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Black Ocean: Mercy for Hire #2
Behind Blue Skies: Mission 2
Laying low isn’t supposed to work this way.Esper and Kubu take an outlaw vacation to a remote planet whose tiny colony seems idyllic. It’s far enough for the Convocation wizards dogging them to lose their trail. The plan is stay out of trouble, let the heat die down, and slink back quietly to civilized space.But these two aren’t good at keeping out of trouble.Before long, they’re exposed to the rotten core beneath this purported Utopia. Bitter feuds lurk just below the surface. Feigned friendships mask deadly rivalries. Cliques control what passes for a government on the colony. And when a good man finds himself in the crosshairs of a conspiracy to run him off the planet……well, you’ve probably guessed it by now.Esper steps in and takes a stand.Because what good is vigilante justice if it’s left to amateurs?Behind Blue Skies is the second mission of Black Mercy for Hire. Set in the Black Ocean Universe, it continues the saga of the galaxy's sweetest bounty hunter and her loyal sidekick (who is NOT a dog!) and introduces a colorful cast for new and returning readers alike. Fans of vigilante justice and heroes who exemplify the word will love this series.Rescue your copy today!
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2018
30 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Morin
193 books616 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 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 14, 2023
I preferred the first book in this series but this was still fun and made laugh a number of times and it had a good ending so yea enjoyable
January 15, 2021
Esper...and by extension Kubu who is her ride along...is traveling the BLACK OCEAN trying to find a world that will provide a place to rest and, hopefully, a temporary respite from the Convocation who are determined to bring her in to face their judgement. Symbionia may be that world for her. Sent there by her wizard sponser Keesha Bell - whose brother happens to be a resident - Esper and Kubu soon find their efforts to find that respite turning into a need for her mercenary for hire skills on a world that does NOT want her there.
The second stand alone adventure in Morin's third series of stories in the tales of the BLACK OCEAN. Morin, never one to stand still with his characters as he continues to grow and mature them, gives us a Kubu who, while still considered by Esper as a child, seems to be in many ways, more mature and more thoughtful than his "guardian". And, perhaps more importantly, Kubu makes a self discovery that explains his place in the universe and his role as it relates to Esper.
New skills...more humor...and always more Fun!!!
The second stand alone adventure in Morin's third series of stories in the tales of the BLACK OCEAN. Morin, never one to stand still with his characters as he continues to grow and mature them, gives us a Kubu who, while still considered by Esper as a child, seems to be in many ways, more mature and more thoughtful than his "guardian". And, perhaps more importantly, Kubu makes a self discovery that explains his place in the universe and his role as it relates to Esper.
New skills...more humor...and always more Fun!!!
February 16, 2019
It's a fun enough story of our do-gooder bounty hunters. The pettiness and bullying of the locals to anyone 'not them' on their insular slice of paradise annoys, but mostly because it's such a perceptive mirror of real-life, and you just want to stand with Esper and smack some sense into them.
That said, I find Esper's penchant to judge everyone on her own ideas of how others should live and act a bit limiting, though definitely realistic and true to character. Her desire to help, whether asked for or not, despite not knowing the rules or customs--and therefore bringing more trouble that she then has to clean up--is consistent with her 'leap before you look' persona, though I do hope she starts to think through some consequences more in her continuing adventures.
Kubu continues to grow and evolve very nicely, subtly--or not so subtly--pointing out Esper's weaknesses or ingrained beliefs while exploring and establishing his own morals and understanding of the world. I like that he finally got his wish, even if it didn't turn out quite as he'd hoped.
The potential for these two characters to grow and learn from each other (rather than unthinkingly impose their own ideas on the other, as Esper is slowly growing out of) definitely exists and I hope Morin continues to explore the possibilities.
That said, I find Esper's penchant to judge everyone on her own ideas of how others should live and act a bit limiting, though definitely realistic and true to character. Her desire to help, whether asked for or not, despite not knowing the rules or customs--and therefore bringing more trouble that she then has to clean up--is consistent with her 'leap before you look' persona, though I do hope she starts to think through some consequences more in her continuing adventures.
Kubu continues to grow and evolve very nicely, subtly--or not so subtly--pointing out Esper's weaknesses or ingrained beliefs while exploring and establishing his own morals and understanding of the world. I like that he finally got his wish, even if it didn't turn out quite as he'd hoped.
The potential for these two characters to grow and learn from each other (rather than unthinkingly impose their own ideas on the other, as Esper is slowly growing out of) definitely exists and I hope Morin continues to explore the possibilities.
October 9, 2018
You don't know what it's like
Behind Blue Skies the second release in JS Morin's Mercy For Hire series, set in the Black Ocean universe, continues the adventures of the wizard Esper and her not dog sidekick Kubu as they attempt to hide from the Convocation on a tiny colony surrounded by fresh air and farmland. Of course this can't be peace and quiet (honestly, does anyone want to read a book where the heroes rest, relax and enjoy themselves like, oh say, normal people? Of course not - we want adventure), and they quickly find themselves helping out another underdog, and once more missing the entire point of being a bounty hunter - which is getting paid!).
Being in the middle of the series, this is not a good jumping on point, as you are expected to know the main characters already. That is not a flaw in the book, and being a sequel to a sequel, Morin is able to avoid not only introducing the heroes, but also having to tie this in to his other books. So, where Esper ends up seeking in the previous book (which helps to tie this into the overall series and universe), now she and Kubu stand alone.
This reminds me of some of the first episodes of the Star Trek sequels - Next Generation had a cameo by DeForest Kelley as McCoy in the first episode and Voyager started out stopping by Deep Space Nine. But now it is time to stretch it's wings and stand alone.
Once again Morin spins a cinematic story that feels more like a good tv show than a book. I'm not sure exactly how he does it, but reading this feels more like watching the story unfold on a screen before me, the characters, background and action are so vividly described. Even to the point of breaking the plot down into acts where, even though it is not separated into chapters, it feels like natural points where the commercials would interrupt the story. Even to the point of having a scene before the opening credits as it were. (As a teenager watching reruns of the original Star Trek after school every day, I made it a game to be able to identify the title of every episode solely by the scene before the title.)
It even follow some standard tropes, . Even the inevitable climax felt familiar in a good way - nicely set up that while unexpected, did not leave me feeling cheated because so many clues led up to it (making it fairly obvious in hind sight).
Once again I have to say that Kubu is my favorite character, by far. While his motivations in general are simpler (he is, after all, still growing and not yet an adult), he does have some deeper emotions and complexities that his appearances would show. Even though he can eat almost everything, he is learning more and more that he shouldn't eat everything (Don't eat pets. Pets are not food. But sometimes food is a pet?)
A light story, which did manage to have some relevance to current real world headlines (it kind of amazed me how it could touch some current events, when I know it had to have been written at least weeks, if not months, before these headlines came appeared), but no heavy message, I found it a very enjoyable read. Not quite in the category of "can't put it down", it still left me eager for the next next episode / mission / sequel. Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel
Behind Blue Skies the second release in JS Morin's Mercy For Hire series, set in the Black Ocean universe, continues the adventures of the wizard Esper and her not dog sidekick Kubu as they attempt to hide from the Convocation on a tiny colony surrounded by fresh air and farmland. Of course this can't be peace and quiet (honestly, does anyone want to read a book where the heroes rest, relax and enjoy themselves like, oh say, normal people? Of course not - we want adventure), and they quickly find themselves helping out another underdog, and once more missing the entire point of being a bounty hunter - which is getting paid!).
Being in the middle of the series, this is not a good jumping on point, as you are expected to know the main characters already. That is not a flaw in the book, and being a sequel to a sequel, Morin is able to avoid not only introducing the heroes, but also having to tie this in to his other books. So, where Esper ends up seeking in the previous book (which helps to tie this into the overall series and universe), now she and Kubu stand alone.
This reminds me of some of the first episodes of the Star Trek sequels - Next Generation had a cameo by DeForest Kelley as McCoy in the first episode and Voyager started out stopping by Deep Space Nine. But now it is time to stretch it's wings and stand alone.
Once again Morin spins a cinematic story that feels more like a good tv show than a book. I'm not sure exactly how he does it, but reading this feels more like watching the story unfold on a screen before me, the characters, background and action are so vividly described. Even to the point of breaking the plot down into acts where, even though it is not separated into chapters, it feels like natural points where the commercials would interrupt the story. Even to the point of having a scene before the opening credits as it were. (As a teenager watching reruns of the original Star Trek after school every day, I made it a game to be able to identify the title of every episode solely by the scene before the title.)
It even follow some standard tropes, . Even the inevitable climax felt familiar in a good way - nicely set up that while unexpected, did not leave me feeling cheated because so many clues led up to it (making it fairly obvious in hind sight).
Once again I have to say that Kubu is my favorite character, by far. While his motivations in general are simpler (he is, after all, still growing and not yet an adult), he does have some deeper emotions and complexities that his appearances would show. Even though he can eat almost everything, he is learning more and more that he shouldn't eat everything (Don't eat pets. Pets are not food. But sometimes food is a pet?)
A light story, which did manage to have some relevance to current real world headlines (it kind of amazed me how it could touch some current events, when I know it had to have been written at least weeks, if not months, before these headlines came appeared), but no heavy message, I found it a very enjoyable read. Not quite in the category of "can't put it down", it still left me eager for the next next episode / mission / sequel. Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel
July 29, 2019
I am working my way through J S Morin’s “Mercy for Hire” spin-off from the Black Ocean series of magic-tinged space opera. This is the second book which takes Esper (the mage with a conscience) and Kubu (the talking, ever-hungry, not-quite-dog) to somewhere very different from the noir-infused cityscapes of the first one.
This episode we get to see how Esper’s cynicism interacts with wholesome pastoral community where doors are never locked, everyone is “brother” or “sister” and the legal system consists of getting together after breakfast to talk things over. This is small-town living on a planetary scale. Such closed communities can be untrusting of outsiders, though, as Esper finds when she tries to help out good-natured chef Benny.
Still obviously set in the Black Ocean universe, with lots of fun interaction between magic and technology, the pacing of this story reminded me of the kind of episodic TV show, popular in the 1980s, where the title characters would drift in, rub up against some bullies, help out some locals and move on. The Incredible Hulk, The A Team, Knight Rider and many more. Those shows became very formulaic, but Morin manages to add enough twists of his own to keep this story fresh.
While both the leading characters are interesting, I’m growing particularly fond of Kubu. While still young and somewhat naive, he is developing and becoming more complex and delightful. I especially like the way that he is not just a sidekick, or a cardboard cut-out for the protagonist to explain things to, but has his own opinions and priorities.
This episode we get to see how Esper’s cynicism interacts with wholesome pastoral community where doors are never locked, everyone is “brother” or “sister” and the legal system consists of getting together after breakfast to talk things over. This is small-town living on a planetary scale. Such closed communities can be untrusting of outsiders, though, as Esper finds when she tries to help out good-natured chef Benny.
Still obviously set in the Black Ocean universe, with lots of fun interaction between magic and technology, the pacing of this story reminded me of the kind of episodic TV show, popular in the 1980s, where the title characters would drift in, rub up against some bullies, help out some locals and move on. The Incredible Hulk, The A Team, Knight Rider and many more. Those shows became very formulaic, but Morin manages to add enough twists of his own to keep this story fresh.
While both the leading characters are interesting, I’m growing particularly fond of Kubu. While still young and somewhat naive, he is developing and becoming more complex and delightful. I especially like the way that he is not just a sidekick, or a cardboard cut-out for the protagonist to explain things to, but has his own opinions and priorities.
October 12, 2019
As I've been wandering through these stories during my daily commute, a few things have been standing out quite strongly. At this point I've read (well, listened to) all of the Galaxy Outlaws series, the first 4 Astral Prime stories, and I'm going through this mission pack. They all have decent themes, but the one that really sticks out to me here is...
I HATE Esper.
The morality thing grates a bit on me, the way she's always convinced she has the right path, but that's a normal enough do-gooder trope. No, it's the way she interacts with Kubu that really pushes me over. There's this blindspot she has for all the danger she puts him in, but then constantly babies him when she can actually see the risks there. It all adds up to a character that makes as many problems for herself as Carl ever did, except he had the decency to know it was his fault.
Outside of that, the setting for this particular story seemed oddly out of a horror story. Small, quiet neighborhood with strict "acceptance" requirements, plus a dark wizard just out of town. It lived up to that in some degrees, but at every turn I was expecting to find out about the ritual murders, or something in the vein.
In any case, this was the first story in the black Ocean Series that I put down for a while since the earliest in the Galaxy Outlaws. I suspect that had more to do with Esper than anything else, but it at least caught me again and I finished after not too much of a delay.
I HATE Esper.
The morality thing grates a bit on me, the way she's always convinced she has the right path, but that's a normal enough do-gooder trope. No, it's the way she interacts with Kubu that really pushes me over. There's this blindspot she has for all the danger she puts him in, but then constantly babies him when she can actually see the risks there. It all adds up to a character that makes as many problems for herself as Carl ever did, except he had the decency to know it was his fault.
Outside of that, the setting for this particular story seemed oddly out of a horror story. Small, quiet neighborhood with strict "acceptance" requirements, plus a dark wizard just out of town. It lived up to that in some degrees, but at every turn I was expecting to find out about the ritual murders, or something in the vein.
In any case, this was the first story in the black Ocean Series that I put down for a while since the earliest in the Galaxy Outlaws. I suspect that had more to do with Esper than anything else, but it at least caught me again and I finished after not too much of a delay.
October 18, 2018
“what good is vigilante justice if it’s left to amateurs?”
I love Esper, “the galaxy's sweetest bounty hunter” and Kubu “her loyal sidekick (who is NOT a dog!)”. They take an already fantastic story universe, Black Ocean (trust me you need to run and get the three multi-story Black Ocean “Mission Packs” with the predecessor series if you’ve missed them) and somehow takes this mighty wonderfulness up a notch. Now in the second book of this new series, J.S. Morin’s Behind Blue Skies: Mission 2 (Black Ocean: Mercy for Hire), Esper and Kabu are back. Read the publisher’s blurb on what’s going on here. It’s good and doesn’t give anything away. What it misses is not blowing the horn loudly enough about just how crazy wonderful this book is - as in total absolute riot. Great (well-written) plot, superb story universe and fabulous characters. Can. Not. Be. Beat. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
I love Esper, “the galaxy's sweetest bounty hunter” and Kubu “her loyal sidekick (who is NOT a dog!)”. They take an already fantastic story universe, Black Ocean (trust me you need to run and get the three multi-story Black Ocean “Mission Packs” with the predecessor series if you’ve missed them) and somehow takes this mighty wonderfulness up a notch. Now in the second book of this new series, J.S. Morin’s Behind Blue Skies: Mission 2 (Black Ocean: Mercy for Hire), Esper and Kabu are back. Read the publisher’s blurb on what’s going on here. It’s good and doesn’t give anything away. What it misses is not blowing the horn loudly enough about just how crazy wonderful this book is - as in total absolute riot. Great (well-written) plot, superb story universe and fabulous characters. Can. Not. Be. Beat. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
November 24, 2020
The book was okay up until the point her starship got stolen. She is hanging out on a hillbilly planet, has the ability to use magic that has no limits, and she still ends up negotiating with a couple of thugs that stole her ship. Then she ends up taking off on foot back to town instead of using the ship. This scene made so little sense that I immediately lost interest. Then she wonders if she is going to ever see her ship again. How about turning their legs into stone so they will have to sit there an wait for her? or how about turning the entire shack into a metal cage? in first book she was transforming objects left to right, why not this time?
I think this book served a very good example of how the reader's interest can die as a result of lack of boundaries.
A good way to avoid situation like that is to add some price to magic use. For example, it costs mana and she has only this much left or the council being able to detect magic use and it will alert them, or any other way of explaining why magic can not solve all problems for everyone forever.
I think this book served a very good example of how the reader's interest can die as a result of lack of boundaries.
A good way to avoid situation like that is to add some price to magic use. For example, it costs mana and she has only this much left or the council being able to detect magic use and it will alert them, or any other way of explaining why magic can not solve all problems for everyone forever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2018
Esper and Kubu, everyone’s favorite mercenaries with hearts of gold, are on the run. Ducking the Convocation and others that would persecute them, they make landfall on the idyllic planet Symbionia. However the planet hides a dark secret. The residents live under a vicious caste system, where those born on the planet have all of the advantage, and off-worlders are second-class citizens. When Esper befriends an off-worlder who is just trying to fit in, she finds herself dragged deep into a society that frustrates and confuses her. She needs find a way out for her and her friends before it all comes back to crush them. This is another enjoyable read in the Black Ocean universe. While the story starts out a bit slow, and some of the twists may seem a bit telegraphed, J. S. Morin still creates a world and characters that are fun to visit, and leave you interested for the next installment.
April 8, 2019
As the story continues. Another day another hopeless soul that needs Esper's help… without knowing it. I really like Esper's attitude when it comes to those that she sees as in need. I like how, in a way, it does not really matter to her if you think you don't need the help, she is going to step forward and do her best to help. Granted, sometimes, that may seem to cause a bigger mess… I like how the story rolls out and how the mystery is slowly revealed and the layers peel back to give you this … mostly full picture of all the new characters involved. It would be impossible to flesh out that many characters in such a short time.
It takes talent to create characters in the space that it is done here. Most really are rounded out fairly quickly and I can often jump right in and feel the way they do. Another great sci fi short. Also… Kubu was awesome in this one as well. He is really growing up and I'm enjoying seeing the ideals that have begun to slosh out onto him from Esper.
It takes talent to create characters in the space that it is done here. Most really are rounded out fairly quickly and I can often jump right in and feel the way they do. Another great sci fi short. Also… Kubu was awesome in this one as well. He is really growing up and I'm enjoying seeing the ideals that have begun to slosh out onto him from Esper.
February 3, 2024
Esper and Kubu, on the run from the Convocation, find themselves trying to lay low on a planet on the edge of Argo space recommended to them by Keisha Bell. This planet is not very welcoming to off-worlders, but they manage to find a friendly family to stay with. However, the city they find themselves in has a weird, cultish vibe to it. Her gracious host, an immigrant to this planet, desperately wants to fit in but finds himself being bullied and harassed constantly. He chalks it up to the way things are on this planet, but Esper won't have any of it. Naturally, she decides to try and help him, and things get more complicated from there.
This was a fun story. It was interesting trying to see how bizarre the people in this city would turn out to be and if there was some sinister underlying explanation for it. I'm not sure if it really ended entirely to my satisfaction (no real explanation is given other than that these people are crazy), but I guess it could have been worse.
This was a fun story. It was interesting trying to see how bizarre the people in this city would turn out to be and if there was some sinister underlying explanation for it. I'm not sure if it really ended entirely to my satisfaction (no real explanation is given other than that these people are crazy), but I guess it could have been worse.
October 9, 2018
A little slow out of the gate for my taste. And, I wasn't enthralled with the new characters. But once things started rolling my interest picked up a bit.
Esper and Kubu get entrenched in another worlds justice system. As "offworlders" they are looked down upon. But, they are determined to help the family that took them in.
A little action, a little magic, and a BIG surprise ending clinches it.
All and all, this was a fast-paced read, but not as fun, in my opinion, as the first book. Had it been any longer I fear it would not have held my interest as I found the characters (with the exception of Esper and Kubu) and the landscape bland.
I'm disappointed that I can only give this book 3 stars. J. S. Morin deserves better. I hope this was just my taste and not a problem with the book overall. I look forward to future episodes where maybe the world building is a little better.
Esper and Kubu get entrenched in another worlds justice system. As "offworlders" they are looked down upon. But, they are determined to help the family that took them in.
A little action, a little magic, and a BIG surprise ending clinches it.
All and all, this was a fast-paced read, but not as fun, in my opinion, as the first book. Had it been any longer I fear it would not have held my interest as I found the characters (with the exception of Esper and Kubu) and the landscape bland.
I'm disappointed that I can only give this book 3 stars. J. S. Morin deserves better. I hope this was just my taste and not a problem with the book overall. I look forward to future episodes where maybe the world building is a little better.
December 5, 2018
In the second of the Black Ocean: Mercy for Hire series, Esper and her sidekick Kubu (who is not a dog, just incognito as one), arrive on a remote planet to lie low for a while until they can return to civilized space. Of course they can’t manage to stay away from trouble. There are no hotels in the area, so when the kind farmer and his family who take them in encounter some trouble, Esper can’t resist trying to help them. Of course good intentions don’t always turn out as expected, and Esper and Kubu must work hard to figure out a way to fix the mess their new friends are in before they can leave for more friendly environs. I really love the soft-hearted, well-meaning Esper and Kubu, the lovable youngster still learning his way with Esper’s help. They make a great team and I look forward to reading more of their adventures.
September 21, 2019
Solid continuation of Morin's Mercy for Hire series. I'm not the biggest fan of stories where things just go from bad to worse without any letup....call me idealistic, but it misses a "rhythm" of success and failure. This book felt like that, things just going from bad to worse for the victim, with Esper bumbling along trying to help. There were some fun and funny moments, and I enjoyed the story in the end...but it's not the best book of the Mercy for Hire series. It's not bad...it's just that Morin has written some awesome stories in this universe and this just wasn't quite as good as those.
July 20, 2020
This is the second book in the Mercy for Hire series and I'm really digging them! The lead character, Esper, and her buddy Kubu have found themselves on a backwater planet hiding from those chasing after her. In the classic Esper-way she's found herself someone to help and in the meantime get herself and those around her in trouble. I love her character thus far in the series and Morin is really seeming to flesh her out as the series continues. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series!
February 11, 2020
**** SPOILER ALERT ****
Morin delivers a fun, lighthearted treat with "Behind Blue Skies: Black Ocean: Mercy For Hire Mission 2". The author continues great world building and character development, especially Kubu.
I reccomend this entertaining page turner .
Morin answers the eternal question: What happens if someone brings a cat to a dogfight.
In the interest of transparency: I was given a review copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing this review.
It is my own honest opinion.
Morin delivers a fun, lighthearted treat with "Behind Blue Skies: Black Ocean: Mercy For Hire Mission 2". The author continues great world building and character development, especially Kubu.
I reccomend this entertaining page turner .
Morin answers the eternal question: What happens if someone brings a cat to a dogfight.
In the interest of transparency: I was given a review copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing this review.
It is my own honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2018
Another fantastic installment. I enjoyed the story, and I love how much Kubu in particular is developing as a character. I also loved the story telling on this one... I legitimately had no idea how it was going to end, well or otherwise, and then there were even MORE twists. I can't wait for the next one.
August 13, 2024
Esper was the most annoying character on the Mobius…this book was insufferable. The overall story would be 5 Stars, but the unnecessary annoying Esper-isms make this book nearly impossible to get through.
May 25, 2025
Fun adventure with lots of surprises. The characters are emerging as the star of this story. I was also pleased to see that the author didn't take the series on a darker path than the first book (which was on the line for me).
November 26, 2018
Slow and very little wizardry or scifi; mostly everyday drama between two groups of people in the guise of science fiction, though the ending had some interesting changes
May 25, 2019
Esper goes Jack Reacher
Jack Reacher often ends up in a small hick town setting their moral compass to his.own.
Esper does the same, and everyone grows up a bit.
Nicely done.
Jack Reacher often ends up in a small hick town setting their moral compass to his.own.
Esper does the same, and everyone grows up a bit.
Nicely done.
August 16, 2019
Esper and kubu help some people out. Classic esper and kubu.
March 26, 2023
This weird back-water planet has all sorts of creepiness going for it. The injustices pile up and it's difficult not to yell at the characters at times. Some tense moments there too.
February 9, 2024
3.5 stars
April 18, 2024
Each book in this series is episodic, like a comedy crime drama. Guilty pleasure.
February 11, 2019
Good stuff. I like how Kubo's character is evolving.
Really ready to see Esper go all Mordecai the Brown.
Great narration.
Really ready to see Esper go all Mordecai the Brown.
Great narration.
January 10, 2019
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is my second Black Ocean adventure and I was curious how similar it would be to the first. I had a lot of fun reading the first one and probably wouldn't have minded too much.
However, it was a completely different adventure! It still had the feel that I enjoyed so much the first time around, and the same characters, but a totally different story!
Our heros are still traveling the galaxy, one step ahead and helping everyone they meet, no matter what!
I think one thing that I appreciated is that, well he does dip into some mature themes in the last 3rd, he does it carefully.
When a character is accusing of an unsavory sexual action, you are made aware of the accusation, and the effects, but it is never gratuitous.
As someone who is significantly more on the conservative side as to what they will read, I very much appreciate that.
I don't read things that have sexual violence in them, but don't mind mature themes, so I was very impressed with the way he handled it. It contributed to the story, not took away.
I look forward to reading the next one!
1 Star - Hated It
2 Stars - Didn't Enjoy It
3 Stars - It Was Okay
4 Stars - Really Enjoyed It
5 Stars - Loved It
This is my second Black Ocean adventure and I was curious how similar it would be to the first. I had a lot of fun reading the first one and probably wouldn't have minded too much.
However, it was a completely different adventure! It still had the feel that I enjoyed so much the first time around, and the same characters, but a totally different story!
Our heros are still traveling the galaxy, one step ahead and helping everyone they meet, no matter what!
I think one thing that I appreciated is that, well he does dip into some mature themes in the last 3rd, he does it carefully.
When a character is accusing of an unsavory sexual action, you are made aware of the accusation, and the effects, but it is never gratuitous.
As someone who is significantly more on the conservative side as to what they will read, I very much appreciate that.
I don't read things that have sexual violence in them, but don't mind mature themes, so I was very impressed with the way he handled it. It contributed to the story, not took away.
I look forward to reading the next one!
1 Star - Hated It
2 Stars - Didn't Enjoy It
3 Stars - It Was Okay
4 Stars - Really Enjoyed It
5 Stars - Loved It
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