The Last Reaper (The Last Reaper #1)

This book has an interesting MC and an intriguing plot. But after you get past the pretty strong material that’s in the sample there are lots of issues with the writing. It’s not grammar or typos; it’s more like the writing was rushed and the storytelling isn’t very careful. In one scene the characters are on a shooting range. Then suddenly they’re wrestling in a dojo – with no mention of them leaving the shooting range or entering the dojo. In the same scene the author says there are 4 characters in the room – and then a few paragraphs later refers to a large audience. At another point the main character is in a ‘safe zone’ with no fighting – and then he is suddenly in the middle of a gang war, with no mention of him leaving the safe zone. You get the idea. Generally, there were often too few details or segues to really follow the action without having to fill in (i.e., make up) a lot of stuff on my own. It made it annoying rather than engaging. Eventually I gave up around the 40% mark because it just wasn’t fun to read.

While it intends well, this book is entirely too find of wooden characterization, hazy and undefined communication of spaces, and generally just too fond of tell-don’t-show. Which is a terrible shame because despite having a well worn premise and the potential for good snark-porn, it just never establishes voice strongly enough to carry it off. Overall, the pacing felt like escalating video game levels and the protagonists might have been better served by being more traditionally mute. Still, a breezy light read with decent action despite its other flaws.

A new story line in the Renegade Star universe. Although it is in the Renegade universe, it can stand alone, although there are hints to more future tie-ins to that universe.

This is an action packed first book in a series that also has the unenviable job of introducing and establishing new characters. Often these first in a series books drag while the authors work to set the scene and flesh out characters while starting the story arcs. This book manages to do it all, an interesting story, engaging characters while staying true to the Renegade Star universe.

I definitely recommend both this book and all of the others in the Renegade Star universe.

Please note that while I did receive an advance reader copy prior to publication, I did purchase the book when it became available.
I received no other benefits for reviewing this book.

I absolutely loved this book. The main character, Hal Cain reminded me of Snake Plissken in all the right ways. Already cant wait for the next!

I’ve been a fan of Scott Moon for a while now since I started reading his Shortyverse series and Darklanding last year. This was the typical fun, action-packed read that I’ve come to expect from Moon. It’s my first Chaney read so I have no idea if this typical of his work, but I hope so because I bought the first 8 Renegade Star books a while back and haven’t gotten around to reading them yet.

Anyway, I can tell Moon did the bulk of the heavy lifting on this project. How do I know? I can tell by the character interactions. And the human/AI interactions. His dialogue is always fun and engaging and keeps you rooting for the characters all the way through. Hal, Elise and X are are a blast to read about and I look forward to discovering their continued space faring hi-jinks in the future.

For those concerned, I had no problem following along with this story even though I haven’t read any other Renegade Star novels. This series stands up well on its own.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member