book. Not a great one, but a good one. It was worth my time, but not enough to continue reading the rest of the series. The protagonist, Tanis, is a solid heroine. Her character is fleshed out well through the book. The supporting cast is serviceable, but not really memorable, other than maybe her 2nd-in-command, Joseph. Ditto with the story itself - serviceable, but not fantastic.
The thing that I could not get past was the use of technology. It was just too far-fetched and over-the-top for my liking. I think Cooper over-used AI's and nanobots to the point where I thought the main character could basically say, "Computer, find the bad guys and solve the mystery, please," and they would comply. Basically, they were often used as a "deus ex machina" device.
Example (no spoilers): During a critical point towards the finale, the heroine is attempting to thwart a sabotage effort by the bad guys. Here is the actual sentence: "Tanis pulled a wad of formation material out of her pocket and set it on the railing, deploying nano to begin turning it into a multi-interface holo projector." I just thought to myself, really?
The book is worth your time, but I think there are better choices out there.
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I noticed Amazon and Goodreads have a slightly different meanings to their 5-point scale. I thought it was odd to have a different rating for the same book on two different sites, so I came up with my own scale below. For the record, it is fairly close to Amazon's scale, but allows me to be consistent between the two sites.
5 - Fantastic. Life-altering. Only 10-20 books in a lifetime.
4 - Very good.
3 - Worth your time.
2 - Not very good.
1 - Atrocious
The thing that I could not get past was the use of technology. It was just too far-fetched and over-the-top for my liking. I think Cooper over-used AI's and nanobots to the point where I thought the main character could basically say, "Computer, find the bad guys and solve the mystery, please," and they would comply. Basically, they were often used as a "deus ex machina" device.
Example (no spoilers): During a critical point towards the finale, the heroine is attempting to thwart a sabotage effort by the bad guys. Here is the actual sentence: "Tanis pulled a wad of formation material out of her pocket and set it on the railing, deploying nano to begin turning it into a multi-interface holo projector." I just thought to myself, really?
The book is worth your time, but I think there are better choices out there.
-----------
I noticed Amazon and Goodreads have a slightly different meanings to their 5-point scale. I thought it was odd to have a different rating for the same book on two different sites, so I came up with my own scale below. For the record, it is fairly close to Amazon's scale, but allows me to be consistent between the two sites.
5 - Fantastic. Life-altering. Only 10-20 books in a lifetime.
4 - Very good.
3 - Worth your time.
2 - Not very good.
1 - Atrocious
on December 12, 2016
"Outsystem" is an almost great launch of a new series. One of its features that I found especially appealing was its use of far-future tech in a matter-of-fact way. A character might share a conversation with a sentient embedded AI, deploy nano-bots, or do some fairly radical body sculpting without the author feeling the need to pause and do a "look at what I've done here" or engage in much if any explanation. The characters are interesting, especially the main one, a tough security chief named Tanis who is charged with protecting the last arrangements for the departure of a new colony ship. My one, small reservation is that the story, specifically the threat against which Tanis is engaged, is much less imaginative. I should add that there are several different security organizations that in the intervening centuries do not seem to have learned much about interagency cooperation. They also continue the tradition of keeping a confusing alphabet soup of names.
on August 13, 2016
As the title states a military science fiction space opera. This is the kind of book that I love to read. Military science fiction with elements of space opera. The character is strong woman with a military bearing. The author is obviously prior military because he got the elements right. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
on October 12, 2016
I got this book for free, didn't expect much. I was surprised by the fast pace, good science, interesting scenarios, and the unpredictability. I could not put this book down, and when I was done, I bought the next two books in the series and read them in short order. The only thing I disliked is that the first book's story ended. Then there was the cliffhanger that sucked me into the next book. Very interesting reading, good character development. The main character was cool, pretty and badass. Very well done!
on March 22, 2017
This is fantastic Science Fiction start to end, we have no alien invaders, no great cataclysms, just plain old human conflict in this story... which makes it great actually. Instead of a convoluted plot with hidden prophecies, alien signs, gods etc. that have been spreading like locust lately we have a somewhat normal motivation for conspiracies, terrorists and mayhem that takes place in this book. Good old human greed. Evil corporations are back to simply being greedy and evil for once, not serving a hidden cosmic plot to be revealed in book 24 of the series. (At least I hope that is the case...)
One small tiny nitpick however: A honorable duel with an assassin? Like really? What kind of elite killer does that? (Yes that's the biggest criticism I found)
One small tiny nitpick however: A honorable duel with an assassin? Like really? What kind of elite killer does that? (Yes that's the biggest criticism I found)
on March 16, 2017
This book gives you a look into mankind's future through one author's vision. A vision that has basis in today's technology and the promise of mankind living longer and spreading out into the Galaxy. What a refreshing read! Strong female role models are all throughout this novel, as is a plethora of intrigue, deceit, and politics; all the things that are needed to draw you into a believable story. Danger is never too far away from Tanis...it seems it's only a page away!
on December 26, 2016
I was surprised as to how much i liked this novel. it's a lot better than many of the self published works on Amazon. The characters are quite well developed and the story line has obviously got some thought behind it. it's one of the few novels that caused me to go and buy the the next one straight away. I enjoyed t quite a bit and was readily involved with the characters. I didn't think the actions or the way the story developed was too much of a reach, and the level of tech seemed just about right for the dateline. I would easily recommend it and the Author above much of the average (or below) talent that is represented on Amazon. Be aware that you will likely want to read the sequels to see what happens next!
on May 6, 2017
Standard trope--hyper competent mil officer is scapegoated and seeks a new life. She winds up becoming chief of security for a colony ship under construction, and has various adventures keeping it safe. It ends with a cliffhanger feeding into the next novel of the series.
The protagonist is uninteresting, the supporting characters the same, the villain the standard evil rich corporation head, the plot is straightforward, and the action scenes barely worth the name.
I have no intention of reading it again, or buying the other novels in the series; I was so little engaged by this book that I really do care how or if the characters survive.
The protagonist is uninteresting, the supporting characters the same, the villain the standard evil rich corporation head, the plot is straightforward, and the action scenes barely worth the name.
I have no intention of reading it again, or buying the other novels in the series; I was so little engaged by this book that I really do care how or if the characters survive.
