What do you think?
Rate this book
Adventures of a Jump Space Accountant #1
Trans Galactic Insurance
The Galactic Empire disappeared a lifetime ago. Jake Stewart doesn't care, he needs to earn a living. He fled his station in the outer Belt, enrolled in the merchant academy, and snagged a scholarship. The future looks bright. But a crooked boss, some paperwork shenanigans, and a freeloading best friend put him in a bind. When he's accused of a murder he didn't commit he goes on the run from the Planetary Militia. There's only his wits and a suspiciously helpful pretty girl between him and jail. Can he trust her to prove his innocence? Or does she have another agenda?Tired of books where everything that moves gets shot? How about a book where people use their brains? If you like strategy over tactics, and thought before action, The Adventures of a Jump Space accountant series is for you.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2017
1131 people are currently reading
1044 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Moriarty
19 books281 followersAndrew Moriarty has been reading science fiction his whole life, and he always wondered about the stories he read. How did they ever pay the mortgage for that space ship? Why doesn’t it ever need to be refueled? What would happen if it broke, but the parts were backordered for weeks? And why doesn’t anybody ever have to charge sales tax? Despairing on finding the answers to these questions, he decided to write a book about how space ships would function in the real world. Ships need fuel, fuel costs money, and the accountants run everything.
He was born in Canada, and has lived in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Germany, and Maastricht. Previously he worked as a telephone newspaper subscriptions salesman, a pizza delivery driver, wedding disc jockey, and technology trainer. Unfortunately, he also spent a great deal of time in the IT industry, designing networks and configuring routers and switches. Along the way, he picked up an ex-spy with a predilection for French Champagne, and a whippet with a murderous possessiveness for tennis balls. They live together in Brooklyn.
He was born in Canada, and has lived in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Germany, and Maastricht. Previously he worked as a telephone newspaper subscriptions salesman, a pizza delivery driver, wedding disc jockey, and technology trainer. Unfortunately, he also spent a great deal of time in the IT industry, designing networks and configuring routers and switches. Along the way, he picked up an ex-spy with a predilection for French Champagne, and a whippet with a murderous possessiveness for tennis balls. They live together in Brooklyn.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
May 27, 2018
I hated Jake as a main character. The core story was very much "Forrest Gump" in space. Where things got interesting, was in all the background details of the universe. Fallen Empire, refueling stops, insurance and licensure. Jake does't so much grow-up as wise-up but it is all the little things in this story that tie it together and set it apart.
Who would have thought insurance could be interesting.
Who would have thought insurance could be interesting.
March 17, 2019
Not terrible, but very tonally uneven. Starts as an almost excessively twee comedy, ends in a surprisingly hard-edged murder thriller. Heavy on the info-dumps as well, though they're at least relatively interesting infodumps.
December 6, 2025
Trans Galactic Insurance
by Andrew Moriarty
This was more of an adventure, with a few people in training to be Galactic Insurance agents. A couple of trainees find out that money is being taken from the company and the immediate supervisor gives bad advice. Soon, fingers point to the ones who found the missing money.
by Andrew Moriarty
This was more of an adventure, with a few people in training to be Galactic Insurance agents. A couple of trainees find out that money is being taken from the company and the immediate supervisor gives bad advice. Soon, fingers point to the ones who found the missing money.
July 27, 2019
This book vaguely reminds me of a Heinlein juvenile (although there is a bit of sex, granted VERY non-graphic) but the characters are far shallower. Pacing is a little rough in spots, and the main character seems just too innocent to survive. (Luckily, not too stupid - or I would have quite halfway!) Some nice twists and turns....but something seems to be missing....more dimension to the characters maybe? Maybe the main characters' rather jerky character development, or lack thereof? Anyway, I generally enjoyed the read - didn't love it. It was nice to find a sci-fi not hung up on shoot-em-ups in space to carry the narrative. Not bad, but not nearly as good as most of it's reviews. Still, interesting concept - and I would consider the next should it fall into my lap, but I will not search it out. 3 stars. (Could have been 4 with stronger, more interesting characters.)
July 3, 2021
Fun, fun book. If you're looking for a little humor, adventure, and a brand new take on sci-fi, check out Adventures of a Jump Space Accountant. Who thought accounting in space would turn out to be a page-turner? Love the way that Moriarty looks at how space life would function in the little details and then spins it out into a story of betrayal, murder, and adventure.
January 12, 2020
Fun sci-fi adventure
Don't let the title fool you. There's very little insurance accounting in the book (though there is a claims adjuster.) It's a good old-fashioned hard sci-fi adventure story. Think of The Fugitive on space stations, with deception, pursuit, and revenge.
Don't let the title fool you. There's very little insurance accounting in the book (though there is a claims adjuster.) It's a good old-fashioned hard sci-fi adventure story. Think of The Fugitive on space stations, with deception, pursuit, and revenge.
December 7, 2018
This is an interesting plot, with a likeable character, but the pace is a little slow and tedious. I tended to skim paragraphs, getting on to the next interesting event. There was not enough character development for the reader to "feel" who was the good guy, who was the villain. In novels like this, written with an omniscient POV, the reader is usually given hints of virtue and villainy and learns to hate the deceit of the guys with the black hats. In this novel I was never sure, and, at times, I'm not sure I cared... so that the resolution was not particularly motivated.
Still, I enjoyed the sci-fi plot, with a poor but hard-working kid from the asteroid belt trying to make it good.
Still, I enjoyed the sci-fi plot, with a poor but hard-working kid from the asteroid belt trying to make it good.
May 26, 2019
I’ve just finished Moriarty’s 3-book Trans Galactic Insurance series, so I’ve written one review that I’ll post for all the books. The books are fun reads and unlike some sci-fi series, each one stands alone. The storyline gets wrapped up instead of leaving you hanging, waiting for the next book. There are hints of things to come, but they don’t detract from each book’s plotline. The books track Jake Stewart, a poor boy as he tries to make his way in the post-abandonment universe where spacers work to keep things going with technology from the old Empire slowly failing. We follow the hero as he struggles to find success, happiness, and love. The characters develop more fully with each book. Some are more likeable than others, but all are interesting. Highly recommended for fans of “light” science fiction.
February 2, 2023
not for me DNF
I just have to assume that the story get more intriguing but for the first 25% of the book I was able to finish, it was just abusing a naive simpleton. And I mean that in every sense. This kid is apparently amaze balls smart with books and numbers and then dumber than a brick about anything else. It’s clear everyone takes advantage and doesn’t give two shits about him unless he can be used, but even when that’s pointed out he just kind of nods his head and says this is my lot in life. I was hoping for a humorous read and instead was bored and depressed. If you want to see people pick on an autistic child maybe this is for you. But not for me.
I just have to assume that the story get more intriguing but for the first 25% of the book I was able to finish, it was just abusing a naive simpleton. And I mean that in every sense. This kid is apparently amaze balls smart with books and numbers and then dumber than a brick about anything else. It’s clear everyone takes advantage and doesn’t give two shits about him unless he can be used, but even when that’s pointed out he just kind of nods his head and says this is my lot in life. I was hoping for a humorous read and instead was bored and depressed. If you want to see people pick on an autistic child maybe this is for you. But not for me.
March 1, 2020
A very creative scenario that starts off with what seems like a typical class of college students studying insurance. The protagonist is a bright relatively poor student who helps others in exchange for extra income. He discovers serious improprieties and is shocked to learn that he is blamed for them. Then things turn really sour as he is expelled and goes on the run from the militia. Things turn really gritty as he tries to survive in the space mining culture while he clears his name.
December 5, 2023
Well that wasn't great. It was utterly terrible either, but after the protagonist lost his place in a conversation because of sniffing a woman's hair for the third time my heart sank and I gave up trying to find redeeming qualities. But it held together well enough for me to get to the end. At least it was short.
My quest to find more Solar Clipper like stories continues, but Mr Moriarty won't be on the list
My quest to find more Solar Clipper like stories continues, but Mr Moriarty won't be on the list
September 8, 2017
Recommend highly!
A fun romp, had me, had me going until the end. Many twists in plot, but still has a happy ending. A string held out for a second book, but you still get the happy ending
A fun romp, had me, had me going until the end. Many twists in plot, but still has a happy ending. A string held out for a second book, but you still get the happy ending
January 23, 2023
Found this to be a very interesting story. I also liked the main character Jake and how he handles himself throughout the whole book. I would definitely recommend this book.
I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway!
I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway!
June 4, 2017
I hope this is the first of many, excellent story. Although MC is too naive for my liking but all is well.
August 20, 2017
Poor, niave sap
I read this book over a couple of hours and I have to say that it definitely makes accounting ... interesting. Though the end was a bit of a cliche.
I read this book over a couple of hours and I have to say that it definitely makes accounting ... interesting. Though the end was a bit of a cliche.
September 1, 2017
Good story
Very good story. I liked the action and the characters. The writing is good fast paced with lots of action. Accounting will never be the same.
Very good story. I liked the action and the characters. The writing is good fast paced with lots of action. Accounting will never be the same.
Read
September 9, 2025Rating: minus 3 on a scale of minus 5 through plus 5.
When I first wrote this review, I had just begun my journey down the rabbit hole of poorly written Amazon fictions. I am enjoying being able to upload my reviews again in sections and completing them in less than 24+ hours. See my review of "Shockwave" for that dreary tale.
Four years later, I am examining my reviews. I must first visit the YouTube. This revision was begun courtesy of Doctor Who/They Break My Heart - RecklessGirl100, NCMI, Red Glasgow, Maggie Mae Fish, LuckyBlackCat, Acollierastro, Reads with Rachel, Ben and Emily, Whitenoiz CA, Belinda Strnad, Michelle Reads and Vlogs, Welcome to Ukraine, Veritas et Caritas, Storied, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers. Stuka Joe, OrangeRiver, Lily Simpson, Trae Crowder, Digital Mermaid, No Justice, Gracie DelTaco, KernowDamo, Deerstalker Pictures, Kyle Hill, Philosophy Tube, Books and Things, Nicole Rudolph, Bookpilled, Chris and Shell, Shannon Makes, Reese Waters, Anna from Ukraine, Diary of a Ditch Witch, Norse Witch, Verdana, Of Elves and Droids, Perimeter institute, Dr Fatima, Raising Wildflowers, The Shades of Orange, Bobby Broccoli, Sailing Melody, Ukraine:The Latest, Cambrian Chronicles, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Vlad Vexler, Reese Waters, The Narrowboat that James Built, Nomadic Crobot, Ms Paints, Legendary Tactics, JohnTheDuncan, Riverboat Jack, Static Tide, Red Dawn, Think Ukraine, Kazachka, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, The Grungeon Master, Dungeons and Discourse, Tulia, Aid Thompsin, Kirkpattiecake, The North Effect, Lisandra Vazquez, Novara Media, Naughty Nana DUZ.
An idiot whilst attacking a favoured essayist complained to her that I list trans creators. I am no longer amazed by vicious, poorly socialised US males. A trigger warning then.
The channels which I list include archaeologist, tall, bi, marine biologist, military historian, het, Ugandan, chess player, modeller, asexual, architect, mathematician, intersex, Canadian, married, physicist, lesbian, WOC, communist, redhaired, trans, Bahamian, political commentator, anthropologist, autist and other female creators whom the more healthily socialised refer to as Women.
Almost as horrifying are channels which include socialist, other BIPOC, Welsh, short, miniatures painter, other LGBTQI+, ginger, Australian, other neurodivergent, other BIPOC, military board gamer, science educator, fashion historian, Estonian, cosplayer, zoologist, chemist, boater and others whom the sane refer to as Human Beings.
Should the voices persist, seek the nearest Shinto shrine daily and/or repeat "I will not be a bellend today" and/or learn a new language.
Onto the book. The worldbuilding was incomplete at best. The book is set in a single star system, isolated for reasons unknown from the rest of human space. The writer established the initial conditions early and described vaguely a sublight cross system trade network.
There are no system wide government bureaus or authority. They are replaced by a series of corporate cross agreements and a small system militia acting as a limited powers police force.
The technology is defined as limited to rotational gravity but the shipboard scenes do not reflect that. With no inertial mitigation system, high speed transit or manoeuvre would injure crews and passengers. Any technobabble would have done but none were provided.
A system far from Earth having no supraliminal drive capable ships was implausible. A system is a large volume but there is no explanation for the incredible sublight speeds needed for the ship travel times given.
There is mention that a terraforming project exists, then nothing. Food is available and production is not mentioned. The writer delivered a poor interpretation of "The Expanse" tech base.
The society described is as shallow as the rest. The system rim stations are impoverished with no explanation. Poverty in the book is described solely as lack of education?
Maintaining a space habitat requires: food production, storage and delivery; life support, atmospheric monitoring, machinery repair, etc; power generation, fuel, engineering, etc; water collection, purification, storage, etc; hull and external sensor maintenance; raw materials, refining, production of replacement parts, equipment; planning, allocation of resources and record keeping. Education from early childhood through adulthood in all areas of keeping a station functioning and the inhabitants alive would seem necessary.
Must there be detailed engineering discussions? No but labelling worker habitats as decaying resulting from lack of corporate support is at best lazy. Are the habitats being starved of resources or the needed equipment and tech to maintain themselves? If so, do not assign their plight to low intelligence or poor character. Do not copy "The Expanse". Be it.
The Merchant Academy provide accreditation for children of the upper classes in their advancement along corporate hierarchies. And??
The book presents a comedy of working class characters being their adorable working class selves. The humour is at the expense of those adorable clods. One need not be a Marxist to find that and most Hollywood portrayals of class to be offensive to a working class audience.
Another visit to the YouTube before I continue. This next is courtesy of the channels Doctor Who/Just Kind -Reality Genre Studios, NCMI, The Military Show, Up and Atom, Crow Caller, Gutsick Gibbon, Geo Girl, Emily Linge, Rogue Hobbies, Anne Applebaum, Kady2.0, Yanis Varoufakis, TallGirl6234, Ken minyard, Jay Reed, Planarwalker, Ben G Thomas, Physics Girl, FAFO, Elina Charatsidou, Jean's Thoughts, The Library Ladder, Lady Knight the Brave, Claus Kellerman POV, Parkrose Permaculture, Shitty Book Club, Christina Talks, Mynameismarines, Lindsay Stirling, Yarmak, A Frolic through Fiction, Real Time History, Terrible Writing Advice, Double Down News, Delamer music, Ukraine Matters, Tod Maffin, Anna from Ukraine, The Queer Kiwi, DW News, Queen Penguin, Dropkick Murphys, Liene's LIbrary, Don't F@ck with Ukraine, Autumn's Boutique, Britmonkey, Yoyomi, Philosophy Tube, Premee Mohamed, Real Vintage Dolls House, RFU News, ThePrImeChronus, It's Black Friday, Dr Fatima, IMY2 -Mad World, Ukraine News TV, Just in Time Worldbuilding, Knitting Cult Lady, Reads with Rachel, Fundie Fridays, Victus History and Wargaming, Warboss Tae, ESO Tabletop Painting, Anka Daily News, Secret Sauce of Storycraft, Jack in the Books, Bitchuation Room, Red Viburnam Song, Jed Herne, Cover in French, Electro Swing, Karolina Zebrowska, Tale Foundry, Think Ukraine, Asturia Quartet, Kyiv Post, The Closet Historian, Abby Cox, Mark Fisher, The Hat Historian, Andrewism, Charlie Angus, Kozak Siromaha.
Amazon is the largest English language Ebook Publisher. I believe that they produce somewhere in the neighbourhood of 80% of ebook titles. There are only the Five big US publishers, I believe. These few outlets are not bound by popular taste but shape it.
The standards for US speculative fiction and romance seem to be Low Effort, No Effort and Abhorrent. While I believe all writing to be political, the very ugly politics of eugenics, class depiction, ethno-supremacy and similar are presented overtly, not as theme but rant in a majority of Amazon Unlimited selections. Many of the books are simply platforms for the worst.
This title while shallow, with more thought and care could have delivered a similar more satisfying book. Still it was an attempt at a story, which many Amazon selections are not. I ended my Unlimited sub sometime more than a year ago, as a waste of money. My love of reading is not yet fully returned.
I now need a coffee or chocolate to prepare for the next section. This next is made possible by YouTube Doctor Who Never Cruel or Cowardly - Ozar, Kaz Rowe, Emilie's Literary Corner. LuckyBlackCat, The Historical Gamer, Narrowboat Pirate, Gingers are Black, Lucy Darling, Liene's LIbrary, Living Anachronism, Honest Government Ads, Homo Ludens, Fit 2B Read, Female Warriors - Teresatessa, Emily Linge, Sumatha Reads. Jack Edwards, MegalithHunter, Terrible Writing Advice, History with Kayleigh, The Great War, Red Glasgow, Mia Mulder, Belle of the Ranch, Sons of Liberty, Leena Norms, Lena Down Under, Nerdy Kathi, , AllShorts, ThisStoryaintover, The Great War, Ben G Thomas, Ukraine Matters, Between the Wars, Kings and Generals, CRecganford, Dr Ben Miles, Confused Adipose, Minimal List, Nikki Carreon, A Clockwork Reader, Just Write, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, Kelly Loves Physics and History, Jack in the Books, LydLoves, Ro Ramdin, Shaun, Dominic Noble, Jessica Kellgren Fozard, Ukraine News TV, The Closet Historian, Julie Nolke, Smack the Pony, Bobbing Along, The Bitchuation Room, Well Deck Diaries, Amadeus Quartet, Sarah Spaceman, Fall of Civilisations, Obviously Queer, Today I Found Out, Then & Now, Vanwives, Cruising Crafts, Nakia's Hideaway, Cruising Alba, Ben and Emily, The British Museum, Yarmak, Kris Atomic, Planarwalker, Geo Girl, Dark Brandon, FAFO, Northern Narrowboaters, The Tank Museum, Octopus Lady, Chris Animations, Lyla Mev, Dungeons and Discourse, Charlie Angus, TLDR EU, Chloe Daniels.
YouTube was not a site which I visited until two to three years ago. I was hoping for some sense of the state of science fiction. I found the science fiction commentary of TV and films, then lifestyle, educational and essayist channels before I stumbled upon the book channels. 😍 They host diverse reader groups, which are communities of thoughtful members excited by all elements of the world of books. I promise that They are environments different to whatever Goodreads have become.
Consider treating this site as potentially hostile. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. As example, I wrote a short negative review of Powers of the Earth, a juvenile, poorly written salute to what would now be called the sociopathic January 6, 2021 hero by a Travis Corcoran. Corcoran self-described as libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without portfolio?) and vocal advocate for a return of chattel slavery (popular US stance for over a century), veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency, a supporter of Putin (another popular stance among MAGA and in the White House).
The book is the heroic struggle of a newly rich twat enlisting the military to overthrow the US government in order that he not pay inheritance tax. The Corcoran and six fellow US patriots were incensed that I considered the story, though a common theme in Amazon Unlimited selections to be dangerous and unhealthy.
There followed a near year long demand from Corcoran and followers demanding a response to attacks on my politics, in defence of slavery, decrying my narcissism in lack of engagement and other madness. The irony pained my communist soul.
The final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr (formerly self-described Nazi). He wrote after referencing the contents of my last message to a Goodreads friend, that They had "won" (?).
I discovered that They had launched a year long flood of vicious, vile sexual, anti-LGBTQ and racist comments directed to channels which were mentioned. It continues still. The astrophysicist, solo boater, theoretical physicist, culture essayist and many other female creators were not impressed. However They did present an accurate image of the Snowflake (vicious, angry, poorly educated US man-child) to a broad multinational audience and succeeded in increasing the world's overabundance of ugliness. Quite a description of Victory.
Goodreads is a splendid reader forum ?? Fortunately BookTubers discuss alternative reader forums.
Another YouTube visit have been earned. This last made possible by channels Doctor Who -"Where I Fall", NCMI, Sound of Music - Flash Mob, Philosophy Tube, Ukraine Calling, Abbie Emmons, Mandy, Renegade Cut, bibliosophie, Alt Shift X, JammiDodger, The Rock Orchestra, The Gaze, Chris and Shell.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The comment gangs are active in romance/romantasy and speculative fiction. About other genre I can not say. My experience above was only in duration, different to most of the comment storms. Those bizarre member reactions easily morph into stalking, doxxing and threats even to BookTubers. With what seems acceptable to Goodreads or the USA generally, the Swatting may soon be added to Their repertoire.
Amazon have not disciplined members, punished writers who sometimes organise attacks against one star reviews or discharged employees who enable Them.
After my review of Powers, Amazon decided to share my limited message history with the madlads of Goodreads. That resulted in an attempt to investigate my private history via a request through Pine Gap Centre that Australian Intelligence interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged. The attempt failed, could have put my life in danger and ended with two customers who will never again think of Amazon as a vendor only.
Amazon became concerned only After we shared our experience with many others. No apology or explanation but instead Amazon reversed all the visible Alterations to my pages. Those included among others restoring my page formats and options, allowing me to see other reviewers (seldom used). All comments were masked (good riddance) and all Lurkers whom I had not been previously Permitted to remove were disappeared and even interruptions to my Kindle services seem restored. BBC have not been restored to News options, though Sky News remains?
Recently a seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce channel was deemed unkind to EBay. The couple were awarded several millions and that ex-employee had been the EBay Chief of Global Security or some such. Both instances occurred before the present government support for all US data corporation behaviour. Things worth a think.
Some precautions seem appropriate. Remove all personal information from profile and avoid Goodreads messaging. Remove lurkers, those friends who never post. They are monitors for comment gangs or employee tools to sidestep system records of unusual access to customer reviews, not admirers. Given Amazon's approach to customer page format, etc and the interesting comment, the screenshot of the odd, ugly and threatening might be lifesaving. These should suffice.
Kindle is more dangerous. Do Not use Kindle Files, Email, Contact, Calendar. Amazon read your email without consent or notice. Make of that what you will. Do not "purchase" Amazon ebooks, as you own only your device not downloads which may be deleted by Amazon at whim. It was a mistake which I made before accepting the reality of Amazon culture. When using Silk for searches, they should be innocuous and non-critical obviously.
It is vital to remember that these animals, employees and members alike are devoid of non-Randian morality but are proud US patriots. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be safe and may we all enjoy Good Reading! 🤗
Some of my favourite YouTube channels.
NCMI, UATV, Crow Caller, Joe Blogs, Russian Media Monitor, Verilybitchie, Operator Starsky, May, Paige Perspective, Narrowboat Pirate, Some More News, Adiemus - Carmina Slovenica, Deerstalker Pictures. DUST, Alizee, FAFO, Central Crossing, Alice Cappelle, Munecat, Yanis Varoufakis, Dropkick Murphys, Sabine Hossenfelder, What Vivi did next, Kings and Generals, GhostTime History, Tibees, IzzzYzzz, Jabzy, The Juice Media, Kiko1006, With Olivia, Wizards and Warriors, Jess of the Shire, Petrik Leo, TVP News, Paleo Analysis, Austin McConnell, Michael Lambert, Truth to Power, Owen Jones, Shaun, Princess Weekes, Physics Girl, Engineering with Rosie, Casual Navigation, Lily Simpson, Jean's Thoughts, Brickcrafts, Outlaw Bookseller, Pike and Shot Channel, France 24, Nini Music, Tom Nicholas, Hello Future Me, The Narrowboat that James Built, Ben and Emily, Prime of Midlife, The Shades of Orange, Lily Alexandre, Liz Webster, Hailey in Bookland, Travelling K, The Tank Museum, The Book Leo, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, ScFi Odyssey, BobbyBroccoli, Anton Petrov, Engineering with Rosie, AllShorts, Ship Happens, KernowDamo, The Chloe Connection, Cruising Alba, Cruising Crafts, Winging it on a Budget, The Cold War, Science Insanity, Sabaton, Just Write, Book Furnace, Widebeam and Wellingtons, KernowDamo, Northern Narrowboaters, Omeleto, Double Down News, Lilly's Life, Alysotherlife, iWriterly, Eckharts Ladder, Perun, Jake Broe, Science of Science Fiction, The Lady of the Library, The Leftist Cooks, Knowing Better, Cambrian Chronicles, The Black Forest Family, Kathy's Flog in France.
I wish you a sunny morning, a brilliant afternoon, a pleasant evening, a wonderful night and may we all continue learning.
Allow Another to speak in your name, adopt Their sins.
My Grandmother
When I first wrote this review, I had just begun my journey down the rabbit hole of poorly written Amazon fictions. I am enjoying being able to upload my reviews again in sections and completing them in less than 24+ hours. See my review of "Shockwave" for that dreary tale.
Four years later, I am examining my reviews. I must first visit the YouTube. This revision was begun courtesy of Doctor Who/They Break My Heart - RecklessGirl100, NCMI, Red Glasgow, Maggie Mae Fish, LuckyBlackCat, Acollierastro, Reads with Rachel, Ben and Emily, Whitenoiz CA, Belinda Strnad, Michelle Reads and Vlogs, Welcome to Ukraine, Veritas et Caritas, Storied, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers. Stuka Joe, OrangeRiver, Lily Simpson, Trae Crowder, Digital Mermaid, No Justice, Gracie DelTaco, KernowDamo, Deerstalker Pictures, Kyle Hill, Philosophy Tube, Books and Things, Nicole Rudolph, Bookpilled, Chris and Shell, Shannon Makes, Reese Waters, Anna from Ukraine, Diary of a Ditch Witch, Norse Witch, Verdana, Of Elves and Droids, Perimeter institute, Dr Fatima, Raising Wildflowers, The Shades of Orange, Bobby Broccoli, Sailing Melody, Ukraine:The Latest, Cambrian Chronicles, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Vlad Vexler, Reese Waters, The Narrowboat that James Built, Nomadic Crobot, Ms Paints, Legendary Tactics, JohnTheDuncan, Riverboat Jack, Static Tide, Red Dawn, Think Ukraine, Kazachka, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, The Grungeon Master, Dungeons and Discourse, Tulia, Aid Thompsin, Kirkpattiecake, The North Effect, Lisandra Vazquez, Novara Media, Naughty Nana DUZ.
An idiot whilst attacking a favoured essayist complained to her that I list trans creators. I am no longer amazed by vicious, poorly socialised US males. A trigger warning then.
The channels which I list include archaeologist, tall, bi, marine biologist, military historian, het, Ugandan, chess player, modeller, asexual, architect, mathematician, intersex, Canadian, married, physicist, lesbian, WOC, communist, redhaired, trans, Bahamian, political commentator, anthropologist, autist and other female creators whom the more healthily socialised refer to as Women.
Almost as horrifying are channels which include socialist, other BIPOC, Welsh, short, miniatures painter, other LGBTQI+, ginger, Australian, other neurodivergent, other BIPOC, military board gamer, science educator, fashion historian, Estonian, cosplayer, zoologist, chemist, boater and others whom the sane refer to as Human Beings.
Should the voices persist, seek the nearest Shinto shrine daily and/or repeat "I will not be a bellend today" and/or learn a new language.
Onto the book. The worldbuilding was incomplete at best. The book is set in a single star system, isolated for reasons unknown from the rest of human space. The writer established the initial conditions early and described vaguely a sublight cross system trade network.
There are no system wide government bureaus or authority. They are replaced by a series of corporate cross agreements and a small system militia acting as a limited powers police force.
The technology is defined as limited to rotational gravity but the shipboard scenes do not reflect that. With no inertial mitigation system, high speed transit or manoeuvre would injure crews and passengers. Any technobabble would have done but none were provided.
A system far from Earth having no supraliminal drive capable ships was implausible. A system is a large volume but there is no explanation for the incredible sublight speeds needed for the ship travel times given.
There is mention that a terraforming project exists, then nothing. Food is available and production is not mentioned. The writer delivered a poor interpretation of "The Expanse" tech base.
The society described is as shallow as the rest. The system rim stations are impoverished with no explanation. Poverty in the book is described solely as lack of education?
Maintaining a space habitat requires: food production, storage and delivery; life support, atmospheric monitoring, machinery repair, etc; power generation, fuel, engineering, etc; water collection, purification, storage, etc; hull and external sensor maintenance; raw materials, refining, production of replacement parts, equipment; planning, allocation of resources and record keeping. Education from early childhood through adulthood in all areas of keeping a station functioning and the inhabitants alive would seem necessary.
Must there be detailed engineering discussions? No but labelling worker habitats as decaying resulting from lack of corporate support is at best lazy. Are the habitats being starved of resources or the needed equipment and tech to maintain themselves? If so, do not assign their plight to low intelligence or poor character. Do not copy "The Expanse". Be it.
The Merchant Academy provide accreditation for children of the upper classes in their advancement along corporate hierarchies. And??
The book presents a comedy of working class characters being their adorable working class selves. The humour is at the expense of those adorable clods. One need not be a Marxist to find that and most Hollywood portrayals of class to be offensive to a working class audience.
Another visit to the YouTube before I continue. This next is courtesy of the channels Doctor Who/Just Kind -Reality Genre Studios, NCMI, The Military Show, Up and Atom, Crow Caller, Gutsick Gibbon, Geo Girl, Emily Linge, Rogue Hobbies, Anne Applebaum, Kady2.0, Yanis Varoufakis, TallGirl6234, Ken minyard, Jay Reed, Planarwalker, Ben G Thomas, Physics Girl, FAFO, Elina Charatsidou, Jean's Thoughts, The Library Ladder, Lady Knight the Brave, Claus Kellerman POV, Parkrose Permaculture, Shitty Book Club, Christina Talks, Mynameismarines, Lindsay Stirling, Yarmak, A Frolic through Fiction, Real Time History, Terrible Writing Advice, Double Down News, Delamer music, Ukraine Matters, Tod Maffin, Anna from Ukraine, The Queer Kiwi, DW News, Queen Penguin, Dropkick Murphys, Liene's LIbrary, Don't F@ck with Ukraine, Autumn's Boutique, Britmonkey, Yoyomi, Philosophy Tube, Premee Mohamed, Real Vintage Dolls House, RFU News, ThePrImeChronus, It's Black Friday, Dr Fatima, IMY2 -Mad World, Ukraine News TV, Just in Time Worldbuilding, Knitting Cult Lady, Reads with Rachel, Fundie Fridays, Victus History and Wargaming, Warboss Tae, ESO Tabletop Painting, Anka Daily News, Secret Sauce of Storycraft, Jack in the Books, Bitchuation Room, Red Viburnam Song, Jed Herne, Cover in French, Electro Swing, Karolina Zebrowska, Tale Foundry, Think Ukraine, Asturia Quartet, Kyiv Post, The Closet Historian, Abby Cox, Mark Fisher, The Hat Historian, Andrewism, Charlie Angus, Kozak Siromaha.
Amazon is the largest English language Ebook Publisher. I believe that they produce somewhere in the neighbourhood of 80% of ebook titles. There are only the Five big US publishers, I believe. These few outlets are not bound by popular taste but shape it.
The standards for US speculative fiction and romance seem to be Low Effort, No Effort and Abhorrent. While I believe all writing to be political, the very ugly politics of eugenics, class depiction, ethno-supremacy and similar are presented overtly, not as theme but rant in a majority of Amazon Unlimited selections. Many of the books are simply platforms for the worst.
This title while shallow, with more thought and care could have delivered a similar more satisfying book. Still it was an attempt at a story, which many Amazon selections are not. I ended my Unlimited sub sometime more than a year ago, as a waste of money. My love of reading is not yet fully returned.
I now need a coffee or chocolate to prepare for the next section. This next is made possible by YouTube Doctor Who Never Cruel or Cowardly - Ozar, Kaz Rowe, Emilie's Literary Corner. LuckyBlackCat, The Historical Gamer, Narrowboat Pirate, Gingers are Black, Lucy Darling, Liene's LIbrary, Living Anachronism, Honest Government Ads, Homo Ludens, Fit 2B Read, Female Warriors - Teresatessa, Emily Linge, Sumatha Reads. Jack Edwards, MegalithHunter, Terrible Writing Advice, History with Kayleigh, The Great War, Red Glasgow, Mia Mulder, Belle of the Ranch, Sons of Liberty, Leena Norms, Lena Down Under, Nerdy Kathi, , AllShorts, ThisStoryaintover, The Great War, Ben G Thomas, Ukraine Matters, Between the Wars, Kings and Generals, CRecganford, Dr Ben Miles, Confused Adipose, Minimal List, Nikki Carreon, A Clockwork Reader, Just Write, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, Kelly Loves Physics and History, Jack in the Books, LydLoves, Ro Ramdin, Shaun, Dominic Noble, Jessica Kellgren Fozard, Ukraine News TV, The Closet Historian, Julie Nolke, Smack the Pony, Bobbing Along, The Bitchuation Room, Well Deck Diaries, Amadeus Quartet, Sarah Spaceman, Fall of Civilisations, Obviously Queer, Today I Found Out, Then & Now, Vanwives, Cruising Crafts, Nakia's Hideaway, Cruising Alba, Ben and Emily, The British Museum, Yarmak, Kris Atomic, Planarwalker, Geo Girl, Dark Brandon, FAFO, Northern Narrowboaters, The Tank Museum, Octopus Lady, Chris Animations, Lyla Mev, Dungeons and Discourse, Charlie Angus, TLDR EU, Chloe Daniels.
YouTube was not a site which I visited until two to three years ago. I was hoping for some sense of the state of science fiction. I found the science fiction commentary of TV and films, then lifestyle, educational and essayist channels before I stumbled upon the book channels. 😍 They host diverse reader groups, which are communities of thoughtful members excited by all elements of the world of books. I promise that They are environments different to whatever Goodreads have become.
Consider treating this site as potentially hostile. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. As example, I wrote a short negative review of Powers of the Earth, a juvenile, poorly written salute to what would now be called the sociopathic January 6, 2021 hero by a Travis Corcoran. Corcoran self-described as libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without portfolio?) and vocal advocate for a return of chattel slavery (popular US stance for over a century), veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency, a supporter of Putin (another popular stance among MAGA and in the White House).
The book is the heroic struggle of a newly rich twat enlisting the military to overthrow the US government in order that he not pay inheritance tax. The Corcoran and six fellow US patriots were incensed that I considered the story, though a common theme in Amazon Unlimited selections to be dangerous and unhealthy.
There followed a near year long demand from Corcoran and followers demanding a response to attacks on my politics, in defence of slavery, decrying my narcissism in lack of engagement and other madness. The irony pained my communist soul.
The final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr (formerly self-described Nazi). He wrote after referencing the contents of my last message to a Goodreads friend, that They had "won" (?).
I discovered that They had launched a year long flood of vicious, vile sexual, anti-LGBTQ and racist comments directed to channels which were mentioned. It continues still. The astrophysicist, solo boater, theoretical physicist, culture essayist and many other female creators were not impressed. However They did present an accurate image of the Snowflake (vicious, angry, poorly educated US man-child) to a broad multinational audience and succeeded in increasing the world's overabundance of ugliness. Quite a description of Victory.
Goodreads is a splendid reader forum ?? Fortunately BookTubers discuss alternative reader forums.
Another YouTube visit have been earned. This last made possible by channels Doctor Who -"Where I Fall", NCMI, Sound of Music - Flash Mob, Philosophy Tube, Ukraine Calling, Abbie Emmons, Mandy, Renegade Cut, bibliosophie, Alt Shift X, JammiDodger, The Rock Orchestra, The Gaze, Chris and Shell.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The comment gangs are active in romance/romantasy and speculative fiction. About other genre I can not say. My experience above was only in duration, different to most of the comment storms. Those bizarre member reactions easily morph into stalking, doxxing and threats even to BookTubers. With what seems acceptable to Goodreads or the USA generally, the Swatting may soon be added to Their repertoire.
Amazon have not disciplined members, punished writers who sometimes organise attacks against one star reviews or discharged employees who enable Them.
After my review of Powers, Amazon decided to share my limited message history with the madlads of Goodreads. That resulted in an attempt to investigate my private history via a request through Pine Gap Centre that Australian Intelligence interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged. The attempt failed, could have put my life in danger and ended with two customers who will never again think of Amazon as a vendor only.
Amazon became concerned only After we shared our experience with many others. No apology or explanation but instead Amazon reversed all the visible Alterations to my pages. Those included among others restoring my page formats and options, allowing me to see other reviewers (seldom used). All comments were masked (good riddance) and all Lurkers whom I had not been previously Permitted to remove were disappeared and even interruptions to my Kindle services seem restored. BBC have not been restored to News options, though Sky News remains?
Recently a seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce channel was deemed unkind to EBay. The couple were awarded several millions and that ex-employee had been the EBay Chief of Global Security or some such. Both instances occurred before the present government support for all US data corporation behaviour. Things worth a think.
Some precautions seem appropriate. Remove all personal information from profile and avoid Goodreads messaging. Remove lurkers, those friends who never post. They are monitors for comment gangs or employee tools to sidestep system records of unusual access to customer reviews, not admirers. Given Amazon's approach to customer page format, etc and the interesting comment, the screenshot of the odd, ugly and threatening might be lifesaving. These should suffice.
Kindle is more dangerous. Do Not use Kindle Files, Email, Contact, Calendar. Amazon read your email without consent or notice. Make of that what you will. Do not "purchase" Amazon ebooks, as you own only your device not downloads which may be deleted by Amazon at whim. It was a mistake which I made before accepting the reality of Amazon culture. When using Silk for searches, they should be innocuous and non-critical obviously.
It is vital to remember that these animals, employees and members alike are devoid of non-Randian morality but are proud US patriots. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be safe and may we all enjoy Good Reading! 🤗
Some of my favourite YouTube channels.
NCMI, UATV, Crow Caller, Joe Blogs, Russian Media Monitor, Verilybitchie, Operator Starsky, May, Paige Perspective, Narrowboat Pirate, Some More News, Adiemus - Carmina Slovenica, Deerstalker Pictures. DUST, Alizee, FAFO, Central Crossing, Alice Cappelle, Munecat, Yanis Varoufakis, Dropkick Murphys, Sabine Hossenfelder, What Vivi did next, Kings and Generals, GhostTime History, Tibees, IzzzYzzz, Jabzy, The Juice Media, Kiko1006, With Olivia, Wizards and Warriors, Jess of the Shire, Petrik Leo, TVP News, Paleo Analysis, Austin McConnell, Michael Lambert, Truth to Power, Owen Jones, Shaun, Princess Weekes, Physics Girl, Engineering with Rosie, Casual Navigation, Lily Simpson, Jean's Thoughts, Brickcrafts, Outlaw Bookseller, Pike and Shot Channel, France 24, Nini Music, Tom Nicholas, Hello Future Me, The Narrowboat that James Built, Ben and Emily, Prime of Midlife, The Shades of Orange, Lily Alexandre, Liz Webster, Hailey in Bookland, Travelling K, The Tank Museum, The Book Leo, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, ScFi Odyssey, BobbyBroccoli, Anton Petrov, Engineering with Rosie, AllShorts, Ship Happens, KernowDamo, The Chloe Connection, Cruising Alba, Cruising Crafts, Winging it on a Budget, The Cold War, Science Insanity, Sabaton, Just Write, Book Furnace, Widebeam and Wellingtons, KernowDamo, Northern Narrowboaters, Omeleto, Double Down News, Lilly's Life, Alysotherlife, iWriterly, Eckharts Ladder, Perun, Jake Broe, Science of Science Fiction, The Lady of the Library, The Leftist Cooks, Knowing Better, Cambrian Chronicles, The Black Forest Family, Kathy's Flog in France.
I wish you a sunny morning, a brilliant afternoon, a pleasant evening, a wonderful night and may we all continue learning.
Allow Another to speak in your name, adopt Their sins.
My Grandmother
September 24, 2023
What a nerd!
That's what you call someone like Jake. But, once in a while the nerd is more than just unusually bright and knowledgeable. Once in a while they grow to be street smart as well as book smart. And, then, watch out if that nerd gets really pissed! Go Jake, go!
That's what you call someone like Jake. But, once in a while the nerd is more than just unusually bright and knowledgeable. Once in a while they grow to be street smart as well as book smart. And, then, watch out if that nerd gets really pissed! Go Jake, go!
August 21, 2023
I like science fiction and business and even accounting but this is boring. Tried to read several times and can’t get past the quarter mark.
September 23, 2023
Learning Experience
It took awhile to build up, but it was an excellent story. The story had a lot of twists. There's more than one way to get a good education.
It took awhile to build up, but it was an excellent story. The story had a lot of twists. There's more than one way to get a good education.
September 13, 2023
Never Underestimate an Accountant
This is a better than average piece of space opera, featuring a young man who would have been right at home in a Heinlein juvenile. None of the characters are particularly original or memorable, but the background is consistent and well thought out, and the action moves along at a nice pace. The author does a better job than average at hiding the twists and turns. Worth the time to read.
This is a better than average piece of space opera, featuring a young man who would have been right at home in a Heinlein juvenile. None of the characters are particularly original or memorable, but the background is consistent and well thought out, and the action moves along at a nice pace. The author does a better job than average at hiding the twists and turns. Worth the time to read.
February 8, 2024
nice storyline and character development
I really enjoyed the story arc. Relaxing and easy to follow. Sometimes I just like a story that’s fun to read. No grand universe saving multi-book saga. I like those too but not every time. Downloading the second book asap!
I really enjoyed the story arc. Relaxing and easy to follow. Sometimes I just like a story that’s fun to read. No grand universe saving multi-book saga. I like those too but not every time. Downloading the second book asap!
February 28, 2024
Cool book...read it...
Different and honestly kinda believable... space is going to be difficult hard place to survive...not all shiny and clean...lots of folks with grime under their finger nails doing what it takes to survive, real people... looking forward to reading the next book...the characters are nicely developed and just feel right...thanks...
Different and honestly kinda believable... space is going to be difficult hard place to survive...not all shiny and clean...lots of folks with grime under their finger nails doing what it takes to survive, real people... looking forward to reading the next book...the characters are nicely developed and just feel right...thanks...
October 15, 2025
Not What I Expected
An accountant, really? He has more than a particular set of skills, he is a rimworlder who knows how to work and survive in space. When offered a job, he does that better than anyone expected. Just don't try to take advantage of him.
An accountant, really? He has more than a particular set of skills, he is a rimworlder who knows how to work and survive in space. When offered a job, he does that better than anyone expected. Just don't try to take advantage of him.
January 29, 2024
Likeable main character and plot twists
Jake is an intelligent character trying to make a better life for himself and doing- mostly - the right things to get there. But his naivety-having dealt with honest people up till now-gets him into trouble. I loved reading the technical details and how his character transforms throughout the storyline - how he doesn't remain a victim. I couldn't put it down. Read it in one day !
Jake is an intelligent character trying to make a better life for himself and doing- mostly - the right things to get there. But his naivety-having dealt with honest people up till now-gets him into trouble. I loved reading the technical details and how his character transforms throughout the storyline - how he doesn't remain a victim. I couldn't put it down. Read it in one day !
October 15, 2025
Fun, fast sci-fi adventure
Who says accounting is boring? An audit can catch criminals, and sometimes a paper trail can lead to murder. This is a science fiction adventure murder mystery, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Bravo!
Who says accounting is boring? An audit can catch criminals, and sometimes a paper trail can lead to murder. This is a science fiction adventure murder mystery, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Bravo!
September 7, 2023
Galactic insurance is fun, who knew?
Great story with wonderful characters a mild-mannered student from one of the rim stations is the main protagonist, and when he finds evidence of massive insurance fraud things start to go south fast. When he's set up to take the fall and then blamed for the murder of his boss it's time to get out. This starts his efforts to get away catch the true culprit and clear his name, filled with action betrayals friendships and a determination to set things right, a great read, Baz.
Great story with wonderful characters a mild-mannered student from one of the rim stations is the main protagonist, and when he finds evidence of massive insurance fraud things start to go south fast. When he's set up to take the fall and then blamed for the murder of his boss it's time to get out. This starts his efforts to get away catch the true culprit and clear his name, filled with action betrayals friendships and a determination to set things right, a great read, Baz.
July 21, 2024
Amazing! I am an accountant myself. I think it’s a secret dream of every accountant to discover a huge fraud and get roped into shenanigans.
January 13, 2026
Great sci fi story. A young man from the Rim, in college, is struggling to make it through, but is accused of crimes and licked out of school, then is accused of murder.
January 5, 2026
Brains Not Brawn
A blend of laid-back space genre and mystery with a dash of spy thriller, where the MC uses their brain rather than brawn to reach the end. A refreshing change from the typical classic dramatic conflict story. Starts off strong, with sufficiently unique points of view to draw you in and really believe the world-building, even if the second half felt rushed and the ending a tad abrupt; fortunately there are at least 7 lore books to further expand on.
If you liked this book I highly recommend “Quarter Share” by Nathan Lowell, first in a series of a similar genre of space-based Merchant Marine stories.
A blend of laid-back space genre and mystery with a dash of spy thriller, where the MC uses their brain rather than brawn to reach the end. A refreshing change from the typical classic dramatic conflict story. Starts off strong, with sufficiently unique points of view to draw you in and really believe the world-building, even if the second half felt rushed and the ending a tad abrupt; fortunately there are at least 7 lore books to further expand on.
If you liked this book I highly recommend “Quarter Share” by Nathan Lowell, first in a series of a similar genre of space-based Merchant Marine stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews