Challenge Corner discussion

Book One Description: Beyond the confines of our small world, far from the glow of our star, lies a galaxy and universe much larger and more varied than anyone on Earth can possibly imagine. For the new NAC spacecraft Odyssey and her crew, the unimaginable facets of this untouched world are about to become reality.

The Odyssey’s maiden voyage is an epic adventure destined to make history. Captain Eric Weston and his crew, pushing past the boundaries of security, encounter horrors, wonders, monsters, and people, all of which will test their resolve, challenge their abilities, and put in sharp relief what is necessary to be a hero.

A first-rate military science fiction epic that combines old-school space opera and modern storytelling, Into the Black: Odyssey One is a riveting, exhilarating adventure with vivid details, rich mythology, and relentless pacing that will leave you breathlessly awaiting book two.

Ch 7 - (view spoiler)[ Oh good, now we get to hear Milla's story.

The beginning of this book was a bit tedious, but I'm glad we are underway with the adventure now. I laughed a bit at how bogged down we got with the ship's construction, but then the author glossed over some obvious stuff. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 13 - (view spoiler)[ Now that we are in the action sequences, I'm finding this book a lot more interesting. Although, listening to the audio gets a little confusing as the POV's shift so frequently. I really like Captain Weston and Stephanos characters. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 22 - (view spoiler)[ I wish we had a better description of what the Drasin looked like, I'm having a hard time visualizing them, but is sure is creepy that they can multiply so fast (are they some kind of bug??). The Earth humans sure are making an impression on Milla's people - a good one, I hope. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 34 - (view spoiler)[ This space battle is going to be intense! As I continue to read, I am starting to get really curious about how Tanner's people and the Drasin got to this point. The whole part about their computer spitting out specs for new ships with weapons as a result of a sensor detecting the Drasin is strange, as is the Drasin being more dominant than Tanner's people anticipated. There is something weird going on there and I hope we get an explanation for it by the end of the book. I'd also like to know the story about "the Others" before we move to the next book. (hide spoiler)]

Finished - (view spoiler)[OK, now I'm super scared of whoever is holding the Drasin's leashes! On to the next book, I guess. I wonder if Milla and Stephanos will bump into each other again - was it just me or was there a little spark there? Perhaps I've been reading too many romances lately - I see sparks everywhere! (hide spoiler)]

Evidently, Book 2 doesn't have chapter #'s in my edition.

Pg 83 (14%) - (view spoiler)[ I'm glad that the Odyssey is back to Ranquil; their world seems much more interesting than Earth at the moment. I agree with the Elder and Admiral, that the Drasin must be up to something and this is the calm before the storm starts blowing again. (hide spoiler)]

Pg 266 Drasin ship (43%) - (view spoiler)[ I hope we get a better idea of what this scarlet scent thing that the Drasin keep referring to is. It seems a bit creepy to think that there is an aura of humanity that can be detected by a predator species.

Also, creeped out by the "control" on the planet. When it was "talking" to Weston and got the codes to the ship so easily, I was worried. I wonder what this "being" will end up thinking about the dangers of the Earthling contact after the current battle. (hide spoiler)]

Pg 396 Ranquil Archangel FB (61%) - (view spoiler)[ What is Weston doing? He just leaves his fighters and ground soldiers?? I thought as a diplomatic ship, his only course of action was to protect the ambassador and by extension the planet, not go after the retreating Drasin alone (hide spoiler)]

Pg 518 Mons Systema Command (82%) - (view spoiler)[ Just when I was thinking that there was no hope for the Primies if they had civilians like that douche that didn't understand the nature of the enemy, that one guy volunteered to go do the job. There's hope, maybe?? The new adaptation of the Drasin is an interesting twist. I do hope they figure out how they are able to multiply so quickly, etc. and develop some birth control. LOL. (hide spoiler)]

Finished - (view spoiler)[ Whew! Talk about going out with guns blazing! I think that escape was a bit miraculous!! even for fiction. But I suppose it wouldn't do any good to destroy the focus of the series so soon. I wonder what Weston will discover when he talks to Central again. Could these 4th beings be "the others"? Could they have stolen part of Central or at least the plans for the ships? Could there be another Central-type being that is allied itself with the 4th species and the Drasin? If that's the case, I still don't understand why they literally destroy whole solar systems making them inhabitable to anyone. Ugh, I just have more questions!! (hide spoiler)]

Prologue - (view spoiler)[ I was wondering when we would get any involvement from the other nations of Earth. Too bad the Bloc didn't have more info about the Drasin. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the NAC didn't share, but I would have HOPED that given that the enemy is a greater threat than the petty squabbles of Earth that they would have at least tried to do a better job of giving them info to protect themselves. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 4 - (view spoiler)[ Does this Prohuer guy and his military sound like the Nazi's to you? Their characterization is just so similar. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 9 - (view spoiler)[ I guess we always knew the day would come when the Drasin found Earth, guess it is about to happen. I hope they can prepare a lot more of those new weapons that are able to obliterate the ships. I dare say they have made it almost "easy" to pick them off compared to the 1st battle they had in book 1. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 18 - (view spoiler)[ Oh, you stupid Imperial commander! Why doesn't it occur to him that the dog has turned on its master? Stupid, stupid! I hope he gets what is coming to him. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 23 - (view spoiler)[ So far, I am a little disappointed with the Priminae, they are literally just hanging around. In the last book, they were prideful of their weapons/ships and thought themselves superior at times to take on the Drasin. Now they are just watching. I think they owe it to Earth to at least fire a few weapons! I mean the Odyssey saved them TWICE! without worrying about the damage to our ship, etc. Selfish bastards! (hide spoiler)]

Finished - (view spoiler)[ What the what? So there was a similar control on Earth named Gaia? and she has the power to save Weston? I'm so confused.....yet very happy that his character isn't finished yet since he and Stephanos are my favorites.

OK, I am really getting into this series. Even though there is no romance and the battle sequences can get a little drawn out - I'm into it. It reminds me of watching Star Trek with my parents growing up. I'm plowing on to book 4. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 1 - not sure if I like the new narrator. He does a good job with the tough sergeant types, but I liked the old voice for Captain Weston. :( I don't like it when they switch up actors mid-series! (view spoiler)[ So far it's a little far-fetched that he would survive such a crash and that Earth is going to win this land based battle considering what they are facing. BUT, I'm already along for the ride. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 5 - (view spoiler)[ I'm really not sure what to think about Gaia and her role in this book. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 11 - (view spoiler)[ I guess I'm glad that Earth will get some spaceborne backup, but I don't understand how they have held out for 30 days (even with Weston being the new superman). (hide spoiler)]

Ch 17 - (view spoiler)[ I've been wondering about the Drasin vs water thing. I realize they are pretty busy shooting them at this point, but it would be interesting to know if a fire hose would work better than bullets. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 23 - (view spoiler)[ I thought the Priminae sensors were better than the NAC's; how could they have missed that many ships hiding behind an asteroid? Admiral Graycen has now made 2 big mistakes - they need Weston back in the cockpit! (hide spoiler)]
Finished - (view spoiler)[ Hmmm, so was it "Central" that Gaia saw in the power source or something else? And now it's awake? -- and just a theory here - If Gaia is "female" and Central is "male" - can the two of them get busy and the result be a new planet capable of human life?

I'm still enjoying the series, though I was upset about the change in narrator. Not sure if it is that or what, but Weston's character also seemed to shift slightly. I just thought some of the things he said and thought were out of character in this book and it threw me. It could be the voice, but I don't think so. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 4 - (view spoiler)[ I'm a little surprised that Central didn't want to know more about Gaia. And I don't understand why both Central's and Gaia's memories are so limited. Surely if the designs of the battleships are in Central's files, he must have a memory of the Empire and why they needed those ships. And remember in the last book when Gaia was looking at the ship's engine and the design triggered something in her memory but she didn't pursue it so we didn't either. Something is up. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 11 - (view spoiler)[ That wasn't the battle I was expecting. I get that they each had their own priorities, but just glancing blows as they go by each other seemed strange, and especially unlike Weston. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 16 - (view spoiler)[ Grrr, is anyone going to confront Central with these Imperials? or heck, maybe ask him to read the minds of one of the prisoners? It's time he starts doing something! (hide spoiler)]
Ch 20 - (view spoiler)[ Oh man, that poor captain of the Heralc, he just keeps getting the crap kicked out of him. I hope he survives and they give him a nice desk job. (hide spoiler)]
Finished - (view spoiler)[ Hmm. Well, I guess we are about to get into an even bigger war now with the Empire. I don't think a handful of ships is going to be enough, even with Weston overseeing all of them. They better get busy. And I want to find out more about Central and Gaia and their origins, as well as the full story about how the Priminae and Imperials split up. I don't think we know everything there yet either. (hide spoiler)]

I'm still enjoying this series a lot. Sometimes I wish there was a little more depth to the personal plotlines (like the relationship that could develop between Milla and Steph, or Weston and the crush Miriam has on him, etc.), but at the same time, I guess I appreciate the focus on the sci-fi. Plus I do get annoyed when people are thinking about sex in the middle of a big battle, and there is none of that in these books. Also, we read so much romance together that it is nice to have a break.

Ch 4 - (view spoiler)[ Ok, here's what I don't understand - both sides are still trying to get intel on the other, but didn't the Empire leave behind the Navark's ship in the last book (remember Aymes pulled her off the dead ship before they retreated). So, shouldn't Weston and the Priminae have been able to get some info off of the derelict ship?? And since we are on the subject - why do the Priminae have solo vessels just roaming around? Didn't they learn when they lost the Heralc? (hide spoiler)]
Ch 9 - (view spoiler)[ I like the comparison of the Rogues to support subs. They are sneaky! (hide spoiler)]
Ch 15 - (view spoiler)[ Uh oh, they better get that library locked down! I'm still a little surprised that the parasite ship was able to approach the cruiser with no one knowing - is anyone going to address that?? (hide spoiler)]
Ch 18 - (view spoiler)[ Oh! the entity in the Odysseus is crying - is it just because he/the ship is beaten up or is it because Weston cursed him? Poor thing! I think it is interesting that it is a child - so I guess when Gaia had a look-see into the engine she contributed her piece to the new entity?? Interesting. (hide spoiler)]
Finished - (view spoiler)[ Congratulations, Weston - you are a father! I wonder how this is all going to play out. I mean, they are going to have to figure out a way to work and gain the trust of Odysseus, but if he is going to be in battle, they will have to teach the kid all kinds of stuff about battle strategy, etc. so that he doesn't charge into the fray like he did in this battle and mess everything up. (hide spoiler)]

The new plotline with the entity in the ship is so interesting. I can't wait to keep reading to find out what happens!

Ch 5 - (view spoiler)[ Roberts is right, if there is something weird going on in the galaxy, Weston is bound to be involved.

I like the relationship that Odysseus has with Stefanos. I hope we get to see more of it. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 11 - (view spoiler)[ It sure will be interesting to see how they pull this one off - being so outnumbered. Have a feeling that we have reached a point in the series when our heroes need to suffer a defeat, but I don't want it to happen!! (hide spoiler)]
Ch 16 - (view spoiler)[ I really don't like Jesan. He is a slimy weasel. I think Miriam is a much better nemesis for Weston. Ah well, let's see what happens. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 23 - (view spoiler)[ I love Steph, he's like the comic relief and bad boy that doesn't take orders seriously - yet he's probably the best guy they have in a fight.

I know Weston didn't really have much of a choice with this new strategy of giving up territory and thus people, but I am surprised that he is doing it. I guess there must be a level of confidence that it isn't going to be a complete genocide situation as his character is so vehemently against that. (hide spoiler)]

Finished - (view spoiler)[ I find that ending a little weird. I thought we would get more of Odysseus coming of age while in a gripping battle. Instead we got Weston bluffing away the Imperials - who now know where Earth is and most of its defenses. I don't know, I guess I'm disappointed because the book started out with lots about Odysseus and how he is learning to get along with the humans and be what they need, etc. But then at the end, he encourages one scared crewman and his role in the climax is complete. Oh, well. Looks like we will have a bit of a wait for the next book. I will probably pick it up when it comes out. I've enjoyed the series so far, might as well see what happens next. (hide spoiler)]