The series is back on track with this book. Once again we can follow the steadfast Ishmael Horatio Wang in his almost-adventures across the Deep Dark. Will he face danger? Not quite. Will he struggle against enemies? Not really. Will he risk life and limb for amazing profits? Um, probably not. That's not very prudent.

Somehow this series still excites me despite having none of the characteristics of enjoyable genre fiction. I can't explain it and that's okay. ( )

Having solved his last ship's problems, he now gets another problem ship to fix - but at least this time he's the captain and doesn't have to work around authority. Lots of interesting characters. Little sex, mostly because he won't "screw around with crew" - which causes some problems itself. ( )

I'm going to be so sorry to see this series end, glad I have at least one more novel to go. ( )

The series is back on track with this book. Once again we can follow the steadfast Ishmael Horatio Wang in his almost-adventures across the Deep Dark. Will he face danger? Not quite. Will he struggle against enemies? Not really. Will he risk life and limb for amazing profits? Um, probably not. That's not very prudent.

Somehow this series still excites me despite having none of the characteristics of enjoyable genre fiction. I can't explain it and that's okay. ( )

Ishmael is now given the opportunity as a captain but it is for the worst ship in the company fleet. He must find a way to engage the crew and find a way to turn around the entire situation on his ship. In his usual charismatic way, he works to find common understanding with the elements of the crew that are belligerent and the downtrodden. Using a contest on cargo picking as a catalyst to spur interest and excitement with a couple members of the crew spills over to the rest of the crew in morale. Another very good read in this series. ( )