Review: Space opera as it ought to be
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 6, 2012
.... I will say up front that I was originally going to rate this as 4+ stars but hesitated to post because I did not feel my quibbles were worth putting a dent in its lineup of perfect reviews.  I would have waited until someone else did that then piled on guilt free.  But, coming back and seeing no new reviews to let me off the hook, I have decided to post anyway.  And you know what? Upon reflection, this IS a 5 star story.  My quibbles were just that:  The opening put me off a bit because I thought the author was going a bit over the top with all the weapons coming out of the protagonist's combat armor and blasting the bad guy six ways from Sunday before blasting him again seemingly just to bounce the bloody (and shredded, AND dissolving) rubble. It felt a little like watching Transformers and seemed like maximum overkill just to impress the reader with how invincible his hero Matt Dragoneaux, is.  You think: 'Well this isn't going to be any fun to read, this guy is untouchable.' Sort of like playing Doom in God Mode (boy, THAT dates me)..... But you learn that Matt Dragoneaux is NOT untouchable, nor is Suit invincible. And you bounce the rubble three times because the bad guys can kill you even AFTER they are dead.  But that opening still left me with a lingering subconscious impression that was hard to shake, even after I found myself thoroughly enjoying the story..... The only other moment that bothered me was a scene in a classroom that turned into a lecture in genetics.  It was meant to impress the reader with how bright the students were. I got that pretty quick, but the scene went on way too long.  With that much attention paid to it I expected the scene to have significance later.  If it did, I missed it, unless it was setting us up for something in a sequel.  Against the overall tapestry of the novel this was minor.  Like I said, a quibble.  The damage done to my reader's mindset by the opening was by far the more critical.  A couple of more lines emphasizing just how dangerous his opponents can be (To be fair, he DOES say it) would have made a big difference.  That is why I am glad I took a time out before writing this review.  It gave me time to appreciate the big picture.  Star Vigilante IS a great story. Like I say above - it is Space Opera as it OUGHT to be.  In another day it might have been referred to as 'A rip-snorting tale of action and adventure.' That may sound hokey to modern readers, but it is true, nonetheless.  This is a GREAT, solid FUN read that you will enjoy.  To borrow another old phrase: it is a 'page turner'.  I sat up into the wee hours with this enjoyable book.  I think you will too.