Planetside

A Distinguished Butler!

This is an absolutely stonking read! It pretty much has all I want from a military sci-fi book and then some, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if it appealed to a wider audience than those who normally read this genre. First of all it goes without saying that the narration is damn near perfect for this type of book. RC Bray delivers an effortlessly urgent narrative that simply lights up the text. If you need a narrator to maintain a high tempo he is the man to deliver it.

This story delivers great action like good military sci-fi should though you do have to wait for it. Michael Mammay first lets us meet his leading man, Colonel Butler. He is no dashing young, laser-toting cowboy, he's an experienced hard-bitten commander who's been there and seen it all. The author doesn't make the mistake of making him infallible, this is a tough old bird who has retained his humanity despite the galaxy's efforts to strip him of it. As the mystery unfolds so does his character and background, by the end I was almost feeling Butler's aches and pains in my own joints, he doesn't get an easy ride.

The mystery is well-developed and multi-layered without ever getting too bogged down in anything overtly technical, the mystery aspects are given as much prominence as the sci-fi itself making for a genuinely engaging story. If I was to make on criticism it is that some of the writing did get repetitive in a small way, I lost count of the number of times Butler "failed to get a read" on someone else.

That's a minor quibble though, this is a seriously good sci-fi mystery / action thriller. It's always great when new authors come into land with such style and aplomb and I am very pleased to note that a sequel is on its way next year!

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Now Waiting For Part 2!

While browsing the new releases section on Audible, I came upon a new science fiction novel by an author I hadn't heard of. I was unsure whether to check this book out but as soon as I saw that the narrator was the superb R. C Bray I immediately clicked on the "Play Sample" button. Within 30 seconds of listening to this I decided to use my last credit to purchase this title. The little I heard convinced me that it was worth a punt. R. C Bray is one of those rare breed of narrators who has just about everything. His delivery is unmatched and his reading style is so fluid and natural you'd think he was just telling you his story from memory. Any half decent author's work is greatly enhanced and brought to life by having Master Bray narrate it and it was this that got me to read this excellent book.

Bray is so dynamic that he could make a shopping list sound good. This is not to say that Michael Mame's writing is lacking in any way. No, on the contrary, he is an excellent writer with a style that is brought out to its best with the likes of R. C Bray reading it.

Michael Mame appears to be a new breed of sci-fi author that has a brilliant writing style that feels so natural and effortless but stands testament to the raw skill required to put together such fluid, dynamic and flowing prose. He doesn't waste pages on uninteresting elements to pad out his story nor does his pace fall off. Suffice it to say that I am very impressed with what I assume is either his first or one of his first books.

So, what about the story? Well, Planet Side is essentially a "Who Done It" type mystery where our protagonist is sent off to a far flung outpost to investigate the disappearance of a high level official. Sort of a Magnum P.I in space. That analogy might make it sound somewhat cheesy but it isn't at all. It is an entertaining page turner that will keep you interested all the way. I did have my suspicions as to what may have happened to the missing man by chapter 15 and I was close to the truth so was pleased with myself for that. That's not to say the plot was obvious so don't be put off by that remark.

There is a few twists and turns here so nothing is predictable in that way. One element to the story that puzzled me though was the lack of co-operation and downright hostility our protagonist met while investigating a lead that took him to the base hospital. Given this was a military and not civilian base complex and so too was the hospital contained within, that I do not understand this. Surely a high level officer sent by a higher level authority within the military would garner full co-operation from all departments of the base? I feel this aspect was somewhat contrived and can see no reason for it.

Minor plot oddities aside, this is an excellent read with real three dimensional characters and leaves us with the prospect of a sequel to this unfinished story. I, for one, will be adding that book to my basket as soon as it is available.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

A very nice debut book

I came to this title because I enjoy R C Bray narrated books and as it was the only book by this author I was a bit apprehensive, I needn’t have worried. Mammay quickly builds the backstory of the lead character and the world in which he exists, initially I had to keep reminding myself as to what he was sent to do but soon became absorbed in the plot and its twists and turns. Colonel Butler is a very interesting lead character and as usual R C Bray nailed it turning him into another grizzled veteran on the countdown to retirement a bit like Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon. I thoroughly enjoyed this title and am looking forward to more of this talented author’s work.

Brilliant listen

Loved this story and of course R C Bray is the best narrator in my opinion. The story was very well thought through and the ending was just perfect.

love the narator

this was a good story and as mentioned i love the narator, i felt ideas ran out towards the end

Star ship troopers meet a few good men

Mammay and Bray make a perfect combination ,a gripping book from start to finish,looking forward to the next book.

good book!

I really enjoyed plantside. It's more towards a military investigation book then war. The story flow really well. The only problems I found it wasn't long enough (finished in two days) there wasn't enough action for me but it definitely doesn't affect the story.

I don't think R.C. Bray has ever let me down he's become my favourite narrator. He read brilliant once again.

All in all a good book read well. Get it!

More, please

I hadn't heard of this author but the blurb appealed and I'd always give anything read by R C Bray a try.
I found it totally absorbing and loved the understated main character, Butler.
Please can we have more?

A Whodunnit in Space

An amazing debut novel from an author who looks set to make his mark in the sci-fi world. Added to that, the brilliant narration by seasoned narrator R C Bray makes this a sure winning combination.

This sci-fi novel contains everything and brings a very human face, in the form of Butler, to an aging commander who has seen/been through it all and still has the energy, aches, pains and all, to try to do his job.

How can a sci-fi be so real?

Great characterisation, gripping plot and immersive performance. Bought this on impulse and am delighted to discover a new author to follow. Hard to believe that this is a debut novel.