View from Valhalla

originally published on November 22, 2010

Title: Double Share
Author: Nathan Lowell
Genre: Science Fiction
Released: 4 July 2008 – 17 July 2008
Located: Podibooks, iTunes, Author’s Site
Formats Available: Podcast only (soon to be dead tree from Ridan Publishing)
Rating: PG

Continuing our series of reviews focussing on The Master of NaNoWriMo, Nathan Lowell, today I’m looking at Double Share, the fourth book in the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series.

I have to admit that Double Share is my favorite book of the Share series. This week. While I was listening to it. Last week Full Share was my favorite. Hmm.. I wonder what my favorite will be next week?

On to the review.

Synopsis: A Trader’s Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper : Book 4

When he graduates from the Academy at Port Newmar, Ishmael Horatio Wang reports for duty in his first assignment as an officer. When he gets to his new ship, he finds things are not exactly the way he’d learned in school. The coffee tastes like used engine oil, the ship has no heart, and the nearest decent tailor is two quadrants away. What’s a new Third Mate to do? Will he be able to trust Billy? (stolen from Podiobooks site)

Production: Mainlining all the share stories (again), it is I know hard to imagine this, but Mr. Lowell’s production continues to incrementally improve. Don’t believe me? Well, download them all again. Well, unless you never delete them. What? Don’t judge me!

Grade: A

Cast: Nathan Lowell. Seriously, if he outlives me, I want him to read my obit and podcast it. Yes, he’s that good.

Grade: A

Story: Double Share is the first of the Share series that I feel is centered around a single point of conflict. For some this might be a great thing. For me, it is fine. I don’t mind it. The part that still grabs and holds me though is the “everyday spacer” that continues to roll throughout the story. I am so glad that by including a conflict, Mr. Lowell didn’t throw out the journeyman learner that Ishmael Wang has now become the personification for me.

The story picks up at the end of Ish’s stay at school and is on his way to his first officer’s birth. It is funny, but having discussed this with two friends, they were a little saddened not to have had “the college years” included. I really wasn’t expecting them to be. Since Quarter Share, the stage for Ish has always been the deep dark. Time in port has always been a diversion rather than the story’s destination, so thrusting Ish immediately back into this role made much sense to me.

Grade: A

Verdict: This is a pivotal tale in the series because it moves Ish away from being “crew” and into being “command”. I loved it and definitely think you will too.

*Non integral Spoiler Alert – I loved the fact that Ish was unable to earn his shuttle certification and that he graduated only in the top third of his class. As good as Ish is, it is more about his personality and his work ethic than his intelligence and giftedness. Mr. Lowell threaded the needle perfectly and came up with a hugely likable and sociable character that is hard to let go of at the end of each story.

Grade: A+

Disclosure: ummm… nothing new since last week.. still waiting on the check. Or advanced reader copies. Or a South Coast Welkie… oh well, guess my (star) ship just hasn’t come in yet. (In other words, nothing offered or accepted.)

~ by odin1eye on 9 January, 2020.

Posted in Podcast Reviews