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April #9
A Sudden Departure
The Earth below is a house in disorder. The spacers increasingly just want to be left alone. They need less from Earth all the time so many don't really care what they do down there on the Slum Ball, but what if improving technology made it easier for them to bring all their old factions and sects and rivalries among the stars? The three partners April, Jeff and Heather hope to beat them at that game and find a firm foothold out there before the Earthies arrive.
(As this is the 9th book in a series you will not understand a lot of story elements if you don't start at the beginning. To explain everything in depth the entire book would have to be backstory at this point and it would turn into one huge info-dump.)
(As this is the 9th book in a series you will not understand a lot of story elements if you don't start at the beginning. To explain everything in depth the entire book would have to be backstory at this point and it would turn into one huge info-dump.)
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2017
156 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Mackey Chandler
35 books222 followersMackey (Mac') Chandler is retired to Rochester Michigan from a working life that spanned a large number of occupations. Mold maker, aerospace machinist, plumber, mechanic and dozen more as well as owning several businesses. This life experience and travel show in the depth and variety of his writing.
A life long time reader of Science Fiction, the authors at Baen's Bar and their evening chat room motivated him to try his own hand at writing. His first effort was a short story titled "Common Ground" which sold to the short-lived Jim Baen's Universe.
His personal favorite book is "The Mote in God's Eye" by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Other favorite authors include Michael Z. Williamson and C.J.Cherryh.
A life long time reader of Science Fiction, the authors at Baen's Bar and their evening chat room motivated him to try his own hand at writing. His first effort was a short story titled "Common Ground" which sold to the short-lived Jim Baen's Universe.
His personal favorite book is "The Mote in God's Eye" by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Other favorite authors include Michael Z. Williamson and C.J.Cherryh.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 6, 2022
Very good!
July 14, 2019
So I have a serious beef with where the storyline of this series has gone in this installment... FTL travel in a series that was up until now keeping the science fairly light on the mcguffins. Not only FTL travel but instantaneous FTL travel from point A to point B using 'macroscopic quantum tunneling" to move entire starships!
Okay, I might be biased on the FTL thing as I am quite firmly in the "FTL is most likely impossible" camp, but what makes me even saltier about this matter is that throughout the series we have seen life extension therapy as being a huge controvery between spacers and earthies but the author has turned away from using this vehicle within a more plausible scope of the solar system as a whole being colonised and the friction that the two opposing ideologies would have. Instead we have instant FTL and the hinto of space aliens...
And while I'm grinding my axe here, we have seen wheel and spoke habitats but not O'Neil cylinders which are well within the range of our metallurgy of today and would provide far more cubic and yet they have never even been mentioned in passing...
Happy gets a bref return as a character too, though it felt like he was there just to be a shoehorn for a future plot point rather than a character experiencing growth and development.
Spelling mistakes, grammar and punctuation still have problems sadly and the book itself felt padded in many ways. Sadly I have to rate this one as a 2.5 / 5 as the storyline, which I found to be one of the redeeming features of this series, feels like it has taken a turn for the worse.
Oh, and what the hell happened with the urban recon patrol in LA that got ambushed? They got one brief scene and then vanished!
November 15, 2020
This deep in a series and it still holds up.
All to often a writer has a great idea that spawns a series. Most of the time the novelty of the plot rapidly fades after the third novel. Exceptional writers continue to hold the readers interest by expansion into that universe. Sometimes there is just a three, but it is more difficult to bring in characters, allow them to rest and bring them back in with a more mature development.
I only gave this book a four of five because I lost interest several times for a period of ten to twenty pages. I think this is an exceptional series and I only picked the series up because of characters mentioned in the family law series. This brings the reader to the basis for planetary exploration.
All to often a writer has a great idea that spawns a series. Most of the time the novelty of the plot rapidly fades after the third novel. Exceptional writers continue to hold the readers interest by expansion into that universe. Sometimes there is just a three, but it is more difficult to bring in characters, allow them to rest and bring them back in with a more mature development.
I only gave this book a four of five because I lost interest several times for a period of ten to twenty pages. I think this is an exceptional series and I only picked the series up because of characters mentioned in the family law series. This brings the reader to the basis for planetary exploration.
February 19, 2017
A very enjoyable continuation of the series. It shows the path to a Family Law cameo of April & Co., and gets back to some of the more exciting science fictional aspects of the series. There is still plenty of politics, but technology and space travel come to the fore once more.
I also liked that April and her friends play pretty important parts again, and April's role is bit better defined and more significant -- in some of the previous books she seemed more like a witness of events rather than the actor.
The series shows plenty of life, and I, for one, look forward to more.
I also liked that April and her friends play pretty important parts again, and April's role is bit better defined and more significant -- in some of the previous books she seemed more like a witness of events rather than the actor.
The series shows plenty of life, and I, for one, look forward to more.
February 19, 2017
Better
The good: Great story. Lots of moving parts. Eager to see what happens next.
The bad: a few proof reading errors, nothing really egregious but they should have been caught. An odd side plot that never really connects with the main story (it's interesting, but a near complete non-sequitur).
I would have liked a brief recap as a prolog to reconnect with the story in progress. At least the principle names and locations. Some of the scenes are also a bit abrupt.
I will buy the next installment sight unseen.
The good: Great story. Lots of moving parts. Eager to see what happens next.
The bad: a few proof reading errors, nothing really egregious but they should have been caught. An odd side plot that never really connects with the main story (it's interesting, but a near complete non-sequitur).
I would have liked a brief recap as a prolog to reconnect with the story in progress. At least the principle names and locations. Some of the scenes are also a bit abrupt.
I will buy the next installment sight unseen.
May 27, 2025
An absolutely superb series!
This is one of the best series that I have read in years. It has hard science fiction, intrigue, very well-written characters, and a small, core group of Protagonists who are easy to like and empathize with. It expands off of nasty modern politics, spun off into the not too distant future where political parties in the US and around the world are often as not run by religious groups. Although it's nothing like the expanse series by James Corey, it has that same deep, hard appeal.
This is one of the best series that I have read in years. It has hard science fiction, intrigue, very well-written characters, and a small, core group of Protagonists who are easy to like and empathize with. It expands off of nasty modern politics, spun off into the not too distant future where political parties in the US and around the world are often as not run by religious groups. Although it's nothing like the expanse series by James Corey, it has that same deep, hard appeal.
February 11, 2018
Good enough to read the series multiple times
Really like the characters in these books. I've finished the nine books so far for the second time and shall now go forth and read the Family Law series a second time while awaiting book 10. I think anyone who has read the Donsai books or the Kurtherian Gambit series would! like these as well.
Really like the characters in these books. I've finished the nine books so far for the second time and shall now go forth and read the Family Law series a second time while awaiting book 10. I think anyone who has read the Donsai books or the Kurtherian Gambit series would! like these as well.
January 2, 2019
Very good story here. Liked it better than some of the other ones, because it had more cool science, and less political intrigue. Not that political intrigue is bad mind you, only that I really like the science fiction aspects of the story better. Very cool stuff here, and definitely something most scifi fans will enjoy. Off to read the next one now.
August 25, 2017
Loved this book, excitement carried me right to the end. Fairly good hook. Excellent story line. Humor, suspense, great characters. They were all very different and came together in a dysfunctional kind of way that really worked. I am so happy to add this author in my top ten favorite writers!
March 19, 2018
Wonderful....again
Just finished the series for the 5th or 6th time. Still love the characters. Can't wait for book 10. I hope there be enough books to catch up time wise to Family Law series (also read that series several times) and perhaps together.
Just finished the series for the 5th or 6th time. Still love the characters. Can't wait for book 10. I hope there be enough books to catch up time wise to Family Law series (also read that series several times) and perhaps together.
October 25, 2021
Pretty good
There's quite a bit more happening than the previous few books and a lot mor potential is presented. The weird part is the account of the American family on Earth that ties into nothing and is pretty much pointless filler.
There's quite a bit more happening than the previous few books and a lot mor potential is presented. The weird part is the account of the American family on Earth that ties into nothing and is pretty much pointless filler.
June 22, 2024
An enjoyable read
Another enjoyable addition to this fun series. Set in a futuristic world where the technology allows April and Jeff space travel to be almost instant and opens up numerous possibilities for their society. Highly recommend.
Another enjoyable addition to this fun series. Set in a futuristic world where the technology allows April and Jeff space travel to be almost instant and opens up numerous possibilities for their society. Highly recommend.
October 8, 2024
But wait, There’s More…
I thought when I reached the end of the ninth book that I had run out of the series. I was mistaken. The blurb, and the listing on the book page on AMazon are wrong. The series continues with “Been there. Done that” and (so far) 3 further books.
I thought when I reached the end of the ninth book that I had run out of the series. I was mistaken. The blurb, and the listing on the book page on AMazon are wrong. The series continues with “Been there. Done that” and (so far) 3 further books.
September 26, 2017
Another great story.
The political intrigue continues with the partners stumbling on a momentous discovery. Hopefully there is a sequel coming very soon.
The political intrigue continues with the partners stumbling on a momentous discovery. Hopefully there is a sequel coming very soon.
August 25, 2018
5 stars
Another 5star book in this series . It's kind of sad that there's only 1 book left. Start with book 1and follow this all the way through. I couldn't put these books down.
Another 5star book in this series . It's kind of sad that there's only 1 book left. Start with book 1and follow this all the way through. I couldn't put these books down.
March 1, 2020
Marvelous story!
Great technology! It is neat how the story switches from living in the 1800s to building and using a star drive!
Great technology! It is neat how the story switches from living in the 1800s to building and using a star drive!
October 3, 2020
Another good story!
1. Forgot the three questions. 2. I heard that as you get older, two things happen. A. You forget stuff. B. I forgot.
1. Forgot the three questions. 2. I heard that as you get older, two things happen. A. You forget stuff. B. I forgot.
December 11, 2021
Wahoo
Wow no war this time! 😀 April does another rescue! Let's build a ship and go to Alpha Centauri ! 😍
Wow no war this time! 😀 April does another rescue! Let's build a ship and go to Alpha Centauri ! 😍
October 2, 2025
3.5 stars
March 18, 2017
The book started well with April back in charge and at the centre of most of the action. However, the story soon became a cross between a domestic soap opera and a technical manual. There were lots of things going on but they were all fairly boring until just over half way through the book. The second half was better than the first, it still had some of the same issues and was a bit long winded but at least it was interesting.
The ending was a bit of a none event, but at least it wasn’t a cliff-hanger.
The ending was a bit of a none event, but at least it wasn’t a cliff-hanger.
March 20, 2017
Another excellent book
I have enjoyed this series, it is very well written with a great collection of characters, i highly recommend this author
I have enjoyed this series, it is very well written with a great collection of characters, i highly recommend this author
October 10, 2019
This is great the fact that I can see it's finally going to start getting closer to tying in with the Family Law series eventually now. The plot is jumping all over the place though with what seem like unrelatable characters. And of course there's the bad editing. We can't miss that.
December 17, 2021
Star Travel May Be Possible
This is the 9th book in a continuing series and you need to read the previous books in order to understand this one. The book ends at a natural break in the narrative but the story continues in future books. There is also a series that is set in the future of these characters, Family Law. The reading order of these two series are outlined in this post.
Earth is a mess and the spacers are just doing their best to ignore the planet, except for the trading they can do away from their biggest detractors. After April destroyed California, the book follows one family and their endeavours, as they try to survive the lack of government, infrastructure and safety. It’s almost back to frontier living in the west.
When James Weir comes to Home in order to build something at Dave’s workshop, Jeff’s curiosity is piqued. After reading an old academic paper James wrote, Jeff’s own intellect is stimulated and ideas fly out of his brain thick and fast. It could be possible for mankind to reach the stars if all the science works out. But what would happen if humanity reached the stars, would they behave any better than on Earth?
One of the things I like about this series is that it is set at the beginning of humanity’s journey into space. Man has reached the Moon and Mars but hasn’t left the solar system. A lot of Sci-Fi is set in a much more distant future when all the hard work of starting inter-stellar travel has already been sorted out, along with the ethical implications of arriving on a different planet. This series deals with the probable reality of humanity making a mess of the planet and greed takes them into space. It’s an interesting time to look at and raises all sorts of ideas.
I like the way the author takes lots of different strands and weaves them together. All the characters are taking different journeys and at times they bump into each other for short times that produce interesting ideas and movement in the story. This book has quite a lot of interesting ideas and great leaps forward in the story.
This is the 9th book in a continuing series and you need to read the previous books in order to understand this one. The book ends at a natural break in the narrative but the story continues in future books. There is also a series that is set in the future of these characters, Family Law. The reading order of these two series are outlined in this post.
Earth is a mess and the spacers are just doing their best to ignore the planet, except for the trading they can do away from their biggest detractors. After April destroyed California, the book follows one family and their endeavours, as they try to survive the lack of government, infrastructure and safety. It’s almost back to frontier living in the west.
When James Weir comes to Home in order to build something at Dave’s workshop, Jeff’s curiosity is piqued. After reading an old academic paper James wrote, Jeff’s own intellect is stimulated and ideas fly out of his brain thick and fast. It could be possible for mankind to reach the stars if all the science works out. But what would happen if humanity reached the stars, would they behave any better than on Earth?
One of the things I like about this series is that it is set at the beginning of humanity’s journey into space. Man has reached the Moon and Mars but hasn’t left the solar system. A lot of Sci-Fi is set in a much more distant future when all the hard work of starting inter-stellar travel has already been sorted out, along with the ethical implications of arriving on a different planet. This series deals with the probable reality of humanity making a mess of the planet and greed takes them into space. It’s an interesting time to look at and raises all sorts of ideas.
I like the way the author takes lots of different strands and weaves them together. All the characters are taking different journeys and at times they bump into each other for short times that produce interesting ideas and movement in the story. This book has quite a lot of interesting ideas and great leaps forward in the story.
February 19, 2017
Progress finally
I've enjoyed the April series at least the first 6 books. Book 7&8 not so much. I'm glad the author has decided to progress the story line. Hopefully he won't fall back on bad habits!!!
I've enjoyed the April series at least the first 6 books. Book 7&8 not so much. I'm glad the author has decided to progress the story line. Hopefully he won't fall back on bad habits!!!
September 20, 2021
Great book
Mr Chandler has maintained the overall great plot line through the entire series and keeping the characters true to there base thought processes then tossing in a few great side plots along the way, then did an excellent job bridging it with a different series to create a larger universe to play in or allow other authors to explore different characters.
Mr Chandler has maintained the overall great plot line through the entire series and keeping the characters true to there base thought processes then tossing in a few great side plots along the way, then did an excellent job bridging it with a different series to create a larger universe to play in or allow other authors to explore different characters.
September 22, 2022
Another enjoyable book
This book answers some more questions raised in other books and even from other series. Of course we also get to see more of our favorite characters too. Who knew a "Whoops! My bad" could lead to something so monumental?
This book answers some more questions raised in other books and even from other series. Of course we also get to see more of our favorite characters too. Who knew a "Whoops! My bad" could lead to something so monumental?
March 29, 2017
Three and a half stars. Chandler is writing enough that he should look for a real editor. With that complaint aside, this was the best of any of the latest books in the series. There is the ghost of a story arc and some actual character development as well.
One thing Chandler does very well is pacing. Just when the story gets too involved to put down; there is a break to a sub-plot and a nice chance for the reader to recover. In this case the sub-plot seemed a bit pointless and haphazard, but it still helped the pacing of the book over all.
It is nice to see this writer grow and improve.
One thing Chandler does very well is pacing. Just when the story gets too involved to put down; there is a break to a sub-plot and a nice chance for the reader to recover. In this case the sub-plot seemed a bit pointless and haphazard, but it still helped the pacing of the book over all.
It is nice to see this writer grow and improve.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews