While space stories aren't my usual fare, the book blurb for this one interested me and I thought it would be nice to read something different. Since it was available as a free Kindle download at the time, I also felt I didn't have much to lose.
This is a novella, which the author states is a primer intended to introduce the characters. The author also released a full-length novel featuring these characters last month. It appears by the novel's title, Big Damn Love Story, that romance will be more prominent in the novel than it is in the A Whisper in Space novella.
Many reviewers of A Whisper in Space by David C. Drizzit mention a resemblance to Firefly. The author also states in his note that this Josh Whedon's series, and the movie, Serenity inspired his work. Reviewers felt if you enjoyed Firefly, A Whisper in Space would be a good match. Perhaps it is because this novella is based upon a TV series that I found it lacking. They are different mediums and need to be crafted as such.
The novella opens with a Introduction told in first person by Captain Miles Knighton, a bounty hunter who is searching for a goon named Santagello. Along with Miles, the Spitfire crew includes Sutherlan, who has flown with him for almost 20 years, and Taro, a good for nothing mechanic who can't seem to fix anything. Retaining a navigator is a real issue for Miles, and he's hoping to find a good one soon, along with a doctor.
Because of the first person narrative, I assumed the entire novella would be presented this way. Instead, it is a mish-mash of first person and third person omniscient that sometimes confuses the reader. Typographical and grammar errors plague this five chapter novella; and while there is a good amount of action, there isn't a great deal of character development. Some characters, like Ah Lam, are quickly able to dissect the meaning of secret conversations and uncover deceits. While there are hints she has some secrets, she just appears too good to be true and always at the right place at the right time. There is humorous banter between Miles and Sutherlan, but much of the dialogue doesn't flow naturally, and situations this reader felt would be more developed, wither and die off. Resolutions come too quickly and easily.
A Whisper in Space has promise as an action-packed space adventure with a hint of romance. In the hands of a good editor, the weaker areas of the story could be worked out. The plot is great. It makes me think of Star Wars. I would consider more works by this author in the future.
I downloaded a free copy of this book to my Kindle Fire. The author did not request a review of this book. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I received no monetary compensation of any kind.
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