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A Learning Experience #4
The Long Road Home
In the wake of the Solar Union’s stunning victory over the Tokomak - the masters of the galactic community - humanity has been invited to send a diplomatic mission to the Kingdom of Harmonious Order, one of the oldest and most significant races in known space. It is an opportunity that cannot be missed, a chance to forge ties with a powerful ally. And so a lone starship is dispatched to the galactic core to open discussions ... ... But when that starship runs into a deadly trap, she and her crew must battle their way home before they are merely the first casualties in a renewed war.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2017
312 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 19, 2017
Pretty good.
May 12, 2017
This isn’t a bad space opera but it has a few irritations.
The basic problem with the first half of the book, is it just takes too long to get anywhere, discussions went on and on just repeating the same statements and arguments over and over again.
As for the main the story, the mission to Harmony, this started to go downhill fairly soon after arriving in the system. It became so obvious that the humans were being manipulated, it actually became annoying to read. I just couldn’t decide if the author was making them so unobservant on purpose and there was some cunning plan I just couldn’t see. But no, they have absolutely nothing planned, and they really were that naïve. I’m not sure what has happened since the previous books, but the author seems to have decided humans are not as imaginative and intelligent as they used to be.
In the end the battle to escape wasn’t bad and had some intriguing moments, although it took them a bit too long to realize they were in a no holds barred all out war. The finish to the book was a bit of an anti climax but it obviously leads the way into the sequel.
The basic problem with the first half of the book, is it just takes too long to get anywhere, discussions went on and on just repeating the same statements and arguments over and over again.
As for the main the story, the mission to Harmony, this started to go downhill fairly soon after arriving in the system. It became so obvious that the humans were being manipulated, it actually became annoying to read. I just couldn’t decide if the author was making them so unobservant on purpose and there was some cunning plan I just couldn’t see. But no, they have absolutely nothing planned, and they really were that naïve. I’m not sure what has happened since the previous books, but the author seems to have decided humans are not as imaginative and intelligent as they used to be.
In the end the battle to escape wasn’t bad and had some intriguing moments, although it took them a bit too long to realize they were in a no holds barred all out war. The finish to the book was a bit of an anti climax but it obviously leads the way into the sequel.
November 29, 2017
Consistent way of dealing with the setting, and good character development. I had no trouble remembering the characters, even after a break of a couple weeks. The characters have to invest serious thought into dealing with the situation they are thrust into, and they do a good job, displaying considerable originality. The plot makes sense from the protagonist viewpoint
The plot makes considerably less sense from the antagonist viewpoint (the protagonists couldn't give them what they wanted, and they should have known it), but it's a fairly well hidden defect. Also, the book's biggest hero character got considerably less development than other major characters.
I'd still rate this as a solid 9 out of ten. By amazon's standards, a five star book.
The plot makes considerably less sense from the antagonist viewpoint (the protagonists couldn't give them what they wanted, and they should have known it), but it's a fairly well hidden defect. Also, the book's biggest hero character got considerably less development than other major characters.
I'd still rate this as a solid 9 out of ten. By amazon's standards, a five star book.
December 29, 2019
Less than expected
I am sorry to say this is short off the level of effort and entertainment I have come to expect from Christopher Nuttall . I found my attention wandering as I read the book. As usual I found the sexual elements too much space waste. I am not interested in reading about sex and how the characters feel about it etc. If I cannot touch a woman I don't want to read about her being touched and how that effects her mind set . I will not recommend this book as a purchase, but I will read the next volume Hopi g for a better effort.
.
I am sorry to say this is short off the level of effort and entertainment I have come to expect from Christopher Nuttall . I found my attention wandering as I read the book. As usual I found the sexual elements too much space waste. I am not interested in reading about sex and how the characters feel about it etc. If I cannot touch a woman I don't want to read about her being touched and how that effects her mind set . I will not recommend this book as a purchase, but I will read the next volume Hopi g for a better effort.
.
October 7, 2018
Get rid of these compulsory reviews
These reviews are a pain in the neck xcccccccccxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxcccccccccxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxcccc cccccxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
These reviews are a pain in the neck xcccccccccxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxcccccccccxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxcccc cccccxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
May 23, 2023
Galactic military sci-fi
The Solar Union has received a request from The Harmonies asking them to send an ambassador to discuss an alliance against the Tokomak. They comply and the captain and ambassador are tasked with finding out all they can about a potential ally they know nothing about. They could be gone for years and it could be a trap.
The Solar Union has received a request from The Harmonies asking them to send an ambassador to discuss an alliance against the Tokomak. They comply and the captain and ambassador are tasked with finding out all they can about a potential ally they know nothing about. They could be gone for years and it could be a trap.
May 10, 2017
If you liked the Phantom Menace but wished there was more trade federation and secret plans, this is the book for you. Entertains and builds like most Nuttall books and the battle scenes hook you in, but story gets too one-sided and predictable after the action starts.
April 19, 2019
Book was good and a very engaging
Leg of space combat, but I much more impressed by the afterward and the sentiments it deposed.i have a liberal friend that may profit from reading it!
Leg of space combat, but I much more impressed by the afterward and the sentiments it deposed.i have a liberal friend that may profit from reading it!
May 3, 2019
Not bad, but it was a little too predictable
October 18, 2022
I have no idea how they are going to wrap this entire thing up in 2 more books, but I'm here for it! 👍🏾👍🏾
March 26, 2017
Slow start, but picks up nicely. . .
This is a different sort of book for Nuttall, but his "A Learning Experience" universe setting is starting to change as well. This book follows the voyage of the starship Odyssey (I know, its' five year mission....) to meet an Elder Race called the Harmonies. They've asked for an Ambassador from the Solar Union.
The set-up is longer than Nuttall's typical tales of the inky blackness of space, but ends up being crucial to the trademark plot twists of his books. In reality, this is a bridging book, because the main act of the saga is warming up: the Second Tokamak-Human War....
This is a different sort of book for Nuttall, but his "A Learning Experience" universe setting is starting to change as well. This book follows the voyage of the starship Odyssey (I know, its' five year mission....) to meet an Elder Race called the Harmonies. They've asked for an Ambassador from the Solar Union.
The set-up is longer than Nuttall's typical tales of the inky blackness of space, but ends up being crucial to the trademark plot twists of his books. In reality, this is a bridging book, because the main act of the saga is warming up: the Second Tokamak-Human War....
March 29, 2017
Three and a half stars. I couldn't help but think of a different "Odyssey" (One) every time I read the ship's name. I know it is common in history, but it just didn't feel right to me. With that said I enjoyed the book and the continuation of the "Learning" Universe. The was some discontinuity with the previous books and it was more than the gap in time sine 'the War'. The main characters were new but many of the sub-characters were from the earlier books and they seemed less competent and more 'baffled' then they had before.
The book starts off comfortably; building characters and background as the crew is gathered and begins their mission. Once the hammer falls, it is a crazy race to the end and the book is hard to put down. There aren't many surprises, but enough twists to keep it very interesting.
The book starts off comfortably; building characters and background as the crew is gathered and begins their mission. Once the hammer falls, it is a crazy race to the end and the book is hard to put down. There aren't many surprises, but enough twists to keep it very interesting.
April 2, 2017
Very good, as always
Very good space opera! I have one suggestion for Christopher and any other author with months-long voyages. as part of their story lines.
In the early days of the US ICBM program it was quickly discovered that the missile crews developed serious problems by being required to spend 30-day stretches inside the missile silos essentially cut off from the outside world. The USAF's solution was a program of tuition-paid college courses that could be pursued by crews while on duty leading to a degree.
They continued their studies in their above ground days in off-duty hours. This largely solved the morale problems. Also, it was the idea behind the now ubiquitous college programs offering courses to working people around the world tailored to their work schedules.
Nine months on a starship is enough for two semesters of college work. VR classrooms and field work would fit right in.
Very good space opera! I have one suggestion for Christopher and any other author with months-long voyages. as part of their story lines.
In the early days of the US ICBM program it was quickly discovered that the missile crews developed serious problems by being required to spend 30-day stretches inside the missile silos essentially cut off from the outside world. The USAF's solution was a program of tuition-paid college courses that could be pursued by crews while on duty leading to a degree.
They continued their studies in their above ground days in off-duty hours. This largely solved the morale problems. Also, it was the idea behind the now ubiquitous college programs offering courses to working people around the world tailored to their work schedules.
Nine months on a starship is enough for two semesters of college work. VR classrooms and field work would fit right in.
April 24, 2017
Survival
Wort reading,best storyline so far. Can't wait to see what the new weapons they creating to shock and beat the shit out of the Galatics.
Wort reading,best storyline so far. Can't wait to see what the new weapons they creating to shock and beat the shit out of the Galatics.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews