Review: Oh, Yes! Something for the Hard Core SF Reader
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 2, 2011
I was very excited after reading the first quarter of this book. Original concept, very well-written. Renna is a great character, who has to change herself from a cookie-cutter clone into a fully actualized human being. The idea of cloned humans bred and trained to be a starship crew is excellent.The rest of the crew of the Vagrant Spirit were totally believable. I love when I have a movie running in my head as I read. I could easily picture Jake, Zak, Ezry, Cutter, Lock, and (I love this name!) Ship Dog. I had a vivid image of the ship and crew. I rejoiced as Renna turned from Kin to Norm, and even fell in love. Wonderful transition of a character's development.Then the middle slowed to a snail's pace. I really like this book, but wish about 10-20K words were cut. It became somewhat repetitious through the 1/3 to 2/3 part of the book. I can't be too specific, because I don't like to write spoiler reviews, but I just wanted to say "hey, I know that. Let's move on!"But the last third picked up nicely and I ended with a positive view of Ms. Courtright's writing. Yes, I'll buy more of her books.It's great to read true scifi. Yes, there's a love affair in it, but this ain't your usual SF Romance, where the romance outweighs the SF. The technical detail is stunning and ran true.Super job, Ms. Courtright, just super.