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Mirth & Mayhem #2
Low Flyer: Mission 2
You wanna go where nobody knows your name.Chuck takes the Radio City to a little out-of-the-way planet where the locals leave outsiders alone. The Ramseys meet up with some nomad friends. And while the adults drink and catch up, the younger generation makes their own fun.While Brad tries to hustle his friends out of their money, Chuck forgets about interest on an old loan he only sort of repaid. As consequences swirl around both of them, an out-of-his-element wizard scurries to keep the Ramseys safe while also keeping a low profile.Because that's what wizards do keep a low profile.Low Flyer is the second mission of Black Mirth and Mayhem. It follows a mismatched duo of itinerant comedian and outlaw wizard as they roam the galaxy trying to eke out a living and stay ahead of the consequences of their actions. Black Mirth and Mayhem looks back at an earlier era in the Black Ocean universe, and returning readers will get to see how some of their favorite characters came to be. Fans of morally gray heroes and slick talking conmen will love this series.Grab your copy before someone else does.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2021
5 people are currently reading
13 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 10, 2021
Fun
I may need to go back and reread the original Black Ocean series, but I don't remember Mort being quite this scary. At least when threats are concerned. Then again, we also haven't seen much of his story from the point of view of people who don't know how dangerous a wizard he is, so there's that!
I'm really enjoying these prequels so far. This one felt like a bit more filler (which means it will fit in great once the full mission pack is out), but it was still very enjoyable. Young Carl (sorry, Brad!) is a hoot. Already fun seeing the differences between him and his dad. Really looking forward to seeing what all goes down as the series progresses!
I may need to go back and reread the original Black Ocean series, but I don't remember Mort being quite this scary. At least when threats are concerned. Then again, we also haven't seen much of his story from the point of view of people who don't know how dangerous a wizard he is, so there's that!
I'm really enjoying these prequels so far. This one felt like a bit more filler (which means it will fit in great once the full mission pack is out), but it was still very enjoyable. Young Carl (sorry, Brad!) is a hoot. Already fun seeing the differences between him and his dad. Really looking forward to seeing what all goes down as the series progresses!
October 3, 2021
Chuck Ramsey, wife, and their multitude of children, have managed to slip away from Earth. But that escape would not have been possible if were not for a certain former Guardian of the Plundered Tomes who provided them with both the magical where withal to travel undetected through the Astral, but who has also taken it upon himself --- albeit reluctantly --- to act as both protector and enforcer...and even mentor and husband if needed.
And so, the Ramsey family +1, head to the remote world of Carson where there waits friends... enemies... and everything inbetween. But, even the most distant planet may not be far enough to run when the full power of the BLACK OCEAN'S mightiest entity decides that they want a word. Oh...and Brad's hormones may be writing checks that he can't cash.
Book two of Jeff Morin's 4th series set in the depths of the BLACK OCEAN - MIRTH & MAYHEM continues to entertain readers with the history of two of their favorite characters. Morin masterfully spins the threads of characters and story lines that will create the web of stories that have captured the hearts and minds of his readers. With the retitled GALAXY OUTLAWS, ASTRAL PRIME, and MERCY FOR HIRE stories already at the ends of their final journey, MIRTH & MAYHEM opens a new galaxy of stories that will expand the characters and the worlds that we already love.
And so, the Ramsey family +1, head to the remote world of Carson where there waits friends... enemies... and everything inbetween. But, even the most distant planet may not be far enough to run when the full power of the BLACK OCEAN'S mightiest entity decides that they want a word. Oh...and Brad's hormones may be writing checks that he can't cash.
Book two of Jeff Morin's 4th series set in the depths of the BLACK OCEAN - MIRTH & MAYHEM continues to entertain readers with the history of two of their favorite characters. Morin masterfully spins the threads of characters and story lines that will create the web of stories that have captured the hearts and minds of his readers. With the retitled GALAXY OUTLAWS, ASTRAL PRIME, and MERCY FOR HIRE stories already at the ends of their final journey, MIRTH & MAYHEM opens a new galaxy of stories that will expand the characters and the worlds that we already love.
