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Black Ocean #4
To Err is Azrin
She killed her brother. She saved his son. Can one good deed repay a blood debt?
When a foiled bounty job results in the Mobius rescuing Mriy’s nephew, they divert course for Meyang to deliver him home. Upon her return, Mriy finds that gratitude and resentment don’t cancel out. Instead of the welcome she hoped to earn, she finds herself challenged to a ritual hunt to earn back her rightful place in the family. But with the whole clan turned against her, where can Mriy turn for allies?
…yeah, she’s not too happy about being stuck with them, either.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2015
39 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Morin
193 books616 followersI am a creator of worlds and a destroyer of words. As a fantasy writer, my works range from traditional epics to futuristic fantasy with starships. I have worked as an unpaid Little League pitcher, a cashier, a student library aide, a factory grunt, a cubicle drone, and an engineer--there is some overlap in the last two.
Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.
I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.
My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.
Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.
I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.
My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 20, 2019
So far, in these series - this has been the strongest contender in terms of character story arcs.
A familial power-struggle, a wild hunt, more insight and world-building well done on J.S. Morin's part.
I'm really enjoying these!
A familial power-struggle, a wild hunt, more insight and world-building well done on J.S. Morin's part.
I'm really enjoying these!
February 10, 2019
A stronger entry into the Mobius' crew backstories. This time it's the feline like Mriy returning her nephew to their home world but remembering why she was ostracized in the first place.
What follows is a reasonably interesting power struggle wrapped around a ritual hunt whereby Mriy must enlist the help of her crewmates rather than native allies because she's been gone so long she doesn't really have any. There's some actual tension and pathos in this volume and it's for the better.
What follows is a reasonably interesting power struggle wrapped around a ritual hunt whereby Mriy must enlist the help of her crewmates rather than native allies because she's been gone so long she doesn't really have any. There's some actual tension and pathos in this volume and it's for the better.
August 6, 2019
More Space, less Opera in this book!
June 19, 2020
Notes:
3.5 Stars
Best installment thus far.
3.5 Stars
Best installment thus far.
May 10, 2023
This one was a bit lighter and more personal to the crew. I really enjoyed it, getting to learn more about the crew and see them frow closer as a family. Very solid book.
January 23, 2022
Yes this is pulp sci-fi. I'm starting to understand this author is very talented.
May 20, 2018
To Err is Azrin
All missions I've read have been great, I've thoroughly enjoyed all the Black Ocean adventures but I must say this has been my favorite (so far).
Mriy isnt really welcomed home seeing as her family and friends feel she abandoned them. She returns with something she hopes will mend the wounds only to find herself truly upset with how their social hierarchy stands. She demands a challenge to the heir to claim her rightful spot and must rely on the crew of the Mobius to help her achieve victory.
This book became my favorite for a few reasons:
1. We get insight into Mriys culture and being, how these great predators think and act. Really shows how deep Mriy is and how guarded she acts.
2. Carl has me laughing quite a bit in this adventure, getting a little free time away from the hunt. Also, Morts scene where he's eating sashimi while proving his power was hilarious.
3. There is some intense and sometimes heart wrenching action, more meaningful because of the character development Morin has so rightly set up for us. I cared about how certain characters withstood injury and how the crew really is a family.
4. It's a fast paced fun experience and so many more reasons.
Assuming you've traveled Black Ocean already to be here at the fourth novel leads me to really just say that instead of reading reviews you should already be balls deep into Mission 4: To Err is Azrin.
You'll enjoy the sh*t out of it :)
All missions I've read have been great, I've thoroughly enjoyed all the Black Ocean adventures but I must say this has been my favorite (so far).
Mriy isnt really welcomed home seeing as her family and friends feel she abandoned them. She returns with something she hopes will mend the wounds only to find herself truly upset with how their social hierarchy stands. She demands a challenge to the heir to claim her rightful spot and must rely on the crew of the Mobius to help her achieve victory.
This book became my favorite for a few reasons:
1. We get insight into Mriys culture and being, how these great predators think and act. Really shows how deep Mriy is and how guarded she acts.
2. Carl has me laughing quite a bit in this adventure, getting a little free time away from the hunt. Also, Morts scene where he's eating sashimi while proving his power was hilarious.
3. There is some intense and sometimes heart wrenching action, more meaningful because of the character development Morin has so rightly set up for us. I cared about how certain characters withstood injury and how the crew really is a family.
4. It's a fast paced fun experience and so many more reasons.
Assuming you've traveled Black Ocean already to be here at the fourth novel leads me to really just say that instead of reading reviews you should already be balls deep into Mission 4: To Err is Azrin.
You'll enjoy the sh*t out of it :)
May 30, 2017
This was the last of a four-pack of stories that I read by J. S. Morin. It was also my least favorite overall but it had one of my favorite sets of scenes.
Start with the part I didn't care for: pretty much the entire Azrin culture. It didn't make sense to me, both in how they function, their rituals and roles. It felt like a cheap window dressing on a cobbled together "native" culture that was too flat for me really to get into it.
The mechanical bull bits were fun as was the human bar.
I really liked the dog's evolution in this story. The personality and excitement was spot on and really carried over the story. While this was a story mainly about Mriy, I thought it hinted at a far deeper story about Kubu who I really liked. As from before, the Mort and Esper relationship continues to attract my attention also the characters individually.
Like most of this light-hearted, simple stories, it was a fun read. It didn't require a lot of thought and there were plenty of surprises to keep me interested. I liked Mriy's struggle through the story and more so how her story concluded.
There was one moment where I thought the author was going in a dark direction, but it ended up being okay.
Start with the part I didn't care for: pretty much the entire Azrin culture. It didn't make sense to me, both in how they function, their rituals and roles. It felt like a cheap window dressing on a cobbled together "native" culture that was too flat for me really to get into it.
The mechanical bull bits were fun as was the human bar.
I really liked the dog's evolution in this story. The personality and excitement was spot on and really carried over the story. While this was a story mainly about Mriy, I thought it hinted at a far deeper story about Kubu who I really liked. As from before, the Mort and Esper relationship continues to attract my attention also the characters individually.
Like most of this light-hearted, simple stories, it was a fun read. It didn't require a lot of thought and there were plenty of surprises to keep me interested. I liked Mriy's struggle through the story and more so how her story concluded.
There was one moment where I thought the author was going in a dark direction, but it ended up being okay.
October 30, 2019
Jeff Morin has created a wonderfully rich universe in his BLACK OCEAN multiple series of books. He populates his stories with characters and situations that keeps his readers coming back for more, again and again.
While each book is an ensemble story, Morin uses the breadth of the pages to focus on one or two main players in each. In this case, the driving storyline focuses on Mriy, the cat-like crew member from the Meyang system. Having been ostracized and virtually banished from her world...her culture...and her family... she will do whatever is needed to find her way back. In this case, the key to home is returning the missing heir to the guardianship of her family. But...while accomplishing his return is relatively easy, being accepted back into the family and taking HER destined place will take a challenge of her emotions and her physical abilities that might actually see the end of everything that she wants returned to her.
The Black Ocean continues to grow and expand and Jeff Morin continues to stretch his wings as a great story-teller and spinner of tales. With over 30 books in three separate series set in his BLACK OCEAN universe, readers can continue to thrill themselves with the exploits of his band of smugglers, bounty-hunters, and world protectors.
While each book is an ensemble story, Morin uses the breadth of the pages to focus on one or two main players in each. In this case, the driving storyline focuses on Mriy, the cat-like crew member from the Meyang system. Having been ostracized and virtually banished from her world...her culture...and her family... she will do whatever is needed to find her way back. In this case, the key to home is returning the missing heir to the guardianship of her family. But...while accomplishing his return is relatively easy, being accepted back into the family and taking HER destined place will take a challenge of her emotions and her physical abilities that might actually see the end of everything that she wants returned to her.
The Black Ocean continues to grow and expand and Jeff Morin continues to stretch his wings as a great story-teller and spinner of tales. With over 30 books in three separate series set in his BLACK OCEAN universe, readers can continue to thrill themselves with the exploits of his band of smugglers, bounty-hunters, and world protectors.
September 18, 2023
3.5 rounded down to 3
Another solid entry into the Black Ocean series. This time, we are taken to the Azrin homeworld and provided with a lot of background for Mriy's character. There are hard lessons to be learned and some nice character growth going on.
One thing I find odd about the Black Ocean universe is how the phrase "Earth-like" planet really means a planet that is like a copy of Earth. In most science fiction, "Earth-like" simply means there is a terrestrial planet with something near 1 ATM of gravity, water, vegetation, and that sort of thing. In Black Ocean "Earth-like" planets, in addition to the gravity and atmosphere similarities, the planets also seem to have 1:1 corresponding geographic points. Meaning that one can easily provide directions by saying, "We're currently in orbit above this planet's equivalent of Greenland but are heading east and will land shortly in this planet's corresponding version of Finland." I thought this was a bit bizarre, but maybe it's just the author's way of trying to provide a sense of scale while on-planet.
In any case, I thought this was a nice entry into the series.
Another solid entry into the Black Ocean series. This time, we are taken to the Azrin homeworld and provided with a lot of background for Mriy's character. There are hard lessons to be learned and some nice character growth going on.
One thing I find odd about the Black Ocean universe is how the phrase "Earth-like" planet really means a planet that is like a copy of Earth. In most science fiction, "Earth-like" simply means there is a terrestrial planet with something near 1 ATM of gravity, water, vegetation, and that sort of thing. In Black Ocean "Earth-like" planets, in addition to the gravity and atmosphere similarities, the planets also seem to have 1:1 corresponding geographic points. Meaning that one can easily provide directions by saying, "We're currently in orbit above this planet's equivalent of Greenland but are heading east and will land shortly in this planet's corresponding version of Finland." I thought this was a bit bizarre, but maybe it's just the author's way of trying to provide a sense of scale while on-planet.
In any case, I thought this was a nice entry into the series.
May 21, 2022
A different story from J. S. Morin, this one’s not so much about it’s errant wizard wizzing them through space and battles, more about one of the heroes facing an old family clash and the traditions that involve a ‘wild hunt’ to resolve.
The story unwinds naturally from an accomplished author, pace is consistent throughout. While it starts in space most of it occurs on one world which is like a rural earth, no problem visualising that. The characters are recurring, so while most don’t play a part in this story, the main one has their backstory filled in very well.
To Err is Azrin by J. S. Morin
A good story, enjoyed it all, finished it in a short time (always a good sign), 3/5
…
Key: bad 1/5, ok 2/5, good 3/5, great 4/5, unusually outstanding 5/5
The story unwinds naturally from an accomplished author, pace is consistent throughout. While it starts in space most of it occurs on one world which is like a rural earth, no problem visualising that. The characters are recurring, so while most don’t play a part in this story, the main one has their backstory filled in very well.
To Err is Azrin by J. S. Morin
A good story, enjoyed it all, finished it in a short time (always a good sign), 3/5
…
Key: bad 1/5, ok 2/5, good 3/5, great 4/5, unusually outstanding 5/5
December 13, 2019
The Mobius crew is out to help one of their own when Mriy asks for help in a ritual hunt on her home planet to earn back the place in her clan that she lost after she killed her brother. Tanny, Esper and Kubu are recruited for the hunt, while Mort keeps an eye on the rest of her family to make sure things stay above board, and Carl and Roddy stay with the ship. They all have adventures, some more dangerous than others, and work together to make sure everyone comes out okay in the end. I love all of the diverse characters and the way they always come up with inventive ways to get out of trouble.
September 10, 2023
A bit of a divergence from the earlier Black Ocean series, but in an interesting way. A glimpse into another planet's lifestyle primarily populated by sentient feline characters, somewhat human-like, but not too much. The characters and the story developed at an interesting pace, and the results had some unexpected twists. The Mobius crew is starting to grow together, but are forced to split up, with some drastic consequences - no spoilers. This series is a comfortable mix of sci-fi, humor, philosophy, and unexpected events, and the author keeps it entertaining and interesting. I will be starting on the next mission pack to see where their next adventures take them.
December 14, 2017
Summary: Interesting characters, I'm really not to sure about the premise - its just not a workable reality. The plot did not work for me. Very readable. 3 stars about right - overall I enjoyed reading this book
Plotline: The whole Azrin Plot is OK but seemed a bit pointless
Premise: Magic in space. Hmmmm. Not really for me at least
Writing: Interesting characters and simple highly readable style
Ending: All good ready for future missions ... (but I suspect thats it for me)
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: The whole Azrin Plot is OK but seemed a bit pointless
Premise: Magic in space. Hmmmm. Not really for me at least
Writing: Interesting characters and simple highly readable style
Ending: All good ready for future missions ... (but I suspect thats it for me)
Pace: Never a dull moment!
March 5, 2018
Like the narrator, these characters have really grown on me.
I'm listening to the collection from Audible, but I don't like to review books as sets. I'd prefer to be able to leave thoughts on individual books.
I'll review book 4.5 since there isn't an individual listing for it. I was glad to finally hear a little of Mort's backstory and his connection to Carl.
I'm listening to the collection from Audible, but I don't like to review books as sets. I'd prefer to be able to leave thoughts on individual books.
I'll review book 4.5 since there isn't an individual listing for it. I was glad to finally hear a little of Mort's backstory and his connection to Carl.
December 26, 2021
The focus of this story is Mriy and why she has been outcast from her family/clan and world.
Esper and Tanny have a bit of a look in but Roddy and Mort are pretty much sidelined, which is a real shame.
It's still an enjoyable read but I feel the crew of The Mobius work better when they are together rather than is separate groups.
Esper and Tanny have a bit of a look in but Roddy and Mort are pretty much sidelined, which is a real shame.
It's still an enjoyable read but I feel the crew of The Mobius work better when they are together rather than is separate groups.
September 18, 2018
Firefly with a new twist
Refreshing twist on the Firefly series. I thought the books had a good flow, and it had me interested throughout the entire book. Only thing I consider a downside is the books are a little short. Can't wait to keep reading the series.
Refreshing twist on the Firefly series. I thought the books had a good flow, and it had me interested throughout the entire book. Only thing I consider a downside is the books are a little short. Can't wait to keep reading the series.
April 30, 2019
I really really enjoyed this one. A backstory on our Azrin friend on the ship.. And a huge character shift for her as well. Also.. Mort's desire for things to move forward with Esper.. And her push to do it as well. Very cool.. If the reason why is a bit crooked.
June 8, 2020
Overall, 4 stars.
Despite the really sad end to this book, I really liked the in depth look at the interaction between another species that isn't on the Mobius. I really hope there's more world building like this in future books
Despite the really sad end to this book, I really liked the in depth look at the interaction between another species that isn't on the Mobius. I really hope there's more world building like this in future books
June 29, 2017
Finally. This series is about something other than an ex-priestess.
July 10, 2018
Another great read following the Mobius team, this time we learn a bit about Mriy's past.
May 6, 2018
There are some grim bits, but I am continuing to enjoy this series.
May 30, 2018
These Black Ocean books are all great pulpy fiction.
November 15, 2018
Another quick read that was more exciting than I was expecting.
November 20, 2018
Still just fine.
December 29, 2018
Cat mission. More character development. Still fun. Onward!
March 6, 2019
Definitely buying the next four books
August 24, 2019
Pretty good.
November 1, 2019
read this in the omnibus version (audible)
January 9, 2020
The gang are back and this time Mriy takes centre stage, as we find out about her back story. Good book as the characters continue to gel together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews