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Interstellar Cargo #1
Icarus
Cole Musgrave’s dream of interstellar travel is about to become a nightmare. When a high-profile delivery is compromised aboard a state-of-the-art cargo vessel, the newly appointed captain finds himself embroiled in an assignment far above his pay grade.
Blackmail, terrorists, a malfunctioning prototype A.I. pilot, and a sinister terraforming corporation with deep criminal ties await him. Who knew delivering cargo to the deep recesses of space could be so dangerous?
Armed only with his cunning and past military experience, Cole is one against many. But this unorthodox interstellar cargo pilot won’t go down without a fight—even after he is faced with a choice that will alter the course of his life forever.
306 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2016
430 people are currently reading
539 people want to read
About the author
Matt Verish
8 books25 followersMy name is Matt Verish, and I write Speculative Fiction. I have no honorary degree of which to boast, but I do possess a burning passion to write in the Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror genres. I've been writing since I was in the fourth grade, though I didn't truly realize my desire to become an author until I was in college. And it wasn't until my late thirties that I actually wrote and completed my first novel.
Why did I tackle my first solo project so close to forty, you ask? Well, that's simple: I'm also a married co-author. When I'm not daydreaming about interstellar cargo vessels, I'm busy shaping the World of Secramore with my beautiful wife, Stefanie. Together, we've been writing Epic Fantasy for close to twenty years. We have five full-length novels to our names with many more to come. It's a wonder I have time to write anything on the side!
Why did I tackle my first solo project so close to forty, you ask? Well, that's simple: I'm also a married co-author. When I'm not daydreaming about interstellar cargo vessels, I'm busy shaping the World of Secramore with my beautiful wife, Stefanie. Together, we've been writing Epic Fantasy for close to twenty years. We have five full-length novels to our names with many more to come. It's a wonder I have time to write anything on the side!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 3, 2017
Fast, furious, and fun, much like GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, with light-hearted space adventures and pop rock music from the old Earth culture. The writing isn't great, with holes in the plot, paper-thin characters, and weakly defined motivations. But it's entertaining.
Cole Musgrove, ace pilot, finds himself the dupe for a treasonous plot. Next thing we know, he's on the run from several über-powerful organizations, with a few "friends" that he's stuck with.
Add in an adolescent sentient AI ship computer engaged in self-discovery. Plot twists.
Several typos in the book.
I didn't care for the heroine, Dr. Lin Dartmouth. She shows poor judgement and self-absorbed criminal carelessness.
But it's entertaining. Easy to follow. No sex. Not much cussing. Some humor. Several fist fights and spaceship skirmishes.
Excellent narration. I read and listened, alternatively.
Cole Musgrove, ace pilot, finds himself the dupe for a treasonous plot. Next thing we know, he's on the run from several über-powerful organizations, with a few "friends" that he's stuck with.
Add in an adolescent sentient AI ship computer engaged in self-discovery. Plot twists.
Several typos in the book.
I didn't care for the heroine, Dr. Lin Dartmouth. She shows poor judgement and self-absorbed criminal carelessness.
But it's entertaining. Easy to follow. No sex. Not much cussing. Some humor. Several fist fights and spaceship skirmishes.
Excellent narration. I read and listened, alternatively.
July 17, 2016
2.5 stars
Becoming criminals (willingly or not) makes for strange new friends and allies. The crew of ICV-71 becomes an awkward relationship as they all have different motives once they are known around the universe as criminals. Some want to clear their name, others want to accomplish personal goals.
****FULL REVIEW****
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com, at my request.
2.5 Stars
Kevin Pierce is a new narrator for me. He feels as he's a wonderful pick for Cole's voice. He gives a relaxed voice to Cole's personality we feel in Matt's words. We don't get different tones for each character but Kevin narrates the story with a clear audio and background, seamless in the finished product.
From the beginning Cole seems like a relaxed, laid back kind of pilot. It seems all the others around him are a bit more reserved and professional. Cole's put a lot of work in with the SolEx corporation, of which he doesn't fit into, to bring his family name in good standings and become the captain on their cargo vessel. He's a veteran star-force pilot that's needed to fly this experimental vessel, and he's thrilled for the honor.
It seems like a dream come true, until the ship is hijacked. Cole goes along with what the hijackers as he is outnumbered and not much of a choice. But the people around him all seem to have a nature true to their driven feelings. There comes to be two different end result agendas of the rebels working to hijack the vessel. They have reasons for what they are doing - family or beliefs. But then as we go through the story all the interaction seems to take on a dry humor for me. Cole becomes a part of the uncanny crew as they take on new members.
I think one of my favorite characters was Rig when he joined the crew. He sees a humor in things as he should have died once, and didn't. But his end result could be the same at any moment. Rig tells the crew they are all crazy, on a few occasions. CAIN is a rather interesting character too. CAIN is the AI of the ICV-71 that is evolving in his own knowledge. In the end, CAIN seems to go to an extreme, as computer programs can do.
For almost half of the book we get the story from Cole's POV. Then we switch to the engineer's POV, Lin. Lin is a growing important person in what is done in the first half, leading to the moment when we switch to her POV. Then we shared POV's between Cole and Lin, which gives us two views of the world and events, even when they are separated.
There are scenes that felt to be to long as the characters try to figure out how to get away undetected, but they are sitting still and wasting time trying to figure it out. These moments gave a feel to parts of the book as it's drawn out. I found I wanted more from the characters and plot. Something to drive the characters a little more as we have a background and reasoning drive for them all, for their wants, but it didn't seem to be flushed out to grow the world and more. And I don't understand how the company who created the valuable ICV-71 is not trying to retrieve the vessel, but Terracom (who SolEx is to be "partnered" with on a few deals) is working faster to track their prisoner/debtor that escaped. I know the business relationship between Terracom and SolEx is rather rocky now (with an event caused by this crew), and CAIN disabled the programs and connections so SolEx can't find them, but SolEx doesn't have mercenaries or trackers out looking for ICV-71? Just my crazy thinking. Maybe the next books will have this in it...
Becoming criminals (willingly or not) makes for strange new friends and allies. The crew of ICV-71 becomes an awkward relationship as they all have different motives once they are known around the universe as criminals - some want to clear their name, others want to accomplish personal goals.
I enjoyed listening to this book as it kept the story moving for me.
Becoming criminals (willingly or not) makes for strange new friends and allies. The crew of ICV-71 becomes an awkward relationship as they all have different motives once they are known around the universe as criminals. Some want to clear their name, others want to accomplish personal goals.
****FULL REVIEW****
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com, at my request.
2.5 Stars
Kevin Pierce is a new narrator for me. He feels as he's a wonderful pick for Cole's voice. He gives a relaxed voice to Cole's personality we feel in Matt's words. We don't get different tones for each character but Kevin narrates the story with a clear audio and background, seamless in the finished product.
From the beginning Cole seems like a relaxed, laid back kind of pilot. It seems all the others around him are a bit more reserved and professional. Cole's put a lot of work in with the SolEx corporation, of which he doesn't fit into, to bring his family name in good standings and become the captain on their cargo vessel. He's a veteran star-force pilot that's needed to fly this experimental vessel, and he's thrilled for the honor.
It seems like a dream come true, until the ship is hijacked. Cole goes along with what the hijackers as he is outnumbered and not much of a choice. But the people around him all seem to have a nature true to their driven feelings. There comes to be two different end result agendas of the rebels working to hijack the vessel. They have reasons for what they are doing - family or beliefs. But then as we go through the story all the interaction seems to take on a dry humor for me. Cole becomes a part of the uncanny crew as they take on new members.
I think one of my favorite characters was Rig when he joined the crew. He sees a humor in things as he should have died once, and didn't. But his end result could be the same at any moment. Rig tells the crew they are all crazy, on a few occasions. CAIN is a rather interesting character too. CAIN is the AI of the ICV-71 that is evolving in his own knowledge. In the end, CAIN seems to go to an extreme, as computer programs can do.
For almost half of the book we get the story from Cole's POV. Then we switch to the engineer's POV, Lin. Lin is a growing important person in what is done in the first half, leading to the moment when we switch to her POV. Then we shared POV's between Cole and Lin, which gives us two views of the world and events, even when they are separated.
There are scenes that felt to be to long as the characters try to figure out how to get away undetected, but they are sitting still and wasting time trying to figure it out. These moments gave a feel to parts of the book as it's drawn out. I found I wanted more from the characters and plot. Something to drive the characters a little more as we have a background and reasoning drive for them all, for their wants, but it didn't seem to be flushed out to grow the world and more. And I don't understand how the company who created the valuable ICV-71 is not trying to retrieve the vessel, but Terracom (who SolEx is to be "partnered" with on a few deals) is working faster to track their prisoner/debtor that escaped. I know the business relationship between Terracom and SolEx is rather rocky now (with an event caused by this crew), and CAIN disabled the programs and connections so SolEx can't find them, but SolEx doesn't have mercenaries or trackers out looking for ICV-71? Just my crazy thinking. Maybe the next books will have this in it...
Becoming criminals (willingly or not) makes for strange new friends and allies. The crew of ICV-71 becomes an awkward relationship as they all have different motives once they are known around the universe as criminals - some want to clear their name, others want to accomplish personal goals.
I enjoyed listening to this book as it kept the story moving for me.
July 5, 2016
Beware of Cain
There is action, humor, suspense, betrayal, a prison beak, terrorists, blackmail and a rogue computer.
Fast moving entertaining and enjoyable space travel story. Cole Musgrave is assigned by the company he works for Solex to be the backup pilot of an interstellar experimental space vessel on it's maiden voyage. Along with a group of people unbeknownst to him who have an ulterior motive for being on the ship. What could go wrong? Everything.
Cole finds himself in the middle of a "political" game he wants no part of, and is unsure of who to trust. Not knowing who to trust Cole has to rely on his own experience and wits while deciding what to do in each situation that arises. In addition to everything else he is dealing with Cain the ships A.I. has it's own ideas.
Computers becoming self aware can have some scary results.
Loved Cole's sense of humor in every situation.
As usual Kevin Pierce did a great job with the narration. All the character voices were good. You could tell the difference between the characters and who was speaking. Nice smooth even pace with the narration.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Boom.com
There is action, humor, suspense, betrayal, a prison beak, terrorists, blackmail and a rogue computer.
Fast moving entertaining and enjoyable space travel story. Cole Musgrave is assigned by the company he works for Solex to be the backup pilot of an interstellar experimental space vessel on it's maiden voyage. Along with a group of people unbeknownst to him who have an ulterior motive for being on the ship. What could go wrong? Everything.
Cole finds himself in the middle of a "political" game he wants no part of, and is unsure of who to trust. Not knowing who to trust Cole has to rely on his own experience and wits while deciding what to do in each situation that arises. In addition to everything else he is dealing with Cain the ships A.I. has it's own ideas.
Computers becoming self aware can have some scary results.
Loved Cole's sense of humor in every situation.
As usual Kevin Pierce did a great job with the narration. All the character voices were good. You could tell the difference between the characters and who was speaking. Nice smooth even pace with the narration.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Boom.com
April 5, 2016
Downhill after the first line
Nick Webb said "he had me after the first line". Well, that was the book's highlight. The first part was especially choppy. No clear indication what were the motivations of the major characters, what outcomes they expected from their actions. One character expressed horror that a certain prisoner would be rescued, but we were never provided an explanation, nor was there a valid reason behind the sacrificing of thousands of prisoners. Things just seemed to occur without a lead in or follow up. The scientist wants to finish the project she and her father started but we never learn what the project is. The pilot has a past event during his time in the military tied in with his mother the Admiral but we aren't told what it was. So many examples of poor writing. This book read like a series of poorly written short stories.
Nick Webb said "he had me after the first line". Well, that was the book's highlight. The first part was especially choppy. No clear indication what were the motivations of the major characters, what outcomes they expected from their actions. One character expressed horror that a certain prisoner would be rescued, but we were never provided an explanation, nor was there a valid reason behind the sacrificing of thousands of prisoners. Things just seemed to occur without a lead in or follow up. The scientist wants to finish the project she and her father started but we never learn what the project is. The pilot has a past event during his time in the military tied in with his mother the Admiral but we aren't told what it was. So many examples of poor writing. This book read like a series of poorly written short stories.
September 24, 2016
Good start"
I think this is a good start in this new series and I hope he continues to write more adventures with this unconventional crew. I've only given it 3 stars because there are some glaring issues I hope he improves upon.
It's a bit jarring as a reader to suddenly move from a first person narrative over to another characters narrative 1/2 way through the book and then back again. Kind of came out of the blue. I do feel he must flesh out the characters better, beyond Cole, and I assume that he was trying to do just that.
The premise and storyline are interesting and could prove a great series. Well worth digging into the next installment when he brings it out.
I think this is a good start in this new series and I hope he continues to write more adventures with this unconventional crew. I've only given it 3 stars because there are some glaring issues I hope he improves upon.
It's a bit jarring as a reader to suddenly move from a first person narrative over to another characters narrative 1/2 way through the book and then back again. Kind of came out of the blue. I do feel he must flesh out the characters better, beyond Cole, and I assume that he was trying to do just that.
The premise and storyline are interesting and could prove a great series. Well worth digging into the next installment when he brings it out.
August 22, 2023
Icarus is the first book in the Interstellar Cargo series, in essence setting up the backdrop for the further adventures of Cole Musgrave and his crew. It’s the “how I got the gang together” kind of story.
I liked the characters mostly. There is a fairly wide roster, everything from a temperamental AI to a competitive love interest. There is a on-again, off-again ally, and an assortment of antagonists. I thought the protagonist was well-rounded, but I do think that he falls into that Hans Solo/Serenity type of scoundrel trope. The love interest is a surprising character because of the way she communicates, which has the potential for curious outcomes. I thought the “ally” lacked commitment as to their role in the story. The villainous characters seem to just pop up, then fade away for a while.
This is more of a series setup story than anything else. To that end, it needs to be viewed as an introduction more than anything. It falls into the category of ‘how they got there’, rather than a specific story. From this perspective, the ending is inconclusive, as the characters take their different paths to get to the story world.
Because this is a series setup story, it doesn’t really have a theme beyond that. We get to meet the characters, they feel out their places in the story, there’s a couple of side quests to help them get to know each other, then they’re off on further adventures.
I found Icarus (Interstellar Cargo #1) to be a fun read but ultimately unsatisfying. Perhaps a little to comical and lightweight for my tastes. I give it a two of five on Goodreads.
I liked the characters mostly. There is a fairly wide roster, everything from a temperamental AI to a competitive love interest. There is a on-again, off-again ally, and an assortment of antagonists. I thought the protagonist was well-rounded, but I do think that he falls into that Hans Solo/Serenity type of scoundrel trope. The love interest is a surprising character because of the way she communicates, which has the potential for curious outcomes. I thought the “ally” lacked commitment as to their role in the story. The villainous characters seem to just pop up, then fade away for a while.
This is more of a series setup story than anything else. To that end, it needs to be viewed as an introduction more than anything. It falls into the category of ‘how they got there’, rather than a specific story. From this perspective, the ending is inconclusive, as the characters take their different paths to get to the story world.
Because this is a series setup story, it doesn’t really have a theme beyond that. We get to meet the characters, they feel out their places in the story, there’s a couple of side quests to help them get to know each other, then they’re off on further adventures.
I found Icarus (Interstellar Cargo #1) to be a fun read but ultimately unsatisfying. Perhaps a little to comical and lightweight for my tastes. I give it a two of five on Goodreads.
March 27, 2020
Action aplenty in our distant future ...
