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The Sculpted Ship (The Silver Queen Series)
The Girl is an experienced spacer and starship engineer. Now she wants to set out on her own as captain of a cheap, practical ship. The Starship was a yacht for the elite of the empire, as much art as ship. Now she's a freighter, her drives disabled, her identity erased. She's only useful as an ornament for a used ship lot.She is not a cheap, practical ship suitable for a new captain.It'll take more than overhauling a nova drive to get this ship among the stars. The girl - now captain - will face challenges she's not ready formal society dinners, rogue robots, and a fashion designer. She may even have to make a few friends - and enemies.
11 pages, Audio CD
First published November 18, 2016
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190 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
February 3, 2017
I did not enjoy this book. I would only give one star, but there was enough there that I did finish it; hence two stars.
Synopsis: an engineer, Anailu Xindar a young female with gray skin and gray hair of mysterious origins (she might be alien, it's a mystery for another novel), resigns from her job and seeks to buy her own cargo ship. Based upon a childhood fascination, a practical woman does an impractical thing and buys a beautiful Dove Class luxury yacht that someone, for some mysterious reason has retrofitted into a cargo ship. The big problem is there are missing parts from the Dove that without those parts, the Dove can not travel interplanetary.
Captain Xindar buys it anyway and enters the planet side world of cargo moving. Along the way, she deals with taking etiquette lessons and outfits herself to make money in the arena of planet side cargo delivery and safari charters. In her spare time, she seeks the mysterious missing parts and makes friends along the way.
The Dove has many mysterious extra functions and quirks, some of which are answered in this novel and some which are probably answered in a future novel.
The Good: reading this I was often finding echoes of the world Jack Vance built for his Demon Princes series, mostly from the character names and place settings. K.M. O'Brien has a good handle on how starships work in his universe. World building is ambiguous, there is a bureaucratic Empire that we get a slight taste of, full of noble houses that do what they want with very little punitive measures to keep them in check, and there are a number of known sentient species that are never seen; however, there is one chapter with a jarring POV shift that lets the reader know that there is a mysterious alien race out there with an interest in Anailu, or her ship, or both.
The Bad: the plot is slight. Captain Xindar takes etiquette lessons, outfits her Ship as best she can, and meets people along the way. That is most of the plot.
It lacks conflict. I never felt she was in great danger. She has one encounter with a lecherous Noble. She takes care of him, but makes an enemy. The noble is not seen for the rest of the book, the reader gets a hint that the noble will haunt her later (probably in a future installment). There are two more "dangerous" moments. In one, Anailu impersonates a Pirate Queen to rescue two androids that have evolved into sentient beings. In another, she tries to heist the parts she needs for the Dove, fails; however, in a few POV shifted chapters, the reader is introduced to a crack espionage team that acquire the parts for her, putting her in no danger. The POV shift is in the last few chapters. The new characters come out of no where, the only development given to them is one of them thinks the other has a nice ass (I'm not even joking). We get the sense, we will see more of them in future installments.
The Ugly: the writing is terri-bad. A hot mess of missing words, extra words and egregious use of "I'm gonna tell you, not show you". Honestly, it reads like a good start on a first, rough, draft. Had the author enlisted an editor, the book could have shined. That's the ugliest part. There are gleams of a good, entertaining story here, but the time for editing was not taken.
Read if: like me, you want to experience and support rising authors. You like Jack Vance and light science fiction.
Do Not Read If: poor writing gives you migraines.
Synopsis: an engineer, Anailu Xindar a young female with gray skin and gray hair of mysterious origins (she might be alien, it's a mystery for another novel), resigns from her job and seeks to buy her own cargo ship. Based upon a childhood fascination, a practical woman does an impractical thing and buys a beautiful Dove Class luxury yacht that someone, for some mysterious reason has retrofitted into a cargo ship. The big problem is there are missing parts from the Dove that without those parts, the Dove can not travel interplanetary.
Captain Xindar buys it anyway and enters the planet side world of cargo moving. Along the way, she deals with taking etiquette lessons and outfits herself to make money in the arena of planet side cargo delivery and safari charters. In her spare time, she seeks the mysterious missing parts and makes friends along the way.
The Dove has many mysterious extra functions and quirks, some of which are answered in this novel and some which are probably answered in a future novel.
The Good: reading this I was often finding echoes of the world Jack Vance built for his Demon Princes series, mostly from the character names and place settings. K.M. O'Brien has a good handle on how starships work in his universe. World building is ambiguous, there is a bureaucratic Empire that we get a slight taste of, full of noble houses that do what they want with very little punitive measures to keep them in check, and there are a number of known sentient species that are never seen; however, there is one chapter with a jarring POV shift that lets the reader know that there is a mysterious alien race out there with an interest in Anailu, or her ship, or both.
The Bad: the plot is slight. Captain Xindar takes etiquette lessons, outfits her Ship as best she can, and meets people along the way. That is most of the plot.
It lacks conflict. I never felt she was in great danger. She has one encounter with a lecherous Noble. She takes care of him, but makes an enemy. The noble is not seen for the rest of the book, the reader gets a hint that the noble will haunt her later (probably in a future installment). There are two more "dangerous" moments. In one, Anailu impersonates a Pirate Queen to rescue two androids that have evolved into sentient beings. In another, she tries to heist the parts she needs for the Dove, fails; however, in a few POV shifted chapters, the reader is introduced to a crack espionage team that acquire the parts for her, putting her in no danger. The POV shift is in the last few chapters. The new characters come out of no where, the only development given to them is one of them thinks the other has a nice ass (I'm not even joking). We get the sense, we will see more of them in future installments.
The Ugly: the writing is terri-bad. A hot mess of missing words, extra words and egregious use of "I'm gonna tell you, not show you". Honestly, it reads like a good start on a first, rough, draft. Had the author enlisted an editor, the book could have shined. That's the ugliest part. There are gleams of a good, entertaining story here, but the time for editing was not taken.
Read if: like me, you want to experience and support rising authors. You like Jack Vance and light science fiction.
Do Not Read If: poor writing gives you migraines.
May 18, 2018
Interesting characters, and world building that provides just the right amount of background for an interstellar empire. I read this book all day until I'd finished the whole thing.
This book is about a newly minted captain who has just bought herself a new ship, trying to get it up and running, and a few friends an allies she makes along the way. I found the story to be an interesting exploration of life in a sci fi universe. Both the captain and the ship have a few mysteries about them. There's clearly more to come in this series, though happily, readers are not left with a cliffhanger at the end of the novel.
This isn't a book of fast paced action, if you're looking for that kind of thing. This story has more of a slow burn to it.
I enjoyed this novel very much, and will certainly be looking for any sequel.
This book is about a newly minted captain who has just bought herself a new ship, trying to get it up and running, and a few friends an allies she makes along the way. I found the story to be an interesting exploration of life in a sci fi universe. Both the captain and the ship have a few mysteries about them. There's clearly more to come in this series, though happily, readers are not left with a cliffhanger at the end of the novel.
This isn't a book of fast paced action, if you're looking for that kind of thing. This story has more of a slow burn to it.
I enjoyed this novel very much, and will certainly be looking for any sequel.
December 2, 2016
A very enjoyable SF story. A women engineer finds that she can't sign a new contract at her current job on a starship and is encouraged to seek her own ship as a pilot and owner.
Most of the first half of the novel involves first finding a ship and then how to maintain her and to pick up business. There is something about the ship she bought that is a mystery concerning the price she was able to buy it for and how it was purposely gutted.
The second half 0f the novel starts to move into conflict and how she was going to deal with it This is not an action novel or space opera. Just a solid story which you see evolving and hopefully moving on into a sequel.
Once again I am amazed at finding another indie treasure.
Most of the first half of the novel involves first finding a ship and then how to maintain her and to pick up business. There is something about the ship she bought that is a mystery concerning the price she was able to buy it for and how it was purposely gutted.
The second half 0f the novel starts to move into conflict and how she was going to deal with it This is not an action novel or space opera. Just a solid story which you see evolving and hopefully moving on into a sequel.
Once again I am amazed at finding another indie treasure.
November 28, 2020
This is charming and after reading a fair number of foot-to-the-floor, non-stop action space opera adventures (I’m looking at you, Seven Devils and The Unconquerable Sun) it was a real pleasure to tuck into something far more sedately paced.
Anailu is a young engineer, who suddenly finds herself no longer part of a ship’s crew when she refuses to sign up the new Contract that her corporate employer wants to lock her into. So with her savings, she decides to find a suitable ship and start up her own cargo business. This book charts her adventures along the way. And I found myself turning the pages and reading far later into the night than I’d planned to discover what happened next.
There is a charm and bounce to this book. I liked the world and the fact that most of the characters we encounter are largely decent folks, who are trying to get along the best way they know how – and if they can lend someone else a helping hand, they do so. Which is quite a contrast to the tone of many books in this genre. The feel reminded me, in places, of Becky Chambers’ books – although the writing isn’t as fluid or accomplished.
Nonetheless, I was completely won over by Anailu and enjoyed learning more about her and her remarkable ship. This book is clearly the start of a series, though I note that as yet a sequel hasn’t yet appeared. I’ll be keeping an eye out, though. I have really enjoyed this one and was very sorry to get to the end of this entertaining adventure. Highly recommended for space opera fans who also appreciate their space opera a little more low key and upbeat.
8/10
Anailu is a young engineer, who suddenly finds herself no longer part of a ship’s crew when she refuses to sign up the new Contract that her corporate employer wants to lock her into. So with her savings, she decides to find a suitable ship and start up her own cargo business. This book charts her adventures along the way. And I found myself turning the pages and reading far later into the night than I’d planned to discover what happened next.
There is a charm and bounce to this book. I liked the world and the fact that most of the characters we encounter are largely decent folks, who are trying to get along the best way they know how – and if they can lend someone else a helping hand, they do so. Which is quite a contrast to the tone of many books in this genre. The feel reminded me, in places, of Becky Chambers’ books – although the writing isn’t as fluid or accomplished.
Nonetheless, I was completely won over by Anailu and enjoyed learning more about her and her remarkable ship. This book is clearly the start of a series, though I note that as yet a sequel hasn’t yet appeared. I’ll be keeping an eye out, though. I have really enjoyed this one and was very sorry to get to the end of this entertaining adventure. Highly recommended for space opera fans who also appreciate their space opera a little more low key and upbeat.
8/10
January 3, 2020
Boring plot, staid prose
I was not a fan of this book. It felt very mechanical and wooden. It felt like someone describing the makings of a story in an outline, rather than a fully realized world.
I was not a fan of this book. It felt very mechanical and wooden. It felt like someone describing the makings of a story in an outline, rather than a fully realized world.
March 5, 2017
Very good book.
When I got through the first thing I did was look for sequel. I wished all the books I purchased were this good .
SAM Kbilling
When I got through the first thing I did was look for sequel. I wished all the books I purchased were this good .
SAM Kbilling
January 30, 2017
What a sweet little book this is! The writing was a bit uneven, and the editing was rough, but the story itself was great and the characters were cohesive, fun and interesting.
The book is clearly intended to be the first of a series, but it works well as a stand-alone. We see the journey of a young woman who has paid her dues working as a starship mechanic and has saved enough during her career to pursue her dream of owning her own star ship. We follow her as she finds her dream ship, and proceeds to build a foundation for success through the people she meets and the incremental support that they provide to help her achieve her goals. Everything proceeds in a matter-of-fact composed manner, built upon the essential "goodness" of the main character.
My expectations were low for the book, but I was quickly surprised by how appealing the primary character became. She is naive, yet upbeat and determined. I kept wondering when the boom would fall. Would this become a tale of innocence destroyed? Would major challenges drive our heroine to despair? Would she have to constantly overcome great odds on the way to success? Instead it was a bit of a travelogue of little obstacles gradually overcome and a pleasant string of successes that result. There is no great drama, nor major conflict resolved. But a string of helpful friends and serendipitous events produce a pleasant and light read.
The only hiccup in the story was an extended "technical" description of a heist that occurs on behalf of the heroine. We briefly meet a team of operatives who infiltrate a military installation and steal packages through spoofing an automated set of systems. We see every step of the way, but there is little drama or suspense in the heist. We don't get to know these characters, so it is difficult to care much about their travails despite the operation's risks. This sequence could have been omitted entirely without harming the overall story.
The stage is now set for a larger conflict to come in the future. Or not. But I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as a lighthearted and appealing tale. It was fun! Hope for a sequel soon.
The book is clearly intended to be the first of a series, but it works well as a stand-alone. We see the journey of a young woman who has paid her dues working as a starship mechanic and has saved enough during her career to pursue her dream of owning her own star ship. We follow her as she finds her dream ship, and proceeds to build a foundation for success through the people she meets and the incremental support that they provide to help her achieve her goals. Everything proceeds in a matter-of-fact composed manner, built upon the essential "goodness" of the main character.
My expectations were low for the book, but I was quickly surprised by how appealing the primary character became. She is naive, yet upbeat and determined. I kept wondering when the boom would fall. Would this become a tale of innocence destroyed? Would major challenges drive our heroine to despair? Would she have to constantly overcome great odds on the way to success? Instead it was a bit of a travelogue of little obstacles gradually overcome and a pleasant string of successes that result. There is no great drama, nor major conflict resolved. But a string of helpful friends and serendipitous events produce a pleasant and light read.
The only hiccup in the story was an extended "technical" description of a heist that occurs on behalf of the heroine. We briefly meet a team of operatives who infiltrate a military installation and steal packages through spoofing an automated set of systems. We see every step of the way, but there is little drama or suspense in the heist. We don't get to know these characters, so it is difficult to care much about their travails despite the operation's risks. This sequence could have been omitted entirely without harming the overall story.
The stage is now set for a larger conflict to come in the future. Or not. But I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as a lighthearted and appealing tale. It was fun! Hope for a sequel soon.
January 14, 2017
Can't wait for the sequel!
Loved the book so I gave it five stars. The story was fresh, very different than anything I have read for a long time. Loved the main character, all the interactions, the secondary characters, everything! My sister loved it as well. Really looking forward to what the future will bring to Captain Xindar. I am sure it will be fascinating as the author has set up so many hints of exciting things to come. It is going to be a very hard wait for the next one!
Loved the book so I gave it five stars. The story was fresh, very different than anything I have read for a long time. Loved the main character, all the interactions, the secondary characters, everything! My sister loved it as well. Really looking forward to what the future will bring to Captain Xindar. I am sure it will be fascinating as the author has set up so many hints of exciting things to come. It is going to be a very hard wait for the next one!
January 21, 2017
I love space opera
loved the characters and their drive and motivation. Great yarn, intriguing mystery. I want a sequel and I want it now! And, pretty please, can I have that ship?
loved the characters and their drive and motivation. Great yarn, intriguing mystery. I want a sequel and I want it now! And, pretty please, can I have that ship?
May 21, 2017
The premise behind this story was decently conveyed. The world building was solid, with enough detail in some areas to really satisfy. There were about five places that had difficulties in editing, sentence errors that just stopped you flat. There were a few spots that just had a word duplicated or left out - but easy enough to work through.
Our heroine's personality was shown as solid and reliable, but she took chances that seemed out of character. Allowing her background and personality a bit more wildness would have resolved some of that dissonance.
Story line challenges had a tendency to jump, rather than being discovered, explored and then understood. Solutions were gotten a bit easily, with less justification for our heroine's choices than always seemed reasonable.
I would have liked a bit more depth to the relationships she developed with her support characters.
All that being said, I enjoyed the characters, the world and Anailu's predicament, solutions and learning process. There was a bit of humor shown in how some of the situations progressed and a sense of solid work and character behind her successes.
The ending seemed to come a bit suddenly, but the author's touches of complexity and her sense of detail wrapped things up in a satisfying manner.
I'd love to read more of Anailu's story, there was plenty of material and mysteries left to explore and I can't wait to see where it goes next.
I paid for this book and plan to buy the next in the series. Honestly, that's the highest praise I can give!!
Our heroine's personality was shown as solid and reliable, but she took chances that seemed out of character. Allowing her background and personality a bit more wildness would have resolved some of that dissonance.
Story line challenges had a tendency to jump, rather than being discovered, explored and then understood. Solutions were gotten a bit easily, with less justification for our heroine's choices than always seemed reasonable.
I would have liked a bit more depth to the relationships she developed with her support characters.
All that being said, I enjoyed the characters, the world and Anailu's predicament, solutions and learning process. There was a bit of humor shown in how some of the situations progressed and a sense of solid work and character behind her successes.
The ending seemed to come a bit suddenly, but the author's touches of complexity and her sense of detail wrapped things up in a satisfying manner.
I'd love to read more of Anailu's story, there was plenty of material and mysteries left to explore and I can't wait to see where it goes next.
I paid for this book and plan to buy the next in the series. Honestly, that's the highest praise I can give!!
January 13, 2017
Great story!!!
One of the kind of stories that you hate to put down,action ,suspense,intrigue,and a lot of interesting story line! O'Brien writes like the best!! the story of the starship engineer who finds her ship and how special it is and the trials she goes through to get it running correctly seem very realistic and believable,which makes you hate to put it down!! I'm going looking for part two right now and hope I don't have to wait!
One of the kind of stories that you hate to put down,action ,suspense,intrigue,and a lot of interesting story line! O'Brien writes like the best!! the story of the starship engineer who finds her ship and how special it is and the trials she goes through to get it running correctly seem very realistic and believable,which makes you hate to put it down!! I'm going looking for part two right now and hope I don't have to wait!
February 19, 2017
Good plot, too much tell
The sculpted ship has a good plot and some interesting characters. However, the narration drags because it is exactly that: narration. The action drags as the characters move through it. There is little opportunity to engage emotionally even though there are plot nodes that would allow more character development.
The sculpted ship has a good plot and some interesting characters. However, the narration drags because it is exactly that: narration. The action drags as the characters move through it. There is little opportunity to engage emotionally even though there are plot nodes that would allow more character development.
January 1, 2017
Wonderful storyteller
I usually don't like military fiction but this book captured me. I desperately want there to be a sequel and I wish I could read it now. Please tell me Anailu has more to her story. What a great imagination this author has. Bravo!
I usually don't like military fiction but this book captured me. I desperately want there to be a sequel and I wish I could read it now. Please tell me Anailu has more to her story. What a great imagination this author has. Bravo!
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August 22, 2020This has potential. It seems to polarise some reviewers who hate the lack of action and conflict and detail. Others appreciate the sedate nature of it.
I can see both sides. I think it has huge potential, because it is that bit different from other space opera in the story it tries to set up. In fact, I have given up on a lot of books recently because they felt like they didn't try and do anything different, just the same heroes, the same settings, the same cliffhangers. So the fact that I took the time to write this (I won't rate the book, since I don't think my score would add anything) is praise. I can see potential in the book and the author.
Of course, that makes it all the more grating when I see the errors that are common to a first time writer. (I read, edit, and sometimes judge [in competitions] a lot of books, so can usually spot the areas for improvement pretty quickly.) The core ship is well thought out and feels complete, though the world building is poor. Basically Earth's past transplanted to another planet - so some very old-fashioned characters, subplots about etiquette, rich people going on safari etc. And since it's the setting for the story it doesn't do it justice, since it feels over familiar and the chance to do something interesting is lost. A bigger problem is the writing. This said it was a re-edited edition, but there were still typos, and an often-clunky style. It's also pulled down by the beginner error of telling not showing, as in not getting into the character's head and letting us experience through their eyes. We get too much uninteresting detail, and too little of what counts. Here's an example. The protagonist goes on a submarine trip on the alien world where she has found herself. Just think of the amazing sights and sensations that offers! But this is what the book says:
"The sights were interesting, though, with a good view forward."
That's it. We don't experience it, feel it, even find out what she sees. There's so much potential, unfulfilled. A couple of pages later the protagonist goes to an amazing waterfall. What are the views like?
"the view was spectacular."
The end. We're told, but not shown; we don't feel any of the sense of it. So, things that might be wondrous to the main character end up flat, and the world feels even more like one we live in and have experienced, rather than something fresh.
I just want to end by saying that I can see why a certain kind of reader will enjoy this book. And I could see it being vastly improved with more experience, or quality editing. Likewise, if a sequel is written, I could see it being a really interesting book. I really wish the author well - they got my attention because they show promise. I hope they keep writing and evolve their craft so that these kinds of criticisms don't apply to book 2.
I can see both sides. I think it has huge potential, because it is that bit different from other space opera in the story it tries to set up. In fact, I have given up on a lot of books recently because they felt like they didn't try and do anything different, just the same heroes, the same settings, the same cliffhangers. So the fact that I took the time to write this (I won't rate the book, since I don't think my score would add anything) is praise. I can see potential in the book and the author.
Of course, that makes it all the more grating when I see the errors that are common to a first time writer. (I read, edit, and sometimes judge [in competitions] a lot of books, so can usually spot the areas for improvement pretty quickly.) The core ship is well thought out and feels complete, though the world building is poor. Basically Earth's past transplanted to another planet - so some very old-fashioned characters, subplots about etiquette, rich people going on safari etc. And since it's the setting for the story it doesn't do it justice, since it feels over familiar and the chance to do something interesting is lost. A bigger problem is the writing. This said it was a re-edited edition, but there were still typos, and an often-clunky style. It's also pulled down by the beginner error of telling not showing, as in not getting into the character's head and letting us experience through their eyes. We get too much uninteresting detail, and too little of what counts. Here's an example. The protagonist goes on a submarine trip on the alien world where she has found herself. Just think of the amazing sights and sensations that offers! But this is what the book says:
"The sights were interesting, though, with a good view forward."
That's it. We don't experience it, feel it, even find out what she sees. There's so much potential, unfulfilled. A couple of pages later the protagonist goes to an amazing waterfall. What are the views like?
"the view was spectacular."
The end. We're told, but not shown; we don't feel any of the sense of it. So, things that might be wondrous to the main character end up flat, and the world feels even more like one we live in and have experienced, rather than something fresh.
I just want to end by saying that I can see why a certain kind of reader will enjoy this book. And I could see it being vastly improved with more experience, or quality editing. Likewise, if a sequel is written, I could see it being a really interesting book. I really wish the author well - they got my attention because they show promise. I hope they keep writing and evolve their craft so that these kinds of criticisms don't apply to book 2.
March 2, 2019
I feel like this is a good start and am hoping to read more about the protagonist and the Universe thus novel is set in. Positives about the story are the Universe which to me appears to be a mix of Victoriana and science fiction. People go on safari (really!), there are nobles, and there is a culture of Gentleman's promises and bets. At the same time gaming is taken very seriously, some people can be mentally 'adjusted' by those with the power to do so, starships fly around in the gravity well and even under water, there are airbikes and air cars - I detect maybe just a faint echo if the Vorkosigan Universe? In any case, much of the Universe is very roughly sketched - we get the idea an uprising of some sort is planned, there are undercurrents and I had the faint sense that the story is part of a much bigger and more exciting plot. Sadly this never really got beyond hints. And this is an excellent link into what I missed. For most of the book I was wondering when something exciting or seriously adverse might befall our heroine. However, she seems to move from one stroke of good luck to the next with only one seemingly minor, if very unpleasant, event interrupting her increasingly good fortunes. That's it - there simply wasn't enough excitement, and I got quite annoyed with the chapters devoted to fashion and makeup. Those were just odd and almost a non sequitur - not quite sure how being given a designer uniform advanced the plot. I also felt that most of the characters were seriously under developed.
The most exciting part of the book was at the end: A standalone description of a daring switch of crates stored in a high security military compound using innovative process and database hacking by a team of undercover military agents. This was for me the freshest and most interesting part of the book, yet it seemed almost completely disconnected from the rest of the story, it came as a complete surprise with no discernable prior introduction, had different characters that occur nowhere else in the novel, and a new male protagonist with a different background, different desires, and embedded in a military culture. It seemed to me almost as if two different books (the exciting crate heist may have been more of a novella) had somehow been linked to create this longer novel. , but - for my taste--not seemlessly and not well enough.
Of the two parts to this story the first one just burbled along, the second was a lot of fun, but too short and too abrupt.
The most exciting part of the book was at the end: A standalone description of a daring switch of crates stored in a high security military compound using innovative process and database hacking by a team of undercover military agents. This was for me the freshest and most interesting part of the book, yet it seemed almost completely disconnected from the rest of the story, it came as a complete surprise with no discernable prior introduction, had different characters that occur nowhere else in the novel, and a new male protagonist with a different background, different desires, and embedded in a military culture. It seemed to me almost as if two different books (the exciting crate heist may have been more of a novella) had somehow been linked to create this longer novel. , but - for my taste--not seemlessly and not well enough.
Of the two parts to this story the first one just burbled along, the second was a lot of fun, but too short and too abrupt.
June 5, 2017
This was not a good book, but it had hints of originality and freshness that I can't ignore.
First, the writing is often clunky. It's hard to see any rhyme or reason between the various elements of mundane commercial spaceship ownership that the author chooses to lavishly describe, and the ones she gives barely a sentence. The author doesn't do transitions within a chapter well; you'll go abruptly from immersive to narrative voice.
Second, the plot is pretty clear for the first 70% of the book or so, and then becomes impenetrable. New viewpoint characters get introduced when the book is 2/3 over, because the new plot developments require them. And I had a lot of trouble following what was happening once the hacker character got introduced, although I was definitely reading faster than usual trying to get to the end.
Third, most of the characters are pretty stereotypical, although the main character is interesting (and she's why I finished the book). But there's the over-the-top fashion designer artiste, the rich heiress with a heart of gold, etc. In general, all of the sequences that didn't involve the main character were pretty dull and hard to care about.
And yet and yet and yet... there's a lot of freshness and originality here. I liked some of the technological bits, like the machine that can apply makeup and do haircuts rapidly (of course an advanced society would have something like that, but you don't usually see it sketched, even in SF series by and about women). The worldbuilding around the bureaucratic Imperial superstate is realistic without being didactic. The sequence with the etiquette lessons was promising and I wish the author had been more explicit about the etiquette of her future society. There was just a sort of charm to (most of) this book that compelled me to finish. And it's also a gentle and mannerly book, reminding me a bit of Nathan Lowell's Star Clipper series (Lowell has many of the same problems that this author does), at least until the last quarter or so. Recommended for my wife, but maybe not for anyone else I know.
First, the writing is often clunky. It's hard to see any rhyme or reason between the various elements of mundane commercial spaceship ownership that the author chooses to lavishly describe, and the ones she gives barely a sentence. The author doesn't do transitions within a chapter well; you'll go abruptly from immersive to narrative voice.
Second, the plot is pretty clear for the first 70% of the book or so, and then becomes impenetrable. New viewpoint characters get introduced when the book is 2/3 over, because the new plot developments require them. And I had a lot of trouble following what was happening once the hacker character got introduced, although I was definitely reading faster than usual trying to get to the end.
Third, most of the characters are pretty stereotypical, although the main character is interesting (and she's why I finished the book). But there's the over-the-top fashion designer artiste, the rich heiress with a heart of gold, etc. In general, all of the sequences that didn't involve the main character were pretty dull and hard to care about.
And yet and yet and yet... there's a lot of freshness and originality here. I liked some of the technological bits, like the machine that can apply makeup and do haircuts rapidly (of course an advanced society would have something like that, but you don't usually see it sketched, even in SF series by and about women). The worldbuilding around the bureaucratic Imperial superstate is realistic without being didactic. The sequence with the etiquette lessons was promising and I wish the author had been more explicit about the etiquette of her future society. There was just a sort of charm to (most of) this book that compelled me to finish. And it's also a gentle and mannerly book, reminding me a bit of Nathan Lowell's Star Clipper series (Lowell has many of the same problems that this author does), at least until the last quarter or so. Recommended for my wife, but maybe not for anyone else I know.
October 2, 2018
Most of my enjoyment of this book comes from the setting and the overall plot. I picked this up largely because I enjoyed Nathan Lowell's Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series, and the story of someone setting out on their career as a starship captain is entertaining. There's some interesting characters in there, and some -- like Mr Ruscaban and his son -- that I'm hoping turn up in later books.
The book is let down by its writing. It reads like a early draft, and certainly needs an editor. Too much telling instead of showing, too many happy coincidences where everything works out for the protagonist. A lot of the time, a character happens to have the right skill or the right interest to resolve a plot point easily. All too often, the protagonist is just coasting from one deus ex machina to the next.
Most of the book is told from Captain Xindar's perspective, but there are some point-of-view changes and they're very jarring when they occur. The first one feels like set-up for a sequel, while the sequence at the end of non-Xindar chapters feels almost like a different book. I get why they were included, but it would've felt more natural if O'Brien had worked out a way to include Xindar in those chapters, and kept the perspective on her.
Finally, the Reader's Guide at the back of the book is either a nod to an intended audience (YA? in an English class?) and just felt a bit patronising for me (definitely not YA).
I'll be keeping this book in my library, and will probably read it again. I'll keep an eye out for further books in the series, and hope the author improves in their craft.
The book is let down by its writing. It reads like a early draft, and certainly needs an editor. Too much telling instead of showing, too many happy coincidences where everything works out for the protagonist. A lot of the time, a character happens to have the right skill or the right interest to resolve a plot point easily. All too often, the protagonist is just coasting from one deus ex machina to the next.
Most of the book is told from Captain Xindar's perspective, but there are some point-of-view changes and they're very jarring when they occur. The first one feels like set-up for a sequel, while the sequence at the end of non-Xindar chapters feels almost like a different book. I get why they were included, but it would've felt more natural if O'Brien had worked out a way to include Xindar in those chapters, and kept the perspective on her.
Finally, the Reader's Guide at the back of the book is either a nod to an intended audience (YA? in an English class?) and just felt a bit patronising for me (definitely not YA).
I'll be keeping this book in my library, and will probably read it again. I'll keep an eye out for further books in the series, and hope the author improves in their craft.
August 21, 2018
??????
Oddly enough, I rather liked this book. I just have several issues with it.
The premise is fairly enjoyable, the writing is good, the characters are (in the main) no worse than many others. Why the low rating? Because......
Maybe it’s my Kindle copy but the book just......... ends. I know it’s meant to be the first of a series, but come on! even a series should (in my opinion) have each book be acceptable as a stand-alone! This doesn’t feel that way, as I said it just..... ended.
Further annoying were the “ questions to consider for study groups”. I felt like I was back in school with assigned reading!
Another set of problems (spoilers!):
The ship is some top secret ship with all kinds of ultra top secret tech installed and ‘hidden away’ for a secret reason??!?!! First off, what military allows top secret cutting edge tech to simply fall off the books?? Second, what might be cutting edge today—— sure as hell WONT be 20-25 years later!! Which kinda blows the whole idea out of the water I’d think. Yes it could still be advanced...just not super cutting edge way ahead of everyone else. A 1995 video game in 1995 might be cutting edge, and even ‘advanced’ in some countries today, but it’s not going to be off the charts unheard of capability.
All that said, I realize this is the authors first work...... and I DID enjoy it. I’ll even (probably) read the next one if it’s cheap enough. Bottom line: not great but if you get it cheap (like BookBub etc) it’s worth reading, and worth encouraging the author.
Oddly enough, I rather liked this book. I just have several issues with it.
The premise is fairly enjoyable, the writing is good, the characters are (in the main) no worse than many others. Why the low rating? Because......
Maybe it’s my Kindle copy but the book just......... ends. I know it’s meant to be the first of a series, but come on! even a series should (in my opinion) have each book be acceptable as a stand-alone! This doesn’t feel that way, as I said it just..... ended.
Further annoying were the “ questions to consider for study groups”. I felt like I was back in school with assigned reading!
Another set of problems (spoilers!):
The ship is some top secret ship with all kinds of ultra top secret tech installed and ‘hidden away’ for a secret reason??!?!! First off, what military allows top secret cutting edge tech to simply fall off the books?? Second, what might be cutting edge today—— sure as hell WONT be 20-25 years later!! Which kinda blows the whole idea out of the water I’d think. Yes it could still be advanced...just not super cutting edge way ahead of everyone else. A 1995 video game in 1995 might be cutting edge, and even ‘advanced’ in some countries today, but it’s not going to be off the charts unheard of capability.
All that said, I realize this is the authors first work...... and I DID enjoy it. I’ll even (probably) read the next one if it’s cheap enough. Bottom line: not great but if you get it cheap (like BookBub etc) it’s worth reading, and worth encouraging the author.
April 29, 2018
While I couldn't quite go with 5 stars for my rating, this book was truly excellent, and if the series continues to hold up to this level, I'll probably shift my rating up to give it that fifth star.
I love books about sci-fi ships, and figured this would be in my wheelhouse, but it didn't go quite how I'd expected. The first part of the book is mostly about Anailu, the main character, getting her ship up and running, and working her way toward her dreams. In the field of sci-fi ship-based stories, this seems like it would be boring, but it really wasn't. Honestly, I could have enjoyed an entire book that was nothing more than the captain working her way around the planet until finally getting her ship ready for interstellar travel, which was pretty surprising to me. It's a slow pace, but enjoyable....more like a stroll through an arboretum, rather than a mad dash down a city street. Different, but still worthwhile.
The slow build to get to know the main character makes the intrusion of a larger plot somewhat intrusive, but not in a particularly bad way. If anything, I'm just worried that the other goings-on will cause the captain problems later in the series. So, I guess the technique worked...I'm fully invested in Anailu travelling the stars in her ship, and pretty anxious about the dangers she'll likely face. A book that can actually make me care and feel for the characters is rare. I'm hooked, and eagerly waiting for the next book in the series.
I love books about sci-fi ships, and figured this would be in my wheelhouse, but it didn't go quite how I'd expected. The first part of the book is mostly about Anailu, the main character, getting her ship up and running, and working her way toward her dreams. In the field of sci-fi ship-based stories, this seems like it would be boring, but it really wasn't. Honestly, I could have enjoyed an entire book that was nothing more than the captain working her way around the planet until finally getting her ship ready for interstellar travel, which was pretty surprising to me. It's a slow pace, but enjoyable....more like a stroll through an arboretum, rather than a mad dash down a city street. Different, but still worthwhile.
The slow build to get to know the main character makes the intrusion of a larger plot somewhat intrusive, but not in a particularly bad way. If anything, I'm just worried that the other goings-on will cause the captain problems later in the series. So, I guess the technique worked...I'm fully invested in Anailu travelling the stars in her ship, and pretty anxious about the dangers she'll likely face. A book that can actually make me care and feel for the characters is rare. I'm hooked, and eagerly waiting for the next book in the series.
November 5, 2017
The Sculpted Ship was just a fun read, or in my case I listented to it, still fun This is a book about a young flight engineer who when faced with a conflict with a galictic monopoly takes fate into her own hands and goes out as an indpendent. This is a gutsy move for anyone. She is somewhat innocent of the ways of the world, make that galaxy, but has the good fortune of meeting some hightly ethical people who treat her fairly and mentor her. The Sculpted Ship certainly sets the stage for sequals to come with out going into mind numbing detail not relevant to moving the story along.
One thing I really likeed is that the main character and many of the other leadership characters are woman. Something not as rare in SF now as it once was. I thought it interesting that even in this far future world, the relative rarity of female starship captains, espeically in in the military, surfaces. I guess that's because I have two daughters, one of which is an engineer and even today has been a first and several times only.
So should you happen to be or have in your family a young lady with dreams of flying to the stars, this would be a great book for them. Not that it isn't good for everyone else, ficitonal woman leaders in STEM fields are as rare as they are in real life.
One thing I really likeed is that the main character and many of the other leadership characters are woman. Something not as rare in SF now as it once was. I thought it interesting that even in this far future world, the relative rarity of female starship captains, espeically in in the military, surfaces. I guess that's because I have two daughters, one of which is an engineer and even today has been a first and several times only.
So should you happen to be or have in your family a young lady with dreams of flying to the stars, this would be a great book for them. Not that it isn't good for everyone else, ficitonal woman leaders in STEM fields are as rare as they are in real life.
May 20, 2017
When Anailu Xindar is forced from her job, she almost has enough money to go on her own as a starship captain. She has the skills, knowledge, and certification—all she needs is a ship. Haunting the used ship yards, she is stunned to find a Dove class luxury liner she can just afford. Missing several key components, the ship is not yet ready for interstellar flight, but it will do for local trips to earn her the money she needs to outfit it for space.
Anailu's adventures as she scrapes together the money to buy the parts she needs leads her from smuggler's dens, to dinners with high society, and perhaps the most dangerous—the salons of high fashion for a new uniform. Along the way, she picks up a couple of sentient robots and a few parts that lead her closer to interstellar flight.
There are questions that are not answered, especially dealing with Anailu's origins, that leave room for a sequel without being cliffhangers. I look forward to the next book.
Anailu's adventures as she scrapes together the money to buy the parts she needs leads her from smuggler's dens, to dinners with high society, and perhaps the most dangerous—the salons of high fashion for a new uniform. Along the way, she picks up a couple of sentient robots and a few parts that lead her closer to interstellar flight.
There are questions that are not answered, especially dealing with Anailu's origins, that leave room for a sequel without being cliffhangers. I look forward to the next book.
January 5, 2025
A good first entry to what I think is supposed to be a series, tho this is dated 2016-18 and as far as I can tell there's been no follow-up. There are too many plot holes here for this to be a satisfactory standalone, so if you agree that there will probably be no #2, I'd give it a pass.
If you've read my other reviews, you'll know that I'm a stickler for grammar, spelling, and things that any good copyeditor would catch. In this book there are frequent examples where small connector words are missing or wrong (it instead of if, for one example). The page numbers are inconsistent - whole sections are misnumbered. It appears that O'Brien self-published this and has put out *six* revised versions so I guess he's working on making things right. I appreciate that, but better to have invested a few bux before the first release to have a minutia-minded person read it thru. Then he could have had time to write that second book.
If you've read my other reviews, you'll know that I'm a stickler for grammar, spelling, and things that any good copyeditor would catch. In this book there are frequent examples where small connector words are missing or wrong (it instead of if, for one example). The page numbers are inconsistent - whole sections are misnumbered. It appears that O'Brien self-published this and has put out *six* revised versions so I guess he's working on making things right. I appreciate that, but better to have invested a few bux before the first release to have a minutia-minded person read it thru. Then he could have had time to write that second book.
March 21, 2017
Fans of the Liaden series by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller will probably love this. Uplifting space opera and coming-of-age tale for our geeky engineer heroine with a mysterious friend Naomi and robot besties in the Snow sisters. Next book may have a love interest (but honestly, the sister-mance is so good you don't need it). Lots of little Star Wars (called Aether Wars) and MMORPG fan-girl/boying too. I look forward to finding out the full mystery and destiny of The Silver Queen and her crew in subsequent books.
December 13, 2017
This book starts off interesting enough but quickly gets a bit half hazard. Just too much happens that distracts from the real story of a young woman trying to make her way toward the stars. Has an entire large segment about her playing a VR Simulation and rising in rank for example. The parts where she is learning the ropes of the high-class transport business are mostly good. Her personal life segments, on the other hand, suffer from to many YA moments for me. Go into this knowing it's slow pace and written primarily for a teenage girl audience.
September 13, 2018
This whole book is act One of a story...I liked it and will read the sequel. Interesting science fiction, I liked the character and supporting characters and would like to see where this will go. This book is all about development with little in the way of major conflict or drama - the hero does her thing and gets what she wants. I may revise this review when I get to read acts 2 and 3. As I said, I liked the book but it is noticeably incomplete, only the first act, so only three stars.
November 4, 2020
I enjoyed The Sculpted Ship & am looking forward to the sequel when it comes you. It is a very sweet take on the space opera genre. It has a very YA feel, not quite sure if that is how it is filed. I like the twist on the super typical boy & his spaceship / coming of age story. Instead of space battles, our protagonist learns how to handle herself at dinner parties, and how to trust the friends in her life.
Only three stars, as there isn't really much there, and most of the characters are pretty superficially sketched out.
Only three stars, as there isn't really much there, and most of the characters are pretty superficially sketched out.
July 1, 2017
Loved it. It was one of this newer genre of sci fi books which really focuses on day to day operations and interpersonal relationships more than action, similar to the quarter share books, and a long way to a small angry planet.
Honestly from the basic plot I should have found it incredibly boring but instead I couldn't put it down. The characters and world were interesting and engaging and there was just enough hint of some exciting mysteries to explore
Honestly from the basic plot I should have found it incredibly boring but instead I couldn't put it down. The characters and world were interesting and engaging and there was just enough hint of some exciting mysteries to explore
July 15, 2017
A Good read. This book curbs the typical Science Fiction action a good deal but is all the better for it. If you liked the parts of the Privateers Tales where they buy and fix up their ships you'll love this book. This book has action it just isn't all guns blazing and incorporates non violent action as a better alternative. I'll definitely pick up the sequel
November 17, 2017
This is the second time Ive read this and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time.
I hope Mr O'Brien writes a follow up as 12 months has passed.
The heroine is very attractive (literally) and the mind boggles at the possible scenario of a continuation of this series.
A rogue space fleet, intrigue within the halls of power, a continued expose of hidden ship ability and development of our heroine ... just so much to look forward to.
Thank you Mr O'Brien
I hope Mr O'Brien writes a follow up as 12 months has passed.
The heroine is very attractive (literally) and the mind boggles at the possible scenario of a continuation of this series.
A rogue space fleet, intrigue within the halls of power, a continued expose of hidden ship ability and development of our heroine ... just so much to look forward to.
Thank you Mr O'Brien
January 4, 2018
This book reminded me of a 1970's Sci-Fi book, slow-moving and ponderous...and I want to be honest that I only read a few chapters before I lost the momentum to continue - is it fair to base a review on that? I'm not sure. What I think was missing to me was an interesting, dynamic, complicated, passionate protagonist, someone who I could invest in and cheer for. Other than being perceived as younger than her actual age, this character's biggest issue seemed to be lacking a personality.
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