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StarWings #1
Pandora’s Crew
New York Times bestselling authors Paula Goodlett and Gorg Huff are happy to bring you a new book in a new series, in a whole new universe. You will be familiar with Gorg and Paula from their books in Eric Flint's 1632 Ring of Fire series, The Kremlin Games, The Viennese Waltz, The Volga Rules and The Alexander Inheritance. And now they welcome you to the StarWings Universe.
The Pamplona sector—long cut off from Old Earth by war, politics, and the vagaries of jump—is slowly, too slowly to notice, slipping into a space-going dark age. Technology and science are being suppressed. The powers that be intend to remain in charge and are too busy sticking their knives in each other’s backs to notice that the short term advantage of demonizing aliens, artificial brains, and genetic engineering are far outweighed by the long term stagnation their paranoia and propaganda is fostering.
The artificial brain ship Pandora, her captain, Danny Gold, Checkgok, a Parthian neuter female, John, Jenny, the professors and the odds and sods they pick up as crew don’t know it either. At least not at first. They are just trying to get by. But the evidence mounts, and they are forced to make some hard decisions.
The Pamplona sector—long cut off from Old Earth by war, politics, and the vagaries of jump—is slowly, too slowly to notice, slipping into a space-going dark age. Technology and science are being suppressed. The powers that be intend to remain in charge and are too busy sticking their knives in each other’s backs to notice that the short term advantage of demonizing aliens, artificial brains, and genetic engineering are far outweighed by the long term stagnation their paranoia and propaganda is fostering.
The artificial brain ship Pandora, her captain, Danny Gold, Checkgok, a Parthian neuter female, John, Jenny, the professors and the odds and sods they pick up as crew don’t know it either. At least not at first. They are just trying to get by. But the evidence mounts, and they are forced to make some hard decisions.
- GenresScience Fiction
569 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2018
22 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 8, 2020
In Pandora's crew we're introduced to Danny Gold, a genetically engineered superman, designed to interface with computers and rule human beings. But he refused his destiny and ended up running an AI-enhanced tramp starship.
Flat broke and out of crew members, he randomly orders a drink, which turns out to be an alien aphrodisiac. The alien swears fealty to him (kind of) and he's got his first crew member.
So it begins. Danny continues to pick up crew through the rest of the book, as he bounces between warring merchant empires, trading to pay off his debts. Along the way, he finds his destiny.
This is a classic space opera, complete with aliens and politics, space battles and pirates. Gorg Huff and Paul Goodlett also show plenty of ironic humor throughout the book.
Recommended.
Flat broke and out of crew members, he randomly orders a drink, which turns out to be an alien aphrodisiac. The alien swears fealty to him (kind of) and he's got his first crew member.
So it begins. Danny continues to pick up crew through the rest of the book, as he bounces between warring merchant empires, trading to pay off his debts. Along the way, he finds his destiny.
This is a classic space opera, complete with aliens and politics, space battles and pirates. Gorg Huff and Paul Goodlett also show plenty of ironic humor throughout the book.
Recommended.
September 21, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. Space adventure that was not mindless. We follow an extraordinary character who is just trying to keep his space freight space ship operating.
The universe the authors have created is unlike most space opera / SF I have read. They created a set of rules that are different and make sense. (It would defy a quick review explanation.) Politics and the grand flow of history play a part in this series, and so far, it works well.
If you are a fan of mindless, shoot em up space action, this might not be for you. Yes, there is some space combat, but it is not the focus of the book.
I am looking forward to more in this series. Keep it up.
The universe the authors have created is unlike most space opera / SF I have read. They created a set of rules that are different and make sense. (It would defy a quick review explanation.) Politics and the grand flow of history play a part in this series, and so far, it works well.
If you are a fan of mindless, shoot em up space action, this might not be for you. Yes, there is some space combat, but it is not the focus of the book.
I am looking forward to more in this series. Keep it up.
June 12, 2018
Slow to develop
There is a lot of groundwork to lay down before the plot starts to firm up. The first third of the book is establishing characters and systems. Then it starts to really move.
I look forward to the next novel.
A few proofreading matters - names are changed or misspelled a time or two.
The book could use a content editing pass - tighten up some of the explanations that are really data dumps.
I will buy the next one.
There is a lot of groundwork to lay down before the plot starts to firm up. The first third of the book is establishing characters and systems. Then it starts to really move.
I look forward to the next novel.
A few proofreading matters - names are changed or misspelled a time or two.
The book could use a content editing pass - tighten up some of the explanations that are really data dumps.
I will buy the next one.
November 7, 2022
Great sci fi adventure
But the universe is darker than I expected with an associated high body count, violence, and greed. There are glimmers of hope; the Parthians are well-written, imaginative, very non-human beings and an absolute joy to read about. I was glad the author re-released this book because I wouldn't have found it otherwise. I hope there will be more adventures for Pandora's crew.
But the universe is darker than I expected with an associated high body count, violence, and greed. There are glimmers of hope; the Parthians are well-written, imaginative, very non-human beings and an absolute joy to read about. I was glad the author re-released this book because I wouldn't have found it otherwise. I hope there will be more adventures for Pandora's crew.
July 24, 2018
Annoyingly incomplete
Each book in a series needs to have a starting point and an ending point. It's a decent read, but the ending is too abrupt. There is so much happening in the book that I could not feel connected to the characters. Will I purchase the next one in the series? Maybe.
Each book in a series needs to have a starting point and an ending point. It's a decent read, but the ending is too abrupt. There is so much happening in the book that I could not feel connected to the characters. Will I purchase the next one in the series? Maybe.
January 7, 2023
Refreshing new setting
The team of Goodlett and Huff created an all new sci-fi setting with interesting characters and situations. We meet the end product of carefully planned genetic engineering, development of artificial intelligence and cultural development as interstellar civilization ebbs and flows.
The team of Goodlett and Huff created an all new sci-fi setting with interesting characters and situations. We meet the end product of carefully planned genetic engineering, development of artificial intelligence and cultural development as interstellar civilization ebbs and flows.
December 3, 2023
Space Wolves Beware!
Who Let the Bugs Out! Is a Sticky Question!
Oh, Danny Boy, Oh, Danny Boy!
Got to give him Points and Cheers for Indelibility!
And for continuing to Milk the Situational Comedy of Errors that Ensues!
Join our Danny Boy and his building crew as he tries to live up to his Name Line and Goes for the Gold!
He The It Them and all aboard the AI, Aye Eye!
Who Let the Bugs Out! Is a Sticky Question!
Oh, Danny Boy, Oh, Danny Boy!
Got to give him Points and Cheers for Indelibility!
And for continuing to Milk the Situational Comedy of Errors that Ensues!
Join our Danny Boy and his building crew as he tries to live up to his Name Line and Goes for the Gold!
He The It Them and all aboard the AI, Aye Eye!
October 15, 2018
Excellent science fiction
When a genetic superman and a merchant bug wind up in a compromised position it is both a scandal and a hope for survival and freedom from two corrupt govermental systems
Well written, complex plot and characterizations.
When a genetic superman and a merchant bug wind up in a compromised position it is both a scandal and a hope for survival and freedom from two corrupt govermental systems
Well written, complex plot and characterizations.
May 7, 2023
Space opera on a Grand scale !
Gad how I love hard-core Sci-Fi ! Supermen and women, Ships who sing, jump gate's, hive of Bugs disintegrating Galactic civilization to be rescued. Wow!
Gad how I love hard-core Sci-Fi ! Supermen and women, Ships who sing, jump gate's, hive of Bugs disintegrating Galactic civilization to be rescued. Wow!
June 25, 2018
Did not finish.
July 9, 2018
Overall, I liked the story. I'm not sure about the antagonists - big, greedy corporations have been done to death. But the characters were interesting, and I hope to see more of them.
August 4, 2018
Fantastic
Beautiful take on interstellar travel. Wonderful setting in a collapsing multi system civilization. Can't wait for the sequel. Please write it fast.
Beautiful take on interstellar travel. Wonderful setting in a collapsing multi system civilization. Can't wait for the sequel. Please write it fast.
November 27, 2018
Experts in the 1632 universe, Huff and Goodlett are building a nice space opera with plenty of entertaining characters and conflicts. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
February 6, 2019
Good for a couple of hours on the treadmill
Nice and long....
Kept me interested enough that I walked further than I had expected!!
Good characters and lots of action.
Nice and long....
Kept me interested enough that I walked further than I had expected!!
Good characters and lots of action.
April 20, 2019
Was a better idea than execution, will read second though, might improve.
December 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this book!
If you like Honor Harrington or other space opera with brains and strategy and skill, you'll like this book too.
If you like Honor Harrington or other space opera with brains and strategy and skill, you'll like this book too.
October 21, 2023
Very well thought out
You have world building and then you have this. A very well thought out story.... I enjoyed it. Will there be more?
You have world building and then you have this. A very well thought out story.... I enjoyed it. Will there be more?
July 21, 2025
Good complex space opera with nice aliens, AI, advancements in human/technology interfaces, and sexual themes. Borrowed with Kindle Unlimited.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews