An Unlikely Hero

From the master of military Sci-Fi, the creator of “Star Force,” and the “Undying Mercenaries,” B.V. Larson has developed a new trilogy that is somewhat different from his previous work called, “Lost Colonies.”
In this first book, “Battle Cruiser” we meet Captain William Sparhawk; an antihero type that seems to be lacking conventional hero qualities but it is through these flawed and questionable personality traits that some dark humor of this story shines. He is a complex and polarizing character that some listeners’ may not like or understand but I think most will as he eventually develops into the hero that is needed for this story to progress.
The narrator, Edoardo Ballerini, captures the essence of Captain Sparhawk perfectly and I can’t wait for the next book.

43 people found this helpful

Disappointing, Juvenile

The concept for “Battle Cruiser” could have spawned a dynamic, textured, engrossing world, but it was so poorly executed that tackling each chapter became its own, special chore. Frankly, the quality of the writing in this book was way sub-par, with all the sophistication of high school-level prose, however professionally edited.

B.V. Larson's first-person narrator tells the story strictly linearly, with no flashbacks or deep exposition beyond what's immediately necessary to the situation at hand. Add to that a complete lack of guile on the writer's part, and what might have been meant as plot twists are easily guessed well ahead of their would-be reveals. The idea of such a story suffering from a case of plot holes and loose ends ought to be ridiculous; sadly, the diagnosis is very real, and it's terminal.

The character development is just about as robust, too. The reader gains only the most superficial insight into any of the secondary characters, all of which have approximately as much dimension as the paper on which they were first printed. As for the main character, he tells the tale with such melodramatic (almost histrionic) bravado, as somehow to come across as a simultaneously whiny, pathetic, and pitiful, pompous ass.

The real disappointment here, however, is the dramatic reading. It might be better never to ask why Edoardo Ballerini chose to read this story in a breathy, somewhat hushed, NPR-style voice, all while playing up the writing's shortcomings. Granted, he didn't exactly start with the best story ever written. Still, the uncomfortable tone and unimaginative speaking styles only make a lousy book more boring.

To give credit where it's due, I've read some truly excellent work by both B.V. Larson and Edoardo Ballerini. These two really do have the capacity to engross their audience. Sadly, “Battle Cruiser” doesn't come close. If, as Audible suggests, this truly is Book One of a new series, let’s hope Book Two returns both writer and narrator to their usual high standards.

47 people found this helpful

So corny, but...can't stop listening...or laughing

Meet William Sparhawk; a lanky, responsible, and well intentioned captain of a struggling military. His stifled, but satisfying career goes off the rails after he is ordered to routinely investigate a comet far from earth. Suddenly, he is captaining a new alien spaceship, gained a odd new crewmember,  and is being randomly attacked by the paranoid people he works for.

The story is entertaining, but not necessarily for the reasons the book summary brings to mind. Instead of some riveting spacefaring survival adventure we get a laughably corny eighties style adventure where the main character seems to be the only one who attempts to think before they act. Every action Sparhawk takes is a declared attempt to help Earth, but at every turn he is hampered by the very people he is trying to assist. In fact, after Sparhawk's third superior in a row attempts to throw away billions of dollars in missiles in order to murder him because the new ship he found makes them nervous. Eyes will began to roll and chuckles will ensue as straight laced Sparhawk gets more and more frustrated with each repeated declaration of peace he makes.

With the writing and narration of Edoardo Ballerini, "Battle Cruiser: Lost Colonies Book 1" turns out to be a fun audiobook that a listener will feel oddly compelled to keep listening to the end. They might not be sure WHY or even if the entertainment value of the book was intentional, but it's there.

13 people found this helpful

Frustratingly bad

Very shallow characters with no progressive development. Plodding and extremely predictable story. The author took a promising plot and destroyed it with dull witted unimaginative characters.

24 people found this helpful

Great story!

Loved it! Getting the next book in the series now. Very good narration. I'm a BV Larsen fan. Went back to look for more after listening to newer series and find this gem.

2 people found this helpful

Another great series

I am a huge fan of B. V. Larson, started with Star Force and moved to Undying Mercenaries and devoured everything there. Lost Colonies is very similar so if you love those series you should love this series.

2 people found this helpful

I like the author

Where does Battle Cruiser rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

in the middle

What did you like best about this story?

Space

Which character – as performed by Edoardo Ballerini – was your favorite?

I think the narrator does all characters really well. The problem is that the main character is a pompous man with a British accent (to make it more pompous). This ultimately makes the story a bit dull.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Any additional comments?

I really like BV Larson's books but I think the narrator made this book sound really boring. I do have to say that the main character is nothing like McGill from the UM series or Kyle/ Cody Riggs after the first Starforce book. I read the first book but I catch myself falling asleep.

2 people found this helpful

Good start to a new series

What did you love best about Battle Cruiser?

I liked the way he was able to convincingly, and dare I say, realistically, overcome seemingly over whelming odds to achieve success

What was one of the most memorable moments of Battle Cruiser?

the whole book was good

Which character – as performed by Edoardo Ballerini – was your favorite?

The Narrator was perfectly able to convey the lead character. The main character rebelled against his parents, but he still maintained his aristocratic demeanor

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

2 people found this helpful

DOCNP45 Review

This book initially started out slow, but gradually perked more of my interest. As the plot thickened, I couldn't stop listening to this book. Now that I have completed the book, I am ready for more.

2 people found this helpful

We have met the enemy and he is us.

This book started off sounding very much like Renegade, book 1 of the Spiral Wars by Joel Shepherd, so much so that I thought I was rereading that book. There are the same ruling-class families, the same son who disappoints his family by joining the military, and the same crusty old aunt. But this is BV Larson, so the story is much better.

The tale begins with this common enough plot line at first, and then we meet the aliens, the enemy, The Borg and the Amazons, and things get different really fast. There's lots of Larson space action, and Marines action. The characters are fully developed, and distinct. These are people you could actually know. You will want to read this because the next book is even better!

Edoardo Ballerini gives Capt. William Sparhawk the classed gentility he deserves, yet manages to voice the rough-and-ready Marines, the super-pragmatic giantess, and the old space hounds as well. You will enjoy the book so much, you'll want its sequel just as soon as you finish this!

2 people found this helpful