August 14, 2021
This is developing into a fun prequel series
Every writer knows prequels are challenging. When you write a first novel, it has to have a recognizable structure with interesting characters who develop over the course of the story. Without this kind of character development, any story can feel flat and lifeless. The traditional solution to building satisfying character development into a story is to start with a flawed, possibly naïve, main character and show how they learn and develop over the course of the book. This is a great way to do it, but it poses a problem for prequels. In many novels, the main character we meet at the start is just not that interesting. They only become interesting when changed by the challenges of the story. Who would want to read about the dull life of someone just hanging about and waiting for adventure?
Either through luck or intention, the characters that Morin introduced at the start of “Salvage Trouble”, the original Black Ocean book, are far from dull, and over the development of the “Galaxy Outlaws” series we get a lot of hints that they have already had rich and interesting lives. The aim of this new series, “Mirth and Mayhem”, is to flesh out some of these backstories, and give both new and long-time readers a better understanding of how they got to where they are in “later” books. In particular, the books so far have concentrated on Mordecai The Brown (known as Mort) - a powerful and dangerous wizard on the run - and Brad Ramsey - an overconfident teenager who will later become known as Carl Ramsey.
The first book of the Mirth and Mayhem series concentrated on Mort, and the trouble he got in which caused him to run from Earth and his family. This book redresses that balance and gives us much more of the young Brad’s escapades as his passion for another spacer girl leads him to try and scam his way into her affections. It won’t be too much of a surprise that things don’t always go as he hopes. We still follow Mort and Chuck Ramsey (Brad’s father) as they get into scrapes of their own, and we glimpse dangerous things building in the distance, but this book is very much about Brad’s view of things.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is full of all the details and imagination which Morin loves to put into his books, and all the characters, even the minor ones, feel real. My only concern is with the series title. If anything, this book had even less “mirth” than the first one, which at least had a few jokes from Chuck. Plenty of mayhem, that’s for sure. Maybe we’ll see more mirth in the next one?
Every writer knows prequels are challenging. When you write a first novel, it has to have a recognizable structure with interesting characters who develop over the course of the story. Without this kind of character development, any story can feel flat and lifeless. The traditional solution to building satisfying character development into a story is to start with a flawed, possibly naïve, main character and show how they learn and develop over the course of the book. This is a great way to do it, but it poses a problem for prequels. In many novels, the main character we meet at the start is just not that interesting. They only become interesting when changed by the challenges of the story. Who would want to read about the dull life of someone just hanging about and waiting for adventure?
Either through luck or intention, the characters that Morin introduced at the start of “Salvage Trouble”, the original Black Ocean book, are far from dull, and over the development of the “Galaxy Outlaws” series we get a lot of hints that they have already had rich and interesting lives. The aim of this new series, “Mirth and Mayhem”, is to flesh out some of these backstories, and give both new and long-time readers a better understanding of how they got to where they are in “later” books. In particular, the books so far have concentrated on Mordecai The Brown (known as Mort) - a powerful and dangerous wizard on the run - and Brad Ramsey - an overconfident teenager who will later become known as Carl Ramsey.
The first book of the Mirth and Mayhem series concentrated on Mort, and the trouble he got in which caused him to run from Earth and his family. This book redresses that balance and gives us much more of the young Brad’s escapades as his passion for another spacer girl leads him to try and scam his way into her affections. It won’t be too much of a surprise that things don’t always go as he hopes. We still follow Mort and Chuck Ramsey (Brad’s father) as they get into scrapes of their own, and we glimpse dangerous things building in the distance, but this book is very much about Brad’s view of things.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is full of all the details and imagination which Morin loves to put into his books, and all the characters, even the minor ones, feel real. My only concern is with the series title. If anything, this book had even less “mirth” than the first one, which at least had a few jokes from Chuck. Plenty of mayhem, that’s for sure. Maybe we’ll see more mirth in the next one?
August 21, 2021
“Low Flyer” is the second book in a new series, Myth and and Mayhem. It is another excursion into the Black Ocean by J.S. Morin. Morin has again used the “Wayback Machine” to go back to when Mordecai the Brown, perhaps the most powerful wizard, has gone on the lam after he has read a prohibited tome that has resulted in his already powerful abilities as a wizard being increased. It also explains why Mort like hoodies.
He has hooked up with Chuck Ramsey, a semi-successful grifter, and his family. Ramsey can’t help but get himself into trouble but fortunately for him, Mort has become indebted to him after Chuck has helped him escape by putting himself and his family in danger.
Chucks’s son Brad is a chip off the old block. Brad, just like his father, can’t help but get himself into dangerous situations but is further complicated by the raging hormones in his 12 year old prepubescent body.
This second book in this new series shows that it is a really good idea not to hack Mort off — It can really turn into a heated experience.
This second book carries on where Book 1 left off. It will keep you entertained, laughing and turning pages to find out what Mort has in store for those who threaten him or the Ramsey clan.
August 28, 2021
Weirdly original and wonderfully fun. That, in a nutshell, is J.S. Morin’s Low Flyer (Black Ocean: Mirth & Mayhem, Mission 2). It’s a crazy formula: take a superbly successful group of book series, each broadly set up in the same Black Ocean fictional universe with its superb magic / sci-fi mashup and existing set of addictive characters and story lines. Then add in an itinerant comedian and outlaw wizard and let them go wild. Yes, anyone who loves “morally gray heroes and slick talking conmen” will enjoy this one, as will anyone wanting an oddly exciting offbeat and totally original adventure. The author must’ve had a ball experimenting when riding this series. I’m now two books in and an certainly having a ball reading it - and, if yes, in case you were wondering, I do indeed most highly recommend this book.
August 12, 2021
It is sometimes possible to forget just how scary and dangerous Mort is while reading some of the other stories. No so much in this one.
Scary as he is, he is loyal and someone you one on your side in a fight.
Even more filling out of where Brad (Carl) came from. It is definitely explaining a bit of why he is the way he is.
Scary as he is, he is loyal and someone you one on your side in a fight.
Even more filling out of where Brad (Carl) came from. It is definitely explaining a bit of why he is the way he is.
August 12, 2021
Decent continuation - I found the story for Brad was good and informing of his character later in his life. The growth of Wenling as an antagonist is quite compelling and it sheds some light on the spotty past we have heard hinted at for Mort.
August 21, 2021
A little on the slow side
As Black Ocean stories go, this is a little thin. It continues the story of Mort and the Ramsey's and how they got together and that part is great but there just isn't the same feeling as the others.
As Black Ocean stories go, this is a little thin. It continues the story of Mort and the Ramsey's and how they got together and that part is great but there just isn't the same feeling as the others.
April 15, 2022
Oh how I missed the Black Ocean. While these.books won't win any literary awards, they are nonetheless a welcomed treat to the mundane, wizard free world we find ourselves in these days.
June 13, 2023
On the run from the convocation and forming a bond with the Ramsy's. Show's what a bad-ass mort is.
July 3, 2024
Basically, this one is a camping trip for "space gypsies". There is some character development for both the Chucks and an early version of Mordecai trying to come to terms with himself.
April 10, 2025
Brad definitely steals the show in this one!
January 11, 2026
Fun. 3.75 stars.
October 4, 2021
Mirth and Mayhem, indeed. :)
This one had me grinning from ear to ear! It is a very special (not to say cringe-worthy and hilarious) treat getting to know a young, hormonally challenged Brad. And I especially enjoyed Mort grudgingly adapt to his life on the run and become the murderous, yet strangely caring curmudgeon I've come to know in the other series.
Bonus points for the Lonestar cameo (if only by name).
This one had me grinning from ear to ear! It is a very special (not to say cringe-worthy and hilarious) treat getting to know a young, hormonally challenged Brad. And I especially enjoyed Mort grudgingly adapt to his life on the run and become the murderous, yet strangely caring curmudgeon I've come to know in the other series.
Bonus points for the Lonestar cameo (if only by name).
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews