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Diving Universe #8
The Renegat
As a young recruit, brilliant engineer Nadim Crowe accidentally destroys an entire Scrapheap full of ships. Now, decades later, he ends up on the crew of the Renegat, the only ship in the Fleet ever sent on a mission backward to investigate an ancient Scrapheap.
Something invaded that Scrapheap, and the Fleet wants to know what. Or who.
The Renegat: The only ship the Fleet dares risk. The Renegat: A ship of misfits and screw-ups sent on an impossible mission. All alone in deep space.
A thrilling new addition to the Diving Universe.
Something invaded that Scrapheap, and the Fleet wants to know what. Or who.
The Renegat: The only ship the Fleet dares risk. The Renegat: A ship of misfits and screw-ups sent on an impossible mission. All alone in deep space.
A thrilling new addition to the Diving Universe.
1025 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2019
54 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
1,365 books721 followersKristine Kathryn Rusch is an award-winning mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy writer. She has written many novels under various names, including Kristine Grayson for romance, and Kris Nelscott for mystery. Her novels have made the bestseller lists –even in London– and have been published in 14 countries and 13 different languages.
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 14, 2020
This was a whole lotta book - over 700pp! It takes great skill to interweave two time-frames and 3 locations, as well as multiple character perspectives. This is not a fast story, a lot happens, slowly, in detail. There are likable characters and hate-able ones too. There is intrigue and mis-direction, and a soft-landing for the resolution.
This is not a high-energy adventure like most of the other Diving books. It is thoughtful and careful. At times it was a bit too lethargic, but everything was presented for a reason. Plus, the after-effects of the Fleet as it moves across the galaxy are thoroughly explored, which reinforces the other Diving books, which have glossed over this underlying aspect of that universe.
If you have enjoyed the other Diving books, I think you will like this one. But you can't start here.
This is not a high-energy adventure like most of the other Diving books. It is thoughtful and careful. At times it was a bit too lethargic, but everything was presented for a reason. Plus, the after-effects of the Fleet as it moves across the galaxy are thoroughly explored, which reinforces the other Diving books, which have glossed over this underlying aspect of that universe.
If you have enjoyed the other Diving books, I think you will like this one. But you can't start here.
October 20, 2022
This book was too long, in a way that was repetitive and felt unnecessary. Too many times a point was made and repeated a few lines later. And then again. And then emphasized. OK! I got it!
But then in the next chapter we saw the same event from a different point of view, and then repeated.
Again.
With one line paragraphs.
For emphasis.
In case you didn't get the point.
Other than that, an entertaining space adventure, with mutiny and flawed but competent in one area characters.
Soem of the technology didn't make much sense to me. Anacapa drives should be installed so they can be jettisoned with a button! Gravity on the spaceships... I understand it in budget-constrained TV shows, but here?
I read this long novel because a sequel to it appeared in Asimov's and I wanted to read about the original events that spawn the trial.
But then in the next chapter we saw the same event from a different point of view, and then repeated.
Again.
With one line paragraphs.
For emphasis.
In case you didn't get the point.
Other than that, an entertaining space adventure, with mutiny and flawed but competent in one area characters.
Soem of the technology didn't make much sense to me. Anacapa drives should be installed so they can be jettisoned with a button! Gravity on the spaceships... I understand it in budget-constrained TV shows, but here?
I read this long novel because a sequel to it appeared in Asimov's and I wanted to read about the original events that spawn the trial.
August 29, 2023
Rusch is one of my favorite authors and I have been looking forward to her latest installment in the Diving Universe series. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in this novel. It's a long book and there was just too much detail. It suffered from having too many perspectives on the events that make up the plot. About 3/4 of the way through I just wanted it to be over.
By telling the story in alternating timeframes (beginning and end of the mission) we seem to know how it comes out - but not really. The middle of the story is left open for two more novels and there is a lack of certainty of the final outcome, so that's a start for another novel. Maybe that's good planning for future book sales, but i felt a little cheated.
By telling the story in alternating timeframes (beginning and end of the mission) we seem to know how it comes out - but not really. The middle of the story is left open for two more novels and there is a lack of certainty of the final outcome, so that's a start for another novel. Maybe that's good planning for future book sales, but i felt a little cheated.
May 7, 2020
A really long diving book. I enjoyed the past/present telling of the story.
Good narration.
Good narration.
July 5, 2019
If you're a scifi fan, and you haven't read any of the books in the diving universe series, you are missing out on some fantastic storytelling. You can read this book without reading anything else in the series, though if you have, it will be a lot more meaningful. I can't tell you how much I loved this title, other than to give it a 5 star rating. For me, a 5 star rating means that I'd read the book again, and I almost never do that, because I begrudge the time it takes to read a book a second time, because that's time I could be spending reading a book I haven't already read, but in this case, I strongly believe this one is definitely worth a second (or even) a third reading. Amazing story, and there's no doubt of that.
I was disappointed with how the previous book ended, but now, not so much. I can see all kinds of possibilities with how this one ended, and how the last one did too, I suspect we are in for some fantastic new stories in this universe, and I for one, don't plan to miss a single one of them.
I was disappointed with how the previous book ended, but now, not so much. I can see all kinds of possibilities with how this one ended, and how the last one did too, I suspect we are in for some fantastic new stories in this universe, and I for one, don't plan to miss a single one of them.
January 21, 2021
A bit too long, and short on the types of competent but flawed characters i've come to expect from this series - although that's really sort of the point.
I've learned that I don't have a lot of appetite for reading about people who suck at their jobs and are deeply flawed trying to do their jobs - it doesn't work as well as the extremely competent individual reducing entropy through influence trope.
also i put this one off for a long time since it's 700+ pages. that's too many pages. could have made this about 3 books that each hit a bit tighter.
still though, KKR is sollid enough i'll be back.
I've learned that I don't have a lot of appetite for reading about people who suck at their jobs and are deeply flawed trying to do their jobs - it doesn't work as well as the extremely competent individual reducing entropy through influence trope.
also i put this one off for a long time since it's 700+ pages. that's too many pages. could have made this about 3 books that each hit a bit tighter.
still though, KKR is sollid enough i'll be back.
August 26, 2021
I ended up really enjoying the book. I agree with other reviewers that the flipping the narrative timeline constantly was irritating but I ended up liking the book even with that irritant. I wonder if the Fleet members who I am really enjoying this series and the way they tie into each other, I'm planning on reading the whole series in order.
April 30, 2020
10/10: There is no comparison...This is the Mona Lisa of the fictional world!
Optimism and hope built the Fleet. Experience pilots it. Adventure keeps it moving, ever forward.?
I did not expect this Diving Universe book to pull me in the way it did. It grabbed me and would not let go. I simply adored it.
“Welcome to hell, First Officer Crowe,” he said. “Been here a long time already, Captain Preemas. Nice to be acknowledged.”
Crowe was our new protagonist, and Preemas the villain/incompetent/antagonist. Both made the story for me and had me turning the pages as quickly as I could.
He didn’t have time for tiny dumb today. He needed to deal with Big Deal Dumb.
This was a long book. I mean loooong. But it didn't feel long. Every page was enthralling, every paragraph worthwhile, every interaction/dialogue/engagement addictive. I loved the length when sometimes too-long books become boring. This did not.
No, they weren’t playing passive-aggressive games with each other. Not at all.
No Boss or Coop, but it didn't matter. I can kinda-sorta see the timelines meshing and have faith the author will bring it all together in the end. Please let there be more (including a move toward an end!).
Loved this one. Well worth the read.
Optimism and hope built the Fleet. Experience pilots it. Adventure keeps it moving, ever forward.?
I did not expect this Diving Universe book to pull me in the way it did. It grabbed me and would not let go. I simply adored it.
“Welcome to hell, First Officer Crowe,” he said. “Been here a long time already, Captain Preemas. Nice to be acknowledged.”
Crowe was our new protagonist, and Preemas the villain/incompetent/antagonist. Both made the story for me and had me turning the pages as quickly as I could.
He didn’t have time for tiny dumb today. He needed to deal with Big Deal Dumb.
This was a long book. I mean loooong. But it didn't feel long. Every page was enthralling, every paragraph worthwhile, every interaction/dialogue/engagement addictive. I loved the length when sometimes too-long books become boring. This did not.
No, they weren’t playing passive-aggressive games with each other. Not at all.
No Boss or Coop, but it didn't matter. I can kinda-sorta see the timelines meshing and have faith the author will bring it all together in the end. Please let there be more (including a move toward an end!).
Loved this one. Well worth the read.
March 16, 2022
The next part in the diving series doesn’t (unfortunately) continue the story which was started in the previous book in the series. This book gives a glimpse into the workings of the Fleet (a space culture which constantly is moving to the new regions of space and abandons its old bases and ships while moving in the new regions of space, vaguely resembling Star Trek’s Federation in idealism). A far away “scrap heap” (a collection of discarded ships) has sent information that someone might be stealing ships from there. What should the Fleet do? The scrap heap in question is so old that there is hardly any information about it. (That is a hole in the plot – the Fleet apparently doesn’t really value history as it always looks forward, but there is no reason why old information should have been destroyed.) The Fleet should do something, but a mission to so distant a place has some very high risks. But why risk valuable personnel? So a crew of misfits and original personalities is drafted; in that way the Fleet doesn’t lose much if the ship, the Renegat, doesn’t return. But it does return a hundred years later and in very poor condition with apparently only the most incompetent crew members manning it. What has happened?
The story is told from several viewpoints which happen at different points in time. The most important are the mission to the scrap heap and the rescue operation of the badly damaged ship that arrives 100 years later. Another is the “origin story” of the main character in the story, who as a new trainee managed to be involved with the destruction of a whole scrap heap with possibly hundreds of ships. He is serving as the first officer under a peculiar captain, who at first seems like someone who was a victim of circumstances. Later it turns out that he most likely managed to create those circumstances himself, and he turns out to be an extremely shortsighted and selfish man. The journey of the Renegat is filled with problems, and after they arrive at their destinations, the real problems start – all mostly due to an incompetent captain and only barely capable crew. And the “anacampa” drives, which enable the very fast FTL travel and are fairly poorly understood by anyone, aren’t always trustworthy and may be very dangerous, even in unforeseen ways.
The book was entertaining and light reading with mostly interesting characters, but the “bad guys” were a bit stereotypical with too delusional motivations to be taken really seriously. Also, the book was a bit too long for content – some of the long conversations between the characters could have been cut or at least shortened. The anacampa drives are a fascinating mystery. I had already thought they might be some sort of biological (transdimensional?) creature, and it certainly is starting to look like that after what we learn in this book.
There was at least one irritating error – the crew was worried that solar systems might have changed too much to be recognized after a few hundred or thousand years, so the Fleet had left them. Well, that kind of time is totally insignificant considering the lifetime of planetary and stellar systems.
The story is told from several viewpoints which happen at different points in time. The most important are the mission to the scrap heap and the rescue operation of the badly damaged ship that arrives 100 years later. Another is the “origin story” of the main character in the story, who as a new trainee managed to be involved with the destruction of a whole scrap heap with possibly hundreds of ships. He is serving as the first officer under a peculiar captain, who at first seems like someone who was a victim of circumstances. Later it turns out that he most likely managed to create those circumstances himself, and he turns out to be an extremely shortsighted and selfish man. The journey of the Renegat is filled with problems, and after they arrive at their destinations, the real problems start – all mostly due to an incompetent captain and only barely capable crew. And the “anacampa” drives, which enable the very fast FTL travel and are fairly poorly understood by anyone, aren’t always trustworthy and may be very dangerous, even in unforeseen ways.
The book was entertaining and light reading with mostly interesting characters, but the “bad guys” were a bit stereotypical with too delusional motivations to be taken really seriously. Also, the book was a bit too long for content – some of the long conversations between the characters could have been cut or at least shortened. The anacampa drives are a fascinating mystery. I had already thought they might be some sort of biological (transdimensional?) creature, and it certainly is starting to look like that after what we learn in this book.
There was at least one irritating error – the crew was worried that solar systems might have changed too much to be recognized after a few hundred or thousand years, so the Fleet had left them. Well, that kind of time is totally insignificant considering the lifetime of planetary and stellar systems.
September 16, 2022
I love Rusch's writing and especially this series. I got through the almost-800 pages of this book in two days. I missed Boss and her crew, who are not here, but it's always interesting to learn more about the Fleet, and especially about the Scrapheaps. And of course the dangerous but necessary anacapa drives. Maybe someday we'll find out how they originated.
Much as I enjoyed the book, it also seemed like different characters getting into the same kinds of trouble as other characters in previous books. Not only the sections that I'd already read in Asimov's, but situations including the anacapa drive causing havoc and deaths, a race-against-time rescue (with casualties), and a need to countermand orders of an egomaniac, incompetent officer. And the catchy little chapter endings; here are three random ones from consecutive chapters:
I guess I find all the above amusing and an intrinsic part of the series, because I still love it and can't wait to go on to the next book.
Much as I enjoyed the book, it also seemed like different characters getting into the same kinds of trouble as other characters in previous books. Not only the sections that I'd already read in Asimov's, but situations including the anacapa drive causing havoc and deaths, a race-against-time rescue (with casualties), and a need to countermand orders of an egomaniac, incompetent officer. And the catchy little chapter endings; here are three random ones from consecutive chapters:
She squared her shoulders and relaxed that fist. She had a plan now.
She would execute it as best she could.
Something was truly wrong here, and not just because the Renegat was dying. Something else.
Something she didn’t understand.
Because, nothing on this ship was in his control. Not even engineering. And he had to be okay with that.
Whether he liked it or not.
I guess I find all the above amusing and an intrinsic part of the series, because I still love it and can't wait to go on to the next book.
February 15, 2022
The Diving Universe Reviewed.
I am not doing separate reviews, just some general remarks--this review will appear on all the Diving books starting with Stealth. I read from Stealth forward in the series through Squishy's Teams--still waiting for (and looking forward to) Chase.
So, these are very pleasant engaging reads. The Diving universe is coherent, well-imagined, and intriguing. For serious fans (what I used to call 'fan-boys', but that's too gendered) of Rusch, I recommend reading them all. For less committed readers, it is probably enough to just read the full-length novels and skip the novellas. There is some overlap between the novels and the novellas, but it is often fascinating, as when one gets to see the same incident from two different directions. But the novellas are often short and padded out to printable (sellable) length with previews or other stuff. The novels carry the whole narrative and major characters forward on their own. The novellas can be outtakes of the novels, or fun original stuff.
This is not my usual space opera. The orbital mechanics sometimes don't make sense and so on, but the writing and editing are very good.
Enjoy!
I am not doing separate reviews, just some general remarks--this review will appear on all the Diving books starting with Stealth. I read from Stealth forward in the series through Squishy's Teams--still waiting for (and looking forward to) Chase.
So, these are very pleasant engaging reads. The Diving universe is coherent, well-imagined, and intriguing. For serious fans (what I used to call 'fan-boys', but that's too gendered) of Rusch, I recommend reading them all. For less committed readers, it is probably enough to just read the full-length novels and skip the novellas. There is some overlap between the novels and the novellas, but it is often fascinating, as when one gets to see the same incident from two different directions. But the novellas are often short and padded out to printable (sellable) length with previews or other stuff. The novels carry the whole narrative and major characters forward on their own. The novellas can be outtakes of the novels, or fun original stuff.
This is not my usual space opera. The orbital mechanics sometimes don't make sense and so on, but the writing and editing are very good.
Enjoy!
March 15, 2021
Rusch, Kristine Kathryn. The Renegat. Diving Universe No. 8. WMG, 2019.
The Renegat is by far the longest of the Diving Universe novels so far. It juggles multiple locations and time periods, each with its own set of characters. As far as I know, all the characters are new to the series. In a prologue, we meet Crowe, a bright young student on a Fleet school ship. A school prank goes tragically wrong and alters the course of his career. Years later, as an outspoken ships officer, he is part of a crew of misfits on an extremely dangerous mission to an ancient “scrapheap” of derelict starships. There is enough action and tense character conflict to keep me fully engaged. Readers of the series will also be aware that that the quirky, dangerous “anacapa” star drive technology is the thread that holds the series together. Each novel in the series tells us a bit more about it but leaves us with more mystery than ever. All in all, The Renegat begins a major new narrative stream in this highly satisfying series.
The Renegat is by far the longest of the Diving Universe novels so far. It juggles multiple locations and time periods, each with its own set of characters. As far as I know, all the characters are new to the series. In a prologue, we meet Crowe, a bright young student on a Fleet school ship. A school prank goes tragically wrong and alters the course of his career. Years later, as an outspoken ships officer, he is part of a crew of misfits on an extremely dangerous mission to an ancient “scrapheap” of derelict starships. There is enough action and tense character conflict to keep me fully engaged. Readers of the series will also be aware that that the quirky, dangerous “anacapa” star drive technology is the thread that holds the series together. Each novel in the series tells us a bit more about it but leaves us with more mystery than ever. All in all, The Renegat begins a major new narrative stream in this highly satisfying series.
July 10, 2021
An interesting side story set in Rusch's Diving Universe. However IMO, it isn't quite as good as some of the other sides stories (The Falls, The Runabout: A Diving Novel). The story overall is quite good, but I feel that it is too long. The alternating timeframes became a bit of a drag, and I actually found myself thinking "come on, get on with it" at times.
The finish, however, is a humdinger.
3+ stars, but I cannot quite round it up.
The finish, however, is a humdinger.
3+ stars, but I cannot quite round it up.
March 12, 2021
I live the Diving Universe books and usually read them at a fairly rapid rate. This is because they are both easy to read and fast paced. However I found this instalment took a lot longer to get through partly because it is very long at well over 700 pages and also because it is more complex with a huge cast of characters told over different time lines.
Now that I’ve finished I feel that while it’s not one of my favourite books in the series it’s still an excellent read and an essential part of the series telling a story of epic proportions with lots of thrills and details of the history and technology of this world.
Looking forward to more of Boss soon.
Now that I’ve finished I feel that while it’s not one of my favourite books in the series it’s still an excellent read and an essential part of the series telling a story of epic proportions with lots of thrills and details of the history and technology of this world.
Looking forward to more of Boss soon.
July 8, 2021
New beginnings
Fast paced and attention grabbing. All about a mission to find the reason behind a message sent by a Scrapheap many foldspace journeys behind the Fleet. This novel provides more insight into the mindset of the Fleet; how it looks at politics and the treatment of its own personnel. No real villains here, just damaged people trying to make the best of a bad situation. The trouble is caused by personal ambition and deliberate ignorance. The storyline bounces between the "now" on board the Renegat and the future where the ship ends up. It left me wanting to know what happens with the folks on the Renegat and the ones left behind.
Fast paced and attention grabbing. All about a mission to find the reason behind a message sent by a Scrapheap many foldspace journeys behind the Fleet. This novel provides more insight into the mindset of the Fleet; how it looks at politics and the treatment of its own personnel. No real villains here, just damaged people trying to make the best of a bad situation. The trouble is caused by personal ambition and deliberate ignorance. The storyline bounces between the "now" on board the Renegat and the future where the ship ends up. It left me wanting to know what happens with the folks on the Renegat and the ones left behind.
