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Brainship #7
The Ship Avenged
It's ten years later, and Joat, the eleven year old techno-demon from "The Ship Avenged," is an adult herself, and by hook, crook, and blackmail (with an assist from Rand, her very own Artificial Intelligence), she's become one of the youngest commercial ship owners in human space. Using the good ship WYAL (for While You Ain't Looking) for various motley "transport" jobs, she has quickly gained a reputation as a trustworthy courier with a flexible approach to the rules. Which is why Centrals Worlds Security haas recruited Joat and the WYAL to determine the present whereabouts of the Kolnari space raiders, with whom Joat has an old score to settle.
But Belazair of the Kolnari has his own plans for revenge through an incurable and highly infectious disease that quickly destroys the higher brain functions, leaving the body a mindless husk. Belazair needs to find a carrier ship to spread the infection - and the carrier he has hired is Joat, who is completely unaware that she is receiving a deadly cargo which could destroy civilization throughout the galaxy!
But Belazair of the Kolnari has his own plans for revenge through an incurable and highly infectious disease that quickly destroys the higher brain functions, leaving the body a mindless husk. Belazair needs to find a carrier ship to spread the infection - and the carrier he has hired is Joat, who is completely unaware that she is receiving a deadly cargo which could destroy civilization throughout the galaxy!
364 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1997
About the author
S.M. Stirling
175 books1,678 followersStephen Michael Stirling is a French-born Canadian-American science fiction and fantasy author. Stirling is probably best known for his Draka series of alternate history novels and the more recent time travel/alternate history Nantucket series and Emberverse series.
MINI AUTO-BIOGRAPHY:
(personal website: source)
I’m a writer by trade, born in France but Canadian by origin and American by naturalization, living in New Mexico at present. My hobbies are mostly related to the craft. I love history, anthropology and archaeology, and am interested in the sciences. The martial arts are my main physical hobby.
MINI AUTO-BIOGRAPHY:
(personal website: source)
I’m a writer by trade, born in France but Canadian by origin and American by naturalization, living in New Mexico at present. My hobbies are mostly related to the craft. I love history, anthropology and archaeology, and am interested in the sciences. The martial arts are my main physical hobby.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 13, 2014
This book was good.. but parts of it left me so unsatisfied as to pretty much spoil it for me.
I missed the brainships, but it was nice getting to know adult Joat and meeting an AI with personality. There were lots of very thrilling and engaging space piratey scenes, yay! And nothing hooks me more than severe injustice that is gloriously rectified by the end of the book. It is one of McCaffrey's greatest skills (I'm thinking of Menolly in Dragonsong as the pinnacle example), and all the way through the book I thought Stirling was right on track for another very satisfying example of this.
So, um.. yeah. I'm disappointed. It could so easily have been so good. What happened, S.M.Stirling, why are you so evil ;_;
I missed the brainships, but it was nice getting to know adult Joat and meeting an AI with personality. There were lots of very thrilling and engaging space piratey scenes, yay! And nothing hooks me more than severe injustice that is gloriously rectified by the end of the book. It is one of McCaffrey's greatest skills (I'm thinking of Menolly in Dragonsong as the pinnacle example), and all the way through the book I thought Stirling was right on track for another very satisfying example of this.
So, um.. yeah. I'm disappointed. It could so easily have been so good. What happened, S.M.Stirling, why are you so evil ;_;
February 4, 2014
I really love this series, so I was expecting a lot from this book. Boy, was I disappointed.
First off, although the plot was well paced, the characters were more like caricatures. They had no real depth, and certain trait were blown out of proportion. Joseph, supposedly a wise mentor, was more like a sulky, anger-prone teenager. Amos just sort of sat around and felt bad about everything. Alvec lived for nothing but sex. Belazir was just a flat stereotypical evil overlord. Ciety's only defining trait is greed.
This book is also blatantly sexist. There are very few women in it. In fact, there are only three women who show up in more than one scene. Joat is supposedly the main character, and yet throughout the entire novel, she is being constantly upstaged by Bros, who messes up her life without telling her he is to blame, who she later inexplicably falls in love with (nevermind that he's twice her age and incredibly overbearing). Joat's agency is constantly being undermined by the manipulations of the men (mostly Bros) around her, who act supposedly in her best interest.
One of the other few women of any note is Soamosa, who exists mostly just as motivation for the men around her. She spends most of the book chasing after men or weeping while she waits for a man to rescue her, while the author makes a big deal of calling her brave and modest.
Joat didn't even have a single conversation with another woman until halfway through the book when she meets Silken, who is supposedly the hard as nails second-in-command of a large smuggling ring. I had some hopes she would be interesting, but she turns out to be nothing more than the plaything of a powerful man, and she also spends a lot of time clinging to her man and weeping. See a pattern here?
As if the blatant sexism wasn't bad enough, this novel had a rushed, unsatisfying ending, and was filled with typos and grammatical issues. I'm giving it a reluctant two stars because it had the virtues of good pacing and a well-thought-out universe (even though the universe is thanks to McCaffrey, not Stirling). Overall, though, a pretty disappointing read. The rest of the series is filled with strong, interesting women, so I had expected the same from this book, too.
First off, although the plot was well paced, the characters were more like caricatures. They had no real depth, and certain trait were blown out of proportion. Joseph, supposedly a wise mentor, was more like a sulky, anger-prone teenager. Amos just sort of sat around and felt bad about everything. Alvec lived for nothing but sex. Belazir was just a flat stereotypical evil overlord. Ciety's only defining trait is greed.
This book is also blatantly sexist. There are very few women in it. In fact, there are only three women who show up in more than one scene. Joat is supposedly the main character, and yet throughout the entire novel, she is being constantly upstaged by Bros, who messes up her life without telling her he is to blame, who she later inexplicably falls in love with (nevermind that he's twice her age and incredibly overbearing). Joat's agency is constantly being undermined by the manipulations of the men (mostly Bros) around her, who act supposedly in her best interest.
One of the other few women of any note is Soamosa, who exists mostly just as motivation for the men around her. She spends most of the book chasing after men or weeping while she waits for a man to rescue her, while the author makes a big deal of calling her brave and modest.
Joat didn't even have a single conversation with another woman until halfway through the book when she meets Silken, who is supposedly the hard as nails second-in-command of a large smuggling ring. I had some hopes she would be interesting, but she turns out to be nothing more than the plaything of a powerful man, and she also spends a lot of time clinging to her man and weeping. See a pattern here?
As if the blatant sexism wasn't bad enough, this novel had a rushed, unsatisfying ending, and was filled with typos and grammatical issues. I'm giving it a reluctant two stars because it had the virtues of good pacing and a well-thought-out universe (even though the universe is thanks to McCaffrey, not Stirling). Overall, though, a pretty disappointing read. The rest of the series is filled with strong, interesting women, so I had expected the same from this book, too.
September 13, 2018
This science fiction adventure store is the 7th in the Brainships Series, which features "The Ship that Sang" as the first story. This story focuses on a girl who has grown up in the shipping business between planets. She's a spunky, smart and hardheaded young woman, which helps her survive...but the story focuses on a really unfortunate encounter with a man who is essentially a crook. He ropes her into accepting a really horrendous "fine" for a transgression in space that really had a small penalty fee...but he messes with her mind and keeps upping the "ante" until she owes more than her ship is worth. For the majority of the story, she is struggling with all her energy to find ways to pay the fine (which will only end up in his fat hands at the end). Eventually she faces the possibility of losing her ship by "repossession", and it's looking pretty grim before the issue is resolved. It's a good story for these times in the USA right now (in the 21st Century)...a lot of this kind of swindling and shuck 'n jive is going on in capitalist countries now. The story was interesting, but there were times when I needed a break from it...lots of struggle here! It ends well, however.
October 16, 2009
I suppose it was alright. If you want a space opera that zips along nicely, this is the book for you, but I don't think I'll be reading any more Brainship books in future. Character development is pitiful, and there aren't any of the new ideas that made the earlier books in the series at least interesting for that.
June 23, 2018
Other than Joat, the main character, her AI Rand, and Karak of the Kolnari, I found myself not caring about the characters—their backstories, their motivations, or their fates. And of the three I mentioned, it was the ship’s computer, Rand, who capture my interest the most. Not sure what that says about the story—entertaining enough, but not absorbing, provacative, or powerful.
October 5, 2011
very interesting series
May 30, 2016
Such a fun read!
May 14, 2018
A very well put together follow up to The City That Fought, Rand is nicely done as an 'emerging' AI - and the author resists the urge to make everything 'neat', I like that.
August 14, 2026
Stirling wrote 2 books in the Brainship series by Anne McCaffrey: The City Who Fought and The Ship Avenged. Of the two, I liked this book better but its not without its problems. The City Who Fought was like a WWII adventure where the brave resistance fighters fought off the Gestapo SS in the form of the Kolnari. This book is like a post-WWII spy novel where the Kolnari are again back as the bad guys. I liked the cross and double cross of the spy novel crossed with a science fiction adventure. Despite having so much advanced technology, the vastness of space means that they have the same issues with communications as any spy in the 40's or 50's. I thought the timing of the various angents trying to work together and just missing the mark seemed realistic and added to the suspense.
However, there are two main problems that made this novel just okay for me.
First, the Kolnari are not interesting villains. Kolnari are descended from human colony ships but the author turned them into uber villains with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. They even eat their own babies! The result is that they have the personality of cardboard. Even the Daleks had more personality!
Second, Joat didn't develop one bit between The City Who Fought and this book, although almost a decade have passed. Emotionally, she's still a twelve year old child abuse victim trying to deal with her trauma. In between the books, she manages to make zero friends and gets kicked out of school. Once she hits "adult" age, Simeon sends her off to make her own way which proved to me once and for all that Simeon was an idiot and an unfit parent. She had done nothing to show she had matured mentally or emotionally but Simeon sends her on her way regardless. Joat does take some baby steps towards maturity during this book, but it's a pity that she wasn't developed further as a character.
However, there are two main problems that made this novel just okay for me.
First, the Kolnari are not interesting villains. Kolnari are descended from human colony ships but the author turned them into uber villains with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. They even eat their own babies! The result is that they have the personality of cardboard. Even the Daleks had more personality!
Second, Joat didn't develop one bit between The City Who Fought and this book, although almost a decade have passed. Emotionally, she's still a twelve year old child abuse victim trying to deal with her trauma. In between the books, she manages to make zero friends and gets kicked out of school. Once she hits "adult" age, Simeon sends her off to make her own way which proved to me once and for all that Simeon was an idiot and an unfit parent. She had done nothing to show she had matured mentally or emotionally but Simeon sends her on her way regardless. Joat does take some baby steps towards maturity during this book, but it's a pity that she wasn't developed further as a character.
April 7, 2019
As the last book in a favoured series this was so disappointing. Too many villains. Too much bad stuff happening to the good guys with not enough leavening. The one important piece of information that this reader wanted by the end of the book was barely two lines of cryptic crap that I reread four times till I figured it out and could let the book go with the answer I had hoped for. Since I don't believe I am stupid, I prefer to believe the writer failed. The promise of Joat was unfulfilled. Not enough of Simeon and Channa. Just an all around let down.
July 16, 2021
What a great ending to the Kolnari problem!
This follow-on to the City Who Fought, was just as full of great characters, good plotlines, and brilliant 'seat of their pants' antics, as the previous book - and it made a great ending to the problems with Joat, and her nasty family member.
I'm quite sad to have reached the end of the Brainship series - but I've now got the Pegasus series to look forwards to reading, starting off with: To Ride Pegasus!
I'm really loving this reading - and rereading - of Anne's books, some of which were new to me this time, and some still firm favourites!
This follow-on to the City Who Fought, was just as full of great characters, good plotlines, and brilliant 'seat of their pants' antics, as the previous book - and it made a great ending to the problems with Joat, and her nasty family member.
I'm quite sad to have reached the end of the Brainship series - but I've now got the Pegasus series to look forwards to reading, starting off with: To Ride Pegasus!
I'm really loving this reading - and rereading - of Anne's books, some of which were new to me this time, and some still firm favourites!
April 1, 2020
In one of my Goodwill runs, I came across this book. I had not read any books in theseries, but since Anne McCaffery originated the series, I thought why not. A good character driven action novel. The bad guys seek revenge with germ warfare. They kidnap the Prophet and expose him to the virus. I will read more in the series.
February 21, 2020
The characters were less deep and somewhat wooden in this story, with little jarring discontinuities in the plot flow that made the story feel rushed. Too bad, all the elements were there for a great story.
March 17, 2025
Not bad, but I don't find these characters as engaging as Helva, and the over-the-top Kolnari got tiresome after awhile, plus the eye-rolling Romeo-and-Juliet cliche romance was a bit difficult to swallow. So overall I give this 3 stars.
October 16, 2017
The description for this one doesn't seem to be quite correct...
But anyway. It was fine.
2 out of 5 stars, I guess.
But anyway. It was fine.
2 out of 5 stars, I guess.
October 10, 2025
I would have enjoyed it more if there hadn't been so much info-dump.
March 19, 2022
Sequel to The City Who Fought, which I just finished.
Going to put this back in To Read for a while - I have another book I'm more interested in reading right now.
Almost-April 2022: Picked it up again to read while I wait for new books to arrive....
Interesting sequel follows Joat who now has her own ship and crew, but is still getting into all kinds of trouble. The Bethelites and the Kolnari are still here, with Central Worlds security making an appearance - along with Joat's hated uncle, who lost her in a poker game as a child. The HEA ending seemed a bit rushed, but otherwise a good read.
Going to put this back in To Read for a while - I have another book I'm more interested in reading right now.
Almost-April 2022: Picked it up again to read while I wait for new books to arrive....
Interesting sequel follows Joat who now has her own ship and crew, but is still getting into all kinds of trouble. The Bethelites and the Kolnari are still here, with Central Worlds security making an appearance - along with Joat's hated uncle, who lost her in a poker game as a child. The HEA ending seemed a bit rushed, but otherwise a good read.
January 8, 2011
I adored the brainship series. When it first came out it was so fresh and new. Always a Ms. McCaffrey fan, I read every single one in this series. I did find the later ones to take a decidedly different writing style than the previous. I don't know if that meant Ms. McCaffrey contributed less and Author Stirling made it more their own.
I guess with a title like Avenged, I would have expected a bit more of a bloodbath. Maybe I'm just too bloodthirsty. I'm glad it ended with this book in the series because this series just puttered out for me.
I guess with a title like Avenged, I would have expected a bit more of a bloodbath. Maybe I'm just too bloodthirsty. I'm glad it ended with this book in the series because this series just puttered out for me.
June 21, 2010
Joat (from "The City Who Fought") is reincarnated as a female version of Han Solo.
In "The City Who Fought" I like the brainship/brainstation Simeon, and I like the guerrilla war tactics. In this book there are no brainships and no guerrilla war tactics. So basically the things I like about the previous book are missing in this one.
In "The City Who Fought" I like the brainship/brainstation Simeon, and I like the guerrilla war tactics. In this book there are no brainships and no guerrilla war tactics. So basically the things I like about the previous book are missing in this one.
Read
February 7, 2013
Review
It's not necessary to have read The City Who Fought in order to enjoy this sequel, though familiarity will certainly lend to this title's appeal. One of the youngest commercial ship owners finds her cargo a carrier ship for a deadly worlds-destroying infection in this compelling story of resourcefulness and politics in space. -- Midwest Book Review
November 13, 2013
This was probably my favorite ship book to date other than the original short stories. At first it was a little difficult to get interested, but that was in large part because I had just finished the Wheel of Time and Ender's Game right before this, so it wasn't fair to give it an assessment. Joat's a great character though, a lot of fun and so sassy. Really worth reading.
May 19, 2011
Much more of a space adventure than a Brainship story, the focus is all on Joat, Joseph and Amos causing havoc and chaos around the universe. It's a rip-roaring story that brings back the Kolnar as the big bad and one can almost hear the evil laughter rippling as the backdrop.
April 12, 2016
I read this book many years ago (before the WWW) and since there was no way web pages to leave reviews on, I am taking this opportunity to review it now. I do remember that I enjoyed it. S.M. Stirling was able to write so this book fit in with Anne McCaffrey's series.
June 14, 2016
Didn't finish it, after struggling through the previous book in the series I've determined that if it's part of Anne's series but she didn't have a hand in writing it then I'm not going to enjoy it. This is definitely the case with this one, page 31 and I'm so bored!
January 21, 2018
See my review of "The City Who Fought." All that and even more so.
October 20, 2008
re-read Jan 31, 2014
January 13, 2011
It was nice to catch up with the characters from "The City Who Fought." Joat is all grown up and hies off on another adventure that ends in a confrontation with the Kolnari.
July 24, 2011
The Ship Avenged (Brainship, #7)
by S.M. Stirling
continuing the legacy of Anne McAffrey's Brain ship stories, this is a great story of heroism and sacrifice
by S.M. Stirling
continuing the legacy of Anne McAffrey's Brain ship stories, this is a great story of heroism and sacrifice
November 22, 2011
The sequel to The City Who Fought, penned by Stirling alone, is just as mediocre as its predecessor.
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http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1405
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews