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Black Ocean #1-4, 4.5
Mission Pack 1: Missions 1-4
Science to build a starship. Wizardry to take it past light speed. A crew to give it a soul.
The Mobius is a cobbled-together ship with a matching crew. Captain Carl Ramsey is an ex-Earth Navy pilot whose crew won’t let him fly his own ship. The pilot is his ex-wife, the mechanic is a drunk, and the chief of security is from a predatory species. Instead of a star-drive to travel through the astral space between worlds, the ship’s wizard does it by hand.
Mission 1: Salvage Trouble
A salvage mission turns into a rescue, and no good deed goes unpunished. With two refugees onboard, the Mobius crew is hounded by bounty hunters, border partols, and corporate enforcers.
Mission 2: A Smuggler’s Conscience
“Don’t open the package.” It’s the smuggler’s credo for good reason. When the Mobius crew takes a peek at their illicit cargo, the entire job takes an about-face.
Mission 3: Poets and Piracy
The Mobius crew gets caught in a turf war between a pirate fleet and a galactic criminal syndicate. The trick is getting everyone out alive (and maybe getting paid in the process).
Mission 4: To Err is Azrin
Sometimes you can’t go home again. When a job takes the crew to their security chief’s homeworld, she gets dragged into a familial power struggle. Can the rest of the crew bail her out of an old feud gone horribly wrong?
Bonus Short Story: Guardian of the Plundered Tomes (Black Ocean #4.5)
Mordecai The Brown has been on the run from the Convocation for decades. How does a respectable wizard with a wife and two kids end up crisscrossing the galaxy in the company of outlaws?
The Mobius is a cobbled-together ship with a matching crew. Captain Carl Ramsey is an ex-Earth Navy pilot whose crew won’t let him fly his own ship. The pilot is his ex-wife, the mechanic is a drunk, and the chief of security is from a predatory species. Instead of a star-drive to travel through the astral space between worlds, the ship’s wizard does it by hand.
Mission 1: Salvage Trouble
A salvage mission turns into a rescue, and no good deed goes unpunished. With two refugees onboard, the Mobius crew is hounded by bounty hunters, border partols, and corporate enforcers.
Mission 2: A Smuggler’s Conscience
“Don’t open the package.” It’s the smuggler’s credo for good reason. When the Mobius crew takes a peek at their illicit cargo, the entire job takes an about-face.
Mission 3: Poets and Piracy
The Mobius crew gets caught in a turf war between a pirate fleet and a galactic criminal syndicate. The trick is getting everyone out alive (and maybe getting paid in the process).
Mission 4: To Err is Azrin
Sometimes you can’t go home again. When a job takes the crew to their security chief’s homeworld, she gets dragged into a familial power struggle. Can the rest of the crew bail her out of an old feud gone horribly wrong?
Bonus Short Story: Guardian of the Plundered Tomes (Black Ocean #4.5)
Mordecai The Brown has been on the run from the Convocation for decades. How does a respectable wizard with a wife and two kids end up crisscrossing the galaxy in the company of outlaws?
668 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2015
269 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Morin
192 books611 followersI am a creator of worlds and a destroyer of words. As a fantasy writer, my works range from traditional epics to futuristic fantasy with starships. I have worked as an unpaid Little League pitcher, a cashier, a student library aide, a factory grunt, a cubicle drone, and an engineer--there is some overlap in the last two.
Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.
I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.
My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.
Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.
I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.
My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 18, 2024
My ex recommended this book series to me. We tended to do gaming together and he knew my style really good cuz he's my best friend and he's right I fell in love with it!
Each of the characters have their own unique personality and there's times I think you want to just reach out and slap all of them.
If you like Star Trek or Firefly oh my gosh Firefly was a great one and so many more that are just gone anymore they're like history you'll love this!
To make this my last comment on this I do highly recommend this series.
This series is available as a complete set on audible and if I remember correctly you can also get it as just regular books on Amazon or in candle anyway happy reading and I hope you enjoy it.
Each of the characters have their own unique personality and there's times I think you want to just reach out and slap all of them.
If you like Star Trek or Firefly oh my gosh Firefly was a great one and so many more that are just gone anymore they're like history you'll love this!
To make this my last comment on this I do highly recommend this series.
This series is available as a complete set on audible and if I remember correctly you can also get it as just regular books on Amazon or in candle anyway happy reading and I hope you enjoy it.
January 27, 2019
Romping good fun. Not a timeless classic or groundbreaking new territory, just fun. Sometimes it’s nice to just go for a good ride with windows down enjoying the fresh air. This series never promised to be more but it delivered it anyway.
October 26, 2021
It took me a bit to get into the first story, Salvage Trouble, but over all these are good stories! A good mix of characters! 3.5 stars!
February 19, 2017
The 1-4 Pack has the First 4 Missions, and a bonus story. These are exceptional stories, with some of the best characters in Sci-Fi adventure out there. I have included a review of all 4 stories and a short review of Episode 4.5 as well.
Mission 1
I have to admit to being a bit sceptical when I first read the back cover of this – I mean, seriously, a space adventure with a Wizard? What the? But then you get into it, and this is seriously one of the best Sci-Fi adventure stories I have ever read. Morin has created an exceptional story here, one that once you pick up, you will not be able to put down.
His characters are incredible, he has generated a perfect storm of characters, in that you find that there is not one character that you like more than another, and there is no way that you could get rid of a character without kind of destroying the subtle balance he has going between all of them. There is that ‘Big Bang Theory’ synergy in which the characters just bounce off of each other with their dialogue, and each character is required to make the show (or in this case, the book) work so well.
This is a cross between Firefly, and a parallel universe version of Star Wars were Luke has magic and stayed with Han and Chewie and they decided to go be smugglers for the rest of their lives.
In Salvage Trouble, the crew find an escape pod whilst they are out salvaging things. Thinking that it might be worth something, they go to take it, and then realise it actually has warm bodies in it.
The problems only start for Carl and the crew from there.
This mission introduces us to Esper, a rather interesting character, and one that you will read a lot more about. The crew soon take a liking to her (especially Mort, although, not in that way), and decide to help her. Of course, helping people in Black Ocean doesn’t always turn out the best for the crew (pretty much like it did in Firefly).
This is a brilliant read, and a lot of fun (sorry no spoilers), and the first in the mission pack. Although the characters are kind of introduced in Mission 0, they are given a bit more background here, especially Esper, who we get to meet for the first time.
Mission 2 is a really interesting story. It considers all the possibilities of what you would do when faced with a moral dilemma that is way beyond what we would ever get on Earth. The situation – well, you will have to read it and find out – sorry, no spoilers here…
But Morin writes an exceptional story, again, this is not only a great ride with a lot of fun, as are the rest of the stories, but this time, he has given the readers something to think about, some moral and ethical issues, and he does it brilliantly with the crew. He writes the characters exceptionally well, not only writing them so that they stay within what they should be for the character type, but making them believable for what we are reading.
He also doesn’t let the story get bogged down, moving it along at a fast pace, keeping it enjoyable and fun, as this should be for a Sci-Fi adventure of this type. It is an incredibly clever story and brilliantly written.
Although each Mission gives a bit more background to each character, there tends to be one character that does get a bit more of a focus, in Mission 1, this was Esper as she was introduced, in Mission 3 it's Tanny, and 4 it's Mrly. However in Mission 2, no one person gets singled out, it is more about the crew, and getting an understanding of their morale compass, and this makes it rather an interesting story in the series.
Morin is an outstanding writer, and this should not be missed.
Mission 3 – Picking up a passenger, Carl thinks that things have finally picked up for him and the crew, but as usual, nothing ever goes right for Carl. His passenger, Bryce Brisson, ends up being a trap, and worse, ends up snaring him and the crew with a major crime family. The funny thing is, the family happens to be Tanny’s estranged Family.
In the middle of all of this, Tanny has exhausted her supply of meds that she uses to keep her physiology under check and needs a resupply. The story really picks up as one thing after another unfolds as this particular tale has a lot of twists to keep you guessing just how Carl is going to get into trouble next.
Mission 3 is a good look into Tanny’s back story, uncovering more about her past, her military career, her previous life with Carl, and her extended family, the Rucker Syndicate. This is where you learn that Tanny’s entire family are a bunch of gangsters, and just how big that crime syndicate runs.
As with each of these tales, this is another brilliant romp in the Black Ocean universe, Morin’s characters only continue to grow as each episode he expands on each one.
Well worth the read, just like the others.
Mission 4 – This was a really interesting story as we get to learn a lot more about the Azrin, their culture, their homeworld and how Mrly fits into all of it. I don’t want to give away spoilers, so will be careful with the review.
Mrly is living in exile, for reasons that you will have to discover when you read this book. However, by rescuing her nephew, she can return home, lifting the exile – a life for a life, and maybe finally return to her family.
Although these books do have a humorous side, as I have mentioned previously, it is like Han, a wizard Luke in an alternate Universe, that has the same character dynamic as Big Bang Theory, although, I'm pretty sure their isn't a drunk mechanic in Big Bang. The humour though is toned down in this Mission, as Mrly confronts her past, making this a fascinating read. Morin does an exceptional job of writing the characters, you really feel like you are a fly on the wall of a disgraced family member returning home, but the family is alien in a lot of its culture.
Mrly must try and fix things with her clan, and this leads to some interesting events on her home planet, somethings that involve the crew and make for a rather fascinating, at times hilarious, and at others gripping and captivating.
This is one of the best character based stories of the set so far, giving us a really great feel for Mrly and what she is going through. It gives us a real understanding for how clever Morin’s writing is as well.
Mission 4.5
In each of the books, there is hints of Mort’s past, but what really happened to Mordecai The Brown, the man with ‘The’ as an actual family middle name. This is the story of what happened to turn Mort from the respectable Convocation Wizard into the man on the run with a blood thirsty history.
I don’t want to give away too much with spoilers, as this is a really awesome short story, Morin has out done himself with this tale. It had to be something impressive to meet the expectations of readers, and he doesn’t let us down.
We learn exactly what happens to Mort, why he lost his position, why he went on the run, what happened with his family (we get to meet his family), and we get to learn how he met Carl in the beginning.
This story is all it promises and more, and is a must read for fans.
Overall this 'Pack' is pure genius, Morin has created a fantastic collection of stories that are utterly brilliant.
If you were ever upset at the cancellation of Firefly, this is the series for you, because it fills that whole, only better.
Mission 1
I have to admit to being a bit sceptical when I first read the back cover of this – I mean, seriously, a space adventure with a Wizard? What the? But then you get into it, and this is seriously one of the best Sci-Fi adventure stories I have ever read. Morin has created an exceptional story here, one that once you pick up, you will not be able to put down.
His characters are incredible, he has generated a perfect storm of characters, in that you find that there is not one character that you like more than another, and there is no way that you could get rid of a character without kind of destroying the subtle balance he has going between all of them. There is that ‘Big Bang Theory’ synergy in which the characters just bounce off of each other with their dialogue, and each character is required to make the show (or in this case, the book) work so well.
This is a cross between Firefly, and a parallel universe version of Star Wars were Luke has magic and stayed with Han and Chewie and they decided to go be smugglers for the rest of their lives.
In Salvage Trouble, the crew find an escape pod whilst they are out salvaging things. Thinking that it might be worth something, they go to take it, and then realise it actually has warm bodies in it.
The problems only start for Carl and the crew from there.
This mission introduces us to Esper, a rather interesting character, and one that you will read a lot more about. The crew soon take a liking to her (especially Mort, although, not in that way), and decide to help her. Of course, helping people in Black Ocean doesn’t always turn out the best for the crew (pretty much like it did in Firefly).
This is a brilliant read, and a lot of fun (sorry no spoilers), and the first in the mission pack. Although the characters are kind of introduced in Mission 0, they are given a bit more background here, especially Esper, who we get to meet for the first time.
Mission 2 is a really interesting story. It considers all the possibilities of what you would do when faced with a moral dilemma that is way beyond what we would ever get on Earth. The situation – well, you will have to read it and find out – sorry, no spoilers here…
But Morin writes an exceptional story, again, this is not only a great ride with a lot of fun, as are the rest of the stories, but this time, he has given the readers something to think about, some moral and ethical issues, and he does it brilliantly with the crew. He writes the characters exceptionally well, not only writing them so that they stay within what they should be for the character type, but making them believable for what we are reading.
He also doesn’t let the story get bogged down, moving it along at a fast pace, keeping it enjoyable and fun, as this should be for a Sci-Fi adventure of this type. It is an incredibly clever story and brilliantly written.
Although each Mission gives a bit more background to each character, there tends to be one character that does get a bit more of a focus, in Mission 1, this was Esper as she was introduced, in Mission 3 it's Tanny, and 4 it's Mrly. However in Mission 2, no one person gets singled out, it is more about the crew, and getting an understanding of their morale compass, and this makes it rather an interesting story in the series.
Morin is an outstanding writer, and this should not be missed.
Mission 3 – Picking up a passenger, Carl thinks that things have finally picked up for him and the crew, but as usual, nothing ever goes right for Carl. His passenger, Bryce Brisson, ends up being a trap, and worse, ends up snaring him and the crew with a major crime family. The funny thing is, the family happens to be Tanny’s estranged Family.
In the middle of all of this, Tanny has exhausted her supply of meds that she uses to keep her physiology under check and needs a resupply. The story really picks up as one thing after another unfolds as this particular tale has a lot of twists to keep you guessing just how Carl is going to get into trouble next.
Mission 3 is a good look into Tanny’s back story, uncovering more about her past, her military career, her previous life with Carl, and her extended family, the Rucker Syndicate. This is where you learn that Tanny’s entire family are a bunch of gangsters, and just how big that crime syndicate runs.
As with each of these tales, this is another brilliant romp in the Black Ocean universe, Morin’s characters only continue to grow as each episode he expands on each one.
Well worth the read, just like the others.
Mission 4 – This was a really interesting story as we get to learn a lot more about the Azrin, their culture, their homeworld and how Mrly fits into all of it. I don’t want to give away spoilers, so will be careful with the review.
Mrly is living in exile, for reasons that you will have to discover when you read this book. However, by rescuing her nephew, she can return home, lifting the exile – a life for a life, and maybe finally return to her family.
Although these books do have a humorous side, as I have mentioned previously, it is like Han, a wizard Luke in an alternate Universe, that has the same character dynamic as Big Bang Theory, although, I'm pretty sure their isn't a drunk mechanic in Big Bang. The humour though is toned down in this Mission, as Mrly confronts her past, making this a fascinating read. Morin does an exceptional job of writing the characters, you really feel like you are a fly on the wall of a disgraced family member returning home, but the family is alien in a lot of its culture.
Mrly must try and fix things with her clan, and this leads to some interesting events on her home planet, somethings that involve the crew and make for a rather fascinating, at times hilarious, and at others gripping and captivating.
This is one of the best character based stories of the set so far, giving us a really great feel for Mrly and what she is going through. It gives us a real understanding for how clever Morin’s writing is as well.
Mission 4.5
In each of the books, there is hints of Mort’s past, but what really happened to Mordecai The Brown, the man with ‘The’ as an actual family middle name. This is the story of what happened to turn Mort from the respectable Convocation Wizard into the man on the run with a blood thirsty history.
I don’t want to give away too much with spoilers, as this is a really awesome short story, Morin has out done himself with this tale. It had to be something impressive to meet the expectations of readers, and he doesn’t let us down.
We learn exactly what happens to Mort, why he lost his position, why he went on the run, what happened with his family (we get to meet his family), and we get to learn how he met Carl in the beginning.
This story is all it promises and more, and is a must read for fans.
Overall this 'Pack' is pure genius, Morin has created a fantastic collection of stories that are utterly brilliant.
If you were ever upset at the cancellation of Firefly, this is the series for you, because it fills that whole, only better.
April 4, 2016
I have the Mission Pack 1 version that include the first 4 missions/novels of the Black Ocean series. I finished two missions out of the four an I was only moderately satisfied. It's a shame because I really like the fun space adventure type of stories that this novel is going for, but for some reasons this novel (so far) as not click for me. The two stories I've read had everything I am looking for: an interesting cast of characters - a mix of humans and aliens, some outlaw adventuring in space and fun banter between the characters. But somehow the author fail to grab and endeared me to his universe/setting and I think the lack of sheer excitment in the stories is the main reason. The stoies told are good but the action/suspens is severely absent. Everything is told plainly and in a mater-of-fact fashion that is too sterile. I find that weird because I have read and totally loved the short story "Tech, Lies and Wizardry" that serve as a teaser for the Black Ocean series and it had excitment and drama aplenty. So, I am not giving up completely on the Black Ocean series but I will take a long break and come back to it later.
June 13, 2016
A three star book, but one of those rare ones where it's not because it is mediocre, but because it's just a good, albeit forgettable book. "Formulaic and uninspired but well-crafted" is a good phrase for it.
Probably the best thing about it is that this is an omnibus of shorter stories. As such, no book/story outlives it's welcome. Each is much like a television episode, a self-contained story that you can choose to enjoy at your leisure or binge it.
