Book Review: Captain's Share

Captain's Share

By:  Nathan Lowell

Publisher:  Podiobooks

Publish Date:  2010

Format:  Podiobooks

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  5th in Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series; 1st Book ~ Quarter Share, 2nd Book ~ Half Share, 3rd Book ~ Full Share, 4th Book ~ Double Share

Recommendation:  Ooooh yes. You've got to be hooked on Ish and his life in the Deep Dark Space by now. Things are switched around for Ish now.

Synopsis:
A shuffling of cabins puts Ishmael Horatio Wang in command of the worst ship in the fleet.  He learns that being Captain doesn't make you infallible and that life in the Captain's Cabin is filled with new kinds of challenge as he tries to keep the ship moving, the crew out of trouble, and turn a profit to earn his Captain's Share.  The ship where the officers outnumber the crew, how can he manage to keep everybody happy?  Welcome to the SC Agamemnon.

First Sentence:
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of good fortune must be in want of a wife.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

**I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Ish has been on the William Tinker about thirteen years now. Things are going well in the deep dark space as he sits as First Mate to his Captain Freddie. Until there is an abandoned ship found floating through space. What they find there is one thing that will never leave Ish's mind and a stark reminder of the deep dark space they fly in. Ish's work with this abandoned ship may bring him to the attention of others, having him invited to sit for Captains test. Things are about to change with a new Captain coming to the William Tinker, and Ish now with his Captain license can take command of the ship the Captain is moving up from - The SC Agamemnon. But with the reputation of the crew bring Ish down, or can he make a difference there as well?

The first episodes of what they find in the lost ship reminds me of a Star Trek episode. The ship is a prime example of what could happen if you don't take care of your ship. Tragic and scary to think on.

Ish has a wife who waits for him to return to station and he passes his Captains test... The things that Ish should have, yet I wonder about his wife. Even though they've been together for seven years, I remember the feeling on the ship with Pip's Aunt and Uncle. That's what feels natural for Ish, to me. But if this works, my hats off to him.

Very touching with the relationships, friends and how people come and go in the lives here. Everyone moves on and ages. And I got a kick out of how much everyone knows Ish. They just know he's going to take the offered Captain-ship, no matter the reputation of the ship and crew. And, maybe that is a bonus - a challenge - for him. He is so predictable. LOL!

Ish's new ship has three of the biggest trouble makers in the fleet, who don't step over the line to in order to be removed. Ish is amazing with these people. Starting with the love for coffee and food, all else will follow suit. He works with the good in each person, not the same as others who have been scolding for their wrongs. Ish learns what their specialties are by what others notice as wrong. As I've said in previous books, Ish is great at finding what people are amazing at. He's firm with them yet wants these people here and to do their best. Even when Ish reprimands he makes the crew member feel comfortable and wanted at the same time.

I do miss the old friends we started with. The new crew reminds me of Pip and others, yet a little differently. Ish tries a few tricks from his first First Mate, Maxwell. It's great to see what he does with these people. The trading comes up, one crew member reminds me of Pip with happenings and his ability to pick cargo.

One thing to remember, 'the crew follows their Captain's lead', and this crew does. To me, even early on, Ish seemed to fit in here. This crew is his family, and through the book it felt comfortable here with Ish. Nothing like when he first boarded the William Tinker, now that was rough! Ish uncovers an amazing crew and family here.

We see new places and further out in the deep dark space. Ish makes a run that shares with us more that's out there in space than we have seen before. We even learn about space as we go too, even if it helps or hurts Ish or others. Always interesting to learn what will be out in the vast dark space beyond.

In the end, I felt there should be more story here on Ish, the new crew member, and the crew in relation to new member. As if they all are in a transition of their lives.

I will be rushing into the next book with Ish. I can't seem to get enough of these stories!