If you enjoy long sci-fi series in the vein of Star Wars, you may want to consider listening to the "Star Force: Origin Series" by Aer-ki Jyr. Each audible comes in a 4-book/episode set, totaling about 10 hours. With 120+ books/episodes, that’s 300+ hours of listening.
This is a long-overdue review. Let’s just start off by saying that this series was perfect for a guy who couldn’t do much more than hold down the couch before he got meds for his chronic illness. Yes, I laid on that couch for ten hours a day for a month with my eyes closed listening to this series from start to finish.
PREMISE
I enjoyed how the book starts, with the discovery of an alien pyramid in Antarctica. Right away, it gave me a bit of a Star Gate vibe. It’s an ancient spaceship abandoned by dinosaur-like races who left our local area of space. Enter Star Force, a private organization that uses the ship and all that it offers to advance space technologies and propel humanity into space.
CHARACTERS
We follow a group of recruits through a long training process to become elite warriors and strategists. There are a lot of stereotypes, but this made it easy to keep track of such a large number of characters. The recruits graduate and keep excelling, always pushing themselves to be better, which puts them in prime positions to lead when humanity reaches the other stars.
THE GOOD
Length: If you love a long series like I do, this is a huge bonus.
Expansive Universe: The series creates a vast and intricate universe filled with diverse planets, species, and political landscapes. Jyr's world-building skills shine. With so much time to explore, he keeps unfolding more and more about the galaxy.
Easy Listening: The writing style is easy to follow. I’d almost describe it as utilitarian, which is a theme in the series.
Epic Scale: The series doesn't shy away from grandiosity. The stakes are high, and the narrative spans the galaxy, delivering an epic scope that kept me engaged and invested in the overarching plot.
THE BAD
Character Development: While the universe is vast, the characters sometimes feel like they’re cardboard. They are all utilitarian, and their banter is pretty weak. Their emotions are almost never discussed other than to say they push them aside.
Pacing: The pacing can be inconsistent, with moments of rapid-fire action followed by slower, more contemplative scenes. With such a long series, the opening 10-hour Audible barely covered the initial training.
Narration: I hate it when series change narrators mid-stream. It’s like changing out the whole cast of actors. This series does so at least five times. Only two of the narrators were very good, so the rest of the time you’re left with meh voice acting.
Plot: Some of the plot twists and turns were predictable. Certain themes came back up a bit too often.
FINAL VERDICT
"Star Force: Origin Series" filled a month of my life when I needed something to focus on. While I could have filled those days listening to 30 other audibles, this series gave me continuity. I knew what I was getting: bland, easy to follow, entertaining sci-fi.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Story
⭐⭐⭐ Narration
⭐⭐⭐ Overall
(Yes, I spent an awful month of my life listening to 3-star material because I couldn't handle anything more or less.)
FAQ
Q: Is Star Force suitable for hardcore sci-fi fans or more casual listeners?
A: I’d say sci-fi novices would get bored. Hardcore sci-fi fans might appreciate the bountiful references to other books and movies.
Q: How does the narrator impact the overall listening experience?
A: As I said, having multiple narrators for one series kinda screws it up.
Q: Does the series explore individual character stories or focus primarily on the overarching plot?
A: While there are hundreds of characters, there is a core of five to ten that are central to the whole series.
Q: Are there unexpected plot twists, or is the storyline fairly predictable?
A: Not really plot twists. It’s more like he explores one interesting idea after the next.
Q: How does the series handle the scale of its universe?
A: This is what the series is about, the intricacy and size of the galaxy.
Q: Are there moments of intense action, or does the pacing vary?
A: The pacing varies a lot, from slow training to fast action to building whole new societies.
Q: Is the technological aspect well-executed, and does it contribute to the sci-fi allure?
A: The technology does contribute, though it generally draws from the standard go-to tech so often seen in sci-fi.
Q: Can the series be enjoyed in shorter listening sessions, or is it best experienced in longer stretches?
A: Because it’s slow and easy to listen to, you can come and go. With four short books per Audible, they’re more easily contained.
As always, I appreciate your support of self-publishing and indie authors. In the name of putting myself out there, here are a few of my works.
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