View from Valhalla

originally posted November 29, 2010

Title: Captain’s Share
Author: Nathan Lowell
Genre: Science Fiction
Released: 29 September 2009 – 15 October 2009
Located: Podibooks, iTunes, Author’s Site
Formats Available: Podcast only (soon to be dead tree from Ridan Publishing)
Rating: PG

As all good things must come to an end (and believe it or not, bad things do too) so we conclude the month of November and our celebration of the Master of NaNoWriMo, Nathan Lowell, with the most recent addition to the Share series, Captain’s Share.

You remember last week when I claimed Double Share was my favorite in the series? Yeah, well, I lied. Inadvertently maybe. But an “untruth” nevertheless. That is because after having listened to Captain’s Share, I can say unequivocally that IT is my favorite. Well, at least until I start over with Quarter Share again. ,^)

On to the review.

Synopsis: A Trader’s Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper : Book 5

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. In a ship where the officers outnumber the crew, how can he manage to keep everybody happy? Welcome to the SC Agamemnon. (stolen from Podiobooks site)

Production: Seriously, what is there more to say about the production of any of the Share books that I haven’t all ready said. Not much. Captain’s Share remains true to Mr. Lowell’s catalog of excellence and provides music to the ears. Literally. I love the jigs he uses as intro/outro music. There is one more thing I’d like to mention here. Mr. Lowell’s attention to detail is exemplified in the final chapters of his books where he notifies the listener that this is the “final” episode. It might be a small thing, but I really appreciate it.

Grade: A

Cast: Nathan Lowell.

Grade: A

Story: Captain’s Share continues the development of our hero, Ishmael Wang. It’s been several years since we’ve last checked in on him, but other than rising in the ranks a bit, he’s much the same man we left him at the end of Double Share. The main “action” in this story occurs rather early and precedes Ish’s elevation to the rank of Captain and receiving his own ship (it’s not a spoiler if it’s in the title, so get over it).

Grade: A

Verdict: I loved Captain’s Share. Ish has grown into the man I hoped he would. He’s not infallible, and this point is brought home in CS. *Spoiler Alert* I appreciate the fact that he’s living through a failed relationship and that this failure intrudes on his life. I like the way he handled the situation while still railing against the universe in his own philosophical way. But more importantly than my own preference, I think it’s important because it shows the strength of character he has aspired to and the harsh lens of the truth he focuses on himself as well as others. I loved the crew and the simple yet effective solutions Ish has implemented. This is simply the only podiobook I’ve listened to.
Grade: A

Disclosure: okay, yes. Odin’s Outpost most definitely made me squee like the little fanboy I am. However, Captain’s Share was written before I started, or even considered these reviews so I don’t believe there was any intention of persuading me to be kind. Further, Mr. Lowell peppers his stories liberally with the names of fans. I was just honored to be included.

~ by odin1eye on 9 January, 2020.

Posted in Podcast Reviews