What do you think?
The Free Lanes #1
Tantamount
Trained to fight, lead, and sail the ocean that is space, Nel Vaughn has the makings of a hero. She should have been the best, but Nel forsake a career with the Alliance and now sails the Free Lanes on the Tantamount with its misfit crew, Kitsune cabin girl, and absent-minded captain.
During a stopover for repairs, Nel and the Tantamount are coerced into ferrying medical cargo to a planet at war. Complicating the job are the Tantamount's unwanted passengers—a Guildswoman; her golem; and a charming, mysterious stranger—each with their own agenda.
When Nel discovers the sinister truth behind their mercy mission, her simple goal of keeping her ship intact and her crew safe seems impossible . . . unless Nel chooses to be the hero she was meant to be.
During a stopover for repairs, Nel and the Tantamount are coerced into ferrying medical cargo to a planet at war. Complicating the job are the Tantamount's unwanted passengers—a Guildswoman; her golem; and a charming, mysterious stranger—each with their own agenda.
When Nel discovers the sinister truth behind their mercy mission, her simple goal of keeping her ship intact and her crew safe seems impossible . . . unless Nel chooses to be the hero she was meant to be.
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
356 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 25, 2014
I was looking forward to this one - definitely my kind of read with the quirky mix between classic sci fi and old school pirate. Left me thinking 'shiny' and flashing back to firely and serenity, although changed up enough that I could never pick what would happen next.
This was light, easy to read, relaxing and made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. Characters left me wanting to know what happens next but still 'finished' things enough to rest comfortably. A good escape from the daily grind (which is what I look for in a novel).
Not bad for a first book. Looking forward to being able to follow a few more adventures of the slightly crazy crew.
This was light, easy to read, relaxing and made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. Characters left me wanting to know what happens next but still 'finished' things enough to rest comfortably. A good escape from the daily grind (which is what I look for in a novel).
Not bad for a first book. Looking forward to being able to follow a few more adventures of the slightly crazy crew.
to-read-own
May 19, 2016I think this might turn out to be good, not far enough yet to really tell. But I'm not liking the narrator of the audio version, and am having trouble time-wise getting to it on the Kindle version. I really need an audiobook that hooks me right now.
Setting this aside until I have more time to read the print version.
Setting this aside until I have more time to read the print version.
March 29, 2023
The idea seemed novel but once I dove in, I found the same cliche crew members that act and talk exactly like every other crew in an adventure movie or book. This book was difficult to follow and I’m still not really sure what happened.
February 10, 2014
I received this book as part of Goodreads First Reads Program.
When this book showed up in my mailbox, I though, What the hell is this? Space pirates? I read the description. I looked the the cover picture with the tall ship in space. I was not at all looking forward to it and thought it was going to be really stupid.
I was completely surprised when I actually enjoyed it. I mean, it wasn't the best book ever or anything, but I quite liked it and didn't think it was stupid at all. The characters, especially main character Nel, are pretty...stereotypical. But not in an overdone sort of way, if that makes sense. The action draws you into the story and keeps the pace moving along.
Overall, it's a good book. I'd read another set in this universe should one come about.
When this book showed up in my mailbox, I though, What the hell is this? Space pirates? I read the description. I looked the the cover picture with the tall ship in space. I was not at all looking forward to it and thought it was going to be really stupid.
I was completely surprised when I actually enjoyed it. I mean, it wasn't the best book ever or anything, but I quite liked it and didn't think it was stupid at all. The characters, especially main character Nel, are pretty...stereotypical. But not in an overdone sort of way, if that makes sense. The action draws you into the story and keeps the pace moving along.
Overall, it's a good book. I'd read another set in this universe should one come about.
January 21, 2014
Standard Tyche disclaimer: we published this book because we loved it!
March 11, 2023
Solid beginning for what turns out to be a very good series. It's definitely more steampunk than fantasy or scifi. Has a pretty good cast of characters. The main reason it didn't make it to 4 stars for me was that the author works too hard to keep things mysterious. Sometimes the need to intuit meaning despite a character's unexplained backstory is the kind of work that can draw a reader deeper into a book. For whatever reason that's not the case here (and it actually starts to get slightly annoying as you read more in the series). The characters, while very promising, remain just a little too sketchy. So you don't get as invested as you might. Still, book 1 was good enough that I went on to read the other two titles in this trilogy - and enjoyed all three.
For those who care about such things, this is completely safe for younger readers. If it was a movie would be a G, not even a PG-13.
For those who care about such things, this is completely safe for younger readers. If it was a movie would be a G, not even a PG-13.
March 13, 2019
I kept thinking I was going to like this more than I ultimately ended up doing. I liked the motley crew of space adventurers, I liked some of the aspects of the world. But the motley crew never developed quite enough - it wasn’t that they didn’t develop at all, but not enough to ever really make me forget they were characters I was reading about and just believe in them. Still, it was my interest in them that carried me through, as the plot never really worked and didn’t hold my interest enough for the resolution to seem meaningful.
September 4, 2018
Steampunk Space Ship
I have never really read much in the way of steam punk in fact this is really my first one. But I have to admit it was pretty enjoyable.
I have never really read much in the way of steam punk in fact this is really my first one. But I have to admit it was pretty enjoyable.
March 7, 2019
I enjoyed this so much. I got so immersed in the amazingly detailed world that Tom has created... I kept forgetting it wasn't real. Amazing. Just amazing!
March 9, 2019
A rip roaring space opera
I enjoyed the fast paced action. Nel is one kickass skipper in charge of a motley crew of crazy characters.
I enjoyed the fast paced action. Nel is one kickass skipper in charge of a motley crew of crazy characters.
June 4, 2019
This is a rampant rollicking good boys own adventure. I'd contend this is very high fantasy rather than SF (with a nod towards Firefly). Still it's fun, fast paced and easy to get caught up in.
December 9, 2020
Original, clever and well characterised! Very good & clever, I hope there are or will be more set in this world.
April 5, 2021
Honestly this book was great. Space pirates and zombies (and space pirate zombies.) Glad I picked it up.
April 12, 2023
The idea was good but somehow it didn't really hold me and I found myself putting it down to read something else and skipping bits.
January 13, 2024
I liked it.
September 28, 2025
DNF, 75%
August 23, 2018
I must confess I was not sure about the mashup between Space Opera and Steampunk, but I am so glad I decided to give this series a try. The story and world building is excellent, a good old fashioned swash buckling adventure that just happens to play off in space. Conniving characters with mysterious pasts abound, and little by little we learn more about the main actors backgrounds during the series, almost like making new friends.
February 23, 2017
What a book!
If the snarky attitudes don't draw you in, the pull at the heart strings will. I laughed and I cried, this is a book I truly enjoyed.
If the snarky attitudes don't draw you in, the pull at the heart strings will. I laughed and I cried, this is a book I truly enjoyed.
February 21, 2017
Had a "Treasure Planet" vibe that was quite satisfying!
March 13, 2014
I was thoroughly excited by the premise of this book--tall ships in space!--and the author did not disappoint. Radford uses a unique and believable (in the context of the book) magic system to make this possible, and I loved the fantastic vision of this type of transportation. There was a nice mix of magical elements and practical considerations that made it all work.
With a motley crew of misfits running the Tantamount, there were bound to be some characters I liked more than others--somewhat surprisingly, I wasn't all that keen on the book's main protagonist and second-in-command, Nel. She kept making me angry for some reason. LOL She was tough and gruff, although she certainly cared about her crew--I'm not really sure why she rubbed me the wrong way. *Too* gruff, maybe. I loved Violet, the kitsune cabin girl, though, and Quill, the irascible navigator. All the characters definitely came to life on the pages. I did find that sometimes they beat around the bush in their dialogue, which left me confused about what was really going on. However, the dialogue was realistic and believable, and each character had a unique voice and viewpoint.
The story was a bit slow to get going, but the second half of the book simply flies. If you find the beginning slow, I advise you to stick with it, because it turns into a can't-put-it-down page turner that you won't want to miss!
There are still a few questions left at the end of the story--nothing unresolved in the plot--just enough to make it possible that the author is not yet finished with these characters. I'd definitely pick up a second book to see what happens to the Tantamount and her crew next!
With a motley crew of misfits running the Tantamount, there were bound to be some characters I liked more than others--somewhat surprisingly, I wasn't all that keen on the book's main protagonist and second-in-command, Nel. She kept making me angry for some reason. LOL She was tough and gruff, although she certainly cared about her crew--I'm not really sure why she rubbed me the wrong way. *Too* gruff, maybe. I loved Violet, the kitsune cabin girl, though, and Quill, the irascible navigator. All the characters definitely came to life on the pages. I did find that sometimes they beat around the bush in their dialogue, which left me confused about what was really going on. However, the dialogue was realistic and believable, and each character had a unique voice and viewpoint.
The story was a bit slow to get going, but the second half of the book simply flies. If you find the beginning slow, I advise you to stick with it, because it turns into a can't-put-it-down page turner that you won't want to miss!
There are still a few questions left at the end of the story--nothing unresolved in the plot--just enough to make it possible that the author is not yet finished with these characters. I'd definitely pick up a second book to see what happens to the Tantamount and her crew next!
December 31, 2014
I was a taken on a voyage through space, sometimes scary, sometimes weird but mostly fun.
From the first page I was hooked (no this isn't a pun relating to a character with a hooked hand) and had to read more. You really get a good feel for the characters and learn pretty soon that this is a well established crew piloting the ship (even if some are little insane). These aren't characters that have been thrown onto a ship with no sense of purpose.
If you're looking for a good space adventure novel with a little humour and never a dull moment, then you need to purchase this book. Plus, aren't you itching to find out how a wooden ship flies through space?
From the first page I was hooked (no this isn't a pun relating to a character with a hooked hand) and had to read more. You really get a good feel for the characters and learn pretty soon that this is a well established crew piloting the ship (even if some are little insane). These aren't characters that have been thrown onto a ship with no sense of purpose.
If you're looking for a good space adventure novel with a little humour and never a dull moment, then you need to purchase this book. Plus, aren't you itching to find out how a wooden ship flies through space?
September 5, 2014
Quite an interesting read with a well-coordinated mix of space opera / maritime genres. I liked the mystery throughout the book and how the real trouble was gradually revealed. Well done.
And yet, the book left me strangely unsatisfied. Can't even pinpoint why.
And yet, the book left me strangely unsatisfied. Can't even pinpoint why.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews