Around six years ago, I ran across a post online that recommended a book titled Quartershare by Nathan Lowell. The book was described as a coming of age story set in space. There were no battles or wars to be won, just the mundane life of a young man working on a space cargo transport.
The description intrigued me, so I bought the book and I devoured it in one sitting. Over the next several months, I followed the adventures of Ishmael Wang as he made his way through life, aging, advancing, and growing.
The books varied in quality and tone at times, but I never found myself bored or forcing my way through. Several of the books I listened to via audio books while working as a delivery driver. Those days were the only fond memories I have of that job.
Over the years, I read through the six books in Nathan Lowell’s Trader Series and just today I finished up the final book in the Seeker’s Tales, By Darkness Forged.
I haven’t always been thrilled about the path that Ismael’s’ life took, mainly because it’s a little too unrealistic for me at times, but his story ended well. In fact, By Darkness Forged is probably my favorite book of the Seeker’s Tales and one of my favorite books in the series. I’m sadden that Mr. Lowell seems to be struggling with more Ismael stories. He has an outline prepared for a new trilogy but he’s bored with the characters and that makes me think they are best left alone.
A few days ago, when I wrote about struggling to focus with reading, I wasn’t sure what book to turn to. Then I remembered I had this final Ismael tale to read. I’m so glad I chose it. I read through it within days and it was nice to close the chapter on this series and get back to finishing a book.
I’m not sure what’s next on my list to read, but I wanted to take a moment and commemorate the completion of this series and recommend it for anyone who likes a character based science fiction story that isn’t about saving the galaxy.
If you’d like to read a better breakdown of what the series entails Wired wrote a nice piece on the series back in 2012: Space Opera Without Explosions
Be First to Comment