Book Review: South Coast

South Coast

By:  Nathan Lowell

Publisher:  Podiobooks

Publish Date:  2007

Format:  Podiobooks

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  1st Shaman Tale: Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series
Associated with:  Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series; 1st Book ~ Quarter Share, 2nd Book ~ Half Share, 3rd Book ~ Full Share, 4th Book ~ Double Share, 5th ~ Captain's Share, 6th ~ Owner's Share

Recommendation:  Hmm, you don't have to listen/read it to go with the series, but it is a wonderful way to learn of the Shaman mentioned in the series and unlocking the magic inside.

Synopsis:
A Shaman's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper.

Otto is Richard Krugg's only son and heir to the Shaman's gift.  The only problem is Otto doesn't want it.  He wants to be a fisherman.  When company policies force unwelcome changes onto his life and threaten even the security of the village, Otto discovers that being a shaman isn't optional.

Jimmy Pirano is caught between the devil and the deep green sea when new production quotas are handed down from corporate headquarters.  Locked into a century of existing practice, Jimmy is forced to find new ways to fish and new places to do it in or face the very real possibility that Pirano Fisheries will lose the St. Cloud franchise.

Join Otto, Richard, and Rachel Krugg as they struggle with what it means to be the son of a shaman.  Cast off with Jimmy, Tony, and Casey as they navigate the shoals and shallows of corporate fishery along the South Coast.

First Sentence:
All happy families resemble each other; all unhappy families are unhappy in their own way.

Purchase At:
Amazon

Listen At:
iTunes  /  Podiobooks

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

My Thoughts and Summary:
The synopsis for this book is right on the money.  So I'm not going to go into the details, just to my thoughts.

There is a true family aspect here with Richard, Rachel, and Otto. I love it. They are a family and love each other, don't always agree but work through it as a unit. This is wonderful to see.

We see welkies! If you listen/read Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series with Ish, you know what a welkie is. Shamans make them. And we see them right here where they start and how they evolve to the amazing little statues they are.

This story is told with different Point of Views. This way we get all sides of the story - a Shaman and the Business owner as well as the low workers. Even though the workers are the ones who do the labor, Jimmy Pirano - the son who runs the branch in this area - doesn't forget where he and his father came from. They worked their way up to where they are, and he won't forget it. We hear from Otto and his family, Jimmy and the business side of fishing. Both have their own lives, yet meet in the middle.

Nathan sets up a whole world and environment here on this planet. A planet and production that is affected by needs out in space. A fishing port on land, which is kind of the same set up and idea as going into deep dark space but on the vast sea. Boats and crews and a business of trade, same general aspect as Ish's story. However, the fishers have a quota they are required to meet, and it's been raised.

Nathan is meticulous at creating well defined systems of work and money. The marketing system is well defined, and the people are in a normal routine to do as they do best. The manipulators are high up the ladder, but there is always two sides. We get a feel for the little guy and working class as Nathan is wonderful at doing. How the workers are affected by the numbers. And as much as I love the idea, I think this is why this one was a bit slower for me. I love to fish, but I wasn't as taken with the fishing business, yet I couldn't stop listening out of curiosity of what will happen on this world. It's well done, but I wasn't as into the story.

Then we have the Shaman side, as we got further into the story I started to really get curious about this aspect and loved what I saw. This was the growth of a young boy into his family heritage, and even the father as well. This shows you what a Shaman does and is rather than tell you, and for what we learn of the Shaman, this is the best way to experience it.

If you've listened/read Nathan's tales with Ish, you know of Sarah Krugg. This tale is of the Krugg family, but not of Sarah. This is long before her. This story doesn't relate to the Golden Clipper series, other than it's a world in it's Universe.

A trader's tale of another kind. In the end, I enjoyed the magic I saw unlocked in a Shaman, and how a world grew to be more than what it already is.

AudioBook Review: Ravenwood

Ravenwood

By:  Nathan Lowell

Publisher:  Podiobooks

Publish Date:  January 2010

Format:  Podiobooks

Series:  1st in Tanyth Fairport Adventure series

Recommendation:  A low key relaxing read full of nature and human magic.

Book Synopsis:
A Tanyth Fairport Adventure.

After twenty winters on the road, Tanyth makes one last pilgrimage in her quest to learn all she can about the herbs and medicinal plants of Korlay before settling down to write her magnum opus. Her journey is interrupted when she stops to help a small village and learns that much of what she knows of the world may not be quite as it seems.

In this work, Nathan Lowell blends wiccan tradition and shamanistic lore into a fantasy quest and creates a world for a new - if unlikely - heroine to explore. She learns that the familiar sometimes hides the fantastical and that, even when you think you’ve made your decisions, life doesn’t always agree.

First Sentence:
Somewhere up in the canopy, a jaybird greeted the dawn loudly and with the vigor usually reserved for mating and feeding.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Listen At:
iTunes  /  Podiobooks

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

My Thoughts and Summary:
Tanyth has spent the last twenty winters, of her fifty-three, travelling between different herbal experts. She learns something new from each. She's on her way to the last of the old witch women, who kept old knowledge of plants and seeds - Gerdie Pinecrest. Tanyth passes through a little town. Her kindness remembered when one of there own falls ill. The next morning they go out looking for her for healing help. Finding these young couples need help Tanyth stays for the winter to teach them of healing herbs. Tanyth finds she helps them through more troubles for a raising new town than they all expected.

So descriptive! Drew a whole picture here of Tanyth and the woods she travels through. A calm and peaceful connection here, like being one with Mother nature. Respectful to nature, take only what you need and say thank you along with nurturing her back. So much knowledge of plants and herbs also, which is the center of the story until we get into the meat of the town and troubles Tanyth comes across. She even learns about herself as the story goes.

The folks in this small village are kind and goodhearted. They take Tanyth in and accept her, even when she thinks she's talking like a crazy old woman. Nathan drew a strong friendship between Tanyth and the folks here in Ravenwood. One that in the end brought tears to my eyes for an honor they felt was owed to Tanyth (it's just a hearth).

The more you read Tanyth and see the towns reaction to her blessings, you start to wonder if she doesn't have a touch of magic to her. Even her dreams through the crows eyes. Creative with a touch to let your mind wonder about it. And look forward to more tales of Tanyth's adventures to learn about herself.

The little village seems very productive and organized. Something Nathan is meticulous at. Nathan has an amazing mind for creating set rules. Then, he throws in the rule breakers. The folk here are innocent to the troubles that could come down the road they are so close to, even things they tried to leave behind in the big city. Nathan takes his characters and town to the brink in the way of terrible things that could happen. Well done.

It's a slower pace story of a life in a healer's shoes as she travels and helps others. I keep thinking while listening if I would read this book, rather than listen to it. Honestly, I don't think I would. It's a bit calm for me. The beginning is slower start as we meet Tanyth and the town. This is not a bad thing, so many love this in a book. But, as the story went, I couldn't stop from listening. Something caught me and I kept going. And I'm thrilled I did.

The book is slow starting, for me, but the ending is well worth the extra care at the beginning.

Gardeners and Nature lovers might enjoy this story. The relaxing feel nature gives is how I'd explain how Nathan reading this story makes me feel with words and descriptions of nature.

Nathan makes it very easy to understand the book when reading to us. I would recommend Nathan's audiobooks any day to anyone. Even if you have a hard time with audio, give Nathan's books a try. You might find you catch much more than you thought you would.

I'll be looking for the next Tanyth Fairport Adventure: Zypheria's Call. (already available in ebook.)

Book Review: Owner's Share

Owner's Share

By:  Nathan Lowell

Publisher:  Podiobooks

Publish Date:  December 2010

Format:  Podiobooks

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  6th in Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series; 1st Book ~ Quarter Share, 2nd Book ~ Half Share, 3rd Book ~ Full Share, 4th Book ~ Double Share, 5th ~ Captain's Share

Recommendation:  Oh good grief!  You've come this far, why the heck not?!?  You want to know what happens to Ish next, will he get his cake and eat it too?

Synopsis:
When Diurnia Salvage and Transport undergoes a change in management, Captain Ishmael Horatio Wang finds himself adrift in a sea of red ink, and intrigue. He dives in only to find that he is over his head in a universe where cut-throat competition takes on an all new meaning.

What price will he pay for his Owner’s Share?

First Sentence:
Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Listen For Free:

iTunes  /  Podiobooks

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

My Thoughts and Summary:
Ish's payment is coming in soon, or at least they have an idea what the amount will be and with that a whole new life of troubles. DST fires Ishmael. Yet, a big company like that has reasons for everything. When the owner dies the company has to go through some transitions, and Ishmael is one of them. Ish decides what he wants to do, own his own ship. And on he goes with one he knows little of and turns to be a treasure in it's own. Life is different in the deep dark, hard and lonely, and sometimes the rules you keep so close to heart might have to be broken to make the deep dark a bit softer. The deep dark is dangerous and one should never feel 100% comfortable there. And with the transitions of DST, there are people out there who can find you anywhere, and Ishmael is thrown right into the center of it.

This book picks up where Captain's Share left off, and I'm thankful. There were some unresolved feelings for me there, not bad but I wanted to get through them. And I do here, and ooooh so much more. I resolved the feelings from Captain's Share and was rolled up in many new ones.

This book felt longer than the rest as I listened to it, but there is so much here! There is the story that evolves with DST and how it closely tangles with Ish and his life. Actually, uprooting his life in so many ways.

Ishmael is still amazing with others. He is great at taking care of a ship and his crew. Sometimes, however, he isn't sure how to take care of himself. Good thing he gains the trust and love of those around him as they help him through just about anything.

Man do I get attached to the people Ish has around him. It's ever so hard to say goodbye when Ish moves. Sad to see them go. Even though we've done this with Ish before, it still surprises me each time we do it, how hard it is to say goodbye. Even the dysfunctional crews, because Ish has made them so much more than a simple functioning crew, he's made them family and we feel it. Thankfully we do have one, or two, at times that follow with Ish and make the transition easier for us and him.

This story felt a bit different than the others in the plot. It's still Ish and his life, but there is a twist with another life that is involved and what comes of her life with the help of Ish. This becomes an intriguing story to see what happens to her and how Ish will help. Then a touch of suspect is added as well. This story was very catching for me. To see how Ish would survive and how this new character will make it through.

The ship Ish creates. It's interesting. I enjoy learning this ship with Ish and his crew. It's one that never became big, but Ish might put it's model back in the eyes of others. The catch Ish finds with this ship to attract others, oh he makes it work.

Even in this last installment, I find I want Ish to have it all - love, life, happiness, and the deep dark space. As he says early on, "To have his cake and eat it too." But, is life really like that? We have our good times, and things get hairy too. We feel the anxiety when things are hairy and we feel the joy when they are good. But Ish reminds us that we can't get to comfortable and laxed on things. We also cry.

Everything Ish has learned over the years will help him get through and carry on. Even a few rules might have to be broken too.

In the end I enjoyed it. A wonderful journey with Ishmael all these years, but I'm also hooked on him and this world. I want more! I miss some old characters and will miss Ish as I still want things for him. Well done, and had my heart twisting for Ish. Thankfully, there are other stories out in this world and more coming of Ish.  I will get my fix in this world. :)

This is not a hard space read. This is a story of one man's life that happens to enjoy the deep dark space. Don't let the word "space" stop you from reading or listening to these stories. And I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

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!

Book Review: Double Share

Double Share

By:  Nathan Lowell

Publisher:  Podiobooks

Publish Date:  2008

Format:  Podiobooks

Genre:  Science Fiction

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

Recommendation:  Oh yes. We see a completely different side to the Spacer world, and Ish is challenged here.

Synopsis:
AN INEXPERIENCED OFFICER.  A DYSFUNCTIONAL SHIP.  LIFE IN THE DEEP DARK JUST GOT A LOT HARDER.

In his first assignment as an officer, Ishmael Horatio Wang finds himself fresh out of school, wet behind the ears, and way out of his depth.  Aboard the William Tinker the senior officers are derelict and abusive, the crew demoralized and undisciplined, and change unwelcomed and dangerous.  Can Ishmail use what he learned aboard the Lois McKendrick to help the crew find the ship's heart?  Or will he discover that bucking the system may come at too high a price?  Return to the Deep Dark with Ish in this fourth installment of the award winning Solar Clipper Series as he makes the transition from crew to officer.

First Sentence:
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Free Listen At:
iTunes  /  Podiobooks

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

My Thoughts and Summary:
Ishmael has graduated from the Academy and is taking his first job as 3rd Mate at the Diernia Salvation & Transport company.  Upon the ship the William Tinker where the 1st Mate and crew seem to be laxed on formality and cruel to each other, even degrading to woman and others.  Maybe the sneakiness Ish learned on the Lois will help him with this crew, or maybe he'll abandon ship before his first three months of trial period are up.

We see Pip and Bev at the very beginning, but they go their own ways in the vast world Spacers live in.  Once we board the William Tinker, we meet a whole new crew.  I was nervous with a new crew, but Ish has a candid way of finding amazing people.  The two women, Ms. Jaxton & Ms. Dang, that stand watch with him on the bridge are just a hoot.  They made me smile each time.  And Ms. Dang is the leader of fun with this duo, she cracks me up.

We see a whole new ship here, in the shape of a barbell.  The end is a security compartment that can't be accessed from the ship and rather large.  The crew seem to be rather laxed in procedures, cleaning, and care.  There are many issues with this crew.  The woman are looked down upon and it seems male verses female, and the woman are abused with no choice.

The first Mate is a complete...well, lets say he's the leading trouble here.  The first Mate seems to be a sort of enemy to Ish, more and more as the story goes on.

Ish has taken the position of third Mate where he gives tests to the crew and does the emergency drills.  It's one rough position and ship with the way of the crew.  Ish seems to want to give it a go and make changes.  He's willing to try but I can say, two days at dock and I can see why people have left.  And we haven't even headed into the deep dark yet!  I don't think I could stay, like Ish, and try to better the place.  Ish starts with coffee...to start with the moral of the crew.  The Ish we know is here.  He stands strong in his "habits" and influencing a few at a time as the proud safe feeling spreads...as his "harem" grows.

It's curious that we learn Ish was hired before there was an opening on the ship.  Makes me wonder why he was put on this ship.  And the Captain is over paranoid with his suspicions of Ish in this position.

This ship and story is darker than the first three books.  Darker happenings that Ish is use too.  Really a challenge for him in more ways that one.  Physical and mental, for his crew and ship.

I continue with this series, addicted to what Ish will come across next.  He is one you want to read about and root for. On to the next book immediately!

Book Review: Full Share

Full Share

By:  Nathan Lowell

Publisher:  Podiobooks

Publish Date:  2008

Format:  Podiobooks

Genre:  Science Fiction

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

Recommendation:  You need to continue with Ishmael in Full Share. It keeps getting better and better in this world.

Synopsis:
A Trader's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper: Book 3

The Lois McKendrick runs headlong into trouble when a routine in-system transit goes bad.  Ishmael and the rest of the crew must scramble to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it in order to keep the ship alive.  Learn more about the officers and crew of the Lois McKendrick as they struggle to keep their ship and discover how Ishmael finds out how wrong he's been about what it means to be a spacer in this latest Trader's Tale.

First Sentence:
All children except one grow up.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  iTunes (free listen)

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

My Thoughts and Summary:
Shipping off to the next port, and Ish reflects on what he's done and how he's acted.  He still is told to look ahead and see where he wants to go.  Lois McKendrick takes on a few new faces that scares Ish and the crew that's become family, but Lois decides she's not done with Ish just yet.  The ship has a malfunction that Ish proves he is up to the challenge to figure out.  Then many suggest to Ish to consider the Academy.  Ish has to make a dicision of what he wants, even after he earns his four full share ratings.  What does Ish want to do in the future and what will open the doors for that unknown future?  Ish is learning more about Spacer life, and even though it sets him reeling with what he learns, he really likes what he's seeing.

I like that Ish rethinks the last weekend at port. He realizes he was a bit out of hand with all that happened.  This is a young man, having fun but growing up too.  He sees it and that's what matters.  He learns from it.  As of the first chapter, I was sure we had our Ish back.  This starts this book off on great terms for me.  I was a little...unimpressed? with Ish by the end of Half Share.  This book, he COMPLETELY redeems himself for me.

Ish is a great person in that he shows that those surrounding him are amazing and he can easily highlight all.  Surrounded with brilliance here and Ish spotlights each in their area of expertise.  That makes a crew and an amazing ship.  Ish doesn't take the spotlight, he share and gives credit where credit is due.

Just when you think life is grand and Ish and reader get comfortable, life twists.  Things get complicated and Ish might not have a job on the Lois McKendrick much longer.  This is one thing Ish feared in the first book, but thought he was safe until now.  This was a hard thing to Ish as he'd found a home here and one thing he never really had - friends.  Even in the end of this book, some separations are hard to get through.  And I felt the twinge of not wanting this separation to happen yet wanting it and the future that comes.

Ish always thought he would go to University because that was where his mother worked.  But Spacers have a specialized Academy as well.  And now the idea is on Ish's plate, but is it what he wants?  The more Ish learns, the more he thinks going to the Academy could open many doors for him.  And the nudging he gets, he will seriously consider it.  Several think the Merchant Academy is the place for him.

We get a closer look at all the characters here and find I've become closer to them all as Ish has. There are so many great influences on the Lois.  All helped guide Ish to where Ish wanted to be.  The ship, Lois, even seems to feel like her own spirit to me in this book as well.  We get a bit more with Pip and do I really enjoy the free feeling of him and Ish talking and joking.  I enjoy their trading and co-op works.  We even learn a great deal more of Pip's family.  Nice to see this here.  And some of what Ish learns sends him reeling from what Spacer life is really like.  He's one of a small few that aren't born to Spacer life styles.

In listening to this book, I realized Nathan creates strong smart women.  He has several in high and powerful positions - Captains and several high ranked officers.  Some might ask about Sarah, but really, she is one of the strongest for the choices she's made.  These woman all have troubles and obstacles to face and overcome, but they do and they are not shorted by it at all.

Ish has a new position for a time, and with it we learn more of the outer deep space.  I love how the common life actions are because of it's environment - why we do what we do - and is explained through the characters.

Listening to this book, I want so much for Ish.  For him to go to school with Pip.  For him to get his own ship and him and Pip trade around the universe.  Ish to have one special lady in his life and on that family ship he'll fly around making his money.

I felt the feelings in this book.  The anxiety with Ish.  The loss for now and the hope of future.  The ship and crew feel like home, to me as well as to Ish.  They are a family and work well together.  I am so glad I didn't stop after the second book, this book has a great deal to offer and Ish redeems himself greatly back to himself.

In the end, I got a feel for the "right" position for Ish on a ship.  Will it be that in the end of the series?  I don't know, but I do plan to find out.  By, how I've grown attached to Ish and the crew of the Lois.  Wow.

Book Review: Half Share

Half Share

By:  Nathan Lowell

Publisher:  Podiobooks.com

Publish Date:  2007

Format:  Audio, Podiobook

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  2nd in Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series, 1st Book ~ Quarter Share

Recommendation:  Yes, it fell a little short of the first book, but still an amazing creation in the deep space setting.

Synopsis:
SIX MONTHS IN THE DEEP DARK.  FOUR VERY DIFFERENT WOMEN.  ONE MAN DISCOVERS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SPACER.

It's a time of change on the Lois McKendrick.  Sarah Krugg joins the mess deck and Ishmael Wang moves to the environmental section.  Just after getting accustomed to life aboard a solar clipper, Ishmael must learn a whole new set of skills, face his own fears and doubts, and try to balance love and loss in the depths of space.

Both Ish and Sarah must learn to live by the mantra, "Trust Lois."  For Sarah, there is the hope of escaping a horrifying past.  For Ish, he must discover what type of man he wants to become and learn the consequences of his choices.

Return with the crew of the SC Lois McKendrick, as you set sail in the next installment of the Trader Tales of the Solar Clipper Series.  All your favorites return: Ish, Pip, Cookie, Brill, Diane, and Big Bad Bev.  You might even discover some new friends as you travel among the stars.

First Sentence:
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. The classic good news, bad news scenario if ever there was one.

Purchase At:
Amazon   /   Barnes & Nobles   /   Book Depository

**I listened to this podcast book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
The beginning makes you nervous with Ish, for what might be the reason the Captain wants to see him.  Then when he walks into the meeting to see all the senior staff there!  You are pulled in wondering what has gone wrong.

We start right where Quarter Share ended.  It seems the series will follow right through with Ish each step of the way with his life, as he quickly grows with the crew.

Our boys move up the ladder, well, mostly.  Pip is still in the mess hall, but he has acquired a status for his trading.  Ish has moved to Environmental, with an increase in his pay share and mass.

Once again Ish's personality - calm and helping - has earned him trust from the new member taking his spot in the mess hall, Sarah.  Sarah is broken and has had a rough life before here.  Sarah has really grown on me as a new character, and grew as a character, and I really like her.  Ish's personality helps influence her and others around him, bringing them up emotionally as well.  The crew seems to be a tight family and growing closer as the days pass.  Such a nice crew to be with!

With the change in Ish's position on the ship comes change.  We leave one bunk birth for another, which is kind of like moving houses.  We still see those we spent so much time with in Quarter Share, but also spend more time with others we'd meet in the crew.  We get to know the crew and their area of expertise which also bringing learning about deep space and planets into a closer view for us.

That is one thing I enjoy about these books, getting to learn the world(s) Nathan has created in his books through the characters.  What they specialize in and how it relates to the job they perform in this specialized world.  The trade is how we learn of the different planets.  Well related with character centered story.

Ish is growing as a character, and ready to get new clothes for when they are at dock on planets.  He's not sure who he is though, and the clothes make the man.  Ish has some thinking to do of who he is and who he wants to be.  When they come to the next planet, Ish has his introduction to an amazing tailor all the women are in awe of.  While here, trying on clothes, something happens.  Ish learns more of himself.  And with the three amazing women with him, there is a new connection created.  They are crew and crew don't fraternize, so there is a new bond that connects them all.

We learn more of Ish's past, something we really don't know much about.  He's not as innocent as we thought from Quarter Share.  Not bad by a long stretch, but not as innocent.  I know Ish has known people, not friend-friends, and has a literature reading background from his mother, but he seems rather suave with the women for his innocent background and age.

Now, after mentioning that, I have to mention the one thing that kind of felt over done to me...Ish's relationships are growing.  Ish is flirting with the ladies.  He's hanging with the girls and they are acting as they have to protect him.  He even "performs" for them with his walk and trying on clothes.  No, no sex, but he models and flirts steamy with them all.  He gets a bit of a swollen head over the new jeans he buys. He seems to have gone a bit overboard with the Lady Wooing.  It's fun, and a few good chuckles over it, but it was growing old for me. He was *too* perfect with his comments and lady wooing.

We get a look at a Spacers life and the types of relationships they maintain on and off the ship.  On the Lois, there might be a lack of a love life, but it is strong with love of a family life feel.  Ish sets the relationships to where they need to be, and starts to grow a new one on the outside of the ship as well.

This one fell a little short of the first book for me, but nothing that would stop me from listening to the next book.  I actually look forward to carrying through with Ish on his deep space life as a Spacer.

Book Review: Quarter Share

Quarter Share

By:  Nathan Lowell

Publisher:  Nathan Lowell & Ridan

Publish Date:  2007

Format:  Audiobook, podcast form

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  1st in Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series

Recommendation:  This is not your normal sci fi read. We get to step into the life of one worker on a space ship, and see how life really is.

Book Synopsis:
THE GOLDEN AGE OF SAIL HAS RETURNED -- IN THE YEAR 2351

When his mother dies in a flitter crash, eighteen-year-old Ishmael Horatio Wang must find a job with the planet company or leave the system -- and NerisCo isn't hiring.  With credits running low, and prospects limited, he has just one hope...to enlist for two years with a deep space commercial freighter.  Ishmael, who only rarely visited the Noris Orbital, and has never been off-planet alone before, finds himself part of an eclectic crew sailing a deep space leviathan between the stars.

Join the crew of the SC Lois McKendrick, a Manchester built clipper as she sets solar sails in search of profit for her company and a crew each entitled to a share equal to their rating.

First Sentence:
Neris, 2351 August 13

Call me Ishmael. Yeah I know, but in this case it's really my name Ishmael Horatio Wang.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Listen For Free:
PodioBooks  /  iTunes

*I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Eighteen year old Ishmael Horatio Wang was to start University, where his mother taught, on Neris.  Then like the breeze, his life drasticly changes with a series of bad news, starting with his mother's death in a flitter accident.  In order to stay on Neris, a company planet, he has to find work.  There is no work for him.  Even though he and his mom lived comfortably, there is no credits for Ishmael.  Even with his one time payment for 90 days rent, he's still short to pay for transport off planet.  Needing a job to get off planet with his lack of skills for Neris work, he makes a quick friend at the Union Hall who helps Ishmail enters work on a freighter ship at Quarter Share, the lowest rating level and pay at starts.  But, Ishmael has a quick mind and learns fast.

First I want to mention.  I've been wanting to read or listen to this story for over a year now, since I heard about it at Balticon 2012.  However, I was afraid I'd be bored as well, so I dragged my feet at getting to it.  That was a mistake.  Thanks to a small push from View from Valhalla, I dove in and listened while working the day away at the office.  I found myself getting irritated at people when they started talking to loud (there are only 3 of us in the office) as I wanted to hear EVERYTHING that was happening.  And thankfully, my desk was on the quieter side with the phone these days.

I also reviewed this with Valhalla in podcast form, if you'd like to hear both our thoughts.

The story is in First person, which I don't read very often.  I got nervous when the story started in the first podcast, but I quickly found I enjoyed hearing from Ishmael and it really drew me to his character.  Made him friendly to me.

One of Ishmael's talents is making quick friends.  Even though he has limited friends on Neris, people seem to take a quick liking to him in the freighter business.  My heart went out to Ishmael.  He's young and new to the world outside of his comfort zone at home.  My heart twinged a bit for him as he faced what he had with his mothers unexpected death and left home for the first time, alone.  Yet he's smart.  He downloads things what he can on his mothers account at the University so he can keep studying.  Ish starts in the mess hall cleaning up.  But the chef has an insight of Ish's personality with a quick test of the thick, grimy coffee test.  The kid has initiative.  And there could be a great deal more in his future, if only he knew what he wanted to do.  But Ish takes that and runs with it as well.  He wants to learn everything to see what he wants to do.  And he does it!

To me this is a tale from a commoner's position.  Ish is no superhero but this is what drew me to the story more.  I liked the mention of common things.  Oh, poor kid and his mothers underwear drawer. lol.  They are quick mentions, not ones to bog down the story and slow it, but brings the feel of normal life to the forefront as well.  Makes the story feel closer to real and Ish as a person to me.  Even the work that Ish does is common stuff, but Nathan draws you in to the characters in an amazing way.  I never thought common everyday things could be interesting.  And they are!  Because of the sparking mind of Ishmael.

One thing I learned here, even the little things we take for granted (even as simple as coffee) means a great deal to others.  Ish's small actions accent this and by the end of this book, you see how much he's raised the whole crews spirits in such a short time.

I enjoyed the characters surrounding Ish.  This crew is one kind group and they enjoy what they do here, you can tell the captain and her staff make this a comfortable place to be.  I want to stay here!  There is humor with the characters and they do make me smile.  I've become curious about the whole crew, even the Captain and what history she may have for us to learn.

The set up of rating and shares earned are rather interesting and Ish thinks broader and takes it all to a new thinking and level.  One you admire him for.  Ish learns a great deal and influences others in the same share.  Well thought out and constructed system here.  The universe is interesting and each planet has it's specialty of product.  We learn the universe through trade, which Pip and Ish heavily get involved in.  Well defined worlds on each planet and a rather well oiled system to earnings.

I don't know how to explain it.  It's not the end of world battles and wars I'm use to.  But I couldn't stop listening to know how their lives go.  I'd become caught up with Ish and his pal Pip along with the other crew members.

I found I kept wanting Ish to succeed in the trade and on the ship.  Rooting for Ish to succeed and strive for more.  Not only for him, but to see more of this world and the characters.  The tale of a common man making his way in the world, influencing those around him as he goes.  How one man can make such a huge difference.  I found I really enjoyed this traders tale.  Learning of different worlds through their trades.