August 3, 2022
I gave this such a low rating because I hate a book that jumps back and forth in time, or between points of view. When I took a college literature class some 60 years ago, they told me this technique was a way to build suspense and interest, and make the book more interesting and dynamic. I don't agree, and will stop reading a book and author that uses this storyline technique. It took me over a month to finish this book, and I read five or six books while attempting to finish this book. Then she places the crew in the brig at the end of the book, without a conclusion, again a technique I hate. I don't recommend this book at all.
June 20, 2020
Rusch is one of the best fantasy writers; always an epic tale, excellent writing skills, good editing. Her Fay series is one of the best i've ever read, as is the Retrieval Artist. This series didn't grab me like most of her others but i did enjoy what i read of it - first book & last book fully, with all the others just a sample of them - and the last book is pretty disjointed but told a great tale anyway.
November 12, 2020
I'm enjoying all the Diving Series. This one includes a healthy heaping of . . . well, I got it as part of the Big Time Story Bundle, so I guess that reveals that it involves time travel.
But not in the way I expected.
The conflicts, the dangers, the motivations and the people were all interesting, and Rusch is always a good writer.
It also stands alone. You don't have to have read any of the other Diving books to enjoy this one, so if you're interested, go for it.
But not in the way I expected.
The conflicts, the dangers, the motivations and the people were all interesting, and Rusch is always a good writer.
It also stands alone. You don't have to have read any of the other Diving books to enjoy this one, so if you're interested, go for it.
September 24, 2021
I enjoyed this novel, but it was looooooooooooooooong. I feel like 1/3 to 1/2 of it could have been edited out. That said, the ending was rushed! There were a couple of major threads that were mentioned throughout the book (the death of a character, and a major battle), which were not addressed at all in the end. And the ending just kind of happened. Nothing felt resolved.
Like I said, I enjoyed it, but I don't know that I could recommend it.
Like I said, I enjoyed it, but I don't know that I could recommend it.
March 4, 2022
I have just read the Diving Series back to back (the 16 books that exist thus far, including novels and novellas) and have to say that I absolutely love this series.
The Renegat brings in another new set of characters, and widens our original scope even more, and is another nail-biting story with fascinating characters. It cross-references the Boneyard stories we've read already, from a very different perspective.
The Renegat brings in another new set of characters, and widens our original scope even more, and is another nail-biting story with fascinating characters. It cross-references the Boneyard stories we've read already, from a very different perspective.
November 16, 2024
Little bit of a slog ... this was a a LONG book, but I don't know how it could have been broken up to be smaller.
I'm not a huge fan of the "chapter in the past ... chapter in the present ... rinse repeat" format, but hung in there.
An okay story, and a fun adventure into the Diving universe.
I'm not a huge fan of the "chapter in the past ... chapter in the present ... rinse repeat" format, but hung in there.
An okay story, and a fun adventure into the Diving universe.
July 3, 2019
Got this in the kickstarter so read it early. Absolutely could not put down. A perfect edition to the diving universe, though the fans who love it because of Boss will be disappointed. I like the universe and the idea of the Fleet so this was a great read for me.
February 28, 2024
Maybe too long, and should've been split into few books instead, but still excellent. Small number of characters to follow in the first half, extends to about a dozen or so later. Extensive information about science behind the drives that power the ships.
September 3, 2019
A huge sprawling space yarn that deals with mutiny, time travel, love, betrayal and interstellar junk yards. It was quite good and it kept me going, but it did feel rushed at the very end.
October 30, 2019
Great space action adventure. A ship with an impossible mission. A mismatched crew, trying to prove themselves. Action, conflict, and survival against all odds.
November 23, 2019
Wow! The best "diving" book yet! Nail-biting with suspense and also frustrating at times, the story goes back and forth between two time periods and the action happening in each is connected.
September 21, 2020
First novel by her that I’ve read. Learned about this author by the Asimov magazine. A fun space opera and am searching for more books by her.
November 15, 2020
Tore through this book. Story was nicely paced and the characters were engaging.
Read
July 7, 2021I love the Diving Series books. They are written extremely well.
May 14, 2022
Excellent science fiction story based in the Diving universe.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews