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Black Ocean #13
Mission Inadvisable
Part-time heroes. Full-time outlaws.Carl Ramsey has done the he turned down a lucrative job. When the deed is too despicable even for outlaws like the Mobius crew, someone nasty had to be behind it. Carl and his friends decide to hunt down their potential employer and turn him over to the authorities. But as amateur vigilantes, they mire themselves in a moral quagmire of conflicts of interest.With victory (and a tidy payday) in their sights, can they live with the awful truth they uncover? Carl will have to decide if being one of the good guys means letting a friend pay for their crimes.Mission Inadvisable is the thirteenth mission of Black Galaxy Outlaws, a science fantasy series set in the 26th century. Do you wish there had been a second season of Firefly? Do you love the irreverent fun of Guardians of the Galaxy? Have you ever wondered how Star Wars would have turned out if Luke and Obi-wan had ditched the rebellion to become smugglers with Han and Chewie? Then Black Galaxy Outlaws is the series for you!Pick up your copy of Mission Inadvisable, and aim to misbehave with the crew of the Mobius.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2017
About the author
J.S. Morin
196 books634 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 13, 2018
Ok I was wrong, another peak in this series that really does not take itself seriously. Great crew.
June 15, 2019
Another installment with the Mobius crew - the team decide to take a step back from pirating and do good this time round.
While still having a great heist vibe to the story, the character dynamics were what made this story shine.
The only downside is that the transition seems... rushed, there's so much potential with the build-up in this story but overall seems... quick.
Overall, the set up for the rest of the series seems good. I just hope the overarching story gets more attention in the remaining books.
While still having a great heist vibe to the story, the character dynamics were what made this story shine.
The only downside is that the transition seems... rushed, there's so much potential with the build-up in this story but overall seems... quick.
Overall, the set up for the rest of the series seems good. I just hope the overarching story gets more attention in the remaining books.
March 3, 2020
A minor little adventure with Carl acting with moral uprightness for most of the book which was an interesting change. Enjoyable enough although I found myself in sympathy with Rai Kub's moral dilemma by the end of the book.
March 31, 2018
Carl has had a change of heart recently, deciding that maybe he and the Mobius crew should re-think their lives and start to do things a little cleaner, with less crime. So when someone, a thug that Carl doesn’t know, contacts him with a job to steal a priceless religious artefact from a race of peaceful otter like creatures, Carl says No, surprising the entire crew. However, Roddy, and others, have an idea, why not turn the tide, and get the bad guys, stop the theft, and maybe even take the half the money that was put on the table to get the job done as a down payment. Of course, this is Carl, so nothing will go wrong….
What follows is utter chaos, as Carl and the crew try to prevent something that has already happened, have no idea what they are doing, and in the end, although they manage to get the priceless artefact, what they don’t realise is that they have dropped someone, a very dear friend to someone on the crew, into very deep hot water, and they will most likely end up boiled.
This is hilarious, as the crew, trying to do the right thing for once, end up doing a bunch of things wrong, and making life hard for multiple friends.
This is so much like a Serenity mission, or you can hear Han Solo yelling ‘It’s not my fault’, that it really fills the gaps left by the end of Firefly, only better (Where else are you going to get a starship powered by a grumpy wizard with a wooden staff?)
This is a newer evolution of Missions, no Tanny or Mrly, Amy as the Pilot, and Rai Kub onboard as Security. A Stuunji pacifist as a Security officer is somewhat hilarious as well. But it also works with Carl’s new attitude, as the Stuunji is a constant chatter in his ear about what is right. Of course, there is the obvious devil in his ear as well (Roddy), telling him what other things he could be doing, making it a lot of fun.
Although this episode is a change of perceptions for the crew, trying to do the right thing, the same crazy things happen.
One of the really great things in this particular book as well is the growth in some of the characters, particularly Esper. Her growth over the last couple of books has been incredible, but in this book, it reaches new levels.
Overall, I found this to be one of the best of the series so far, just for the change in the characters, the growth, and the way that Morin has evolved the crew after 13 books. Well worth the read.
What follows is utter chaos, as Carl and the crew try to prevent something that has already happened, have no idea what they are doing, and in the end, although they manage to get the priceless artefact, what they don’t realise is that they have dropped someone, a very dear friend to someone on the crew, into very deep hot water, and they will most likely end up boiled.
This is hilarious, as the crew, trying to do the right thing for once, end up doing a bunch of things wrong, and making life hard for multiple friends.
This is so much like a Serenity mission, or you can hear Han Solo yelling ‘It’s not my fault’, that it really fills the gaps left by the end of Firefly, only better (Where else are you going to get a starship powered by a grumpy wizard with a wooden staff?)
This is a newer evolution of Missions, no Tanny or Mrly, Amy as the Pilot, and Rai Kub onboard as Security. A Stuunji pacifist as a Security officer is somewhat hilarious as well. But it also works with Carl’s new attitude, as the Stuunji is a constant chatter in his ear about what is right. Of course, there is the obvious devil in his ear as well (Roddy), telling him what other things he could be doing, making it a lot of fun.
Although this episode is a change of perceptions for the crew, trying to do the right thing, the same crazy things happen.
One of the really great things in this particular book as well is the growth in some of the characters, particularly Esper. Her growth over the last couple of books has been incredible, but in this book, it reaches new levels.
Overall, I found this to be one of the best of the series so far, just for the change in the characters, the growth, and the way that Morin has evolved the crew after 13 books. Well worth the read.
July 5, 2020
CAUTION .... Minor Spoilers ahead!!!!
Being a criminal, smuggler, and some might say, a pirate in the Black Ocean has its ups and downs. Adventure...excitement...those are definitely the ups. On the other hand, lack of food, fuel, and...oh yeah, AIR...are definitely among the downs. Yet, Carl Ramsay and the crew of the Mobius (well...Carl, mostly) really don't know any other way of making a living and surviving.
But...then a call comes in for an opportunity to make some easy credits, but the mission itself could affect the entire culture of the victims. Amazingly, Carl finds himself turning down the opportunity on moral grounds and his decision takes the crew somewhere they have never been before...stopping a crime! (of course, if they could make a little bit - well a LARGE bit of money - by being the good guys, is that a terrible thing?)
And so the crew is off on a new adventure with a new sense of purpose. But...no good deed goes unpunished!!!
Author Jeff Morin has created a world (uhhh... Galaxy) of fun and unique characters and excitement that keeps the readers coming back for more. His heroes...AND villains...aren't simply black and white and he'll have you shaking your head one minute and laughing the next as he continues to chronicle the adventures of the Mobius in THE BLACK OCEAN...AND...while his characters are definitely mortal, it doesn't mean that they have to STAY dead (well not all of them!!!)
More fun in the BLACK OCEAN. New readers can actually jump in here and get a good sense of the characters and story without losing too much from not having read the prior 12 books...but...be warned...you'll more than likely be opening up your wallet for more.
Being a criminal, smuggler, and some might say, a pirate in the Black Ocean has its ups and downs. Adventure...excitement...those are definitely the ups. On the other hand, lack of food, fuel, and...oh yeah, AIR...are definitely among the downs. Yet, Carl Ramsay and the crew of the Mobius (well...Carl, mostly) really don't know any other way of making a living and surviving.
But...then a call comes in for an opportunity to make some easy credits, but the mission itself could affect the entire culture of the victims. Amazingly, Carl finds himself turning down the opportunity on moral grounds and his decision takes the crew somewhere they have never been before...stopping a crime! (of course, if they could make a little bit - well a LARGE bit of money - by being the good guys, is that a terrible thing?)
And so the crew is off on a new adventure with a new sense of purpose. But...no good deed goes unpunished!!!
Author Jeff Morin has created a world (uhhh... Galaxy) of fun and unique characters and excitement that keeps the readers coming back for more. His heroes...AND villains...aren't simply black and white and he'll have you shaking your head one minute and laughing the next as he continues to chronicle the adventures of the Mobius in THE BLACK OCEAN...AND...while his characters are definitely mortal, it doesn't mean that they have to STAY dead (well not all of them!!!)
More fun in the BLACK OCEAN. New readers can actually jump in here and get a good sense of the characters and story without losing too much from not having read the prior 12 books...but...be warned...you'll more than likely be opening up your wallet for more.
April 24, 2026
My Slightly Sarcastic But Ultimately Honest Book Rating System:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 Stars): This book achieved legendary status in my personal library. I will likely reread it until the pages fall out (or my e-reader spontaneously combusts). Consider this my enthusiastic endorsement – you should probably read it unless you actively dislike joy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 Stars): A truly excellent read! I enjoyed it immensely and would heartily recommend it to fellow bookworms. You might even catch me subtly pushing it into their hands.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 Stars): Yep, it was a book I read. I turned the pages, absorbed the words, and emerged...unchanged. It was a pleasant enough journey, like a scenic detour that you wouldn't necessarily take again, but didn't regret.
⭐️⭐️ (2 Stars): This book existed. I finished it. That's about the highest praise I can offer. If you're looking for something truly captivating, maybe keep scrolling. This one's more of an "it filled the silence" kind of experience.
⭐️ (1 Star): Oh dear. This book and I did not get along. It was a literary tumbleweed in the vast desert of good books. Consider this a strong "do not recommend," unless you're conducting research on what not to do in storytelling.
Disclaimer: My enjoyment of the narrator is based on my listening speed. I only leave 5 stars for books I've read/listened to or will read/listen to multiple times. If you like this review please consider giving it a Helpful Vote below.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 Stars): This book achieved legendary status in my personal library. I will likely reread it until the pages fall out (or my e-reader spontaneously combusts). Consider this my enthusiastic endorsement – you should probably read it unless you actively dislike joy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 Stars): A truly excellent read! I enjoyed it immensely and would heartily recommend it to fellow bookworms. You might even catch me subtly pushing it into their hands.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 Stars): Yep, it was a book I read. I turned the pages, absorbed the words, and emerged...unchanged. It was a pleasant enough journey, like a scenic detour that you wouldn't necessarily take again, but didn't regret.
⭐️⭐️ (2 Stars): This book existed. I finished it. That's about the highest praise I can offer. If you're looking for something truly captivating, maybe keep scrolling. This one's more of an "it filled the silence" kind of experience.
⭐️ (1 Star): Oh dear. This book and I did not get along. It was a literary tumbleweed in the vast desert of good books. Consider this a strong "do not recommend," unless you're conducting research on what not to do in storytelling.
Disclaimer: My enjoyment of the narrator is based on my listening speed. I only leave 5 stars for books I've read/listened to or will read/listen to multiple times. If you like this review please consider giving it a Helpful Vote below.
June 2, 2017
Mission Inadvisable
I absolutely loved this book! Carl trying to do a good job for once ending up cancelling it out at the end by a little mistake. This was a great read. Seeing Esper deal with having Mort in her head and hallucinations. Makes for good reading right there. I could read a whole episode about Esper and Mort. Of course, our old favorites were present. Roddy, Amy, and the big loveable lug, Rai Kub. Poor Rai, has moral dilemmas over almost everything Carl and the crew do, but in the end he justifies it for his hero. Can't wait to read the next episode.
I absolutely loved this book! Carl trying to do a good job for once ending up cancelling it out at the end by a little mistake. This was a great read. Seeing Esper deal with having Mort in her head and hallucinations. Makes for good reading right there. I could read a whole episode about Esper and Mort. Of course, our old favorites were present. Roddy, Amy, and the big loveable lug, Rai Kub. Poor Rai, has moral dilemmas over almost everything Carl and the crew do, but in the end he justifies it for his hero. Can't wait to read the next episode.
June 6, 2017
How can doing the right thing turn out so wrong?
Carl Ramsey finally wants to do the right thing. However, in doing so, he and his crew end up in a rollicking mess fighting a tech savvy criminal, avoiding government intervention, and may have doomed a close friend to unhealthy scrutiny.
I love the adventures of the Möbius and look forward eagerly to each new installment JS Morin has created and engaging cast, edge of your seat plot twists, and an awesome setting that combines the best of fantasy with the best of space opera. Can't wait for more!!
Carl Ramsey finally wants to do the right thing. However, in doing so, he and his crew end up in a rollicking mess fighting a tech savvy criminal, avoiding government intervention, and may have doomed a close friend to unhealthy scrutiny.
I love the adventures of the Möbius and look forward eagerly to each new installment JS Morin has created and engaging cast, edge of your seat plot twists, and an awesome setting that combines the best of fantasy with the best of space opera. Can't wait for more!!
October 29, 2023
3.5 rounded up to 4
This is a good, solid Black Ocean story. After everything he's been through, Carl is turning over a new leaf. He's going to try to be the good guy for a change. This adventure involves smugglers, thieves, ancient religious artifacts, cute otter-like aliens, and Keisha Bell. In some ways this story marked a return to form for the Mobius crew, but with the twist that they were trying to stay on the right side of the law more than usual. Maybe it's because I know I am reaching the end of the series, but I can already feel that things are starting to settle just a tiny bit.
This is a good, solid Black Ocean story. After everything he's been through, Carl is turning over a new leaf. He's going to try to be the good guy for a change. This adventure involves smugglers, thieves, ancient religious artifacts, cute otter-like aliens, and Keisha Bell. In some ways this story marked a return to form for the Mobius crew, but with the twist that they were trying to stay on the right side of the law more than usual. Maybe it's because I know I am reaching the end of the series, but I can already feel that things are starting to settle just a tiny bit.
February 23, 2019
The Mobius crew is approached to pilfer a culturally significant artifact but turns down the job on moral grounds. Ramsay has a change of heart of sorts and decides to try to stop the impending theft. That portion of the story falls flat while Esper's having to deal with Mort's continued presence in her mind following his "death" in the last volume is the most interesting (but fairly inconsequential) subplot.
June 1, 2019
Certainly one of the favorites of the series I think for me. I also think that this really captures a little more of each of the characters and especially some of the ones that you haven't got to see a whole lot of they got a lot of room in this and then espers and more and all the stuff that's going on with them was very interesting of course reading the Mercy For Hire books this really opened up what some of the stuff that comes up in the end that series.
June 22, 2017
Good read
If you liked the first 12 books in the series you are sure to enjoy this one too. It is nice to see our outlaws become more of a vigilante than a pirate. I am anxious for the next book.
If you liked the first 12 books in the series you are sure to enjoy this one too. It is nice to see our outlaws become more of a vigilante than a pirate. I am anxious for the next book.
November 16, 2018
I was amused when Carl said he had mistaken a religious stream font for a urinal (when they were rescuing that religious relic) as I think I actually did that when we were visiting the tomb of Job in Salalah in Oman's Dhofar region (I later realized that is used to cleanse the mens' feet!)!
January 16, 2019
Well our intrepid crew has come full circle from being mostly bad bad guys to being mostly good bad guys. I'm not sure that the transition works yet, because we had soft spots for the anti-hero characters already.
Since this is just another episode, I'm plowing ahead. So far, so good.
Since this is just another episode, I'm plowing ahead. So far, so good.
March 25, 2021
Carl and the Mobius crew are trying something different, being the good guys!! After turning down a smuggling job, the crew decide to stop the job, turn in the bad guys and claim the money. Simple, but no good deed goes with out consequences, especially for Carl.
October 23, 2026
This was more of a return to form. I still miss some of the older characters that are gone now, but the mission this time was fun and I loved the developments for Esper. I'm hoping the rest will be like this one and that the series can finish strong.
February 10, 2018
Another great story of the Mobius crew in which Carl does the right thing and the whole crew has to deal with the consequences.
June 29, 2018
Some interesting goings-on in this one.
September 26, 2018
There is too much flirting/sex in this one and it's getting annoying.
November 1, 2019
read this in the omnibus version (audible)
April 14, 2021
Found focus difficult early on. MY focus to reading that is. But confusion dissipated and so did my reading haze.
May 21, 2023
Returning to a more mission based structure worked a lot better. This was a fun one, and an interesting twist on the formula.
June 5, 2024
Time for something a little different, vigilantism rather than being straight up crooks. Everything will of course go smoothly, so smoothly that something has to go wrong.
June 9, 2025
I like how the new crew is working out. :)
April 3, 2019
That was another good addition to the Black Ocean series. A lot happened. As always, the story was fast paced. I enjoyed it.
March 22, 2017
I enjoyed this story better better even than the last couple. And they were pretty good. The only reason I don't give a five is because I save that for my classics and that means a few years. I won't be surprised if I don't change my stars a year or two from now.
Since I don't want to give spoilers away, all I can say is that without Chuck and the rest of the crew we were back to true Carl and company. Everybody worked well together and, for once, things worked out. Can't wait for the next one.
Since I don't want to give spoilers away, all I can say is that without Chuck and the rest of the crew we were back to true Carl and company. Everybody worked well together and, for once, things worked out. Can't wait for the next one.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews