#440 - Mr. Darcy in Space

[Veronica, Supreme Sword]

We have Locus winners and Veronica read so many of them! Plus, what makes some books seem like a retread while others more of a remix? And our first thoughts on Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/68529410
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/...
http://swordandlaser.com/home/2022/6/...

[Iain]

Don’t want to be snarky but are we moving everything to Discord as you seemed to ignore those of us who post here ra to herb to Han Discord.

[Tassie Dave, S&L Historian]

Iain wrote: "ra to herb to Han Discord"

My guess is poor "speech to text" translation 🤔

[John (Taloni)]

I thought it was Huttese. Haga WEEga hooga wagga Han Discord!

[Jan]

I think I should fail more often to do my duty and post quick burns if it leads to such lovely, nostalgic talk giving us glimpses into both our hosts' pasts.

Loved the episode!

[Tamahome]

I'm lost...

[Mark]

According to Google Translate "ra to herb to Han" translates as "ra otu Han üçün" in Azerbaijani.

[terpkristin]

Happy birthday, Tom (a smidge late)!

I had a tire blowout once and it was one of the most stressful things. It was Christmas and when I got into my car around 10p, my "check tire pressure" light came on but I figured that it was due to the temperature drop (it had been 50F during the day but was 19F then). I ignored it and proceeded to drive home from my parents' house, a normally ~60 minute drive. I hit a pothole going probably 65-70 mph on the DC beltway and definitely immediately realized that something was very wrong. Pulled into the left shoulder but there was no way I was going to try to change the tire on THAT road. But it was Christmas, so the tow truck was going to take an hour or more to get to me. Also did I mention that I was playing gas chicken and wasn't sure if I would run out of gas on the side of the road and thus lose heat in the car? One call to my mom and a panic attack later (after calling roadside assistance), all turned out ok. The tow truck driver got a very good tip that he definitely earned. I do not recommend.

It was interesting to hear V's first thoughts on the book of the month, especially when I see that there is a topic here called "Crazy Rich Aliens" which definitely piques my interest. I've started the audiobook but am only a few chapters in.

[Ruth]

I had a good lol at Tom not getting any romance vibes from the book description when I was waggling my eyebrows at the phrase “sworn enemies”… I know what *that* means!!

[terpkristin]

Ruth wrote: "I had a good lol at Tom not getting any romance vibes from the book description when I was waggling my eyebrows at the phrase “sworn enemies”… I know what *that* means!!"

That is definitely a setup. :D

[Iain]

Tassie Dave wrote: "Iain wrote: "ra to herb to Han Discord"

My guess is poor "speech to text" translation 🤔"

Here Rather than to Discord. Glad to provide some amusement

[Elizabeth]

Ruth wrote: "I had a good lol at Tom not getting any romance vibes from the book description when I was waggling my eyebrows at the phrase “sworn enemies”… I know what *that* means!!"

Indeed! Especially when Veronica was extremely "...uhh". The whole novel hits every single romance plot note at exactly the right time.

[John (Taloni)]

Yeah, this is pretty clearly a romance. Mr. Super Strong Big Bad Lawful Evil, who is just oh so hot when he's not scowling. And! Who at one point literally sweeps the Captain off her feet. I wonder...just WONDER...if he might eventually be revealed to be not so evil after all!

I'm about 20% of the in and am finding it more funny than bad. The prose is basic and the romance plot points thoroughly unsubtle. The perfect captain with her perfect crew, on the lam from authori-tah! I'm reading it with a grin thinking sure, why not.

Also I'm getting serious Star Trek vibes here, to the point where it feels like this book started life as Deep Space Nine fanfic. Imagine Kira taking a group of Cardassians on a quest. With an evil, mean sexy former Cardassian military. She hates herself! But must have him! And, one of her crew members has to run from the station since Miles O'Brien is after her, following her steamy same-sex romance with Keiko.

I recall the requirements for TNG spec scripts. One of them was not to do a "princess" script, which would be a character who is unappreciated but saves the ship/story through the power of her previously unappreciated awesomeness. The captain feels more than a little like that.

Anyhoo, it's trope after trope after trope and yet I read a fifth of the book last night. It's most definitely not Arkady Martine level prose, but I'm enjoying it.