A worthy Sequel

Asbaran Solutions is thankfully on par with its predecessor, Cartwright's Cavaliers. If you enjoyed that book, you will easily like this entry also. As this is a Chris Kennedy outing, instead of Mark Wandrey, there are some differences in writing style here that you might enjoy more, or less, depending on your tastes.

Cartwright's Cavaliers really focused on building up and developing its protagonist Jim. Kennedy doesn't do as good a job with Nigel in Asbaran Solutions. The supporting cast, apart from one of two people, seemed to be a lot more forgettable. In its place however, is a story with more subterfuge, and with mech suit battles more evenly spread through the book. The tone seems a bit more adult this time around also, with Cartwright's Cavaliers veering occasionally into VA territory.

The narration however, is average, sometimes awful. When someone dies in this book, the narrator makes the character sound like they just realized they've left the oven on, not that they've just been blown apart. He's not to my taste, but your mileage may vary.

If you are thinking of picking this one up, id suggest listening to/reading Alpha Contracts first. It adds some nice backstory, that really drives the story along

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The end of the Revelations Cycle for me

Would you try another book written by Chris Kennedy or narrated by E. M. Carberry?

Sorry but no. It seemed to be rather pedestrian faire - flat, B-grade space opera. If you are new to the genre I would try Craig Alanson, Joshua Dalzelle or Joel Sheperd.

Would you recommend Asbaran Solutions to your friends? Why or why not?

No.

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2 people found this helpful

Disappointing follow up in series.

First book in series Cartwrights Cavaliers felt fun and unique with decent writing. This book feels like it was written by a High School student who feels the need to explain every detail and emotion with lots of words even though the reader understood what was going on two paragraphs back. Voice acting is also just OK. To be fair the voice work may more be an issue of the material worked with vs actual performance. It's just a bit cringe worthy overall. I would return this audio book if I could as at chptr. 20 I am done and refuse to finish as I have better use of my time.

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Depressing, plot holes, new characters

First, this is not a direct sequel of the first book. The first, which I really enjoyed, left obvious points for the story arc to continue at the end, but I guess the author(s) changed their mind and took the series in a new direction. Shame, and seriously not what I was expecting. And as the author introduces plenty of new characters, he also kills offs most of them - which is kinda not my thing. I found it jarring, bleak and depressing, meaning it is also a total change in tone from the first book. The new characters not that likeable, make poor decisions, and the book is just full of gaping plot holes.
Very disappointed, will not continue series.

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