Monsters are still lurking in the dark. But now she's strong enough to fight them with him. Jasper Cloud has managed to protect the woman serving as the Soulship's core long enough for her to recover some of her ship's systems and strengthen her battle avatar. The time has come for them to fight together, to take back the Soulship's darkened corridors and reactivate ancient systems capable of bringing aid to the rest of the galaxy. Whether they are strong enough to battle the creatures lurking deeper within and beyond the hull itself is still unknown, but one thing is clear to them both: Other forces are moving beyond the stars. If they wait any longer to act, the night sky will burn.
The lack of growth from some characters is disappointing. They seem content to make the exact same mistakes over and over. The main character shows a distinct lack of a spine in dealing with others, he allows himself to be a doormat. At this point there is nothing new to this book, it is the same recycled story arc as the last two. The series is stale, the characters are boring.
4.5 Now Stop Making Me Resent Your Parents And Tell Me What This Thing Is Stars
Anchor Knight is the third book in the Soulship series by Nathan Thompson.
I am so terribly upset that this is where the book ended, and that I have to go to sleep right now. Therefore, am unable to immediately start devouring the next book.
I want so desperately to know more of that final moment in this book. It is always such a consuming joy, to find a series that interests me so. A feat that appears more difficult the more I read, and the further my literary interests shape me.
It is hilariously upsetting that it took me this long to realize this is one of the very few works in which the potential harem aspect of the story was not nauseating, or annoyingly emphasized. I actually find myself at least a little offended even contemplating him picking between Nova and Vessa alone. That's not even included the multitude of facsimiles we have yet to meet in her other Beacons. Along with the ones we only minimally understand thus far.
Exploring her vessel, encountering a foe aboard that was intriguing and almost wishing they weren't so evil that we could keep them, traveling to the service of her second body, and facing so many new and varying creatures has made this book my favorite one yet.
I absolutely ADORE little Nestor more, and more, with each additional book into the series. The squeaky little powerfully destructive and protective mouse is worming himself deeper into my heart. I can only hope there are so many more books to come featuring awe-inspiring bastion of great strength in a small package.
I liked the plot and action of the book. One criticism I have is that the women seemed to be put on a pedestal. The word “beautiful” alone was used to describe the female characters 25 times in the book, which got a kind of excessive after a while. Especially since the adjective would get brought up when there was absolutely no need to mention the female characters’ appearances yet again. Every single main female character gets described as beautiful at least once. I mean, the plot would still be completely fine if at least some of them had primary traits besides their looks. Since the book is written from first person perspective, it makes the supposedly noble main character out to be a lot more shallow than I think his characterization is intended to be. The way the female characters are written often makes them seem like mysterious, slightly unbalanced, beings from a higher plane of existence. When that happens, they don’t seem like real people anymore, which takes away from the reading experience. Overall I enjoyed the book though.
From beginning to end, Anchor Knight doesn’t stop. It’s filled with action, zipping is through worlds, minds, and other fantastical sights. To put it simply: it’s fun! But some important element is missing. When I compare this series to very similar “The Challengers Call” (same author), I cant help but feel the missing element is setup.
In this series, we see a small little sample of the hardship on Earth. It’s kept at a long enough distance that I barely kept it in mind. Jasper has been forged through constant tragedy, but it’s not present enough in these books. The Soulship series is all about a power fantasy. But you need to have that fantasy earned for it to be truly great. The Challengers Call has that motivation. The main character from that series is actively tortured in astounding ways so when he becomes powerful it is fantastic. It feels earned and righteous.
Still. I had a great time reading this book and would recommend it.
There are not many books that accidents play with mental illness and even fewer they made it this engaging, fun, and totally worth it.
Meet your team of heroes:
A spaceship-girl victim of abuse, malnourishment, and abandonment that wrestles with multiple personality disorder were the mutual personalities are actual people. A guy with a complex anxiety disorder, in constant state of semi-panic and quasi anger, that also hears the voice of an old lady inside his head. A voice he calls grandmother and that happens to be an actual dragon. And a rat. A cute talking rat that is all fluffy and lovable until starts murdering people while channeling a very convincing pikachu.
The trio police the night sky to ensure rules are followed ... to the letter ... or they will blast your gigantic pork ass from space.
While I really liked the 1st book in this series enough to give it 5 stars, I wrote in my review of it that it definitely had some discontinuity problems that, fortunately, did not negatively impact the story in any significant way.
Now at book#3, Thompson’s writing has markedly improved!
His growing proficiency in his craft has resulted in an even better story just as enjoyable as the first, but far more tightly written.
The protagonist in the story (for me, that’s Jasper Cloud - Not Vessa) is very likable and the deuteragonists Vessa & Nova are evolving and likable enough for now, but it is the Tertiary characters Nestor & Grandmother that have won my heart.
I’m looking forward to reading the final book in this series and expect that it will be wonderful!
There has been significant improvements to the Soulship and Jasper’s power has grown at an astonishing rate. For each room that Jasper and Nova clear, they are able strengthen Vessa, the ship’s humanoid avatar, and give her more access to the ships functions. Not only are there creatures in the ship that want to destroy them all, the galaxy itself is in danger.
I have been really enjoying this series! It’s nice to see a sci fi element, when most litrpg are fantasy based. The ship retaking element is great and I’m excited to see what else lurks in the ship!
I hope you aren’t going to make extra beacons at least within the story because it seems like Jasper is going to accidentally create a harem or deal with the consequences of one almost forming. His personality has already proved more than appealing enough to Vessa and Nova after all. I suppose nothing happening between the new beacon and Jasper is also a possibility though (sort of). I feel like Jasper’s sudden oath was abrupt and jarring but otherwise I enjoyed. Thank you author and please keep up the good work.
I honestly don't know which of his two series is better. Between Soulship and Challenfer's Call, there's a lot of words to be read if you are really into a hero story where the protagonist works really hard to get to the end result.
Anchor Knight does a very entertaining job of not only further developing the world, but also to really bring out the relationships between the characters.
Also, some slight "settlement building" untertones.
Love everything Nathan Thompson writes. I always read them as soon as I see a new book come out. This book was a great build onto what is already a great start to this series. Love the action and the interplay between the characters. Hope to see many more books from Thompson in the future.
I liked learning more about the original mission and about what type of connections they all have. For powerful brings Vessa and Nova are somewhat irritatingly dismissive of assistance. I expect it's a learning journey for all. I very much like how Jason , and new family (mouse & dragons) are growing. Look forward to more of the tale
Nathan Thompson just keeps getting better with each book. The character development and story I'm always craving comes out in spades in his latest Soulship novel. He writes emotions so well, and his fight scenes are always interesting and....clean. no confusion at the end on what happened!
Another great entry in the series, though much more focused on the ship then exploring a new world.
This was another great entry we see Jasper grow in strength and both him and move work to free more of the ship. We also run into his annoying evil counterpart. This is another good story and I can't wait for the next.
This book is a funtastic book. Love the character development. Battles are well written without being over the top. And I like the slow burn of romance. All three books are entertaining and want to read the next one,but I guess I will have to wait. =_)
There is less of an impact made in this edition both in terms of story and emotional development of the characters and their relationship(s) in this addition to the saga, things move along, advancements are made and strength is attained but it ends all too soon.. I can’t wait to delve more deeply into this world and it’s characters
I didn't mind this series after the first couple of books but hoped for growth in the storyline and characters. It didn't happen. The whole attempt at love interest is overdone and really clunky. The main feeling I have after reading this book is boredom.
I love this series so much! The author is such an amazing writer, and I have read all of the books in both this series and his Challengers Call series. Nathan Thompson, if you are reading this, know that I admire you and can't wait for the release of your next books for both series.
Very little filler this time around. Jas and the gang go from one adventure to the next in quick succession in a way that feels realistic to the goals Vessa and Jas have. A few interpersonal events, but not many, even though Nathan is just as good at character development as he is at driving the plot.
Besides the title giving away that I enjoyed this storyline. I also thought the fact that vessa is becoming a more fleshed out character in this book as a breath of fresh air. I recommend anyone to read this book.
I can’t get enough of this series. This is a great addition. More action than some of the others and some great dialogue that really brings the characters personalities out. It is a fun read and I highly recommend it.
I enjoyed the first two books, but this one really has shown the development of the author. The world building hasn’t expanded that much, but the author has developed the main location quite well. I am impressed and looking forward to the next books.
A decent book in the series. Felt like the earlier fight scenes were a but rough though im not sure why. The fight with the solo dude after stomping the two others near him was pretty gr8 though
If you haven't read any of the soul ship books, is suggest to read them. There a great story, rich with plot, intrigue, world build, character development. A great mix of action, drama and humor.
I'd also recommended other works fine be the author.
Great book in the series and is comparable to book 1. Had hood pacing and character development! Only issue was a few typo errors found throughout the book. Overall great read would recommend!
Mistakes: I found four places where the wrong word was used. Plot: Lots of battles. Both in the ship and on it. Plus some planet bound combat. Characters: Still just not that interesting. Their goofiness, relationship wise reminds me of awkward middle school kids. 7/10
This book has an interesting plot, as well as some good characters. The entire storyline of the series Also may take a while proving to take up a few books in the Reclamation of the Soul ship
Excellent stories Excellent writing! Jason’s Love life is getting dangerous. The only problem in my little brain is that qi is ch’i. Not good at reviews. So just read this series and challengers call. Nathan’s an excellent writer.