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Black Ocean #15
Planet Hustlers
The hottest card game in the galaxy puts the fates of three worlds at stake.
Pirates have taken over and occupied a refugee world, and the exile government turns to the only human they can trust—Carl Ramsey. Trying to make a better man of himself, Carl agrees to help in whatever way he can. Since he's a notorious outlaw, his plan involves a little double-dealing. As Carl unravels the tale of how an entrenched pirate band got displaced from their cushy hideout and found a ripe target to bully, he stumbles across a twisted web of deception, intrigue, and political puppeteering behind the scenes.
To get the squabbling factions together, Carl—known by everyone who's met him to be a compulsive gambler and loser at cards—arranges a poker game. They're all coming to the table to rob him blind. Carl's hoping that cheaters can prosper. If he can't pull this one off, millions of alien refugees will remain trapped, and if he gets caught cheating, he's a dead man.
Planet Hustlers is the fifteenth mission of Black Ocean, 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 Ocean is the series for you!
Pick up your copy of Planet Hustlers, and aim to misbehave with the crew of the Mobius.
Pirates have taken over and occupied a refugee world, and the exile government turns to the only human they can trust—Carl Ramsey. Trying to make a better man of himself, Carl agrees to help in whatever way he can. Since he's a notorious outlaw, his plan involves a little double-dealing. As Carl unravels the tale of how an entrenched pirate band got displaced from their cushy hideout and found a ripe target to bully, he stumbles across a twisted web of deception, intrigue, and political puppeteering behind the scenes.
To get the squabbling factions together, Carl—known by everyone who's met him to be a compulsive gambler and loser at cards—arranges a poker game. They're all coming to the table to rob him blind. Carl's hoping that cheaters can prosper. If he can't pull this one off, millions of alien refugees will remain trapped, and if he gets caught cheating, he's a dead man.
Planet Hustlers is the fifteenth mission of Black Ocean, 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 Ocean is the series for you!
Pick up your copy of Planet Hustlers, and aim to misbehave with the crew of the Mobius.
6 pages, Audible Audio
Published September 11, 2017
About the author
J.S. Morin
193 books621 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 10, 2019
Definitely the best book in the series so far.
This had more of the Firefly feel that I had come to expect.
A great story arc, return of major characters - it definitely was more engaging than any of the previous books.
Really fun reading.
This had more of the Firefly feel that I had come to expect.
A great story arc, return of major characters - it definitely was more engaging than any of the previous books.
Really fun reading.
March 15, 2020
Definitely enjoyable and interesting to see Carl's character arc slowly inching more toward noble, while still remaining a lovable rascal.
July 13, 2018
I'll be in my bunk.
March 31, 2018
Rai Kub gets an emergency call that the Stuunji homeworld has been conquered by pirates. Carl (being the Saviour he is), can’t help but come to the rescue of the poor Stuunji when he realises that the situation is partly of his own making. The Pirates have moved from their previous homeworld as Tanny and her crew kicked them off, as Tanny needed a new base of operations after a fallout with her father and the Rucker Syndicate.
Although there are multiple different things that go on to try and sort the situation out through more ‘Political’ and ‘Social’ means, in the end, Carl comes up with a crazy scheme of a poker game with 3 players, he, a representative of Tanny’s Syndicate, and someone for the Pirate Syndicate. Carl throws in Ithika, not telling anyone that the planet doesn’t really belong to him, and what follows is a card game basically for what is now the Stuunji homeworld, theirs having been lost a while ago.
With a machine that can detect Magic, Tanny using her Wizard to play, and side deals of all sorts going on, not to mention the threats of what might happen if people do actually lose, or even win, this is one poker game that can only be called ‘High Stakes’.
This is another one of those brilliant stories that Morin does so well that remind you of a 1950’s gangster movie, being remade in space, with a clown in charge of the operation. Of course Carl has the added ability to change personalities so fast he can be a dozen different people before you have finished blinking to make sure he has picked the right persona to fit the situation and make himself comfortable, so he is the perfect conman for any situation. And when you have a planet full of a few thousand Stuunji, looking up to you as their only hope, this is the one time that being the perfect conman might be a good thing.
This story is fantastic and is Carl at his absolute best. I think this was an opportunity to really unleash the full potential of his capabilities before we get to the last story, and Morin wanted to have a bit of fun with it.
Great read as always in the Black Ocean.
There are some other great parts in this book (without giving too much away), Esper again gets a bit more character development, but in a different direction which has its moments. But one of the funniest parts of this book is Tanny, and her interaction with Carl, her own Syndicate, and other people, especially as the gambling starts. There parts I had to stop reading I was laughing so hard.
As always, Morin does a brilliant job with his Characters, they continue to develop in this story, and as they grow, we grow with them, we get attached to them, especially Kubu, have to love Kubu!
Although there are multiple different things that go on to try and sort the situation out through more ‘Political’ and ‘Social’ means, in the end, Carl comes up with a crazy scheme of a poker game with 3 players, he, a representative of Tanny’s Syndicate, and someone for the Pirate Syndicate. Carl throws in Ithika, not telling anyone that the planet doesn’t really belong to him, and what follows is a card game basically for what is now the Stuunji homeworld, theirs having been lost a while ago.
With a machine that can detect Magic, Tanny using her Wizard to play, and side deals of all sorts going on, not to mention the threats of what might happen if people do actually lose, or even win, this is one poker game that can only be called ‘High Stakes’.
This is another one of those brilliant stories that Morin does so well that remind you of a 1950’s gangster movie, being remade in space, with a clown in charge of the operation. Of course Carl has the added ability to change personalities so fast he can be a dozen different people before you have finished blinking to make sure he has picked the right persona to fit the situation and make himself comfortable, so he is the perfect conman for any situation. And when you have a planet full of a few thousand Stuunji, looking up to you as their only hope, this is the one time that being the perfect conman might be a good thing.
This story is fantastic and is Carl at his absolute best. I think this was an opportunity to really unleash the full potential of his capabilities before we get to the last story, and Morin wanted to have a bit of fun with it.
Great read as always in the Black Ocean.
There are some other great parts in this book (without giving too much away), Esper again gets a bit more character development, but in a different direction which has its moments. But one of the funniest parts of this book is Tanny, and her interaction with Carl, her own Syndicate, and other people, especially as the gambling starts. There parts I had to stop reading I was laughing so hard.
As always, Morin does a brilliant job with his Characters, they continue to develop in this story, and as they grow, we grow with them, we get attached to them, especially Kubu, have to love Kubu!
December 16, 2017
Planet Hustlers
Another good episode in the Black Ocean Series. Not great but good. Didn't seem to have much action as usual. No dastardly wizardry deeds. Unless you count Mort taking over Carl to play poker. But, you'll have to read the book to find out why. All and all a good story.
Another good episode in the Black Ocean Series. Not great but good. Didn't seem to have much action as usual. No dastardly wizardry deeds. Unless you count Mort taking over Carl to play poker. But, you'll have to read the book to find out why. All and all a good story.
April 29, 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.
September 16, 2020
Carl Ramsey may be a cheat...and a thief...and, yes, a criminal (in some people's eyes!!!) but what he ISN'T is someone who would let down a friend when they need him.
And that's the case in this latest adventure of the crew of the Mobius in the BLACK OCEAN.
Old foes have taken the most precious thing in the universe from those who look upon Carl as their protector and savior and he must figure a way to get it back. And...if you've read ANY of the prior books in the series, you know that Carl doesn't do things in the conventional way.
Soon, the biggest gamble of his and his crew's life is on the table and while the profit potential is through the roof, a mistake could cost everyone he loves...everything.
Jeff Morin's is driving us toward the end of his BLACK OCEAN original series and, as the end draws near the stories become wilder and more wonderful. This was the seminal series that laid the foundation for the other spin-offs (Astral Prime and Mercy For Hire) and Morin continues to build on those as he adds new characters...new worlds...and new conflicts to his already existing universe.
You can fall into the EXPANSE...Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space keeps growing...BUT...Jeff Morin has created a truly wonderful and exciting adventure in the BLACK OCEAN...
And that's the case in this latest adventure of the crew of the Mobius in the BLACK OCEAN.
Old foes have taken the most precious thing in the universe from those who look upon Carl as their protector and savior and he must figure a way to get it back. And...if you've read ANY of the prior books in the series, you know that Carl doesn't do things in the conventional way.
Soon, the biggest gamble of his and his crew's life is on the table and while the profit potential is through the roof, a mistake could cost everyone he loves...everything.
Jeff Morin's is driving us toward the end of his BLACK OCEAN original series and, as the end draws near the stories become wilder and more wonderful. This was the seminal series that laid the foundation for the other spin-offs (Astral Prime and Mercy For Hire) and Morin continues to build on those as he adds new characters...new worlds...and new conflicts to his already existing universe.
You can fall into the EXPANSE...Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space keeps growing...BUT...Jeff Morin has created a truly wonderful and exciting adventure in the BLACK OCEAN...
November 6, 2023
The Stuunji homeworld has been taken over by the pirates of The Poet Fleet. Upon further investigation, it seems that they only moved-in after being kicked out of their former base of operations by Tanny and a portion of the Rucker Syndicate that her father gave to her. Carl and the crew have to figure out a scheme to get the planet back for Rai Kub and his people.
Another fun romp with lots of goings on and some cameos from old characters. I honestly think Tanny is way too harsh on Carl. I get her bitterness and mistrust, but she acts as if he ruined her life. As far as I was aware, the whole "Carl is a drug enabler" was just something Tanny invented to justify her problems and ultimate departure--unless I missed something.
Carl has turned over a new leaf, and while old Carl isn't gone, he seems ready to move on from galivanting around the galaxy, careening from one disaster to the next. I like the arcs that his character has taken, and I also like the arcs that many of the other characters have received as well. The flexible morals when it comes to life and death still elude me a bit, but perhaps that's the point.
In the end, the Stuunji make their own way, for better or worse.
Another fun romp with lots of goings on and some cameos from old characters. I honestly think Tanny is way too harsh on Carl. I get her bitterness and mistrust, but she acts as if he ruined her life. As far as I was aware, the whole "Carl is a drug enabler" was just something Tanny invented to justify her problems and ultimate departure--unless I missed something.
Carl has turned over a new leaf, and while old Carl isn't gone, he seems ready to move on from galivanting around the galaxy, careening from one disaster to the next. I like the arcs that his character has taken, and I also like the arcs that many of the other characters have received as well. The flexible morals when it comes to life and death still elude me a bit, but perhaps that's the point.
In the end, the Stuunji make their own way, for better or worse.
December 19, 2017
One of the better books of the series
Our intrepid crew has a gift for finding trouble and then multiplying that. Sometimes they come out on top, other times they have some excavating to do before the see daylight again. After 15 books there are plenty of loose threads with which to weave a tale and J.S. pulled out all the stops and created a nice new junction that could relaunch the franchise if he so desires. This was an entertaining read that I blazed through. Here's hoping book 16 comes out soon.
Our intrepid crew has a gift for finding trouble and then multiplying that. Sometimes they come out on top, other times they have some excavating to do before the see daylight again. After 15 books there are plenty of loose threads with which to weave a tale and J.S. pulled out all the stops and created a nice new junction that could relaunch the franchise if he so desires. This was an entertaining read that I blazed through. Here's hoping book 16 comes out soon.
March 2, 2019
The fate of a race falls to Captain Carl Ramsay playing a game of Texas Hold 'em with pirates. To ensure victory, Ramsay has to let the spirit of the wizard Mort occupy his body and the internal fighting between them is the most enjoyable aspects of this penultimate Black Ocean story.
About 1/3 of this tale (the game itself)is enjoyable but the build up to the finale takes too long and there's no read climax to the story and it just kind of...ends.
About 1/3 of this tale (the game itself)is enjoyable but the build up to the finale takes too long and there's no read climax to the story and it just kind of...ends.
August 29, 2019
So far my least favorite book in the series. A big part of the story is the playing of a game of poker, and while I definitely enjoy playing poker, and even watching it, I found the description to be just a little jarring.
At least it was nice to finally see some of the loose ends I noticed early on getting wrapped up a bit, rather than just various characters introduced and never touched again.
At least it was nice to finally see some of the loose ends I noticed early on getting wrapped up a bit, rather than just various characters introduced and never touched again.
January 17, 2019
Second to last book (episode) in the series and I'm ready for the end. Crew have come and gone, characters have met and exceeded a reasonable story arc... I'm ready to see this story put to bed. Excelsior!
August 22, 2019
Kind of an ocean's 11 feel to this one, or rather the episode or movie that everything stakes on a poker game. Cause.. That is what it was. Interesting and I'm curious to how insane this may make things as it moves forward, but there only being one book, I'm guessing not too much to occur.
March 31, 2021
Carl is called into to help when pirates take over the Rai Cub's home planet. Stuck in the middle trying to save the planet, from the pirates and his ex wife, Carl organises a poker match, winner takes all. Good story with Carl in top manipulating form.
July 10, 2018
Another good story of the Mobius crew, in which Esper is reunited with an acquaintance, Carl does the right thing his own way and Mort jumps the ship.
July 9, 2018
Good character arcs over the series.
November 1, 2019
read this in the omnibus version (audible)
May 23, 2023
This was the best one yet. Reminded me a lot of James Bond. Seeing the rest of the crew was also great.
July 22, 2023
I want to know where Mort is now! This was a really good one!
January 24, 2024
3.5 stars.
June 7, 2024
What good would the tale of a conman be without a high stakes poker game? This one has some twists and the usual hijinks from the Mobius crew.
June 10, 2025
Creative plot twists in this one.
April 13, 2020
Another good addition to the series. Fast paced as usual. Carl always getting into a jam, then get out of it. In the end, it all works out. Almost done the series now.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews