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Black Ocean #16
Eternity or Bust
One mission short of retirement. What could possibly go wrong?
Carl's looking forward to a quiet life with his soon-to-be wife and the child they're expecting. But when Amy makes a simple request, there's a catch. She wants their wedding on Earth so her mother can be there. For a law-abiding citizen, that would be a pricey but straightforward request. For a band of outlaws, flying into the galaxy's headquarters for law and order would be suicidal... without a plan.
As usual, Carl refuses to take impossible as an option. But somewhere amid the complicated web of deception, betrayal, and lies, a key part of the plan doesn't go as expected. As Carl's house of cards collapses, there's only one thing they can do: rescue who they can, while they can. Because after that, it'll be time to disappear.
Who will survive this final mission of the Mobius crew's story? Is a happy ending even possible in the Black Ocean?
Eternity or Bust is the sixteenth 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 Eternity or Bust, and aim to misbehave with the crew of the Mobius.
Carl's looking forward to a quiet life with his soon-to-be wife and the child they're expecting. But when Amy makes a simple request, there's a catch. She wants their wedding on Earth so her mother can be there. For a law-abiding citizen, that would be a pricey but straightforward request. For a band of outlaws, flying into the galaxy's headquarters for law and order would be suicidal... without a plan.
As usual, Carl refuses to take impossible as an option. But somewhere amid the complicated web of deception, betrayal, and lies, a key part of the plan doesn't go as expected. As Carl's house of cards collapses, there's only one thing they can do: rescue who they can, while they can. Because after that, it'll be time to disappear.
Who will survive this final mission of the Mobius crew's story? Is a happy ending even possible in the Black Ocean?
Eternity or Bust is the sixteenth 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 Eternity or Bust, and aim to misbehave with the crew of the Mobius.
6 pages, Audible Audio
Published January 8, 2018
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 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 15, 2018
Great end to the series. Looking forward to being back in the Black Ocean in the future.
January 17, 2019
Ok, so here we go... I'll take the time to review the whole series, which adds up to some 80 hours of listening or roughly 2000+ pages of sci-fi adventure. At the very end, the author's note confesses to what almost every reader probably had suspected. The books were inspired by Firefly... and were probably heavily influence by that, Guardians of the Galaxy and ... Robin Hood? The goal was to create a story about outlaws with a heart of gold.
The results? Rather than resort to the science fictiony mumbo-jumbo that authors use to add faster-than-light (FTL) travel into their narratives, Morin decided just to use wizards. Replacing hyperspace, subspace, etc., Morin went with astral space. I suppose this is only a few notches of absurdity past Herbert's Guild Masters warping space by munching down loads of spice, though I confess not a lot more absurd than any other imagined method of surpassing Einstein's cosmic speed limit.
The characters within the story are very different and a few of them are well written. You won't be looking at the cover and googling to find out who J.S. Morin really is... the writing isn't that good, but it is very competent. I believe the characters. I believe how they would relate to one another... and this is a good thing, because having used up all of my "suspension of belief" to allow for wizards in space, I had none left to spare for bad dialogue.
Does the story inspire? Hmm. Perhaps it might inspire a would be starship captain, but really... umm... no. Each character really does try to improve themselves, but I'm not sure that the improvement was ever significant enough to make you put down the book to consider life, the universe and everything. One character gets off drugs. Another quits (temporarily) drinking. Yet another acquires a younger body, but no fundamental personality changes take place.
Perhaps the story of the schoolteacher/nun turned wizard is the most compelling. It's the story arc with the greatest change, but it's not incredibly relatable to real life. Fuck religion, try magic! Is that the moral of her story (and the series)? It seems so, but while we're all able to dabble in unlimited numbers of religions... there isn't much out there in the way of magic... well not the kind that gets you across the galaxy in a few days.
So, there we are. Competent writing, solid storytelling, believable characters, but never enough of an underlying theme to make us stop and think about anything outside the story. It remains as it began, a three-star guilty pleasure which I thoroughly enjoyed reading, though I'm no better for the reading.
The results? Rather than resort to the science fictiony mumbo-jumbo that authors use to add faster-than-light (FTL) travel into their narratives, Morin decided just to use wizards. Replacing hyperspace, subspace, etc., Morin went with astral space. I suppose this is only a few notches of absurdity past Herbert's Guild Masters warping space by munching down loads of spice, though I confess not a lot more absurd than any other imagined method of surpassing Einstein's cosmic speed limit.
The characters within the story are very different and a few of them are well written. You won't be looking at the cover and googling to find out who J.S. Morin really is... the writing isn't that good, but it is very competent. I believe the characters. I believe how they would relate to one another... and this is a good thing, because having used up all of my "suspension of belief" to allow for wizards in space, I had none left to spare for bad dialogue.
Does the story inspire? Hmm. Perhaps it might inspire a would be starship captain, but really... umm... no. Each character really does try to improve themselves, but I'm not sure that the improvement was ever significant enough to make you put down the book to consider life, the universe and everything. One character gets off drugs. Another quits (temporarily) drinking. Yet another acquires a younger body, but no fundamental personality changes take place.
Perhaps the story of the schoolteacher/nun turned wizard is the most compelling. It's the story arc with the greatest change, but it's not incredibly relatable to real life. Fuck religion, try magic! Is that the moral of her story (and the series)? It seems so, but while we're all able to dabble in unlimited numbers of religions... there isn't much out there in the way of magic... well not the kind that gets you across the galaxy in a few days.
So, there we are. Competent writing, solid storytelling, believable characters, but never enough of an underlying theme to make us stop and think about anything outside the story. It remains as it began, a three-star guilty pleasure which I thoroughly enjoyed reading, though I'm no better for the reading.
August 18, 2019
It's over. It's finally over.
So 16 books. Short episodes for the many adventures of the Mobius crew.
For a series heavily inspired by Firefly, this has been nothing short of a joy ride.
So how's it hold up? The storylines have been great, the characters have been solid, the writing has been enjoyable, the narration is absolutely fantastic. The only downside? Each book is just short enough from being 'great'.
If you ever have the chance, definitely give this series a try - it won't disappoint.
So 16 books. Short episodes for the many adventures of the Mobius crew.
For a series heavily inspired by Firefly, this has been nothing short of a joy ride.
So how's it hold up? The storylines have been great, the characters have been solid, the writing has been enjoyable, the narration is absolutely fantastic. The only downside? Each book is just short enough from being 'great'.
If you ever have the chance, definitely give this series a try - it won't disappoint.
September 24, 2020
Being an outlaw in the Black Ocean has its ups and downs. Ups...freedom to travel wherever and whenever you want...responsible to no one but yourself and your crew...and just the crazy adrenaline rush of a new job, a new mission, a new world. The downs...never knowing where your next credit is coming from...not having any where to really call home...never being able to settle without looking over your shoulder.
Carl Ramsey had lived that life ever since leaving the motherly embrace of the Earth Navy. He had gathered friends...who became family...around him. Some came and stayed...some found their way on to other paths. But, the time had come for Ramsey to find some stability...a new wife...a child on the way...responsibilities to friends and family that simply could not be set aside for the adventure and fun of traveling Astral.
And now...he must make one of the biggest trade-offs of his life and it will change everything.
Soooo...this is it!!! The final chapter - for now - in the journey through the BLACK OCEAN of the Mobius and crew. Afterwards things will never be the same...and that's ok.
Jeff Morin continues to put his heart and soul into his creations and this, Book 16 in the original story line of the Black Ocean is no exception. While some of these adventures may be galaxy spanning chases...running from one threat towards another...this was simply a love letter to his fans. It's time to give his characters...HIS family, so to speak...their rest.
The author stated that the original roots of these stories were grown from those of the lone gone FIREFLY...coupled with a little Guardians of the Galaxy...and others of that type, but he has decidedly made these stories his own
And while these adventures may have sunset...the sun always rises somewhere as Morin moves on to other stories and other journeys in ASTRAL PRIME and MERCY FOR HIRE throwing many of his children from this final ending, out into the BLACK OCEAN to find their own ways.
More to come...
Carl Ramsey had lived that life ever since leaving the motherly embrace of the Earth Navy. He had gathered friends...who became family...around him. Some came and stayed...some found their way on to other paths. But, the time had come for Ramsey to find some stability...a new wife...a child on the way...responsibilities to friends and family that simply could not be set aside for the adventure and fun of traveling Astral.
And now...he must make one of the biggest trade-offs of his life and it will change everything.
Soooo...this is it!!! The final chapter - for now - in the journey through the BLACK OCEAN of the Mobius and crew. Afterwards things will never be the same...and that's ok.
Jeff Morin continues to put his heart and soul into his creations and this, Book 16 in the original story line of the Black Ocean is no exception. While some of these adventures may be galaxy spanning chases...running from one threat towards another...this was simply a love letter to his fans. It's time to give his characters...HIS family, so to speak...their rest.
The author stated that the original roots of these stories were grown from those of the lone gone FIREFLY...coupled with a little Guardians of the Galaxy...and others of that type, but he has decidedly made these stories his own
And while these adventures may have sunset...the sun always rises somewhere as Morin moves on to other stories and other journeys in ASTRAL PRIME and MERCY FOR HIRE throwing many of his children from this final ending, out into the BLACK OCEAN to find their own ways.
More to come...
July 9, 2018
Interesting wrap up. The comment about being inspired by Firefly makes a lot sense. Being a geezer myself, I was reminded of the A-Team, though.
March 31, 2018
I think when J.S. Morin wrote this, he had in mind that it was going to be the finale of the series. This story really tries to cover all of the different ‘main’ characters that we have encountered in our travels recently and give then an end story as such. With such an amazing and epic series as Black Ocean, this is something that is incredibly difficult to do in a manner that really wraps up the series, leaving the readers satisfied, but also leaves it open in case the writer wants to come and play with the series again in the future, or do a spin-off series.
In the case of Black Ocean – Morin (as you would expect from someone of his skill), does it perfectly.
I really don’t want to go into the story too much, I don’t want to give away spoilers as this is one of those superbly written endings to a series that you just don’t want to miss out on.
As the synopsis says, Carl and Amy are expecting, and Amy wants to have a wedding before the baby comes, as she puts it, a traditional ‘Shotgun’ wedding, but she wants to wear white. The only catch, she wants the wedding to be on Earth so her Mum, who is terribly ill, can be there. Of course for a crew that is wanted in all sorts of ways, with an illegal A.I. and a Wizard that on the Convocation’s hit list, this is like their most dangerous plan ever.
Of course, Carl being Carl, he has the most ‘Carl’ plan ever to pull it off.
The resultant outcomes are worth reading this particular book all on its own, even if you haven’t read any of the others, of course, you won't have a clue what is happening with half of it, but the story that unfolds is just so good it is worth it. It makes the Oceans 11 Movie series look like bad child’s play in comparison, there are so many moving parts, twists and turns, there is more action in this one story than in many other series combined.
And everybody gets a cameo – this is the who’s who of Black Ocean. If they ever turn this into a TV series, they will have to make sure to film this episode piece by piece with each of the actors, to make sure that they get them all from the start of the series to the end.
This is easily one of the best in the series, giving us the closure we needed after such an exceptional set of books, and allowing us to walk away satisfied with the lives and outcomes of each of the Major and Minor Characters of the series. What is better is that Morin has done it so well that he has allowed for the odd little peek back into the Black Ocean universe if so desired, and he has already hinted at a spin-off series.
This has been compared to Serenity/Firefly, The Orville, Guardians of the Galaxy, and they are all exceptional comparisons, with the Humour, the great Sci-Fi, the Tech, but Black Ocean has a unique quality there is something special about the Magical Element, Mort and Esper, that make this a stand-out (Even though I am a massive fan of Firefly & Guardians and Orville is growing on me). If you love those others, make sure you get a copy of this, either the books, or the audiobooks (which are brilliant) you won’t be disappointed!
In the case of Black Ocean – Morin (as you would expect from someone of his skill), does it perfectly.
I really don’t want to go into the story too much, I don’t want to give away spoilers as this is one of those superbly written endings to a series that you just don’t want to miss out on.
As the synopsis says, Carl and Amy are expecting, and Amy wants to have a wedding before the baby comes, as she puts it, a traditional ‘Shotgun’ wedding, but she wants to wear white. The only catch, she wants the wedding to be on Earth so her Mum, who is terribly ill, can be there. Of course for a crew that is wanted in all sorts of ways, with an illegal A.I. and a Wizard that on the Convocation’s hit list, this is like their most dangerous plan ever.
Of course, Carl being Carl, he has the most ‘Carl’ plan ever to pull it off.
The resultant outcomes are worth reading this particular book all on its own, even if you haven’t read any of the others, of course, you won't have a clue what is happening with half of it, but the story that unfolds is just so good it is worth it. It makes the Oceans 11 Movie series look like bad child’s play in comparison, there are so many moving parts, twists and turns, there is more action in this one story than in many other series combined.
And everybody gets a cameo – this is the who’s who of Black Ocean. If they ever turn this into a TV series, they will have to make sure to film this episode piece by piece with each of the actors, to make sure that they get them all from the start of the series to the end.
This is easily one of the best in the series, giving us the closure we needed after such an exceptional set of books, and allowing us to walk away satisfied with the lives and outcomes of each of the Major and Minor Characters of the series. What is better is that Morin has done it so well that he has allowed for the odd little peek back into the Black Ocean universe if so desired, and he has already hinted at a spin-off series.
This has been compared to Serenity/Firefly, The Orville, Guardians of the Galaxy, and they are all exceptional comparisons, with the Humour, the great Sci-Fi, the Tech, but Black Ocean has a unique quality there is something special about the Magical Element, Mort and Esper, that make this a stand-out (Even though I am a massive fan of Firefly & Guardians and Orville is growing on me). If you love those others, make sure you get a copy of this, either the books, or the audiobooks (which are brilliant) you won’t be disappointed!
August 2, 2023
Book Review: the final review of the whole series. Galaxy Outlaws Black Ocean - An Unprecedented Epic Space Opera
In the vast cosmos of science fiction literature, few works manage to captivate readers with the sheer magnitude of imagination and intricacy quite like J.S. Morin's masterful creation, the Galaxy Outlaws Black Ocean series. A sweeping space opera that spans multiple books, this extraordinary saga takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the cosmos, showcasing an amalgamation of highs and lows that vastly outweigh the latter.
From the very first page, Morin's literary prowess transports us into an awe-inspiring universe brimming with boundless possibilities. With each turn of the page, we are enchanted by the soaring triumphs and heartbreaking failures that befall a colorful ensemble of characters, who effortlessly sway between the realms of success and defeat. Their journeys are as enthralling as they are relatable, delving into the complexities of the human condition and the resilience of the spirit.
The Galaxy Outlaws Black Ocean series, in all its grandeur, presents an unparalleled tapestry of multiple interwoven narratives that seamlessly converge into a mesmerizing whole. Morin expertly maneuvers his vast cast of characters, deftly balancing their individual arcs to create a cohesive and immersive storytelling experience. Whether it be the triumphant rise of the underdogs or the poignant farewells to those no longer with us, each moment is carefully crafted to elicit an emotional response that lingers long after the final page.
To label this series a space opera would be an understatement; it is an intricate symphony of emotions, exploring the depths of the human spirit through the unexplored reaches of the universe. Morin's vibrant prose paints vivid landscapes, allowing readers to traverse star systems and plunge headlong into exhilarating conflicts, all while resonating with the timeless themes of camaraderie, sacrifice, and the pursuit of purpose.
What truly sets Galaxy Outlaws Black Ocean apart from its contemporaries is Morin's ability to seamlessly blend heart-stopping action with philosophical introspection. His impeccable world-building transports us into intricately detailed realms, teeming with rich lore and imaginative wonders. Each installment unveils new layers to this immersive universe, and as readers, we are left in awe of the author's ability to consistently surprise and delight us.
While it is true that every narrative journey may encounter occasional dips, the Galaxy Outlaws Black Ocean series more than compensates for any minor shortcomings through its remarkable breadth and depth. Its highs soar to the stars, leaving an indelible imprint on our minds, while its lows, though fewer in number, serve as a poignant reminder of the fragile nature of existence.
In conclusion, J.S. Morin's Galaxy Outlaws Black Ocean series transcends the boundaries of traditional space opera and emerges as a breathtaking testament to the possibilities and power of the genre. With eloquent prose, mesmerizing world-building, and a cast of characters that will forever hold a place in readers' hearts, this remarkable series is an unparalleled achievement. Prepare to embark on a cosmic odyssey like no other, where triumph and tragedy converge in an unforgettable symphony that will resonate with readers for generations to come.
In the vast cosmos of science fiction literature, few works manage to captivate readers with the sheer magnitude of imagination and intricacy quite like J.S. Morin's masterful creation, the Galaxy Outlaws Black Ocean series. A sweeping space opera that spans multiple books, this extraordinary saga takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the cosmos, showcasing an amalgamation of highs and lows that vastly outweigh the latter.
From the very first page, Morin's literary prowess transports us into an awe-inspiring universe brimming with boundless possibilities. With each turn of the page, we are enchanted by the soaring triumphs and heartbreaking failures that befall a colorful ensemble of characters, who effortlessly sway between the realms of success and defeat. Their journeys are as enthralling as they are relatable, delving into the complexities of the human condition and the resilience of the spirit.
The Galaxy Outlaws Black Ocean series, in all its grandeur, presents an unparalleled tapestry of multiple interwoven narratives that seamlessly converge into a mesmerizing whole. Morin expertly maneuvers his vast cast of characters, deftly balancing their individual arcs to create a cohesive and immersive storytelling experience. Whether it be the triumphant rise of the underdogs or the poignant farewells to those no longer with us, each moment is carefully crafted to elicit an emotional response that lingers long after the final page.
To label this series a space opera would be an understatement; it is an intricate symphony of emotions, exploring the depths of the human spirit through the unexplored reaches of the universe. Morin's vibrant prose paints vivid landscapes, allowing readers to traverse star systems and plunge headlong into exhilarating conflicts, all while resonating with the timeless themes of camaraderie, sacrifice, and the pursuit of purpose.
What truly sets Galaxy Outlaws Black Ocean apart from its contemporaries is Morin's ability to seamlessly blend heart-stopping action with philosophical introspection. His impeccable world-building transports us into intricately detailed realms, teeming with rich lore and imaginative wonders. Each installment unveils new layers to this immersive universe, and as readers, we are left in awe of the author's ability to consistently surprise and delight us.
While it is true that every narrative journey may encounter occasional dips, the Galaxy Outlaws Black Ocean series more than compensates for any minor shortcomings through its remarkable breadth and depth. Its highs soar to the stars, leaving an indelible imprint on our minds, while its lows, though fewer in number, serve as a poignant reminder of the fragile nature of existence.
In conclusion, J.S. Morin's Galaxy Outlaws Black Ocean series transcends the boundaries of traditional space opera and emerges as a breathtaking testament to the possibilities and power of the genre. With eloquent prose, mesmerizing world-building, and a cast of characters that will forever hold a place in readers' hearts, this remarkable series is an unparalleled achievement. Prepare to embark on a cosmic odyssey like no other, where triumph and tragedy converge in an unforgettable symphony that will resonate with readers for generations to come.
September 4, 2019
This ended up being a pretty fitting wrap up for the series. There's a few things that still rub me the wrong way - we really don't learn any more about the moon people, and just teased about some of the deeper mechanics of astral travel? - but overall it brings the story for the crew to a point where I'm relatively happy leaving them to live out their days in peace.
Using this as my overall review for the series: I've spent the past 3 months listening to the series in audiobook form on my daily commute (plus some side travel here and there). It's long and windy, but I feel like the final resting place we got to in Eternity or Bust is something I would have seen as quite reasonable given where we started all the way back in Salvage Trouble. I actually had to stop and go look up to see what else has been done with the series since this came out, and I'm quite pleased I should have plenty more to listen to, since JS Morin is apparently trying to put out 12+ "missions" per year.
On that topic, I like the novella approach to releasing lots of missions on a regular basis even more than I thought I would. I've long thought that it's a fun way to explore a fleshed out world in a way that's quite enjoyable. The version I had envisioned was slightly less linear, more just a collection of heists being pulled by the crew, where the Galaxy Outlaws series (thinking back) each of the missions seems to impart a particular change upon the crew that would be missing if you skipped one. I still love the idea, though. The fact that JS Morin is currently working on 2 other Black Ocean series and releasing regular missions for both of them is great, and something I definitely plan on keeping up with as they release.
One thing that left me fairly dissatisfied: I felt like a few characters did not get the kind of a send-off I would have liked. Looking into it more, at least part of that is because they're going to play parts in future series, but Tanny in particular I didn't like how she was treated after they arrived on Ithaca. I certainly don't know this for sure, but the feeling I get (having read a couple of Morin's blog posts) is that she and Mriy were not particularly well liked characters, and because of that got shunted off and effectively killed. While that's a reasonable decision, ending Tanny's plotline with "800-odd people just got killed to keep you out of jail. Whoopsy-daisy" felt like a huge shift from where she had been early on in the story.
That does illustrate a point that I started thinking about quite a lot reading these, however. With at least hundreds of billions of sentient species roaming the galaxy, individual lives become much less important, and it makes for an interested theme to explore.
Using this as my overall review for the series: I've spent the past 3 months listening to the series in audiobook form on my daily commute (plus some side travel here and there). It's long and windy, but I feel like the final resting place we got to in Eternity or Bust is something I would have seen as quite reasonable given where we started all the way back in Salvage Trouble. I actually had to stop and go look up to see what else has been done with the series since this came out, and I'm quite pleased I should have plenty more to listen to, since JS Morin is apparently trying to put out 12+ "missions" per year.
On that topic, I like the novella approach to releasing lots of missions on a regular basis even more than I thought I would. I've long thought that it's a fun way to explore a fleshed out world in a way that's quite enjoyable. The version I had envisioned was slightly less linear, more just a collection of heists being pulled by the crew, where the Galaxy Outlaws series (thinking back) each of the missions seems to impart a particular change upon the crew that would be missing if you skipped one. I still love the idea, though. The fact that JS Morin is currently working on 2 other Black Ocean series and releasing regular missions for both of them is great, and something I definitely plan on keeping up with as they release.
One thing that left me fairly dissatisfied: I felt like a few characters did not get the kind of a send-off I would have liked. Looking into it more, at least part of that is because they're going to play parts in future series, but Tanny in particular I didn't like how she was treated after they arrived on Ithaca. I certainly don't know this for sure, but the feeling I get (having read a couple of Morin's blog posts) is that she and Mriy were not particularly well liked characters, and because of that got shunted off and effectively killed. While that's a reasonable decision, ending Tanny's plotline with "800-odd people just got killed to keep you out of jail. Whoopsy-daisy" felt like a huge shift from where she had been early on in the story.
That does illustrate a point that I started thinking about quite a lot reading these, however. With at least hundreds of billions of sentient species roaming the galaxy, individual lives become much less important, and it makes for an interested theme to explore.
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.
July 4, 2019
I'm rating and reviewing the series as a whole in one place, rather than at the end of each book. The books (16, plus a few .5 novellas) were short (150-300pages) and entertaining. I actually feel guilty about how they boosted my numbers toward my reading challenge, but I've been told (because I genuinely fretted over this issue, and polled some friends) that I need to get a grip, and stop over thinking. But that's just me being obsessive about my obsession, so whatevs...
So, back to the books. Imagine if the A-Team were only moderately successful, much more dysfunctional, in space; that's what this is. Each book was about a different job, all of which go terribly wrong, and end in near disaster, but in the most exciting and amusing ways. But, what can you expect from a crew consisting of a drug addict, an alcoholic, a debauched former priestess, an exiled wizard, and a couple of sentient animals, lead by a pathological liar?
These were fun and fast, and unpredictably predictable. I loved all of these flawed characters. Two opposable thumbs up from me.
So, back to the books. Imagine if the A-Team were only moderately successful, much more dysfunctional, in space; that's what this is. Each book was about a different job, all of which go terribly wrong, and end in near disaster, but in the most exciting and amusing ways. But, what can you expect from a crew consisting of a drug addict, an alcoholic, a debauched former priestess, an exiled wizard, and a couple of sentient animals, lead by a pathological liar?
These were fun and fast, and unpredictably predictable. I loved all of these flawed characters. Two opposable thumbs up from me.
December 16, 2017
Eternity or Bust
A great episode in the Black Ocean. For once it seems all works out for Carl. A family man, now, he has to take a little breather from the dangerous con-man life. What he does wasn't a surprise. Not really. I think everyone would be pleasantly surprised. There were a few shockers in this episode so be on the lookout. Sad to say but this episode sounded final. I hope one day Mr Morin decides to pick it up again. These are fun stories. I've enjoyed each and every one of them. All 16!
A great episode in the Black Ocean. For once it seems all works out for Carl. A family man, now, he has to take a little breather from the dangerous con-man life. What he does wasn't a surprise. Not really. I think everyone would be pleasantly surprised. There were a few shockers in this episode so be on the lookout. Sad to say but this episode sounded final. I hope one day Mr Morin decides to pick it up again. These are fun stories. I've enjoyed each and every one of them. All 16!
March 2, 2019
The final Black Ocean story is basically a reunion of past characters all centered around Ramsay's fourth wedding to his pilot. There's a plot whereby the crew needs to try to finagle permission to cone to Earth and get to Las Vegas for the wedding. Ramsay's less than upstanding parents play a major role.
Ultimately, these stories were moderately enjoyable but never really engrossing. The world was a bit underdeveloped and somewhat arbitrary in execution. The best parts were the characters who were uniquely drawn for the most part.
Ultimately, these stories were moderately enjoyable but never really engrossing. The world was a bit underdeveloped and somewhat arbitrary in execution. The best parts were the characters who were uniquely drawn for the most part.
April 18, 2021
Definitely a bust! Well, this book anyways. The entire deal of the marriage(s) and children and everything to ruin the piracy which made this series, well, the marriage and related stuff just ruined the potential for the book. If not so far along in the series I would have dropped it entirely. Anyways, the 2nd half of it didn't shove that shit in your face and seemingly tried not to. Regardless, it was a bust as far as an ending to the series. Well, there's "mission" 16.5 and that helps save things. Will say in that "review".
November 3, 2017
Took awhile for the characters to develop, but by book 3 I really started enjoying this series. Definitely helps fill the void left by Firefly. :-) I'll be checking out his other books for sure. Fun, easy read.
February 11, 2018
A fun ending to the adventures of the Mobius crew. We get a wedding, revenge plan that doesn't go as planned and a hasty rescue mission. I only hope I will get to learn what happened to a few characters who left before the end!
April 2, 2021
The final installment and Carl looks to make an honest woman of Amy, but she has a condition, it must be on earth. This proves problematic, but Carl will do what needs to be done. Nice wrap up to the series.
June 28, 2018
Great read
I've read all the books in this series and love them all. Great read it your a sci fi, action junkie
I've read all the books in this series and love them all. Great read it your a sci fi, action junkie
April 25, 2019
Finally finished the series, and it ended on a positive.
September 26, 2019
I guess a decent 'ending' the series. Ties up some loose ends and sets up all the new pathways that take on the other series that have spurned since this point.
November 1, 2019
read this in the omnibus version (audible)
March 18, 2020
A great ending to the entire series - it sticks the landing.
May 26, 2023
This is a bit lighter than the rest, but a good send off to the team. Was a fun ride, worth a read. So long, for now.
January 24, 2024
2.75 stars. The series as a whole is a like but I hated the continuity issuses.
June 10, 2024
And so ends the initial series of the Black Ocean, with a nod and a wave, we move on to greener past...er....blacker voids? This was a casual, but tidy end to the series.
June 10, 2025
It was a nice ending to the series. Not epic, but fun. Clearly, the author set up the chance for more adventures in this world, so it's not a closure of the grand story, more of an end to this arc.
May 23, 2026
A nice escapade to get a wedding and wrap up for all characters arcs.
July 19, 2018
Well, as much as I hate to I guess it's time to wrap this one up.
It was a very fitting end to the adventures of the Mobius' crew.
Great narration throughout.
It was a very fitting end to the adventures of the Mobius' crew.
Great narration throughout.
November 9, 2023
What a fun ride! This book concludes the Black Ocean series, and it serves as an excellent end to a set of stories that might have been uneven at times, but are a lot of fun with interesting and endearing characters. Sure, there might be some weird moral compasses, but I have ultimately decided that this was deliberate and a part of the somewhat backwards world the characters inhabit.
The universe of Black Ocean is a comfortably familiar one. Not in a safe, numb way, but because the galaxy is littered with Earth-like planets that have conveniently corresponding geographic areas that can be referred to like "this planet's version of Antarctica," and because the aliens we meet are all humanoid versions of animals we are familiar with (some are described as cat-like, otter-like, or dog-like). This isn't a series that is profound or thought-provoking in the tradition of some classic sci-fi, but it was formed in the wake of some great sci-fi adventures that came before it.
This series is often compared with the television series Firefly, and at first glance the resemblance is uncanny: a group of outcasts live on a ship where they run jobs at the outskirts of the law in order to scrape by, and all under the watchful eye of a central government/military that reigns over a majority of the inner systems. There are even some individual character traits and plot points that are seemingly lifted directly from Firefly. However, Black Ocean does a good job in differentiating itself from the show in the long run.
This final story saw Carl getting married...again. This time for good, though. The only catch is that his bride-to-be wants to get married on Earth--as in the most secure and highly policed world in the galaxy, Earth. Not really a welcome place for renegade outlaws to visit. So the scheme this time is to have a successful wedding. We can really see where Carl and some other characters have grown and matured over the course of the series. There is also some closure provided to us about Carl's parents, Tanny, and Mort. Even though I rated most of the books in the series three stars individually, I think the overall enjoyment has been at the four star level. A really good series that is lighthearted enough to not be taken too seriously, but grounded enough to grow on you (which might take a while, but I found it was worth it). Recommended.
The universe of Black Ocean is a comfortably familiar one. Not in a safe, numb way, but because the galaxy is littered with Earth-like planets that have conveniently corresponding geographic areas that can be referred to like "this planet's version of Antarctica," and because the aliens we meet are all humanoid versions of animals we are familiar with (some are described as cat-like, otter-like, or dog-like). This isn't a series that is profound or thought-provoking in the tradition of some classic sci-fi, but it was formed in the wake of some great sci-fi adventures that came before it.
This series is often compared with the television series Firefly, and at first glance the resemblance is uncanny: a group of outcasts live on a ship where they run jobs at the outskirts of the law in order to scrape by, and all under the watchful eye of a central government/military that reigns over a majority of the inner systems. There are even some individual character traits and plot points that are seemingly lifted directly from Firefly. However, Black Ocean does a good job in differentiating itself from the show in the long run.
This final story saw Carl getting married...again. This time for good, though. The only catch is that his bride-to-be wants to get married on Earth--as in the most secure and highly policed world in the galaxy, Earth. Not really a welcome place for renegade outlaws to visit. So the scheme this time is to have a successful wedding. We can really see where Carl and some other characters have grown and matured over the course of the series. There is also some closure provided to us about Carl's parents, Tanny, and Mort. Even though I rated most of the books in the series three stars individually, I think the overall enjoyment has been at the four star level. A really good series that is lighthearted enough to not be taken too seriously, but grounded enough to grow on you (which might take a while, but I found it was worth it). Recommended.
February 20, 2021
What a good ending to this wonderful series. Some things changed, while some stayed the same. The ending was a happily ever after type of an ending. I really enjoyed this series
March 3, 2019
Good on-going conclusion to the set.
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