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Beacon 23 #4
Company
Out here on the edge of sector eight, I can be alone with my thoughts.
Sometimes, this isn't a good thing.
Sometimes, this isn't a good thing.
42 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2015
46 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Howey
151 books57.7k followersI'm the author of WOOL, a top 5 science fiction book on Amazon. I also wrote the Molly Fyde saga, a tale of a teenager from the 25th century who is repeatedly told that girls can't do certain things -- and then does them anyway.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
July 30, 2015
I love Hugh Howey's writing *so* much. It's so gods-damned good. Beacon 23 was a masterpiece to me; a serial that captured me from the first page and never let go. A piece that examined PTSD, loneliness, service, commitment, morality and so many other things, in such a short period of time and space. An economy of words, but not an economy of quality, ideas or moral values.
It's fucking magnificent and if you don't agree I do not like you anymore. There, I said it.
I don't mean that :( But for real, it's really good.
It's fucking magnificent and if you don't agree I do not like you anymore. There, I said it.
I don't mean that :( But for real, it's really good.
July 27, 2015
What can I say that I haven't said in my three previous reviews. Howey just seems to have so much fun writing this story and I thoroughly enjoy reading them in these short, 40ish page segments. Our lonely beacon operator finally has a companion that isn't a rock and a potential love interest has come across his radar. Will things finally start heading in the right direction for our "hero?" or will they, like always, get flushed out into space where no one can hear you squeal? Who knows, but I'm craving Part 5!
January 29, 2016
I was excited by the premise of this series but never expected it to end up being so powerful. Can't wait to see what happens next!
July 1, 2025
2.5✨
Ehhh idk this was definitely the weakest of the collection imo. Didn't really grab me as much as the other 4 did
Ehhh idk this was definitely the weakest of the collection imo. Didn't really grab me as much as the other 4 did
June 14, 2017
Beautiful! So nice!
(But I feel the Shit Storm coming...)
(But I feel the Shit Storm coming...)
August 25, 2015
Check out my Booklikes Blog, Dang Rover: Cover to Cover
The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
Hugh Howey knows how to tell all story, that's for sure.
So, I don't do serials well. I read the first installment, thought it was great, then waited until they were all published. I read them all as one book, so I'm going to review them all as one book.
The blurbs on the 5 installments say this book is about a guy manning a Beacon in a remote sector of space. Think a space light house, warning ships traveling through hyperspace of an asteroid field they need to avoid if they don't want to crash and die. He's all alone. Like really, really alone. Is something bad going to happen? Uh...duh.
That's what you learn about by reading the outside of the book. But it's not what you read on the inside of the book...
Well, okay--not true. That stuff does happen. But that is NOT what Beacon 23 is about.
This is a very strong, character-driven story about a guy and his demons--with a strong dose of war-sucks-but-violence-is-sometimes-necessary-for-peace message. It gets pretty deep and pretty dark. Certainly not a popcorn read. I didn't particularly enjoy reading Beacon--there isn't much joy to be found. But there is a strong message here, and I suspect there will be many, many people who find they can relate to the path the hero must follow as he struggles with his demons, learns to deal with them, and finds a measure of peace in the end. He doesn't excise his demons, I think this guy's path is too true to life to give him a Disneyland ending. But that's exactly what makes this story accessible.
You might enjoy Hugh's own thoughts on the series here.
Watch out for the swearing. Hugh Howey isn't shy. These guys swear like soldiers--but that's because they are.
The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
Hugh Howey knows how to tell all story, that's for sure.
So, I don't do serials well. I read the first installment, thought it was great, then waited until they were all published. I read them all as one book, so I'm going to review them all as one book.
The blurbs on the 5 installments say this book is about a guy manning a Beacon in a remote sector of space. Think a space light house, warning ships traveling through hyperspace of an asteroid field they need to avoid if they don't want to crash and die. He's all alone. Like really, really alone. Is something bad going to happen? Uh...duh.
That's what you learn about by reading the outside of the book. But it's not what you read on the inside of the book...
Well, okay--not true. That stuff does happen. But that is NOT what Beacon 23 is about.
This is a very strong, character-driven story about a guy and his demons--with a strong dose of war-sucks-but-violence-is-sometimes-necessary-for-peace message. It gets pretty deep and pretty dark. Certainly not a popcorn read. I didn't particularly enjoy reading Beacon--there isn't much joy to be found. But there is a strong message here, and I suspect there will be many, many people who find they can relate to the path the hero must follow as he struggles with his demons, learns to deal with them, and finds a measure of peace in the end. He doesn't excise his demons, I think this guy's path is too true to life to give him a Disneyland ending. But that's exactly what makes this story accessible.
You might enjoy Hugh's own thoughts on the series here.
Watch out for the swearing. Hugh Howey isn't shy. These guys swear like soldiers--but that's because they are.
April 5, 2016
I might be overdosing a bit on Hugh Howey, but this fourth instalment of Beacon 23 just didn't have the sting in the tale as the others did. This book continues telling the tale of our hero who is trying to escape his past. It does not seem to matter he has taken a lonely job in the middle of space because company keeps finding him. Not a bad read at all just not up to the standards of the others in this reader’s humble opinion
August 17, 2015
My least favorite entry in this series. It didn't really grab me as much as the previous 3 and felt like a retread of past themes. Only one more to go but I'm starting to wonder if the total series has a clear resolution or story arc.
September 24, 2015
Pet rocks was the zenith, and it's been a slow and predictable descent to the nadir since then.
I think Hugh Howey is a great author, but this is not his best by a long shot. It almost reads like teen fiction.
I think Hugh Howey is a great author, but this is not his best by a long shot. It almost reads like teen fiction.
March 1, 2017
2.5/5
Why do authors feel the need to force a love angle down your throat in every story?
Cricket this and cricket that.
And quite similar to the third.
Why do authors feel the need to force a love angle down your throat in every story?
Cricket this and cricket that.
And quite similar to the third.
September 21, 2017
This is a short fourth chapter of a longer story, rather than a complete story, and while this was much better than the first three installments unlike previous Howey works I have enjoyed, it’s not just up to the previous standard Howey established: it’s kind of boring. I picked this up for free with Kindle Unlimited – seeing as how the final installment is free via Kindle Unlimited I’ll give it a try and see if it gets better with the grand finale.
February 19, 2017
My favourite episode so far. We finally get to see what's behind the had exterior and understand the mess war makes of people, not just physically but psychologically too. A really well-written and touching episode. I can't wait to find out what happened now that our protagonist had slowed himself to feel again.
June 18, 2017
Hugh Howey is getting close to becoming a favorite of mine. I just recently started reading his writing and I am completely hooked. Everything is just so clever and odd. Look forward toward reading more of his work.
October 21, 2018
Interesting series that makes you think. Not everything is what it seems.
March 5, 2022
Really enjoyed this one
December 21, 2023
#️⃣2️⃣ Little Noises 🙉
#️⃣1️⃣ Pet Rocks 🪨
#️⃣4️⃣ Bounty 🕴🏻
#️⃣3️⃣ Company 🐆
#️⃣5️⃣ Visitor 🤯
#️⃣1️⃣ Pet Rocks 🪨
#️⃣4️⃣ Bounty 🕴🏻
#️⃣3️⃣ Company 🐆
#️⃣5️⃣ Visitor 🤯
January 31, 2024
The introduction of Claire to the mix was a bit predictable, but welcome all the same. On to the last installment…
8.5 wrapped cans of lubricant out of 10
8.5 wrapped cans of lubricant out of 10
February 3, 2024
Strange
Probably the strangest series I have ever read. Broken people in a broken world trying to make some modicum of sense of it all. Will they know if it ever makes sense?
Probably the strangest series I have ever read. Broken people in a broken world trying to make some modicum of sense of it all. Will they know if it ever makes sense?
March 17, 2024
This just gets better and better. I love Cricket.
May 2, 2025
oh thank god, finally something that doesn't feel like misery porn
February 22, 2024
Hopefully Mr. Howey will revisit this universe at some point. Uh, when he’s done spending all his ‘Silo’ money, that is.
February 24, 2016
I'll provide the same review for each of Beacon 23's five parts.
Hugh Howey established himself with Wool. I count Wool as one of my favorite pieces of sci-fi. It was compelling, utterly original and, dare I say, groundbreaking (figuratively and literally). I've followed Howey since but never found his output to be nearly as compelling as Wool. Until now. The Beacon 23 stories - that together form a wonderful novel - are so wonderful, so heartfelt, so funny, and human that it's virtually impossible not to embrace and love them. This is old-school, character driven science fiction that truly revitalized my interest in the genre.
Hugh Howey established himself with Wool. I count Wool as one of my favorite pieces of sci-fi. It was compelling, utterly original and, dare I say, groundbreaking (figuratively and literally). I've followed Howey since but never found his output to be nearly as compelling as Wool. Until now. The Beacon 23 stories - that together form a wonderful novel - are so wonderful, so heartfelt, so funny, and human that it's virtually impossible not to embrace and love them. This is old-school, character driven science fiction that truly revitalized my interest in the genre.
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October 24, 2016No longer completely alone due to Cricket, our narrator is still solitary when fighting his demons in the dreams - nightmares - he has each night. When you are alone with yourself, you have a lot of time to revisit your past, and when your brain is messed up with PTSD, that isn't a good place to be.
However, the ramifications of the slip up back in the first story in this series mean that a back up beacon is being installed close enough to see - and when an SOS signal is sent, he has to investigate.
I just love the complexity of emotions explored in such a simple way of telling a story.
However, the ramifications of the slip up back in the first story in this series mean that a back up beacon is being installed close enough to see - and when an SOS signal is sent, he has to investigate.
I just love the complexity of emotions explored in such a simple way of telling a story.
February 6, 2017
Finally feels like I got conned into reading a book by calling it Sci Fi when its regular fiction. Nt funny. Nt meaningful.
And the story no longer makes sense to me either. It's well written but it's nothing coherent to me ne more.
And the story no longer makes sense to me either. It's well written but it's nothing coherent to me ne more.
September 9, 2015
Hugh Howey dials the emotional impact all the way up for Company, the fourth part of the Beacon 23 series. Our cranky, snarky beacon operator discovers that his problems were not left behind when he came to his distant outpost. Howey nails the proper tone for his narration--sardonic, damaged, full of gallows humor, but never self-pitying. This series explores so many moral themes without ever being preachy; the author lets the reader draw his or her own conclusions.
September 14, 2015
Our war hero is suffering extended flashbacks in this penultimate chunk of Beacon 23. The madness evident in him since the opening of the story is in full bloom as his memories of life during war time comeback. This strong anti-war statement is broken when he sees another Beacon in the distance. And it starts broadcasting an SOS.
Tight prose, engaging characters and a compelling story. I'll be more than a little morose when I reach the end.
Tight prose, engaging characters and a compelling story. I'll be more than a little morose when I reach the end.
August 11, 2015
Just gets better.
This is without a doubt the best serial I have ever read. Every once in a while I read a book where the main character just clicks with me. This series managed to do it in part one, and gets better with each installment. The only complaint I have is that I know the story will end.
This is without a doubt the best serial I have ever read. Every once in a while I read a book where the main character just clicks with me. This series managed to do it in part one, and gets better with each installment. The only complaint I have is that I know the story will end.
February 3, 2016
Wonderful storytelling
A masterful chapter in the story, adds a great deal of depth without bogging down the story in back story or character building. Howey shows his true storyteller ability here, making you feel like you were a soldier in the trenches. He makes you feel the gravity of his mistakes and the lies he told himself and others to say sane.
Great story!
A masterful chapter in the story, adds a great deal of depth without bogging down the story in back story or character building. Howey shows his true storyteller ability here, making you feel like you were a soldier in the trenches. He makes you feel the gravity of his mistakes and the lies he told himself and others to say sane.
Great story!
April 20, 2022
Vote: 4,00
Class: L-A3 (FP)
(fourth out of five of the Beacon 23 Series)
The story goes on in this very character driven sc-fi novel where our protagonist is spending his life (mostly) alone in a remote corner of the universe.
After the hectic events of the last chapter we see more change in our hero...
As always the writing is really good!
let see how it all ends.
Class: L-A3 (FP)
(fourth out of five of the Beacon 23 Series)
The story goes on in this very character driven sc-fi novel where our protagonist is spending his life (mostly) alone in a remote corner of the universe.
After the hectic events of the last chapter we see more change in our hero...
As always the writing is really good!
let see how it all ends.
July 31, 2015
Wow, this story is amazing... Can this shattered man reach out and connect with another?? Each part is so different... It is amazing how much can happen at this lonely outpost. I can hardly wait for the next episode, and the good thing here is Hugh Howey writes fast!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews