Starliner

By: David Drake

Narrated by: Aaron Abano

The Empress of Earth, finest passenger liner in the galaxy. Brightest link in the chain that binds the starflung civilization of the 23rd century. Six thousand lives in a single hull, trembling through multiple universes to land on raw, often violent worlds, each with its own history and wonder. The Empress of Earth - neutral pawn in an interstellar war!

When hostile necessity knows no law, Ran Colville and the rest of the complement of the Empress of Earth must bring home their ship and the passengers entrusted to them. From the Captain on his bridge to the Cold Crewmen who work in conditions that differ from Hell only by name, they'll have their work cut out for them this voyage!

©1992 David Drake (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Wicked good!

I enjoyed the mix of reading and listening to the book. I may do more that way!

Not Sure WHAT To Think Really...

I'm not really sure WHAT to think about this book... I like most of what Drake writes, but this one feels a little disjointed and outright strange at times. I was left with the impression that someone had just finished a Cruise in the Caribbean, and tried to turn it into small collection of Mini-Stories set as a Sci-Fi Space-Opera... kinda left with the feeling that each different 'Island' visited on the Caribbean Cruise got turned into a different 'Planet' to make up a few Mini-Sci-Fi Stories that are kinda strung together as a whole...

Upon reflection, I got the impression of a Cruise Line Purser who suddenly turns into some sort of secret deadly agent at times. Some of the 'Mini-Stories' that make up the book don't seem to go anywhere, and the Characters that make up those mini-stories just vanish from the book with no explanations given...

I would think "Well, THAT Explains It" if someone said David had gone on a 7 day Caribbean Cruise and turned it into a set of Space Sci-Fi Stories to write the cost off as a business expense... I doubt that's the case, but that's just the"After-Impression" I have.

The Empress of Earth

What made the experience of listening to Starliner the most enjoyable?

I had read the book and found the tale light and very enjoyable. I quite possible would have enjoyed the audio book more if I hadn't. I find it interesting to see how different books can be simple based on change in readers.

Who was your favorite character and why?

While I liked Rand Coville ( main character) my favorite was Wade, an older felllw with great stories and fingers in every pie.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Aaron Abano?

It would really depend on the story, I came away some what ambivalent as it was a quite different experience and tale from reading it myself and I had read it a couple of times.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not really, for Scifi it's light reading. Consequently it's easy to pick up and read in little bites without losing content or enjoyment

Any additional comments?

This is actually my favorite David Drake book. I wxpect this had more to do with my so so enjoyment. It's still a great story an easy read or listen and well worth taking the time.

Terrible story....hard to follow..

Terrible story....hard to follow..hope I can get money back! Not sure what the heck author was thinking.