Into the Dark

Alexis Carew #1

by J.A. Sutherland

At fifteen, Alexis Carew has to face an age old problem - she's a girl, and only a boy can inherit the family's vast holdings. Her options are few. She must marry and watch a stranger run the lands, or become a penniless tenant and see the lands she so dearly loves sold off. Yet there may be another option, one that involves becoming a midshipman on a shorthanded spaceship with no other women.

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Young Adult, Military Fiction, Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Fantasy

250 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2014

Reviews

[Per Gunnar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of these books which I really find difficult to rate. I found the book blurb interesting enough to have a go at it and the cover picture with sails in space enough of a put-off to wonder if I should really buy this book. I think that pretty much sums up my opinion of this book as well. Very split.

The story is a good one and it is fairly well written and implemented. Unfortunately this is really science fiction without the science. Now I could live with that if it was not so that the concepts introduced are so ludicrous. Sails in space? Okay, sailing on the solar winds is still a half plausible idea but then the author goes to great lengths to make everything feel like some old sailing ship in space. They have people running up and down masts putting up and down sails because it saves weight compared to doing it with machinery. Seriously? I was not impressed by these parts of the story. It borders more towards fantasy than science.

The core story is a good one though and one that I would probably have liked a lot more if the background setting would not have been so ludicrous. I really liked following Alexis Carew through here initiation into the Royal Navy and her adventures. I was afraid that there would be an enormous focus on the gender bit and it is of course quite present but in reasonable doses. Alexis earns the respect of her fellow crewmates rather quickly.

On the whole a quite well done book which unfortunately looses a star due to the science part as far as I am concerned. I am still quite split whether or not I will pick up the next one. I could probably live with the absence of any form of reasonable science. However, what I believe will be one or he main characters in the next book is briefly introduced towards the end of this one and I have to say that I disliked the character tremendously. From the last parts of this book and the blurb of the next one I get the feeling that the next book will play the gender card as well as the ass-hole-high-raking-officer card a lot and I do not really fancy those kind of stories. On one hand I would quite like to see where Alexis adventures leads her but on the other hand I am a bit put off by the direction things seem to be going.

[Dino-Jess ✮ The Book Eating Dinosaur ✮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love it when I am surprised by books.

Something about this book tickled my fancy and I requested it from Netgalley. I was a little wary going into it, because I didn't really know what to expect at all, but what a breath of fresh air this turned out to be.

Into The Dark is the story of Alexis Carew, a young, fifteen year old girl who is being forced to marry, because although she is perfectly able and willing, her planet does not allow women to hold lands. Alexis is not the timid, ideal housewife that many suitors are expecting her to be, and as a result she is having little luck obtaining the perfect suitor. But then, a ship from Her Majesty's Navy touches down in her town looking for recruits and with nothing keeping her on her home planet, Alexis decides to volunteer her services to the Navy. What she experiences on Merlin will change her view of the world, and she will experience what few women have before her.

The first thing that really got me on board with this book, was the fact that Alexis is not your usual timid, whingy teenage protagonist. Within the first few chapters, she has insulted the son of one of the founding families of her planet, offered her services to The Navy and put the nasty Navy supplier in his place. Seriously, she has bigger balls than some male protagonists I have read. She is great. She just gets better and better as the book progresses!

The banter in this book, between the characters, is fantastic. Yes, there are parts that are a little hard to read, due to the written accents, but if you can get past that, there are some real gems to be found here. This also goes for the technological lingo. I haven't the faintest idea about ships/boats/navigating the skies, and yet, this book kept me interested and turning pages, regardless of my lack of navy knowledge.

I think another thing that was so refreshing about this book, was that there was barely any romantic story line at all. And the fact that I noticed that, and still enjoyed it is a huge deal, as I am the romance queen! There was an inkling of romance, but this book is all about the action, the ships, the pirates and the adventure that Alexis is on.

This is a well written, adventure packed YA book that I am eagerly awaiting the sequel of.

3.5 Stars

I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Najbolji način da se opiše ova knjiga je Hornblower in space (insert a pigs in space reference :) ).

Glavna stvar koja me je privukla ovoj knjizi jeste činjenica da za let svemirom koriste unapređenu verziju starih jedrenjaka, sve sa jedrima i posadom koja se vere po njima da bi ih dizali i spuštali. Nadao sam se nekom baš cool objašnjenju kako to sve funkcioniše ali na žalost objašnjenja nema. Stvari su takve zbog "mračnog svemira" i niko ne zna zašto stvari funkcionišu ali one funkcionišu.

Isto tako veliki problem mi pretstavlja savršenstvo glavnog lika, koja ima samo 15 godina a rezonuje kao neko sa barem 10 godina više iskustva, koja je puna razumevanja, i za par meseci skapira i nauči kako da bude odličan pomorski (svemirski oficir). Lik koju cela posada na početku gleda sa podzrenjem na na kraju samo što joj ne dižu spomenik. Odnosno ako je uporedim sa Horacijom ispada da je daleko talentovanija, pametnija i itd pošto je njemu za slično znanje i sposobnosti ipak trebala koja godina.

I pored svega knjiga je dobila u suštini veću ocenu nego što zaslužuje jednostavno zbog faktora zabave i odličnog tempa koji te prosto vuče da je čitaš i ne dozvoljava da ti bude dosadno niti ti daje vremena da razmišljaš o silnim nelogičnostima. Možda ću kasnije skinuti jednu zvezdicu al za sada ostaje pa da vidimo kakav će utisak ostale knjige da naprave.

[C.T. Phipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of David Weber's Honor Harrington series and several other Age of Sail stories which happen to be transplanted into space. I'm also a fan of the original Horatio Hornblower novels. However, my love of the Honorverse has dimmed over the years as the focus became less and less about the titular character. David Weber has become fascinated with the labyrinthine and complex politics of his universe to the deterrent of his female protagonist. So, one can imagine my intrigue at the prospect of a Young Adult series about a similar character which would remain firmly rooted around her adventures. Still, it would be an entirely different series and could it be as good as Weber's own? In fact, I daresay J.A. Sutherland has written an even better story.

The premise of novels is a riff on a traditional one of a young woman trying to escape an unwanted marriage. In this case, however, it is due to the fact her colony operates under archaic primogeniture rules which means her landowning family will be rendered destitute if her grandfather dies with no male heir or husband for her. Alexis Carew, seeking some way of escaping her situation, ends up becoming a midshipman on a departing royal navy vessel. Immediately, she finds herself put upon by a crew unaccustomed to women in the Fringe as well as the fact she has almost no experience with dark space sailing vessels. Soon, however, the crew will find itself imperiled by what predators await even Royal Navy ships in the void.

I absolutely love the main character and think of her as one of the best Young Adult protagonists I've read in a very long time. Admittedly, I don't normally read that much Young Adult fiction but she's up there with Katniss and is certainly highly ranked in my fiction protagonists period. A fifteen-year-old-girl who decides that life on her boring, chauvinist world where she fits in like a square peg in a round whole is worth joining Her Majesty's Navy. She's very recognizably a teenage girl even if you see the beginnings of greatness within her.

Into the Dark follows Alexis as she becomes acquainted not only with the naval terminology and space opera science of the setting but also how the world functions. Her relative ignorance as a poor (well, rich on her world) country girl seeing the big universe justifies a lot of the exposition even as we deal with the consequences of her knowledge. Yet, I never felt the many infodumps and explanations were unjustified or ever boring. It's very much a book about exploring and I think that's actually one of the novel's strengths.

The author does an exceptional job dealing with the daily realities of how a hypothetical Age of Sail spaceship would operate. I like the development of all of the crew ranging from her bunkmate to the Captain and the guy who repairs spacesuits. None of them are caricatures and all of them are welcoming even if they're somewhat off-put by Alexis' presence (women not being common on naval vessels in the retrograde Fringe--even if they're everywhere else in the setting).

Unfortunately, I suspect some readers of more traditional sci-fi will be off-put by the deliberate anachronisms. Things like manually loading weapons, that darkspace (hyperspace) works identically to an ocean, hoisting the darkspace sails, and other things which exist entirely for the Rule of CoolTM (if your definition of Cool is Napoleonic Wars ship elements IN SPACCCCE). There's some handwaves, just like there is with the retrograde gender roles, but it doesn't really work too well. You just have to accept them and move on. For me, having played Spelljammer back when it was possible, it was a lot easier for me.

The actual "plot" doesn't really begin until the very end of the book but, again, this didn't bother me in the slightest as it was the journey which was motivating me. I do think there's an interesting set-up for Alexis that she's joining the Navy in part to eventually return to her family home and reclaim it but I don't think that's going to be the sort of place she'll want to spend the rest of her life after she gets a taste of the universe. The fact I'm interested in how it all works out speaks well of the series.

In, conclusion, really--highest marks. Buy it! Buy it now! I also recommend people pick up the audiobook version as Elizabeth Klett does an amazing job with the main character as well as the others' voices.

10/10

[S.J. Higbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essentially Hornblower in space – and very well done, too. Sutherland has taken the idea of solar sails and provides some vivid space battles that are reminiscent of the 17th and 18th century man o’war tactics. To be honest, some suspension of disbelief is required – I happily believed that the solar sails were useful and that they needed human crews rather than robot labour, but there were a few touches that stretched my credulity.

However, the plight Alexis faces if she stays on the planet is inescapable – she will be forced to marry someone she hates and despises. She is a tough energetic girl, caught up with the day to day running of the holding and takes to the rigour of life in the Navy like a space duckling takes to zero gravity. I like her straightforward character and the fact that Sutherland is mindful not to make her too much of a Mary Sue – she struggles badly with navigation.

What she has in spades is plenty of physical energy, the ability to think quickly on her feet and a fundamentally nice disposition without it becoming sickly, which is harder to do than Sutherland makes it look. Did I believe in her ability to handle the situations that she is confronted with? Yes – she is raised in a tough, colonial environment. As a historian, I have read accounts of what young men and women achieved when homesteading in the States, or working on a small farm in the UK and their physical fortitude and strength puts us all to shame. Nothing to say that can’t happen again…

I very much liked the story development and overall the worldbuilding – though I do find it difficult to believe that flogging would still be a thing in a futuristic setting, given that we know the faultlines that ran through the Royal Navy of the time and why they needed to use such extreme brutality. It was a reflection of the harsh social situation for most people at the time – I’m not sure I’m so convinced that prevails to the same extent in this particular future world.

It doesn’t stop me being keen to pick up the second book in this entertaining series as I want to know what happens next to Alexis, given there is a real twist right at the end of the book.
8/10

[Jon Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a coming of age story in the 'coming of age in the military' tradition of Mr. Midshipman Hornblower . While I haven't gone back and reread C. S. Forester's first volume of the Hornblower series, each of the significant events in Ms. Midshipman Carew's first star voyage parallels (as I remember them) a scene from Hornblower.

That said, there have been lots of Hornblower-like stories. Such as David Weber's Honor Harrington novels. Into the Dark held my interest, it was well written and it contained blessedly few typos. [There is a funny one, however, where 'sails' is misspelled 'sales'.]

This is basically a story set in space ("space-fiction"), rather than "science-fiction." As another review has pointed out, wandering around the galaxy using sails (top gallant, top main, etc) on multiple masts and navigating by throwing a metal container off the aft end of the space ship (like a log on an old clipper ship) is ... bizarre.

I've no dog in the fight; I don't know the author.

[Laz the Sailor · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are going to write a YA on a naval spaceship, why not go full on British Empire? What started out as an annoying transfer of olde square-rigger sailing terms quickly became endearing, and the sci-fi FTL physics were very interesting. (Note that I'm a sailor.)

As a YA, this is on the same level as Nathan Howell's Quarter Share series, but in a military context.

I'm interested to see how young Alex grows up.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a nice read.

[Red Tide]

I did finish the book but it was troubling. Rating: minus 5

I think that I began a revision and never returned to it. Since I am revisiting all of my mildly negative reviews, this provides me the opportunity to write a more useful judgement of this writer and this trashy series. Trigger warning: Brutally honest opinion to follow of a very disturbed male writer with severe anti-feminist issues and a very pro-slavery agenda. When I began making reviews, I expected no one else to read them. After several years of harassment on this site, I now expect that at least one nutcase might and I aim to misbehave.

Before I write more, I will visit YouTube, a far more valuable site. This was only possible through the efforts of the following channels - LuckyBlackCat, Anna from Ukraine, Leeja Miller, Perun, KernowDamo, Sailing Melody, ATP Geopolitics, Kings and Generals, Times Radio, Trae Crowder, Cruising Crafts, Daisy Viktoria, Abby Cox, Ode to Joy Flashmob, 60 minutes Australia, Julie Nolke, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Skip Intro, ILona Millinery, A Day of Small Things, Lizcapism, Verilybitchie, Hildegard von Blingin, Roomies Digest, May Moon Narrowboat, Deerstalker Pictures, Dungeons and Discourse, May, Abney Park, Space 1889, OrangeRiver, The Book Leo, The Clockwork Reader, Ukraine Matters, Atun Shei, ThePrimeChronus, A Cup of Nicole, Viva La Dirt League, Sarah Z, Mandy - web series, May, Smack the Pony, Discourse Minis, Mia Mulder, Max Barskih -Don't F@ck with Ukraine.

The world building must be addressed first and foremost. The background universe being the foremost issue, is funny. No. Never mind then. The writer has no sense of whatever period of the Age of Sail which he imagined that he was modelling. Instead of selecting a period, reading for a sense of the world in that period, then populating the story the writer chose a different course. His research seemed to have consisted of "Pirates of the Caribbean" viewings. Sadly I wish that I were being snarky but my judgement is solely based on what passes for the book's world building.

The society and its history are bad and badly drawn. There are only 50 or so citizen families, who between them own the entirety of the main character's home system. Every other resident is either owned by a citizen family or is a member of a tiny foreign professional community of which only one is identified. This is not an anomaly in the New London kingdom (?). The writer adds hereditary nobility to the cast, suggestive of a monarchy but no monarch is ever mentioned. The main character is herself of hereditary nobility (in her system the title is owner) which is carefully overlooked throughout the entire series.

It is suggested that this social system is normal practise. The citizen oligarchs in systems are both parliament and the voting population. In this system and others apparently, either men have not allowed the vote to females of the oligarchal families or oligarchal women voted to deprive themselves of participation in decision making. It is not made clear. Once women are not allowed to vote, men voted that women of their own families were forbidden to inherent property. This is completely in line with New London law and common.

The writer spends quite a bit of ink establishing the rightness of his little universe. His vision is not a future imaginary universe but his vision of a forgotten and surely missed past. The writer's overuse of direct exposition excusing very explicitly anti-human actions and concepts removed any question in my mind of the book's purpose. His sad expository story interruptions must have caused some readers discomfort. I read it as a guilty pleasure hoping that if I overlooked the worst, there might be an adventure story here. I am ashamed of that decision and barely was able to stomach Book two. I read as much as I could handle of the rest of the series, to write reviews as my penance.

The writer trips over himself in constant expositional insertions placing blame for this gender discrimination on the religious worlds somehow forcing this interesting perspective across the whole of the sector or women forced these restrictions on themselves across the kingdom. He writes that the core systems are more enlightened in terms of naval service but does not demonstrate this in the series. The "enlightened" core system civil societies are not shown to be different to the Frontier system societies. The status of women across this entire section of human space seems remarkably uniform.

The only women in the series shown to exercise agency are the Scandalous which is euphemism for Slut and other colourful terms favoured by the US evangelical, the Mormon sects, the US incel community and Men's rights groups. The only women considered as worthy of this denigration historically and in this book are the small number of children of the better classes. Women of the lower orders hauling heavy loads daily, managing small enterprises from canal boat haulers to flower sellers and often simultaneously raising children, both their own or those of relatives, etc are not considered as real people. They are though, considered useful as disposable victims in-universe. Their male counterparts suffer the same curse of invisibility in history and this series. This is a libertarian fantasy, ugly as they all are.

Another YouTube break is needed. This next was made possible by Biz Barclay, Jed Herne, SK Media, Sarah Millican, Tara Mooknee, The Russian Dude, Second Thought, Chris and Shell, Installation00, Times Radio, Kiko1006 - Empire of Angels, Lily Simpson, Mandy - web series, Shannon Makes, Up and Atom, Olly Richards, Dan Davis History, Crecganford, AllShorts, Silicon Curtain, Smack the Pony, Terrible Writing Advice, Lady Knight the Brave, Ship Happens, A Day of Small Things, Lizcapism, Break N Remake, Bobbing Along, Alysotherlife, J Draper, Alt Shirt X, Physics Girl, Gemma Dyer, Wayward Winchester, Mrs Betty Bowers, Atun Shei, Just Write, Lore Reloaded, No Justice MTG, Knowing Better, Meidas Touch, Jessica Kellgren Fozard, Narrowboat Pirate, Cambrian Chronicles, Times Radio, Beau of the Fifth Column, Hello Future Me, Jabzy, Ukraine News TV, Some More News, Andrewism, ASN Random, Ro Ramdin, Covert Cabal.

The scene of the slaves appreciating their Good owner was cringe-y. I saw a clip of "The Patriot" during a film criticism video by Brandon F, in which the slave owner protagonist is guiding a plough while a dozen of his slaves are lounging on fences looking on. Brandon went ballistic at that scene and that scene will make you ill. The scenes were almost identical. This is a sick writer but I am sure most readers based on the ratings found that scene in the book perfectly logical. Only in America. It is later explained that they are descendants of "indentured workers", who were shuttled from colony to colony in search of work. It is also shown that they can not leave their owner's land and they are not allowed to own property anywhere in the system. No money to leave, No right to property ownership if money were available, No human rights except those allowed by the owners and none are allowed by the owners.

The main character's grandfather is the most pathetic character in the series. He is used to justify this happy nastiness with regards to the status of the labourers. The grandfather in conversation with his granddaughter decries the frozen status of the workers/serfs until he more honestly claims, that "They knew what they were getting into". I really should have closed the book at that point but it was early in my Amazon odyssey and I was naive. The character refused to accept any responsibility for this disgusting society which he and his wife helped shape. While disgusting, the writer emphasising that character was a paragon of empathy was worse. The little princess sees nothing morally or logically troubling in the grandfather's speech. This exchange was a sad imagining of indentured servitude in North America or servitude anywhere and anywhen.

Coming back to this book after my time on Amazon, I now wonder if this was a representation of the North Atlantic slave trade. The politics clumsily and repeatedly delivered in his reference to historical precedence was a hint. The story-flow-breaking, direct exposition used to justify slavery in place of paid employment is the ultimate libertarian fantasy. That was a hint. Women of the nobility (in fact, if not in name) deprived of personhood being justified by female characters is the standard misogynist tactic. The fifteen year old girl being the voice of the accepting victim should but does not upset the Goodreads membership. The effective invisibility of the lower orders of both genders and all characters being straight and cis is the low end background default.

Given the above hints and my exposure to comments which included a number of American libertarians praising (not defending) US slavery, I have made a judgement. His exposition in defence of the horrible exploitation of entire populations in the book, is in fact meant as a defence of US slavery. A sad fact is that the US state of Texas within the last eight (?) years, have eliminated the term slavery from all history texts. It has been replaced with "involuntarily transported workers" or something like it. The US state of Florida have within the last two weeks redefined in all state texts, the period of slavery as a "humanitarian endeavour to rescue black immigrants from savagery and to teach them skills useful" for their future employment. Those two statements are actual fact, not hyperbole and not snark.

The limitations on women in the book are a sorry interpretation of the origins of and real nature of the plight of upper class women in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. I have no need to question his personal opinion on women's rights to abortion or even medical care. It does do a fairly good recitation of the Men's rights and other anti-woman talking points as well as the justification for every type of abuse of women, considered acceptable in the present. That he is American should surprise no one.

From comments and reviews which I was able to see previously, some fans of the book actually praised the "historicity" of this series. Some of those are female readers and thought the book charming. Those demonstrate the dangers to the mind over time of accepting substandard entertainment. Those were also the basis for my growing contempt towards many of the site members. Wilful Ignorance of history, science and cultural development are the writer's crimes. Assigning expertise to the writer of poorly conceived, badly written political rants is an insight into the reader's values. 😊

God, I need another break from this. This next is only possible courtesy of YouTube's - Smack the Pony, Mandy -web series, Armour Cast, Physics Girl, Terrible Writing Advice, Abbie Emmons, Snappy Dragon, Tom Nicholas, Kelly Loves Physics and History, Owen Jones, Truth to Power, History with Kayleigh, Bobbing Along, Lady of the Library, The Onion, A Life of Lit, Honest Trailers, The Juice Media, Emma Thorne, History with Hilbert, Eileen, Omeleto, Ben G Thomas, Annie's Literary Empire, JuLingo, RobWords, Digital Mermaid, Double Down News, DUST, Second Thought, LuckyBlackCat, Gemma Dyer, Historical Fashion, Break N Remake, Shannon Makes, OrangeRiver, IzzzYzzz, The Chloe Connection, Bernadette Banner, Hej Sokoly, Military History Visualized, No Justice MTG, Book Furnace, Sci-Fi Odyssey, Perun, Certifiably Ingame.

The writer also thinks that Dark Matter is an emptiness in space devoid of light, which for reasons not explained allows FTL travel. I read a comment on the one review which I am Allowed to see, praising his use of Dark Matter as scientifically grounded. Dark refers to that hypothesized missing matter required to explain observed galactic gravitational phenomena. Dark Matter does not interact with normal matter except though gravitational effects, hence it is invisible. Dark Matter does not cast a black veil over normal matter in four dimensional space-time. The Black hole swallows light and consequently can be seen only through its effects on light. Dark Energy is another hypothesized phenomenon used to explain the continuing expansion of space itself. I assumed all of that was general knowledge. For a more accurate and detailed explanation of those, see YouTube channels - Acollierastro, Sabine Hossenfelder, Arvin Ash, Up and Atom, Joe Scott, Sabine Hossenfelder, Science of Science Fiction, Elina Charatsidou, Dr Becky or other science educators.

This book is not worthy of more effort. Publisher indifference might be the answer, if so much of this low quality and nasty political views were not printed and touted across Goodreads/Kindle/Amazon rather than work from good Indie writers. I believe in guilty pleasures as a human right which should be enshrined in every national constitution but I can not conceive how the work of this and many other No Effort US science fiction writers can claim that place with so many readers on this site.

These books are standard US publisher choices for science fiction at the low end. The writer bypassed the No Effort and Insulting categories, committing his series to the consistently Abhorrent. Points for commitment. This series erased the last of my expectations from the low end of US publisher's science fiction selections. Since using Kindle for about five years, I admit to watching most of my fiction for the first time in my life. The streaming services provide usually better written and almost always more entertaining science fiction. YouTube host short film channels with DUST and Omeleto being awesome sources.

Admitting that Amazon/Kindle recommendations or Goodreads ratings and reviews were useless to me, I turned to YouTube not expecting much. I was very pleasantly surprised by the number and variety of science fiction channels. Those led me to lifestyle, educational, hobbyist and then essayist channels. Finally I stumbled upon my first book channel. 😍 These channels host communities of thoughtful, careful readers with varied tastes and interests but all of whom love the world of books. It is certainly worth visits to several for any reader and I have listed several. From sponsor spots on educational and essayist channels, I was introduced to the dedicated educational video sites all of which are worth a look.

About Goodreads value and discourse. About eighteen months ago, I wrote a short mildly negative review of Powers of the Earth, a poorly written salute to the January 6, 2021 hero by Travis Corcoran. He is a self-described libertarian and of course, a vocal advocate for the return of chattel slavery, an employee of an unnamed US agency and US veteran, a supporter of Putin's Russia. A nearly year long libertarian comment cloud demanded a response to their claims that white males created "all history". The writer commented among other things, that all black Americans would be deported to Jamaican plantations and that "rich blacks" should be deported to Brazil (?).

Claes Rees Jr/cgr710 wrote a comment finally declaring that They had "won" ( ?). I discovered that They had launched a year long assault of vile sexual and racist comments against channels which I mentioned. While They did not impress the Swedish essayist, the English solo boater, the Scottish PhD, the model builder and the many other female creators, They did increase the world's overabundance of unpleasantness. In also delivering the threatening image of the twisted American man-child to a broad multinational audience was probably a bonus in their little minds (assuming they possessed that luxury, of which I saw no evidence). Goodreads discourse is so interesting. USA! Yay ??

My YouTube picks of the moment.
Isaac Arthur, iWriterly, Alizee, Big Train -Mark Randall, Cunk, Mark R Largent, Pacific 201, Abbie Emmons. Sideprojects, Megaprojects, Jean's Thoughts, Smack the Pony. Silicon Curtain, Jake Broe, Owen Jones, Ben and Emily, Second Thought, Hello Future Me, Horses, Terrible Writing Advice.

About Amazon/Kindle/Goodreads. Please consider treating this site as potentially hostile. 😐

Ominous music begins. 🙂 The nutcase members are terrible but they will not necessarily stop at the offensive and sometimes threatening comment. After my Powers review, I was introduced to the mad lads of Kindle/Goodreads and there the real danger lies. There is according to ex-employees no oversight of Kindle and Kindle techs who resolve your Goodreads queries and issues. Something to think about.

After my Powers review, there were periodic Kindle service multi-day outages while my internet service was perfect. Some of the other harassment is listed on my review of Powers, Into the Black by Currie or "Dark Horse", a good novel by Diener. Goodreads shared my limited message history with a third party. The result was an attempt by Australian Intelligence to interrogate a friend for my personal information. It was apparently a favour through Pine Gap Centre for a US secret clearance holder. The US really should stop handing those out like party favours. I realize that this was an honour but being the odd duck, I was somewhat upset with Amazon and Australia. Amazon should consider revamping the customer service protocols. 🤗

You may not be targeted but as is said "What is once done, is more easily done again". Some precautions are in order. You might minimize profile information, remove lurkers (those friends who monitor but never post), be careful when using Goodreads messaging, trust nothing personal to Kindle, screenshot the odd and the ugly and it would not hurt to move Amazon/Kindle/Goodreads to a single use email address. Do not forget that the vicious man-children, both members and employees alike are Americans. Ominous music ends. 🙂

May we all find Good Reading! 😊

I am not a great advisor for the best of YouTube channels but these are Some of my favourite.

Acollierastro, Chris and Shell, LuckyBlackCat, Lore Reloaded, Some More News, Tara Mooknee, Hakim, Philosophy Tube, May Moon Narrowboat, IL Neige, Munecat, History with Cy, Cambrian Chronicles, Beautifully Bookish Bethany, Just Write, Eckharts Ladder, Lady Knight The Brave, The Clockwork Reader, Sabine Hossenfelder, Chloe Stafler, Tom Nicholas, TVP News, Bobbing Along, Boat Time, Ship Happens, Ukraine Matters, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, Physics Girl, Roomies Digest, The Welsh Viking, The Prime of Midlife, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Tibees, Snappy Dragon, Jill Bearup, Northern Narrowboaters, Interior Design Hub, It's Black Friday, May, Ask a Mortician, Arvin Ash, KernowDamo, Book Furnace, Sci-Fi Odyssey, Renegade Cut, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Karolina Zebrowska, Shannon Makes, Bolero Flashmob, The Little Platoon, Verilybitchie, Female Warriors - Teresatessa, ATP Geopolitics, The Researcher, Danica Patrick, iiLuminaughtii, Dominic Noble, Big Train, BlondiHacks, Morgan Donner, Patrick is a Navajo, Dungeons and Discourse, Sarah Z, Lily Alexandre, Geo Girl, Octupus Lady, Planarwalker, Gutsick Gibbon, What Vivi did next, Abney Park, Malinda, Owen Jones, Autumn's Boutique, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, Overly Sarcastic Productions, Chris Animations, Jessie Gender, Wayward Winchester, The Who Addicts, Travelling K, Perun, Quinn's Ideas, Spacedock, Squire, Kris Atomic, Nomadic Crobot, Narrowboat Pirate, Gemma Dyer, Dark_Ops16, Kathy's Flog in France, Viva La Dirt League, Steve Shives, Three Arrows, Dungeon Dad, Kazachka, Bernadette Banner.

I wish you a splendid morning, a relaxing afternoon, a wonderful evening, a pleasant night and may we all continue learning.

When a person allows Another to speak in their name unchallenged, they adopt Another's sins.
My grandmother

[Alyssia Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd bought the second book in this series before I had even finished the first I was that impressed with the authors style, pace and characters. This isn't a complicated science fiction with a ton of science behind it, in fact I would be more likely to describe it as 'space opera', a coming of age story with a military flourish.

Although the style of this does make it perfect as a young adult read, there is nothing in here at all that would stop me recommending it to the older reader. Yes, it isn't a complex web of science, but it's a well scripted narrative with narrative arc that keeps you engaged throughout. There isn't any of the soppy love malarky that you so often get in young adult stuff; i.e. the stuff that puts my teeth on edge from the work go. This is a seriously enjoyable read.

The writing pace is brisk and keeps the tale moving at a swift pace, never slowing down to bore you even when Alexis is having to learn the running of the ship. The writing style is witting and entertaining whilst holding a talent for tension, drama and anguish. Parts of the novel made me giggle out loud, at least one part had me actively tearing up. It's been quite a while since a book has done that to me. The humour behind many of the passages is very much character based and feeds into my next point about the characters being surprisingly well developed for the length of the book.

The characters are well portrayed, although due to the short length of the novel this could have easily been expanded on. In fact, that is probably my only complaint about this novel; I would quite happily have read another hundred pages worth. It finishes well, don't get me wrong; the ending isn't too sudden or abrupt, it is simply that I enjoyed the book so much I would have appreciated more time with the characters.

That said, the character development managed within two hundred and fifty pages is impressive and a sign of a writer I will have to follow from now on.

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So you don’t care much for Science Fiction, eh?
This series will change your mind.

Yes, that’s me. I don’t care much for Science Fiction. The robots, the metal, the darkness, the emptiness — it all leaves me cold. Until now. A friend so persistently encouraged me to read this book that I was curious to discover what his enthusiasm for it was all about.

Picture this:

Ships, captains, shipmates, sailing, naval adventures, pirates, enemies, New London, loved ones, action, drama, suspense, and a heroine - ALL SET IN DEEP SPACE.

It’s brilliant, it’s unique, it’s entertaining, and will have you rooting for Alexis in no time as she faces enemies from without and surprisingly from within.

Sutherland’s writing is smooth and adeptly blends the nostalgia of sailing ships with an imaginary yet occasionally familiar universe. The story grabs you from the start and holds you to the end. Elizabeth Klett’s audio book narration is nothing short of spectacular and brings warmth and personality to the characters in such a way that you feel you know them personally. If you enjoy action, drama, suspense, and characters you can connect with, you’ll want to read this series.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/into-the-da...

Some of the sailing elements definitely seem forced, even with the hand-waving nature of “darkspace”. For it basically behaves in whatever way is necessary for the plot to be jammed into Sutherland’s nautical peghole. That’s probably the main weakness: it’s one especially apparent in the early going, when Alexis first goes into space, until my brain seemed to get used to it. On the plus side, she does make for an admirable heroine, one who uses her wits more than her fists.

As such, the action quotient is fairly low; there’s a steep learning curve here, for both Alexis and the reader, as we all learn the mechanics of how things work in this strange universe. When that is finally out of the way, the energy ramps up: in particular, when a ship captured by the Merlin, is being taken back to port with Alexis at the helm, when the captured crew mutiny and retake the vesse

[Marijan Šiško · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ukratko, space opera za mlade. U ovom SF-.u nema puno S-a, borodvi lete kroz svemir tranzitom u misteriozni Mračni Prostor, što je ekvivalent warpa ili čegaveć u drugim pričama. ali je pisano zanimljivo, dinamično, zabavno. Glavnoj se junakinji može zamjeriti što je malo premudra za svoje godine, ali i to se dijelom može objasniti njenom životnom pričom. U svakom slučaju zabavna i zanimljiva knjiga i svakako ću pročiutati nastavak ako ga se dočepam.

[AncsaT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nem egy szokványos sci-fi, sőt igazából a sci része nincs is túlerőltetve (az égimechanika Lagrange-pontjai mibenlétének érthető leírása azért megmelengette a szívemet), inkább sima YA ez, abból is a kellemesebb fajta. Az űrhajók a "darkspace"-nek nevezett hiperűrben közlekednek, amit én a magam részéről inkább a "retrospace" névvel illetnék, mivel itt a hagyományos hajtóművek helyett, a sötét anyag áramlatait kihasználva lehet hajózni. Oszlopokra kifeszített, elektromosan töltött fémhálók segítségével, amiket az egyszerűség kedvéért árbócokra felhúzott vitorláknak neveznek. És ami nincs bevonva galleniummal, az hajlamos beleragadni a hiperűrbe, ahol a lézerfegyverek nem működnek, ezért gallenium bevonatú ágyugolyókkal lövik egymást a hajók, a tengerészek meg karddal párbajoznak és harcolnak a kalózok ellen.
Főszereplőnk, a 15 éves Alexis Carew pedig egy retro bolygón lakik, ahol az elsőszülött fiúké lesz minden vagyon, a lányok ki vannak zárva az öröklésből. Erre való tekintettel, hősnőnk beáll a haditengerészethez, kadétnak. Ott viszont teljes a nemek közti egyenjogúság, olyannyira, hogy a tengerészkadétnőt is MISTER Carew-nak szólítják. De ezen kívül is van egy csomó fura dolog, a szintek neve fedélzet, a hajó eleje és vége orr meg tat, a szerelő az hajóács, a szoba kabin, az ágy priccs, a délután fél három pedig második őrség ötödik harang.
Arra gondoltam, ezt lefordítani egy rémálom lenne, de aztán kezdtek eszembe jutni olyan kifejezések, hogy korvettkapitány, sorhajóhadnagy, és orrmány-kül-sudár-vitorla meg elő-derék-szárny-szél-szarv-kötelek. És lassacskán Alexis is belejön a dolgokba, kezd egész jól elbodogulni, izgalmas kalandokban lesz része, megtanul pár dolgot, megismeri az embereket, és saját magát is. Kezdetben sem volt az a tipikus nyafogós kislány, a végére pedig kimondottan kemény csaj lesz. Szerelmi szál nincs, még csak 15 éves a lány, de van még hátra minimum 2 kötet és két novella, így sejtésem szerint a későbbiekben lesz részünk minden jóban, amire csak vágyhatunk egy kalandregényben. Tippem szerint a 14+ korosztályban a fiúk és a lányok is szeretik. Van benne tudomány, de nem fejfájdító mennyiségben, vannak benne érzelmek, de nem csöpögős, a karakterek érdekesek, de nem mászunk beléjük túlságosan, a tempó kellemes, a szöveg igényes, de nem túlcizellált, sikerült jól eltalálni az arányokat és a célközönség ízlését.

[Bookwyrm Speaks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to make of this book when I got the credit from the author in return for an honest review. Well, what I got was a great adventure story set in space, but set like a wind and sail Royal Navy adventure. Alexis Carew is a 15 year old girl on a colony planet that has inheritance rules based on Male Primogeniture, meaning she can't inherit her grandfathers land or property, but has to be married so her husband can. After an especially bad meeting with a spoiled potential suitor, she decides to try and join the Royal Navy, which happens to have a recruiting party on the planet at the time. She is refused as an able spacer, since she is too young, but the ship's Captain decides to use his discretion and takes her on as a Midshipman. So starts her adventures and education on board an otherwise all male ship, with the many different challenges this entails, such as lack of privacy, not having uniforms made in her size, some resentful crew members and no background for naval training. She overcomes these challenges, and grows into her role as an officer in training as the ship deals with patrolling, combating pirates, and at the end of the book, preparing for a war. The book is well written, and while set in space, it reads as a sort of homage to books like Horatio Hornblower and Master and Commander. It has interesting technology, without getting too bogged down in the details. It is well paced, and I really enjoyed it. Elizabeth Klett did an exceptional job as narrator, keeping the action moving with a variety of different voices, tones and accents that kept me wanting to hear more. I would recommend this book for any fans of Master and Commander, as well as fans of Jack Campbell and H. Paul Honsinger.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is something of an odd duck.

On the one hand, it's an excellent "Hornblower in Space" naval story. It's well written, it has an engaging main character. It has a variety of antagonists of varying degrees of intelligence, competence and commitment, based on their own situations. It has detail, emotion, tight plotting, and is generally an excellent book.

On the other hand, it's "Hornblower in Space". The author goes to exceptional lengths to recreate all the particulars of British Naval life in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He's extremely inventive in doing so, sometimes to the extreme.

On the whole I'd say it's a great book, but the author spends a bit too much time trying to explain and/or justify his choice of construction.

The tone and feel of the book are highly reminiscent of C.S. Forester's early Hornblower books. Other similar series would include Mike Shepherd's Kris Longknife series, and David Weber's Honor Harrington series. (Thankfully, (unlike Weber) J.A.Sutherland does not delve into polyamorous relationships).




Final decision: Highly recommended. Fans of Military SF will probably enjoy it.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book for much the same reasons I like David Drake's RCN series, in that they both take a good stab at translating the wind-powered British Navy to a science-fiction setting. I've not read Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey and Maturin series, but Drake acknowledges that the RCN is a rather direct descendant of it, and this book falls somewhere very close to Drake's on the family tree. Sutherland's use of dark matter and dark energy as an explanation for his particular handwaving at why starships need sails is novel, and he treats it consistently enough that I could go along with it easily. I was a bit annoyed that his given name for this region (darkspace) was always italicized. The emphasis seemed needless and contrived. There were some minor editorial lapses (missing quotation marks, poor possessive formations [e.g. Mr. Jeffreys has item X, they refer to "Jeffrey's X"], a ship named the Grapple is referred to multiple times as the Grappel), but not too many.

This is not, by any means, hard SF. If the premise intrigues you, or you like the Drake (or the O'Brian, I'll hazard a guess) series, give it a try. It's a quick read, and you'll know rather quickly if it's for you.

[Tremont G · Rating 1 out of 5]

At 32 % I'm giving up on this horrible book. I really hate historical fiction and think it's ridiculous to force the 1700's into SPACE! WTF. I also find it hard to believe the future would be so misogynistic, even in the fringe worlds. Yuk. The is the most backwards society! How is it that they have the technology to travel in space & colonize new planets and they don't have women in the navy? Stupid!

[William Kulhanek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written space opera with a twist

Happily,Not exactly what I expected,
not a poor little girl against the world story,
more Hornblower goes to space.
Excellent and highly recommended

[Michael Burnam-Fink · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some people, "Horatio in Hornblower in space" is a kind of metaphor. Sutherland is very literal. This is the Age of Sail, moved to the stars.

Alexis Carew is a 15 year girl with a problem. The patriarchial laws and mores of her home planet mean that her options are to get married to an idiotic fop, or be disinherited when her grandfather dies. Joining the space navy is a chance to get away from home and do some good. And while technically legal, it's almost entirely unknown. She signs up, and we move through the beats of Nelsonian plot.

So the good: The spacefaring tech is surprisingly evocative, without being ridiculous. Spaceships enter a hyperspace dimension at Lagrange points, where they sail winds of dark energy that blow between stars. Darkspace is full of shifting currents, squalls, and storms. Computers and radio simply won't work, meaning that everything is done by hand in space suits. The only weapon practical are lasers, firing off of geranium encased capacitors, with beams of light slowed to cannonball speeds and ranges. I believe David Drake did the idea first, but Sutherland carries off his setting conceits with verve. Carew is a great protagonist, an idealist who never backs down from a fight, and with infinite willingness to get her hands dirty to do the job.

There are cool moments, learning the ropes, chasing pirates, fighting battles and making friends, but a few days on I have trouble remembering literally anything other than darkspace. The first Alexis Carew book is popcorn, popcorn with a lot of promise and a little kick, and I'll probably be reading the rest of the series between more serious books, but you're not getting any surprises.

[Stephan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an odd book. It is the first instalment of what is basically "Hornblower in Space" - indeed, it is so much a copy of "Mr. Midshipman Hornblower" that it is hard to decide if it's an homage or a rip-off. Some scenes feel as if they've been lifted word for word from the original - and even the author's (I presume) pen name is taken from the ship Horblower commanded in "Ship of the Line". The main difference to the real thing is that the midshipman in question has a bit more background than Hornblower, and that she is a girl.

The book is written well enough, though the pacing is a bit uneven, and it can't quite decide if it wants to be a young adult novel or a real space opera. The author goes to great length to justify hand-operated sailing vehicles in space - it's not convincing, but convincing enough to suspend disbelief. What I had a much harder time to believe is that society also rolled back 200 years from today, and however many centuries from the period the book is set in - with male-only inheritance, indentured servants, flogging of sailors, and even pounds, shillings, pence, and even guineas.

About the only really positive thing is that it kept me turning pages - but that is, after all, one of the things a book should do. Read it if you like Hornblower, think that C.S. Forrester should have written more of it, and can stomach a lot of scientific and social implausibilities. The action is good, the characters are decent.

[SciFiOne · Rating 5 out of 5]

2018 grade A

From the first sentence I liked this book. The basic type is a young adult coming of age adventure but that's just a category. It is a character study of a young woman who is denied inheritance by the rules of her society so she joins the space navy. And it is an unusual navy indeed. The author has very successfully translated the Royal Navy from about 1700 to spaceships. It is complete with square rig ships (with a beautiful new hard SciFi explanation of how and why they work), colonies, coinage, prices, life on the ships, and Pirates. The action necessary in almost all stories does not start until the later half of the book but it is worth the wait.

Yes, there were some predictable events, but they were very well handled and never carried too far. But I have read and watched a lot of stories so many things are predictable to me. I have also read quite a bit about square rigged ships and what the battles were like. The story's are very true to the old reality. The only part I did not like was the epilogue which I expect previews the basic set up of the next novel. But that won't stop me from buying it.

I actually prefer content more like Romana Drew writes, but this is still grade A.
Recommended. (I have the Kindle version BTW and it was free when I got it.)

[Cass · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5/5

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

New start to a new series

What a great start to a new series to me, can't wait to read more of it and see what happens next .

[Paul Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER: I received this copy in exchange for a review.

WARNING: This review contains mild spoilers.

This is not a hard (or even mild) science fiction story. You need to set your expectations from the start. _Into the Dark_ sets the stage as an epic space fantasy of operatic proportions. Once you wrap your mind around science-as-magic, this is a fast-paced, enjoyable read and, a wonderful introduction to Science Fiction for Middle-Grades to YA.

There are favorable comparisons to Horatio Hornblower and Honor Harrington, both in setting and characterizations. This is a coming of age story wrapped in high adventure. Lass leaves a home with no future for the rigors and challenges of the space navy!

One of the wonderful surprises is the MacGuffin of Dark Space. In this region, travel is only possible by sail. Effects of this environment negate modern equipment and armaments, giving the notion of travel and combat a decidedly 19th century feel. The application of this was a tad inconsistent, but the overall effect is shiny!

Our hero, the determined and resolute Alexis Carew, doesn't fall into tired tropes. Even though small of stature, she isn't "spunky" or "feisty", nor does she have the physical or genetic advantages of Weber's Harrington. She comes across as driven, almost to the point of implacability, and her social interactions, some quite remarkable for a 15-year-old, are genuine and real.

The narrator, Elizabeth Klett, is a absolute jewel! Her diction, pacing, and accent shift from character to character, giving the listener immediately identifiable vocal prompts. You always know who is speaking. The audio production is smooth, rich, and clean. I heard no muddy audio or uneven edits. In addition to providing distinct voices, Ms. Klett has the gift of cross-gender characterization. The male characters sound definitely male, not just faux-deep voiced.

There were a couple of areas where I cocked an eyebrow and said "Huh?"

Dark Space (like Tahiti) is a magical place. It isn't internally consistent. Apparently electronics will not work there, but lights and life support will? There is some notion of a cushion of "normal space" surrounding the hull, masts, and spars, but if so, how does Dark Space interact with the sails? What is the motive power? Shouldn't the scans show the area contained by the "normal space" envelope, instead of just going dead?

I felt bludgeoned by the refrain "patriarchy is bad," repeated ad nauseam. Apparently, this is going to by a major plot line moving forward in the series. Hopefully, Alexis can affect positive change, otherwise this clod of dreary will weigh down a mostly positive and upbeat work. It's also unevenly applied. Colonials seem overrun by the notion, but the civilians in the core worlds aren't. Conversely, the Navy on the fringes has no problem with equality of gender, but the Navy in the core worlds support, and even advance, patriarchy.

One of the reasons I put this book on a Middle Grade to YA shelf is Alexis is seemingly never severely challenged, or placed in any real peril. She rises to events in workmanlike fashion, and there is never any doubt that she will prevail unscathed. Even when captured by pirates there is no insurmountable menace, no feeling that she may suffer. Weber's Harrington loses an arm and an eye. Alexis occasionally loses her patience.

*OVERT-SPOILER-STARTS*
In one scene, a full grown sailor attempts to rape Alexis. Please note that her size and mass are frequently referred to as small; smaller than a prepubescent boy, in fact. Yet, she manages to beat this large, tough, nasty man like a rented mule. Belief isn't just suspended at this point, it's unhinged. Mass matters. The type of skill she exhibited is acquired by an lifetime of extensive training, not casually picked up at a logging camp.
*OVERT-SPOILER-ENDS*

My reservations are the only reasons for my categorizations. This is a taut, action-packed, easy-to-listen-to story, well narrated and produced. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this novel to listeners of almost any age.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK folks.... I'm impressed. This book and its predecessor, "Into the dark" are fantastic reads if you love Space/Military Sci-Fi. They are written in the vein of David Webber's "Honor Harrington" universe as well as Michael Shepherd's "Kris Longknife" sagas in that they are set in a future time frame when a human diaspora has seen the establishment of vast star nations/kingdoms who are plying the vast reaches of known space. We also have a strong female protagonist who comes of age and who excels in spite of seemingly overwhelming odds. The main character, 15 year old Alexis Carew,the granddaughter of a prosperous, founding colonial family, faces huge personal and professional hardships that seem rooted in male misogyny: as the sole heir to a vast land holding on her home colonial world, she, as a female is forbidden to hold land and is forced to put herself on the market for a suitable mate (read: man) who can run things for her while she keeps to what are viewed as proper feminine concerns, which don't include the proper running and management of a vast, prosperous holding, even if she is clearly the best person for the job. The foppish, shallow and greedy scions of other families covet her and her family holding and as prizes to be won and ruled over and she's having none of it. Failing to marry, she risks forfeiting the holding her grandfather has built which would leaver her destitute and homeless. In a desperate bid for independence and a chance to excel in her own right, she is given a chance by a friendly visiting space navy captain to receive a Midshipman's Warrant which could lead to her becoming a commissioned officer, giving her a path to career success and security.

What she faces at home becomes child's play in the face of the challenges she faces in the Queen's Service. Venal and corrupt neighbors, misogynistic peers and superior, cold blooded pirates, and just the ordinary dangers of life in space push Alexis to the very limits. What seemingly saves her time and again is her ability to gather to her loyal and trusted shipmates: to win the hearts and minds of skeptical members of the all-male crew and to think fast on her feet when things go horribly wrong. Her compassion, competence and courage inspire those loyalties in the hard men who crew starships in the deep black, many of whom who have been impressed into the Queen's Service.

This book and it's successors to come are looking to be fantastic reads. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one.

[Erin Penn · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of a series (so far 4 books, 2 novellas, and one extra audio - I have read only the first book), Into the Dark star fifteen year old Alexis Carew in a three-act story. Act one is set on her home planet, where we get to know her, her family, and her situation. Act two has her learning the ropes of a midshipman, and in a world of Mylar-ish sails learning the ropes means climbing all over the ship's hull and up the masts into the big dark. Act three brings the building action of inter- and intra-spaceship engagements.

Well written and steady, slowly building action the first book sets up a solid base for the series.

Special notes: (1) While the main character starts at the "YA" genre age, this book is more of a military development in space story like Honor Harrington and Kris Longknife. I expect over the course of the series we will go way beyond the "YA" restrictions as the character ages past 18 years old and beyond. (2) Proofreading suffers from homophones issues - "too" vs. "to"; "sales" vs. "sails" - not too much, but enough to be noticeable. Because they are real words and the words are pronounced the same, figuring out what is meant is easy.

Things that annoyed me: The constant provincial (the book's word, not mine) attitude towards women, treating them as second class citizens. A great many cultures treat women as equal; I am very surprised to see none of them set up their own planets. The cultures of the Fringe Planets are a little too homogeneous for me. Why do authors feel the need to have women overcome blatant misogynous behavior to prove their strength? ... Although if any woman is going to throw off a dozen planets thinking a woman's place is in the kitchen, fifteen-year-old Alexis Carew is that woman.

[Ashley Abbiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 'sailing ships in space' story with a twist. The author envisages a dark layer through which one must pass in order to achieve faster than light travel, but which does not allow any electronics to function, thereby necessitating a return to the age of sail and men up the rigging. The really bizarre bit is that he's transported the 18th century Biritsh navy into space, complete with its class distinctions, buddy system, casual brutality and misogyny. It grates on me a little, and yet somehow, incredibly, if you can suspend your disbelief for long enough to get through it, it makes for a well-written and entertaining story. Well worth a look.

[Tywyll · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. Nice to find a book where a young girl faces the challenges of being a minority and overcomes preconceived notions successfully by her own merit, and nothing superhuman at that. Alexis was a likable character, kind and respectful to even the crew who weren't officers, yet seemed to get a feel for command relatively well.
I will say, I do wish the explanation given to her and the reader about ship parts, functions, navigation, etc, were spread out more and given while she was in action rather than sitting her down and basically dumping information. I know very little about sailing so having it all at once was a lot to process. In a similar vein, certain parts I felt were explained twice, such as the date of appointment and why the ship wasn't motorized. The captain or lieutenant already said something about it but a chapter or two later, it was as if Alexis forgot those conversations entirely. There were a handful of grammatical errors and one sentence written basically twice in 2 paragraphs on the same page, but, other than that, well done.
My favorite scene was when Alexis overheard what the crew thought of their "Little Bit." It was a very natural and heartwarming moment that had me smiling ear to ear.
All in all, an interesting world and concept with a lot of potential, with so much in their universe untouched in this novel. I look forward to reading of Alexis' further adventures in and out of the Dark.

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I was more impressed than not with this book. But it is very much the story of a girl joins the Navy. That is notably not a story about a girl who joins the navy and has an adventure. Maybe that will come in future books, but this one is largely dedicated to what led to her joining, meeting and charming the crew, learning her way around a ship, coming to terms with command, etc. And all of that was interesting in its own way. It's obviously well thought out (even if I did think ships with sails in space an odd choice).

But I think this book suffers for being a little too congenial. With the exception of one uncouth individual, who Alexis even managed to charm eventually, you'd think she'd gone space with a ship full of her favorite uncles and cousins. Everyone is unaccountably pleasant and accepting of her. Further, she is pleasant, polite and poised at all times. She accomplishes everything with ease, succeeds at every task set before her, is overly generous, and basically just a little too capable for a new recruit. This is only exasperated by the fact that I couldn't credit her skill, wit and comportment to a fifteen-year-old. She reads as much older.

Having said all that, I did quite enjoy the read. I'd be more than happy to pick up another of Sutherland's works.