Amazing

These books are a wonderful find. It is rare when I am truly glum when a book or series of books, ends. This was one of those times.
Not only were they thoughtful, intriguing and intelligent, they were fun.
I am not doing these books justice with this review. Nathan Lowell's story telling ability is amazing and Jeffrey Kafer does a fantastic job narrating, as usual.
Take a chance and dive into the life of Ismail Horatio Wong.

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1 person found this helpful

Awesome book

Was honestly surprised how good this was. Bought on a whim to listen to while working and I'm totally hooked. Well written and progresses smoothly.

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Great series

Slow burn, great characters and addictive to listen to. One of the better space opera books I’ve listen to.

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Consistent Progression

If you like consistent progression in your books, this is a series for you. Solid story telling!

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Space Action from the Merchant Side

The adventure begins when, 18 year old, Ishmael is orphaned. He has no choice but to grow up fast -- finding a best friend and facing the challenges of charting his own path.

This is book one in an expanding story-verse. Be prepared to forget what sleep is!

This is my umpteenth time reading this book, so it was time to help others know why you should give this author a chance. If I am between books, need a pick-me-up, or just want to disappear, this is a favourite go-to.

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3 people found this helpful

alot of plot changes. very interesting book.

very interesting book with twisted plot mazes. Always shifting to keep your attention. Good Read.

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took a minute, then hooked

Found this this series in Sci fi sale, then noticed the first 2 were included in membership. Figured I had nothing to lose. I thought the narration was a little off at first, then found it perfect. The tone matched the characters perfectly, quirky and tongue in cheek.

Ran through all the series, then the next one in a week. Yep, on vacation! It kept me entertained, in suspense, and had enough familiar references to the genre that the trading aspects and lower deck references were a fantastic addition. This last was part of the charm: not all stories are about officers. Sometimes it's about the mavericks.

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Nothing Happens

One of the biggest events in this novel happens when Ishmael Horatio Wang scrubs out a coffee machine in the ship's mess and brews an impressive pot of joe. I'm not kidding.
Nathan Lowell paints an impressively realistic picture of life on a merchant space vessel - warping from port to port, eating/sleeping/exercising on an enclosed vessel, conducting Emergency Drills, working for advancement (by taking exams to qualify for more important positions & better pay), developing relationships with fellow crew members, and setting up a credible mobile Flea Market business for shipwide entrepreneurs.. but the absolute absence of action is striking. The book is interesting but incrediby mundane.

The presentation from Podium Audio is similarly "acceptable": reader Jeffrey Kafer does a professional job narrating the story, for example.. turning in a praiseworthy (if unspectacular) performance. True, Kafer's timbre is comfortable and his tone is absolutely spot-on.. but factoring in mildly overenunciated diction, slightly too slow pacing, and an often humorous issue with alternating volume coloring his staccato cadence (near shouted dialogue followed by near whispered text: "YES SAR?" wang said. "SHOULD WE BUY MORE MATERIAL?" the captain asked "THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD DO" wang replied😅), Kafer's performance comes across as little more than passable.

If you are engrossed by the idea of a realistic portrayal of routine life for the average person in a hypothetical space-faring future, this book will be great for you. As a more conventional SciFi afficianado (expecting at least *some* conflict), I personally found the book boring. I kept waiting for something consequential to strike the vessel (even an accident or something) - but NOTHING did.
'Quarter Share' merits a mere 2 stars out of 10. If Audible asks for a Credit (I got it as a 'Plus' selection) - spend it on something else.

[The high rating from readers for this audiobook is astounding.. I honestly have no idea what they're thinking - the seemingly endless discussions about buying and selling off-the-books trade goods for profit aren't terribly entertaining to me]

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Math for Grade Schoolers but in Space

Boring! Save your credits. I’m baffled at the positive reviews. Super boring simplistic trade/economy 101 but it’s in space. So oooh aww space!

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