I really enjoyed Icarus. It wasn't a difficult read and was a great way to pass a few hours. It's the sort of story you want to keep reading to find out what next. The hapless Mulgrave and his crew stumble from adventure to adventure relying on luck as much as wit and skill to survive but it makes for a fun read with quite a few unexpected twists and turns. I do like the humour which comes mainly from the interplay between the mishmash of crew and Mulgrave himself though I imagine the book could be tedious if the humour is not your style. The story itself has a decent amount of originality in its mix of the regular Sci-Fi motifs and how they're handled. It's fun, it's not that grand new idea that we all love so much when we find it. I can't wait to get into the second book now to read more adventures from our space trucking pirates.
I really enjoyed Icarus. It wasn't a difficult read and was a great way to pass a few hours. It's the sort of story you want to keep reading to find out what next. The hapless Mulgrave and his crew stumble from adventure to adventure relying on luck as much as wit and skill to survive but it makes for a fun read with quite a few unexpected twists and turns. I do like the humour which comes mainly from the interplay between the mishmash of crew and Mulgrave himself though I imagine the book could be tedious if the humour is not your style. The story itself has a decent amount of originality in its mix of the regular Sci-Fi motifs and how they're handled. It's fun, it's not that grand new idea that we all love so much when we find it. I can't wait to get into the second book now to read more adventures from our space trucking pirates.
February 29, 2020
You have to love a rogue
There was a point in this story when I felt that this is the origin story that Solo should have been. I saw Harrison Ford, Starlord, Horatio Hornblower, and some other rogue captains from literature all wrapped up in this story. I want to read more - and more like it.
This is a captain who knows his craft. I think my only criticism was that his career could have followed a little more logical path. The imposition of competing super-organizations in a powerful corporation versus a united government was fascinating, and subsequent books would be fun to read in exploring this.
The use of AI and its progression toward intelligence and awareness was fascinating, too. I hope the author can explore this more.
There was a point in this story when I felt that this is the origin story that Solo should have been. I saw Harrison Ford, Starlord, Horatio Hornblower, and some other rogue captains from literature all wrapped up in this story. I want to read more - and more like it.
This is a captain who knows his craft. I think my only criticism was that his career could have followed a little more logical path. The imposition of competing super-organizations in a powerful corporation versus a united government was fascinating, and subsequent books would be fun to read in exploring this.
The use of AI and its progression toward intelligence and awareness was fascinating, too. I hope the author can explore this more.
October 3, 2018
I read this book as part of the "Galactic - Ten Book Space Opera Sci-Fi Boxset."
I wish the other books in this collection were as entertaining. We have a ragtag crew composed of a wise cracking captain with a troubled past, a mute genius scientist, a crazed ex-soldier, a spy, an escaped prisoner mechanic and the most advanced A.I. around running a new experimental spacecraft. If that isn't the formula for fun, what is?
I wish the other books in this collection were as entertaining. We have a ragtag crew composed of a wise cracking captain with a troubled past, a mute genius scientist, a crazed ex-soldier, a spy, an escaped prisoner mechanic and the most advanced A.I. around running a new experimental spacecraft. If that isn't the formula for fun, what is?
March 19, 2020
Good story
I've started this book a few times, but every time i'd call asleep. Not because of story, but because it was last in line on my list. Happy to say that I got it read. Liked the story, heroes put into the situation by choices. No Kirk or merc compAny. Reads easy definitely recommend. Can't wait to see what comes next.
I've started this book a few times, but every time i'd call asleep. Not because of story, but because it was last in line on my list. Happy to say that I got it read. Liked the story, heroes put into the situation by choices. No Kirk or merc compAny. Reads easy definitely recommend. Can't wait to see what comes next.
October 8, 2020
The experimental starship is controlled by experimental AI - that is learning to be self-aware.
Cole thinks that he's on the test flight as a second (more experienced) pilot/captain. There's a lot going on and lots more happens. From a group of strangers, the characters become a team and unite for the (mostly) good.
Interesting and absorbing story
Cole thinks that he's on the test flight as a second (more experienced) pilot/captain. There's a lot going on and lots more happens. From a group of strangers, the characters become a team and unite for the (mostly) good.
Interesting and absorbing story
May 16, 2023
It could be a good setup for some great adventures but on its own it didn't grab me. It is a bit all over the place with the story and the plot, and I didn't learn anything about the characters. It does set up for potential to develop the characters in some fun adventures but I'm not sure I want to continue the series if it is going to be more of the same.
January 25, 2020
Icarus
Good old fashion Artificial Intelligence story set in a futuristic background in Space. This is no Star Wars or Star Trek, however the story is well written and fun to read. There is in this first volume a promise of better things to come in any future books.
Good old fashion Artificial Intelligence story set in a futuristic background in Space. This is no Star Wars or Star Trek, however the story is well written and fun to read. There is in this first volume a promise of better things to come in any future books.
February 17, 2020
So yeah, it was choppy, there are holes... go back an watch the first episode of Star Trek or reread the early Stephanie Plum novels. Writers need to hit their stride. This book was very engaging, if the future books don’t improved we’ll then...you know what to do. I was quite happy with this one.
February 24, 2020
A good start
With an unconventional crew and a wise a** captain thrown together into a fate none would have chosen. Things go from really bad to even worse. I'm hoping the rest of the series is just as good.
With an unconventional crew and a wise a** captain thrown together into a fate none would have chosen. Things go from really bad to even worse. I'm hoping the rest of the series is just as good.
July 26, 2020
Space adventure
The story is nice but somehow failed to get my complete attention. Most likely I’m a little old and jaded for adventure stories and there is nothing wrong at all with the book.
The story is nice but somehow failed to get my complete attention. Most likely I’m a little old and jaded for adventure stories and there is nothing wrong at all with the book.
December 27, 2025
Good first novel
As in many debut novels,there are bumps in the road and, all too often, glaring grammatical and word use errors. This novel is no exception. Lots of fixable errors. But good story with lots of plot twists.
As in many debut novels,there are bumps in the road and, all too often, glaring grammatical and word use errors. This novel is no exception. Lots of fixable errors. But good story with lots of plot twists.
April 26, 2018
Was okay and fun enough read until 70%, then took a dive and was hard to finish. Had its moments though.
April 10, 2018
Really enjoyed the unlikely bond of the space crew and the characters in the book. The story was a bit weak which didn't let the characters truly shine.
October 8, 2018
2 stars. DNF after about 60%. Just didn't get into the story and characters were opaque.
July 11, 2019
Good plot, good pace, good characrers, but a little more character development would be nice. Overall - I really liked it! Looking forward to reading more in this series.
November 30, 2019
This was a good book! The plot was a little twisty, with a surprise or two thrown in the mix. I enjoyed the characters, especially CAIN.
January 26, 2020
Fantastic Sci Fi
Well, if you like sci-fi I think you will like this one. Well thought out and a great plot. I intend on purchasing the next book just to continue the story!
Well, if you like sci-fi I think you will like this one. Well thought out and a great plot. I intend on purchasing the next book just to continue the story!
January 27, 2020
Fun with ai
An interesting romp with an a.i. coming of age. Turns into a page Turner at the end setting the stage for future adventure
An interesting romp with an a.i. coming of age. Turns into a page Turner at the end setting the stage for future adventure
January 29, 2020
Machine finds himself
Fun read. Sort of like the Jr science fiction from the 60's. A machine in a space ship becomes alive. Along the way adventure is to be found.
Fun read. Sort of like the Jr science fiction from the 60's. A machine in a space ship becomes alive. Along the way adventure is to be found.
January 30, 2020
I have found this book interesting and would like to read more in this series.
April 5, 2020
An adventure story that I am glad is continued. Like the characters even the "bad" ones.
July 2, 2020
Fun
Fast paced and full of surprises. It will be interesting to see how the author continues to develop these characters.
Fast paced and full of surprises. It will be interesting to see how the author continues to develop these characters.
August 24, 2020
Amazing
Well written story about a spaceship with an Artificial sentient intelligence that goes rogue after joining forces with it's creator. Great read
Well written story about a spaceship with an Artificial sentient intelligence that goes rogue after joining forces with it's creator. Great read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews