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The Science Officer #2
The Mind Field
Javier sometimes enjoys being a pirate, but he never forgets they made him a slave.
Trapped in a forgotten mine field left over from an ancient war, he must work with the people he hates to survive. Even if it means saving them as well.
When they find an unbelievable treasure at the center of the mine field, all bets are off.
This novella is Volume 2 of The Science Officer series and the continuing adventures of Javier Aritza.
Trapped in a forgotten mine field left over from an ancient war, he must work with the people he hates to survive. Even if it means saving them as well.
When they find an unbelievable treasure at the center of the mine field, all bets are off.
This novella is Volume 2 of The Science Officer series and the continuing adventures of Javier Aritza.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2015
184 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Blaze Ward
342 books90 followersBlaze Ward writes science fiction in the Alexandria Station universe as well as The Collective. He also write fantasy stories with several characters and series, from an alternate Rome to epic high fantasy in the desert. You can find out more at his website www.blazeward.com, as well as Facebook, here, and other places.
Blaze’s works are available as ebooks, paper, and audio, and can be found at a variety of online vendors (Kobo, Amazon, and others). His newsletter comes out quarterly, and you can also follow his blog on his website. He really enjoys interacting with fans, and looks forward to any and all questions—even ones about his books!
Blaze’s works are available as ebooks, paper, and audio, and can be found at a variety of online vendors (Kobo, Amazon, and others). His newsletter comes out quarterly, and you can also follow his blog on his website. He really enjoys interacting with fans, and looks forward to any and all questions—even ones about his books!
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 17, 2019
Good story! I don't know if I like Javier and Sykora changing.
April 27, 2022
3 Pirates and Phillistines Stars
The Mind Field is the second 'book' in the Science Officer series by Blaze Ward.
So very little happened in this second book that I find myself only able to describe it in one manner: disappointing.
Yes, it was enjoyable to experience the inevitable shift between our protag and the crew of the Storm Gauntlet. Or at least the initial foray into companionable existence for this cast of characters. There was even the intrigue of finding a cryogenically frozen survivor from over 500 years ago. The only issue with that is there isn't enough depth to the explanation into the way society shifted from the rulers of her time to his. Generally speaking, I simply would have like more information. More time in this further installment.
I find annoying that the author calls four of these "books" an omnibus. When they are truly, simply, just a full book packaged together. As they should have been from the start.
The Mind Field is the second 'book' in the Science Officer series by Blaze Ward.
So very little happened in this second book that I find myself only able to describe it in one manner: disappointing.
Yes, it was enjoyable to experience the inevitable shift between our protag and the crew of the Storm Gauntlet. Or at least the initial foray into companionable existence for this cast of characters. There was even the intrigue of finding a cryogenically frozen survivor from over 500 years ago. The only issue with that is there isn't enough depth to the explanation into the way society shifted from the rulers of her time to his. Generally speaking, I simply would have like more information. More time in this further installment.
I find annoying that the author calls four of these "books" an omnibus. When they are truly, simply, just a full book packaged together. As they should have been from the start.
September 1, 2021
A good continuation of the series. The story is easy going, witty and I like that we get to see things through different characters perspective. Even the AI.
August 21, 2017
Soy la veleta, que se mueve al son del viento. El primero de la serie no me gustó mucho, pero a este al ser unas 150 páginas decidí darle una oportunidad y pese a que empieza demasiado clásicamente (van a visitar una zona de la que nadie que haya entrado ha podido salir), el desarrollo y resolución no terminan de estar mal.
Los personajes crecen, y te sorprenden, y aunque la resolución del primer problema con el que se encuentran es un poco "asín", la cosa no tiene mayor importancia dado el el desarrollo posterior (de hecho, de alguna manera tienen que salir de la ya tan manida situación sin salida).
Por cierto, la base del argumento es la de un Oficial Científico que es capturado por unos piratas espaciales y en lugar de venderlo como esclavo (joder, qué típico), es incorporado a la tripulación hasta que pague su rescate, mientras que el motivo del prisionero es aguantar con ellos con el fin de aprovechar la primera oportunidad de colgarlos del palo mayor (ejem).
Cada libro es una aventura independiente que sigue la trama principal, con el grato añadido de la evolución de los personajes, así que no creo que sea muy larga aunque de momento son 5 los episodios escritos por el autor.
Los personajes crecen, y te sorprenden, y aunque la resolución del primer problema con el que se encuentran es un poco "asín", la cosa no tiene mayor importancia dado el el desarrollo posterior (de hecho, de alguna manera tienen que salir de la ya tan manida situación sin salida).
Por cierto, la base del argumento es la de un Oficial Científico que es capturado por unos piratas espaciales y en lugar de venderlo como esclavo (joder, qué típico), es incorporado a la tripulación hasta que pague su rescate, mientras que el motivo del prisionero es aguantar con ellos con el fin de aprovechar la primera oportunidad de colgarlos del palo mayor (ejem).
Cada libro es una aventura independiente que sigue la trama principal, con el grato añadido de la evolución de los personajes, así que no creo que sea muy larga aunque de momento son 5 los episodios escritos por el autor.
February 19, 2019
I think I preferred the first novella in the series more. This one felt much shorter and the ending felt...less definitive. I'd like to continue reading the series if I can get my hands on the sequels, but I won't cry too hard if I can't. The strongest thread, the romantic one, is still being pushed very hard despite the slow progress. Also, it has become very obvious that the science officer is not quite sane since suddenly he started talking about fairies and...there are none.
Or are there? *shrug*
Or are there? *shrug*
December 7, 2020
What a fun ride! Again the only legitimate complaint is the short length. I understand Ward's approach and he carries it off so well that it is impossible to argue against him. It's also so good that I want more.
A good little story. The real fun here is the development of the characters we learn more about Djamila and Aritza but also several minor (and not so minor anymore) characters are filled out. At the time of this writing, I've already read through book 8. I don't think I need to say more.
A good little story. The real fun here is the development of the characters we learn more about Djamila and Aritza but also several minor (and not so minor anymore) characters are filled out. At the time of this writing, I've already read through book 8. I don't think I need to say more.
May 18, 2022
Okay, Blaze Ward's first book was good and his second was better.
It begins with the pirate crew going to a haunted system. Ships that go there, never come back. And that almost happens to them, but thanks to the quick thinking of Javier, their Science Officer, they escape.
Does the stalwart, former military pirate captain use the opportunity to escape? Nope. They get into problems they never expected.
I won't give away any spoilers.
Read and enjoy.
It begins with the pirate crew going to a haunted system. Ships that go there, never come back. And that almost happens to them, but thanks to the quick thinking of Javier, their Science Officer, they escape.
Does the stalwart, former military pirate captain use the opportunity to escape? Nope. They get into problems they never expected.
I won't give away any spoilers.
Read and enjoy.
February 20, 2023
Again this book didn’t really go anywhere with Javier’s story. Also the author seemed to be trying very hard for me to have some empathy with the pirates, especial ‘Sykora’. The problem is they are not simple thieves, they are murdering slavers and I found this really irritating.
If possible I would have given 1.5 stars.
If possible I would have given 1.5 stars.
December 20, 2023
I am becoming more and more interested in Javier. This book continues the character development from book 1 and I am really wondering about his past as well as looking forward to seeing what other strange whimsy Javier might follow. Javier has got to be one of the most intriguing characters I have read; he may not be very deep right now, but it is clear that the author has plans to add depth.
December 4, 2022
Interesting side show
The science officer has intruded into the basis of the pirate tool ship. Not sure who is more odd the engineer the dragoon and the prophetess. Neither is the captain sure, and so I think that's a good sequel start.
The science officer has intruded into the basis of the pirate tool ship. Not sure who is more odd the engineer the dragoon and the prophetess. Neither is the captain sure, and so I think that's a good sequel start.
January 12, 2023
Good
The second book in this series was as good as the first. It takes off right where book one left off. The stories are good and the characters interesting. The only down side is the books are much too short.
The second book in this series was as good as the first. It takes off right where book one left off. The stories are good and the characters interesting. The only down side is the books are much too short.
October 23, 2017
Good series
Good story well told
The characters are interesting and fascinating ly drawn. I will continue to read the whole series.
Good story well told
The characters are interesting and fascinating ly drawn. I will continue to read the whole series.
December 14, 2022
Wow
What a great book!! You must buy the series and follow to the end. Each one is better than the last!!
What a great book!! You must buy the series and follow to the end. Each one is better than the last!!
October 20, 2024
5 stars but . .
Well written, good character construct, nice story with a decent pace, and then after just a couple of hours "the end". Too short, thus, in my opinion.
Well written, good character construct, nice story with a decent pace, and then after just a couple of hours "the end". Too short, thus, in my opinion.
April 24, 2015
Fun, lighthearted read.
This book is the second of series but to the author's credit it
works well as a standalone. Mr.Ward has an easygoing style with graceful handling of multiple viewpoints. His quirky hero plays down his wiseass reparte in this book and the adversarial relationship between he and the big blonde Dragoon becomes less hostile and at times almost close. I imagine an episode where they are trapped somewhere together and finally rip off each other's clothes off and have plasma hot sex, destroying the cabin they're in. Along with compelling descriptions of her huge,muscular body...which body he already stares at constantly plus the intimate juxtaposition two such differing personalities it seems almost inevitable and a jolly good read, as well. I have enjoyed the series so far and recommend the books to anyone looking for fun featuring a MacGyver type hero who has been pressed into service by not very vicious pirates.
This book is the second of series but to the author's credit it
works well as a standalone. Mr.Ward has an easygoing style with graceful handling of multiple viewpoints. His quirky hero plays down his wiseass reparte in this book and the adversarial relationship between he and the big blonde Dragoon becomes less hostile and at times almost close. I imagine an episode where they are trapped somewhere together and finally rip off each other's clothes off and have plasma hot sex, destroying the cabin they're in. Along with compelling descriptions of her huge,muscular body...which body he already stares at constantly plus the intimate juxtaposition two such differing personalities it seems almost inevitable and a jolly good read, as well. I have enjoyed the series so far and recommend the books to anyone looking for fun featuring a MacGyver type hero who has been pressed into service by not very vicious pirates.
August 3, 2015
Excellent science fiction
When is a science officer a prisoner? When he "owes" money to the
Pirate captain who destroyed his ship, stole his chickens, fruit trees,
and garden. His secret ally is Suvi, a concealed AI. Reminds me of historical story about young Julius Caesar. Held hostage by pirates, he was charming but sometimes smiled and said he'd see them all
executed. He did.
When is a science officer a prisoner? When he "owes" money to the
Pirate captain who destroyed his ship, stole his chickens, fruit trees,
and garden. His secret ally is Suvi, a concealed AI. Reminds me of historical story about young Julius Caesar. Held hostage by pirates, he was charming but sometimes smiled and said he'd see them all
executed. He did.
December 16, 2016
Tasty little potato chip
These are just little stories, but I like them just fine. Like the brand you can't just eat one, nope got to eat the whole bag. And pour all the little salty bits in afterwards.
These are just little stories, but I like them just fine. Like the brand you can't just eat one, nope got to eat the whole bag. And pour all the little salty bits in afterwards.
October 4, 2016
Cute. Short and at times, funny, but I enjoyed the first one much more.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews