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!

11 people found this 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.

4 people found this helpful

Tiresome unrealistic characters. Returned

Anybody who has worked in or with the military knows that people are still people. They don't walk around stiffly and speak formally all the time. So it is annoying when books like Planetside bury normal interactions in stiff shirt fake militarism. It is stereotypes characters and obscures the story. Every problem becomes a military one.

1 person found this helpful

INVESTIGATE SCI-FI AT ITS BEST...

Fantastic smooth ride...
This is a read that both the story and narrating match perfectly...
It's not a simple fact that R.C. BRAY is the master but the story and characters are so easy to associate with...
this a review after I read books 1 & 2 back to back and put book 3 in my library...unfortunately book 3 is not out until December 2020...
that said I've pre ordered it and cant wait...
this will be the same review as book 1...

Excellent

One of the best books I've listened to this year. Good science fiction elements and great detective crime mystery elements ultimately leading to planet extinction level threat. It's so well written! The hard choices the main character is forced to make can't help you wanting to see what the consequences are going to be. I listened to the whole thing in one day - couldn't help myself and suffered my boss' wrath for it. It was worth it.
Also R.C. Bray's voice is pure gold. I'm now 100% convinced that he is the best narrator on Audible!

No redeeming feature

What a nonsensical story, I kept hoping for a real twist but there isn't one. Definitely not recommended. Well I guess if you are looking for a mindless story about blowing things up then this might be for you.

Tense with well solid characters

great book, with great narration. the plot is detailed and well thought out, with just the right pace to keep you engaged. well worth a read/listen

Enjoyable

I have to like the characters in a book, and I did here. Brought to life by RC Bray whose storytelling style is great as always.

R C Bray is as good as always and a great story

R C Bray is as good as always and a great story. Very good listen during my commutes and really enjoyed the story and characters. Time for the next one...

almost 5 star

I almost gave it 5 stars, 4.5 maybe, r c brae as good as ever.