The characters are a bit flat but overall fun. They are typical space fiction archetypes that are put in a new position in each "mission" and you get to watch them work out the problem of the week. The problems range from trying to outrun a much richer and more powerful enemy, to a bit of space pirate action, to learning one of the character's backstory.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes a lighter spaceship book (or show). It is an experience rather than some highbrow literature. I for one will continue the series.
Probably the best thing about it is that this is an omnibus of shorter stories. As such, no book/story outlives it's welcome. Each is much like a television episode, a self-contained story that you can choose to enjoy at your leisure or binge it.
The characters are a bit flat but overall fun. They are typical space fiction archetypes that are put in a new position in each "mission" and you get to watch them work out the problem of the week. The problems range from trying to outrun a much richer and more powerful enemy, to a bit of space pirate action, to learning one of the character's backstory.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes a lighter spaceship book (or show). It is an experience rather than some highbrow literature. I for one will continue the series.
May 4, 2018
The concept behind this series is excellent. I mostly like the collection of characters, with one exception. And the stories (regardless of motivations) should have been very fun to experience.
But since I listen to stories like this specifically or fun and escape, I got SO TIRED of being preached at. While I think the addition of the priestess (essentially a nun) to the crew can be a good thing like the preacher in Firefly, I got so tired of the constant attention to her as she explored her religious beliefs and tried to use guilt to change everyone into her versions of more spiritual people. Her character essentially sucked the fun out of the stories, and I got to the point to where I felt like continuing through the collection was a trudge.
This could have been great. Heck, this could have become one of my favorite series. But the constant proselytization ruined it all for me.
But since I listen to stories like this specifically or fun and escape, I got SO TIRED of being preached at. While I think the addition of the priestess (essentially a nun) to the crew can be a good thing like the preacher in Firefly, I got so tired of the constant attention to her as she explored her religious beliefs and tried to use guilt to change everyone into her versions of more spiritual people. Her character essentially sucked the fun out of the stories, and I got to the point to where I felt like continuing through the collection was a trudge.
This could have been great. Heck, this could have become one of my favorite series. But the constant proselytization ruined it all for me.
May 18, 2018
I think these are hilarious.
September 28, 2018
I discovered J.S. Morin’s fabulous Black Ocean universe through his Mercy for Hire series (which starts with Wayward Saint, a book that was super easy to give 5 stars to). I loved that book only to discover there was an astounding number of predecessor series books. On the one hand I’ve grumbled a bit since I’d missed reading those books when they first cane out. On the other hand, yaay for me as the author has collected those prior series books into a series of “Mission Packs” that I can buy all at once rather than having to purchase each book separately. The first of these is Mission Pack 1 which covers Missions 1-4 (and a double yaay for any reader here as it’s possible save a pretty penny, spending only $9.99 for the Mission Pack vs $15.96 if the individual Mission books were purchased separately). I won’t summarize this as the review would be pages (though the publisher’s blurb does a good job). Instead I will simply note that the lead-off line in the publishing blurb pretty much covers what crucial info is needed: “Science to build a starship. Wizardry to take it past light speed. A crew to give it a soul.” Yup, this is a crazy mashup of sci-fi and fantasy works perfectly. I love Captain Carl Ramsey of the ship Mobius, who has to leave piloting to his ex-wife, the equivalent of engineering (as there is no actual star-drive to travel through the astral space between worlds) to the ship’s wizard (yup, you read that correctly - he does it by magic spell hand gestures) and, oh yes, the chief of security from a predatory species. I had fun just describing that. Now add it in to well-plotted, well-written stories filled with other cool places to go and. people to see (and interact with). Total. Reading. Pleasure. 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 - this “Mission Pack” definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the collection is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m already starting on the next Mission Pack in this series. Yup, totally addicted and loving it.
August 23, 2022
Rating: B+
<>“Hey ape, you want a drink or not?” a waiter asked.
“Sir, would you care for a beverage?” the speaker echoed.
Carl looked over the platter. “I’ll have a beer. Lemonade for Mrs. Ape here.”
The feathers on the waiter’s face bristled and he ducked his head. “Buddy, I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Mission Pack 1 by JS Morin covers 4.5 short stories about a crew of smugglers doing several odd jobs throughout the universe. The crew is made up of a few human characters and a couple of really unique non-human characters, whose backstories mostly constitute the plotlines of the collection. It was quite similar to Mass Effect / other "fun romps" in space with a few really interesting concepts - including that being Magic is exerting one's own will on the universe.
I found myself much more invested in the story and the characters after the 2nd book and I really liked seeing new crew members join on in each short story and learning more about the wider world. The pacing was good for each story with a good buildup to the climax and conclusion. I was particularly moved by Mriy's story. It was really tragic.
While the stories weren't that groundbreaking, the worldbuilding was it for me, and the chemistry between Carl and Tanny. I would definitely continue onto reading the other books. A few of the lines were genuinely funny and served to really build up the characters. The lore behind naming the ship Mobius was really moving too.
“Hold that thought, guys,” Carl said, pausing to yawn. “Tanny wants you lot to clear out of here for five, give her time to sneak back to her own quarters with no one looking.”
“That’s daft,” said Mort. Roddy laughed, hastily swallowing his cereal to avoid spitting it out or choking on it.
“You’re an ass, you know that? A class-A, grade one-hundred ass.”
<>“Hey ape, you want a drink or not?” a waiter asked.
“Sir, would you care for a beverage?” the speaker echoed.
Carl looked over the platter. “I’ll have a beer. Lemonade for Mrs. Ape here.”
The feathers on the waiter’s face bristled and he ducked his head. “Buddy, I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Mission Pack 1 by JS Morin covers 4.5 short stories about a crew of smugglers doing several odd jobs throughout the universe. The crew is made up of a few human characters and a couple of really unique non-human characters, whose backstories mostly constitute the plotlines of the collection. It was quite similar to Mass Effect / other "fun romps" in space with a few really interesting concepts - including that being Magic is exerting one's own will on the universe.
I found myself much more invested in the story and the characters after the 2nd book and I really liked seeing new crew members join on in each short story and learning more about the wider world. The pacing was good for each story with a good buildup to the climax and conclusion. I was particularly moved by Mriy's story. It was really tragic.
While the stories weren't that groundbreaking, the worldbuilding was it for me, and the chemistry between Carl and Tanny. I would definitely continue onto reading the other books. A few of the lines were genuinely funny and served to really build up the characters. The lore behind naming the ship Mobius was really moving too.
“Hold that thought, guys,” Carl said, pausing to yawn. “Tanny wants you lot to clear out of here for five, give her time to sneak back to her own quarters with no one looking.”
“That’s daft,” said Mort. Roddy laughed, hastily swallowing his cereal to avoid spitting it out or choking on it.
“You’re an ass, you know that? A class-A, grade one-hundred ass.”
December 15, 2017
Tato série je v mnoha směrech silně inspirována seriálem Firefly. Je to epizodní, slice of life věc ve vesmíru (s magickým twistem). Tohle hodnocení se týká kompletní série, což je 16 "misí" - cca 150 stran dlouhých uzavřených kapitol.
Zvlášť první mise mi připadl hodně jako Firefly, a to spíš z negativního hlediska - tyhle šarvátky ve vesmíru jsou imo fakt debilní jak tam tak tady. Ale po pár misích se množství věcí, co mě iritovaly, značně redukovalo, a na povrch vyplula síla autora - zajímavý a originální svět, rozmanité postavy, jejich charakterový vývoj, morální dilemata (ne, tohle není vesmírná loď plná Mirků Dušínů), překvapivé zvraty.
Série má i problémy. Někdy je to dost neuvěřitelné/hloupé, jak chování postav, některá rozhodnutí, i některé epizodnější postavy jsou dost meh. Taky si s jednou postavou autor dost naběhl, a to dost poznamenalo celou sérii.
Ale celkově to bylo čitelné a zábavné, konec to tak nějak uspokojivě uzavřel, a doporučit to můžu.
Zvlášť první mise mi připadl hodně jako Firefly, a to spíš z negativního hlediska - tyhle šarvátky ve vesmíru jsou imo fakt debilní jak tam tak tady. Ale po pár misích se množství věcí, co mě iritovaly, značně redukovalo, a na povrch vyplula síla autora - zajímavý a originální svět, rozmanité postavy, jejich charakterový vývoj, morální dilemata (ne, tohle není vesmírná loď plná Mirků Dušínů), překvapivé zvraty.
Série má i problémy. Někdy je to dost neuvěřitelné/hloupé, jak chování postav, některá rozhodnutí, i některé epizodnější postavy jsou dost meh. Taky si s jednou postavou autor dost naběhl, a to dost poznamenalo celou sérii.
Ale celkově to bylo čitelné a zábavné, konec to tak nějak uspokojivě uzavřel, a doporučit to můžu.
August 9, 2019
**** SPOILER ALERT ****
I purchased "Black Ocean Mission Pack 1" That contains missions 1-4.5 and was very pleased that I did.
This mission pack contains "Salvage Trouble", "A Smuggler's Conscience", "Poets And Piracy", "To Err Is Azrin", and the prequel short story "Guardian Of The Plundered Tomes".
Morin did a great job of world building and balancing and maintaining the hybridization in a universe that holds both magic and tech throughout the mission pack.
I really enjoyed this humorous, at times, action packed pack of adventures.
I look forward to reading further missions.
I highly recommend this series.
This is my own honest opinion.
I purchased "Black Ocean Mission Pack 1" That contains missions 1-4.5 and was very pleased that I did.
This mission pack contains "Salvage Trouble", "A Smuggler's Conscience", "Poets And Piracy", "To Err Is Azrin", and the prequel short story "Guardian Of The Plundered Tomes".
Morin did a great job of world building and balancing and maintaining the hybridization in a universe that holds both magic and tech throughout the mission pack.
I really enjoyed this humorous, at times, action packed pack of adventures.
I look forward to reading further missions.
I highly recommend this series.
This is my own honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2017
Definitely Firefly Meets Harry Potter
It is just as what one reviewer said, which is exactly what captured me and convinced me to read it. It did not disappoint. It'sFirefly meets Harry Potter. Sci-fi adventures never quite turning out the way they plan like Cowboy Bebop, and a motley crew of different races, species, and religious backgrounds aboard a starship vessel like Firefly. Magic like Harry Potter. It's just good, sweet, wholesome fun. (As long as you are okay with some swearing and sexual references and innuendos.)
It is just as what one reviewer said, which is exactly what captured me and convinced me to read it. It did not disappoint. It'sFirefly meets Harry Potter. Sci-fi adventures never quite turning out the way they plan like Cowboy Bebop, and a motley crew of different races, species, and religious backgrounds aboard a starship vessel like Firefly. Magic like Harry Potter. It's just good, sweet, wholesome fun. (As long as you are okay with some swearing and sexual references and innuendos.)
July 1, 2021
Lots of fun and jostling with a crew of rogues on the outskirts of safe space. Really liked how the crew is a group of independents who don't listen to the ship captain at all. His plans never work and everybody knows he's a liar 🤣
This world uses science and magic, and although predominantly human, aliens are known and mostly allied. The crew has 2 different alien types to start. I love interspecies interaction!
My only complaint is that each chapter is a whole episode: kinda forces me to read through in giant chunks that are entire (mis)adventures.
This world uses science and magic, and although predominantly human, aliens are known and mostly allied. The crew has 2 different alien types to start. I love interspecies interaction!
My only complaint is that each chapter is a whole episode: kinda forces me to read through in giant chunks that are entire (mis)adventures.
Read
September 10, 2023Mission 4.5 turned out to be a prequel to the first 4 missions. An interesting retrospective on how Mort, Carl, and Tanny get acquainted, and more background on Mort's motivation to join the crew.
No spoilers. It's a quick read, and sets the stage for their later adventures. The descriptions of the future cityscapes and infrastructure are intriguing.
I bought the Mission Pack for convenience on my ebook reader, even though I had already read the first book. I will be getting the next mission pack and keep following the misadvendturees of the crew.
No spoilers. It's a quick read, and sets the stage for their later adventures. The descriptions of the future cityscapes and infrastructure are intriguing.
I bought the Mission Pack for convenience on my ebook reader, even though I had already read the first book. I will be getting the next mission pack and keep following the misadvendturees of the crew.
October 30, 2022
This series was the gateway to what turned into a significant J.S. Morin binge. Dozens of books and thousands of pages later, I'm still glad I found this -- thank you, Jefferson Smith.
Fun, light, but satisfying as well. Morin has sketched an unlikely but lovable crew of space-faring misfits. Their adventures are satisfying, characters develop, and it’s all underpinned by solid writing. The sheer breadth of plot devices and twists here is impressive, and it just gets better.
Fun, light, but satisfying as well. Morin has sketched an unlikely but lovable crew of space-faring misfits. Their adventures are satisfying, characters develop, and it’s all underpinned by solid writing. The sheer breadth of plot devices and twists here is impressive, and it just gets better.
September 19, 2018
Closest thing to Firefly that you’ll find!!
What is there to saw that hasn’t already been said? This series is amazing. I love the characters, not Esper too much as she seems too much of a goody Mary Jane type, but I hear the she gets better and more badass. This book is equal parts funny, exciting and touching. It is well worth your time and money.
What is there to saw that hasn’t already been said? This series is amazing. I love the characters, not Esper too much as she seems too much of a goody Mary Jane type, but I hear the she gets better and more badass. This book is equal parts funny, exciting and touching. It is well worth your time and money.
October 24, 2021
Not a single literary redeeming quality . . . And that is what makes it great!
Fantastic storytelling that unapologetically contains no great life lesson or central theme. All you have is a group of heavily flawed but extremely likeable characters that are trying to make it in an ambivalent universe.
Can't wait to dive into "Mission Pack 2"!
Fantastic storytelling that unapologetically contains no great life lesson or central theme. All you have is a group of heavily flawed but extremely likeable characters that are trying to make it in an ambivalent universe.
Can't wait to dive into "Mission Pack 2"!
April 2, 2022
3.5 stars - It read a lot like the novelization of a 90's scifi tv show that just happens to not exist. I get why people compare it to Firefly, but it reminded me more of Cowboy Beebop - especially the way they never, ever successfully complete their missions.
The characters are a little 2D, the stories are a little pat, but I am still looking forward to reading more.
The characters are a little 2D, the stories are a little pat, but I am still looking forward to reading more.
December 23, 2023
Box set of 4, only read the first
There's just nothing positive to say about the first book in the series. It's bland, not much happens, it plods along
There might be some interesting back stories that you get to hear about in later books, but not enough was shared early enough to be worth spending time finding out
Overall a poor book. Won't be reading more
There's just nothing positive to say about the first book in the series. It's bland, not much happens, it plods along
There might be some interesting back stories that you get to hear about in later books, but not enough was shared early enough to be worth spending time finding out
Overall a poor book. Won't be reading more
October 26, 2017
A fun read
I appreciate a good adventure story with enough silly humor to keep it from getting boring and enough serious action to keep it from being a complete comedy. The Black Ocean stories have that blend in just the right proportions.
I appreciate a good adventure story with enough silly humor to keep it from getting boring and enough serious action to keep it from being a complete comedy. The Black Ocean stories have that blend in just the right proportions.
May 8, 2019
A great read. spaceship full of various interspecies as well as humans and a wizard. Everyone has there own demons but if any problems , they all come together to find a solution . Full of action, humor and emotions.
October 18, 2019
pure fun an enjoyable listen, the narrator gives each crew member a unique voice and literally enacts a large cast, all on his own. The stories are fun and enjoyable. I'll be continuing witih this series as time permits.
February 27, 2020
What a fun set! Easy reading, fun sci-fi adventures with a rag-tag crew. If you liked Firefly, you will likely enjoy this series. The author is talented, but the right editor would give him the polish he needs. Definitely looking forward to reading the next mission pack!
November 8, 2021
FJ
It's what I would call a popcorn book. It sets up a believable universe but you don't need heavy thinking to enjoy it. Liked the characters different attitudes and mix of science and magic. I gave it 4 stars because I'm more of a hard science Svi-fi fan.
It's what I would call a popcorn book. It sets up a believable universe but you don't need heavy thinking to enjoy it. Liked the characters different attitudes and mix of science and magic. I gave it 4 stars because I'm more of a hard science Svi-fi fan.
November 16, 2016
Really enjoyed this book. Lots of adventure. Likeable characters. Stories didn't drag. The bonus short story was good. I enjoyed reading how Mort & Carl knew each other.
January 26, 2017
Mission Pack 1
Full of rollicking adventure with lots of great fleshed out characters, lots of unsavory characters and many dubious ones. Very enjoyable!
Full of rollicking adventure with lots of great fleshed out characters, lots of unsavory characters and many dubious ones. Very enjoyable!
June 10, 2017
Recently written space opera. Far deeper characters than space opera was in the 1930's and such. Very personable, even intriguingly so. Very good world/tech/etc. premises.
January 28, 2018
Stop wasting your time reading this review and start reading or listening to the stories!
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