|
The Thorensen book improved considerably, both in craft and distinctiveness of the story and setting. My final verdict is read, don't listen, and I did end up grabbing a Kindle Unlimited trial to continue the series in text. While the prose and dialogue even out somewhat and exposition dumps get both fewer and less wooden as the series progresses, there are still bits better skimmed, as well as some moderately detailed tactics in the second book that are probably more easily digested in text.
Thorensen does show clear enthusiasm for the material and improvement in both craft and, I suspect, editing. The second volume doesn't scream "Self published!" nearly as much as the first. He also has a genuine gift for subverting reader expectations: he'll foreshadow pretty obvious and trope-y plot events, but take an unexpected and usually pretty satisfying road to get there. And it's not gimmicky; the result is making the events feel more grounded in the characters' lives, not twists for twists' sake.
Having the KU trial and an itch for some not-too-wild sci-fi, I'm revisiting Tales from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper on audio. I'm already through Quarter Share and on to Half Share. It's just the coziest, and apparently memorable - I find myself remembering and anticipating nearly every major story beat, which is not the case with every re-read/re-listen. The narration does seem a little lackluster, which I don't remember being an issue at all my first time through. I'm afraid that long TGR streak and some of the other choice readers I've experienced the last few years may be making me a voice snob.
|