Book Reviews Archives - Page 9 of 16

Unclaimed Victim by D.M. Pulley

Unclaimed Victim by DM Pulley

Introduction

Unclaimed Victim by DM Pulley is a story about two women, separated by time, but connected by the Torso Killer of Cleveland, Ohio. In April 1999, the police call Kris Wiley back to her hometown to identify the butchered remains of her father, Alfred. The clues she finds at her father’s house leads her back to Cleveland following the legacy of the Torso Killer. In March 1938, Ethel Harding finds herself in the middle of the Torso Killer’s rampage against the destitute brought down by the depression. She is a prostitute who loses her home and is desperate to find shelter. Kris and Ethel must solve the mystery of the Torso Killer or face their deaths.

Summary

In March 1938, Ethel Harding, a prostitute, finds herself homeless. It scares her. The Torso Killer has been killing destitute people from the hobo village at Kingsbury Run in Cleveland since 1935. Some victims are people she knows; Edward Andrassy, Flo Polillo, and Rose Wallace. Ethel is worried that she could be the killer’s next target. She finds sanctuary with the Harmony Mission. They run the Harmony Mission Press, a printing press that makes Bibles, but they are not what they seem. The Tremont Place Lofts inspired the Harmony Mission Press Building on West 7^th Street. Sister Mary Alice Eberly and a mysterious girl help Ethel. Ethel suspects Brother Milton. She also becomes the target of the Silver Shirt Legion, a Nazi-sympathizing group organized to overthrow the government. Ethel pretends to be someone else to uncover the truth.

In April 1999, Kris Wiley goes to the Auglaize County Sherriff’s Office in Wapakoneta, Ohio to identify the remains of her father. They found a headless body along the river with her father’s identification. She doesn’t want to believe the body is her father’s. Her father was a medically discharged police officer. Ben was his partner with the police and best friend. Ben tries to console Kris and takes her to her hometown of Cridersville. Kris searches the house and finds her father had information about the Torso Killer and had been in contact with someone in Cleveland. She lives in Cleveland and goes back to investigate what her father knew. The clues lead to the abandoned Harmony Mission taken over by the homeless. Jimmy, who is living at the mission, helps Kris. As they get closer to the truth, their lives get in more danger.

Recommendation

Unclaimed Victim by Pulley connects two stories in this historical mystery. Ethel and Kris overcome their fears and face human demons. There are many theories about the identity of the Torso Killer and the author presents an interesting one here. I liked the author’s use of real newspaper articles from the 1930s to show the feelings of the people of that time. Of the six books referenced in the Author Notes, I have copies of three. I plan to find copies of the other three books.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Unclaimed Victim by DM Pulley

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35169492-the-unclaimed-victim

This is the link to my review of The Dead Key by DM Pulley.

The Dead Key by D. M. Pulley

Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham

Introduction

Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham is the first book in the Long Price Quartet. Saraykehy is the capital of the cities of Khaiem. The cities were part of a great Empire possessing great magic. Their Empire and their magic have receded, so the Empire of Galt plots to overthrow them. The cotton trade is their greatest asset. Their hopes rely on the poet (their name for magician) Heshai maintaining control of a magical creature called an andat and nicknamed Seedless. Liat and Itani are important in helping Heshai succeed. If Heshai’s magic fails, then the Empire of Galt will destroy all the cities of Khaiem.

Summary

In the Prolog, Otah is an apprentice called a black robe, at the teaching compound of the monks at the stone towers of Machi. The monks search for poets who are rare. They also keep the knowledge of the people. Otah is conflicted with the brutal conditions at the monastery and makes a decision for his future. Chapter One starts in the city of Saraykeht. Amat Kyaanis is the senior overseer of the Galtic House Wilson. She is a native of Saraykeht but works for the foreign house. House Wilson is involved with the cotton trade. Her superior is Marchat Wilson. He tells her about a pregnant woman from the islands who is arriving soon. He calls why they brought her to their house, the sad trade. Maati is assigned by the monks of Machi to become the apprentice of Heshai. Heshai is the last remaining poet of Khaiem. Heshai controls Seedless who helps them with the cotton trade. If Hashai does not control Seedless, then inexperienced Maati would get the duty of trying to control Seedless. Amat Kyaan teaches Liat Chokavi the duties of an overseer. She is young, and she is in love with the lower class laborer, Itani Noyga. Amat wants Itani to be Marchat’s bodyguard for an important meeting. This meeting sets the plot into motion. Marchat wants his house to succeed, Seedless wants to be free, Liat wants to do a good job, and Itani wants to stay anonymous. None of them gets exactly what they want.

Recommendation

Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham is a great first book in a series of a different kind of fantasy. The plot is slow, there’s not much action, and characters maneuver through political and business maneuvering. There is an Asian/formal feel through the characters use of poses and their choice of honorifics. There were many characters, and it took time for the reader to distinguish them apart. Paying close attention to reading the book was rewarding to the reader. The secrets revealed at the end make the second book intriguing. I got this book through the Tor eBook of the month club on July 14, 2018. Tor.com releases a free book to club members almost every month at this website.

https://ebookclub.tor.com/

Each month’s book is only available for that month to the members through an e-mail. I enjoyed The Expanse series and wanted to see what Daniel Abraham would do with a fantasy novel and I was not disappointed. I plan to read the other three books of the series within the next year and then read his The Dagger and the Coin series.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6586403-a-shadow-in-summer

This is the link to my review of Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey. (Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck write together as James S. A. Corey in this Science Fiction series called The Expanse.)

Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey

Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey

Introduction

Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey is the seventh book of The Expanse series. This novel happens 30 years after the events described in Babylon’s Ashes, the sixth book in the series. Winston Duarte and his band of former members of the MRCN are back from Laconia after thirty years of studying the protomolecule. They have the advantage of the Earth-Mars Coalition, take Medina Station. They plan to take over the solar system creating an Empire with Duarte as the leader. Can James Holden and his crew from the Rocinante defeat the Empire threatening to take over the 1300 worlds of man?

Summary

Transport Union President Camina Drummer heads the group that supplies all the 1300 worlds. She is usually at Medina Station, but she is near Earth at the transfer L-5 station to dedicate the station’s completion. The Rocinante heads to Medina Station after completing a mission for the Transport Union. The Rocinante crew are James, Naomi, Alex, Amos, Bobby, and Clarisa. They have been together for thirty years on the aging gunship. Holden and Naomi are ready to retire and make Bobbie the captain. After Winston Duarte’s forces capture Medina Station, they appoint Captain Santiago Jilie Singh governor of Medina station. The Rocinante is stranded on Medina Station. Duarte’s forces plan to take over the solar system. The Rocinante’s crew plan to escape Medina Station with the help of former OPA fighters. They want to free as many friendly forces they can.

Recommendation

Persepolis Rising reboots The Expanse by bringing back the Laconians. It appears to be the first book in a trilogy featuring the Laconians as the antagonists. It is a great novel. I liked the transition of the Rocinante’s crew, the conflicted anti-hero Santiago, and the horror of what Duarte is trying to do to himself. The only misstep is in aging the crew thirty years. It didn’t feel right that they hadn’t changed and stayed together all that time. A few jokes about aging didn’t solve that problem. I’m ready to read Tiamat’s Wrath (Book #8). https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28335698-tiamat-s-wrath

Book #9 remains untitled with an unspecified release date, but I believe that date is in 2020.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33357930-persepolis-rising

This is the link to my review of Nemesis Games by James S.A. Corey.

Nemesis Games by James S. A. Corey

This is the link to my review of Babylon’s Ashes by James S.A. Corey.

Babylon’s Ashes by James S. A. Corey

Babylon’s Ashes by James S. A. Corey

Introduction

Babylon’s Ashes by James S. A. Corey is the sixth book of The Expanse series. This novel follows the exciting events detailed in Nemesis Games, the fifth book in the series. A group of belters led by Marco Inaros calls themselves the Free Navy. They have taken Medina Station and have gotten the upper hand on Earth, Mars, and the OPA. Can James Holden and his crew of the Rocinante regain Medina Station and defeat the Free Navy before the Free Navy can keep the 1300 worlds for themselves?

Summary

The Free Navy has taken over Medina Station. Marco Inaros has put Captain Michio Pa in charge of the station while he works on bigger plans. Marco’s son Filip is with Marco on Pallas Station. Filip hopes to prove himself to his father. James Holden’s crew is back together on the Rocinante. James’s crew are Naomi, Alex, Amos, Bobby, and Clarisa. The governments of Earth and Mars send them to Medina Station to stop the Free Navy. The Free Navy is trying to capture the colony ships and closing off the 1300 worlds from the Solar System. Naomi faces a difficult choice. What she decides will affect the fate of The Expanse.

Recommendation

I liked the novel overall and was happy that the author resolved the storylines for Nemesis Games in this novel. The character development of Pa and Filip was satisfying. Checking in with the crew of the Rocinante worked well. I liked how when some scenes were seen from one POV and then from another POV. Marco was a one-note villain, and he ended with a whimper and not a bang. Prax’s story should have been developed more. I’m not sure why there were chapters from the Medina station POV’s since their actions did not affect the plot. The space for chapters on Salis, Jakulski, Vandercaust, and Roberts could have been better used in developing the other plots further.

I received a copy of this novel from winning a Goodreads giveaway. When I read the novel in March 2018, I posted a review on Goodreads. I’m writing this review because I read Persepolis Rising (Book #7 of The Expanse) and wanted to give Book 6 a full review before I reviewed Book 7.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Babylon’s Ashes by James S. A. Corey.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25877663-babylon-s-ashes

This is the link to my review of Nemesis Games by James S. A. Corey.

Nemesis Games by James S. A. Corey

Rooster Bar by John Grisham

Introduction

Rooster Bar by John Grisham is a thriller about a group of four law students entering their last semester before graduation at Foggy Bottom Law School. Gordon discovers Foggy Bottom is a diploma mill making their hope to pass the bar exam and to get a job after graduation slight. They all have about $200,000 in debt. Gordon has followed the money to a ruthless hedge-fund operator behind the ruse. When Gordon dies, will Mark, Todd, and Zola expose the scandal or flee the country?

Summary

The main characters and viewpoints for Rooster Bar are Mark, Todd, and Zola. Mark Frazier went to law school expecting to get rich as a lawyer. He works as an intern at a firm which says they will hire him after he passes the bar exam, but it is not in writing and Mark is skeptical that they are telling him the truth. Todd Lucero is a bartender at the Rooster Bar and has gone to law school through the advice of his bar patrons. Zola Maal is a US citizen, but her parents are undocumented workers from Senegal. Her parents and brother face deportation and she wants to use her knowledge of the law to free them. Zola is the girlfriend of Gordon Tanner who has a fiance back in his hometown but he doesn’t want to marry her.

Gordon goes off his meds, fights with his fiance, and returns to Washington. The four law students meet at the Rooster Bar and then go to Gordon’s apartment to see his research on the Great Law School Scam. After Gordon dies, the three must decide what to do with the information. They decide that their prospects of getting out of debt are slim so they create an unlicenced law office and start practicing law for cash from people on the fringe of society. They face loan collectors for their debts, the prospect of discovery of practicing law without a license, and the wrath of the hedge fund operator. Zola’s parents and brother are deported to Senegal. They must figure out a plan that will fix all their problems.

Recommendation

Rooster Bar by John Grisham was a frustrating book. The writing is clear and the plot moves quickly. The idea of the Great Law School Scam was interesting, especially how it affected the main characters. Zola’s dilemmas stemming from her parent’s deportation intrigued me. Mark and Todd are two knuckleheads who I wasn’t compelled to root for. Their solutions for their conflicts were increasingly terrible. If their motivations made sense, then I would have liked this book more.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Rooster Bar by John Grisham.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42415830-the-rooster-bar

I reviewed Camino Island also by John Grisham.

Camino Island by John Grisham

Two other recent thrillers I have read and reviewed are like Rooster Bar.

This is the link to my review of Bleak Harbor by Bryan Gruley.

Bleak Harbor by Bryan Gruley

This is the link to my review of The Speed of Sound by Eric Bernt.

The Speed of Sound by Eric Bernt

Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody

Introduction

Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody takes the books of Blake Snyder and applies his teachings to writing novels. Blake Snyder wrote three books in his Save the Cat series about screenwriting. Jessica Brody shows how she finds the act structure, beat sheets, and story genres in novels just like she finds them in movies. The book gives a clear plan for creating a novel that is complete.

Summary

Jessica Brody divides Save the Cat Writes a Novel into four sections. She explains the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet first. Every novel has 15 beats that fall at a specific page number in the novel. The 15 beats must be in the novel to satisfy the reader with the novel’s ending. Every novel also follows one of ten genres. These ten genres have three different components that make them work. The ten genres are Whydunit, Rites of Passage, Institutionalized, Superhero, Dude with A Problem, The Fool Triumphant, Buddy Love, Out of the Bottle. Golden Fleece, and Monster in the House. Next is a chapter on writing killer loglines and dazzling synopses. Describing your novel is important to selling it to editors and publishers. The book ends with a Q and A section which answers typical questions about the process.

Recommendation

Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody is a great book on writing. She takes Blake Snyder’s teachings on screenwriting and transposes the lessons to writing novels. The book is full of examples of current and past novels. She presents complete beat sheets and genre breakdowns. This book is a great resource for any point in the novel-writing process. Use it when you begin a project, in the middle to fix a problem, or at the end to refine a polished draft. I tried to use Blake Snyder’s teachings to write my stories. Jessica Brody presents the information in a clear and concise manner. I will use this book from now on for writing my stories.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39014796-save-the-cat-writes-a-novel

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Save the Cat by Blake Snyder

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49464.Save_the_Cat

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Save the Cat Strikes Back by Blake Snyder

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7235236-save-the-cat-strikes-back

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Save the Cat Goes to The Movies by Blake Snyder

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/551171.Save_the_Cat_Goes_to_the_Movies

A similar book on writing is Self-Publishing Boot Camp by Carla King. This is the link to my review. It has everything you want to know about Self-Publishing.

Self-Publishing Boot Camp by Carla King

Another similar book on writing is How to Write Best Selling Fiction by Dean Koontz. This is the link to my review. It’s from 1981, but the advice is still great.

How to Write Best Selling Fiction by Dean Koontz

Another similar book on writing is Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers is a useful writing book. The exercises help pinpoint common problems of beginning writers.

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers

Port of Shadows by Glen Cook

Port of Shadows by Glen Cook, Book #1.5 of the Black Company series

Introduction

Port of Shadows by Glen Cook occurs between the events of The Black Company (Book #1) and Shadows Linger (Book #2). The Black Company is a mercenary group hired by the Empress, the Lady. Croaker is the Black Company physician and Annalist. The Black Company searches for rebels but finds dozens of girls between age 3 and 20 who look identical. Can Croaker unravel the mystery before the rebels open the Port of Shadows and free a powerful sorcerer?

Summary

The chapters in Port of Shadows follow a pattern in groups of three. First, a chapter labeled Once Upon a Time occurs in the past from the viewpoint of an unnamed necromancer. Second, a chapter labeled Long Ago and Far Away occurs in that same past and is from a different viewpoint. Third, a chapter labeled In Modern Times occurs in the present from Croaker’s viewpoint as the Annalist of the Black Company. The author repeats the pattern.

The story from the past shows how a necromancer brings a dead girl back to life. He calls her Laissa and tells her she is his daughter. She doesn’t remember her past. Her sister who calls herself Bathdek searches for her.

In Modern Times, The Black Company is on garrison duty for the Lady’s Empire in the conquered city of Aloe. The Lady orders them to defeat the Rebel leader Tides Elba. Tides Elba might open the Port of Shadows and free the Lady’s husband, the Dominator, from his prison. If the rebels free the Dominator, then he will take the Empire from the Lady and she doesn’t want him to. In the main Aloe temple, they find a young woman who looks like the Lady in her youth and sends her to the Lady’s tower. She comes back as the Taken named Mischievous Rain. The Taken are sorcerers the Lady converted into her minions and are her highest leaders. Croaker becomes involved with her and her boy and girl.

The events of the past connect to the current story. Croaker must solve the mystery before he loses his memory.

Recommendation

I thought Port of Shadows was a great book. It was fun revisiting my favorite Black Company characters. Using the pattern in the chapters was smart. Chapters 3, 6, and 9 occur In Modern Times and published before as short stories. The author wove the short stories together with the story from the past and continued the novel to its ending. There was a reason Croaker did not mention the events of this novel in the other series’ novels and this novel shows that reason. A Pitiless Rain is the next book in the series and will be book 10 in the chronology. They have not published it yet. I believe that the author will feature the events of Port of Shadows in A Pitiless Rain and look forward to reading it.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Port of Shadows by Glen Cook.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37534877-port-of-shadows

I have reviewed six Black Company novels. Links follow the book title.

Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook

Omnibus edition including Book #1 The Black Company, #2 Shadows Linger, and #3 The White Rose of the Tales of the Black Company Series

Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook

The Books of the South by Glen Cook

Omnibus edition including Book #4 Shadow Games, #5 Dreams of Steel, and #3.5 The Silver Spike of the Tales of the Black Company Series

The Books of the South by Glen Cook

I have not read the last four novels (#6, #7, #8, and #9) grouped under the title Books of the Glittering Stone. I plan to read them soon.

A Pitiless Rain will be Book #10 of the series. It does not have a scheduled release date.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10793800-a-pitiless-rain

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers

Introduction

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King shows authors how to edit yourself into print. Their goal is to teach the writer the craft of editing because self-editing gets your manuscript closer to its potential and more likely to get published. Editing takes a different mindset than writing. They suggest editing only after you complete your first draft. What editing techniques will help you improve your writing?

Summary

The book has twelve chapters. Each chapter has three sections. A lesson comes first then a checklist of important points. They complete the chapter with exercises that highlight the points of the chapter. Examples of chapter titles are: Show and Tell, Point of View, and Voice. The first appendix has the answers for the exercises and the second appendix has suggestions for further reading.

Recommendation

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers is a great writing book. The exercises help pinpoint common problems of beginning writers. It is worth the effort to complete the exercises. I read this book from February 21, 2018, to February 25, 2018. I completed the exercises back then but did not write a review. Since I am at the self-editing process in writing my first novel, I picked up the book again and reviewed the author’s advice.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/180467.Self_Editing_for_Fiction_Writers

A similar book on writing is Self-Publishing Boot Camp by Carla King. This is the link to my review. It has everything you want to know about Self-Publishing.

Self-Publishing Boot Camp by Carla King

Another similar book on writing is How to Write Best Selling Fiction by Dean Koontz. This is the link to my review. It’s from 1981, but the advice is still great.

How to Write Best Selling Fiction by Dean Koontz

Washington A Life by Ron Chernow

Introduction

Washington A Life by Ron Chernow is a one book biography of the first President of the United States from cradle to grave. History has portrayed Washington as a dull, taciturn man of granite self-control, so the author wanted to dig deeper into Washington’s correspondence to present the side of Washington that was vivid and dramatic. How did a British colonial aristocrat become the leader of the American Revolution?

Summary

The author divides Washington’s life into six parts. Frontiersman, part one, explains the history of the short-lived males of the Washington line. George Washington learned to become a surveyor and took part in the French and Indian War. Planter, part two, covers when he has taken control of the Mount Vernon plantation because of untimely deaths in his family and his marriage to the widow Martha Custis. General, part three, shows when he became the military leader of the American Revolution. He faces eight years of battle but only wishes to return to Mount Vernon. Statesman, part four, covers when the states are governed by the ineffectual Articles of Confederation. He serves as the president of the Continental Congress leading to the drafting of the Constitution. President, part five, is about his eight years in office. It details the battles in his cabinet between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Legend part six covers the years after Washington’s retirement to Mount Vernon with Martha. Second President John Adams named him a Lieutenant General for the last 17 months of his life but did not take a field command. He lived out his last days and passed into legend.

Recommendation

Washington A Life by Ron Chernow delivers on its premise to show how Washington was a vivid and dramatic person. He was a person of his times but tried to create a party-less government. Washington led by quiet example and held his fragile new country together. He was the only person who could have accomplished his great feats.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Washington A Life by Ron Chernow.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8255917-washington

Another book by Ron Chernow is Alexander Hamilton. I read the Washington biography because I liked how he wrote Alexander Hamilton. This is the link to my review of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow.

Hamilton, an American Musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie, Book #1 of the Imperial Radch series

Introduction

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie is the first book of Imperial Radch series. Breq was once part of the Radch but has begun her own dangerous quest in this space opera. She has been planning her revenge on the Lord of the Radch, Anaader Mianaai, of the Imperial Radch for the past twenty years. Her plans are in jeopardy when Breq befriends the disgraced former Captain Seivarden Vendaai. Will Breq carry out her goals or will the powerful Lord defeat her?

Summary – Shis’urna

Ancillary Justice chapters alternate between two stories separated by twenty years. The viewpoints are in a way from the same point of view. The older viewpoint is from the perspective of the Justice of Toren. It is the almost three-thousand-year-old artificial intelligence of a Radch starship controlling thousands of ancillaries. The starship’s mission is to help facilitate the assimilation of the planet Shis’urna into the Imperial Radch. Her commander was Esk Decade Lieutenant Awn. What happens to Lieutenant Awn leads to the latter viewpoint.

Summary – Nilt

The latter viewpoint is from Breq, one of Justice of Toren’s ancillaries. Twenty years after the earlier viewpoint, Breq is on the remote ice planet of Nilt, putting together the final pieces for her plan of revenge. She encounters Seivarden who has descended into a drug-induced self-destructive path. Captain Sievarden lost her ship and was suspended in animation for a thousand years. She is a woman out of time and place and turns to drugs to escape. Breq knew her as one of her officers a thousand years ago and helps her at the risk of disrupting her plans for revenge. They end up needing each other to succeed in the finale of Ancillary Justice.

Review

The world building and the scope of Ancillary Justice impressed me. The two stories are expertly interwoven leading to a thrilling climax. Ancillary Justice is space opera at its best. At first, two ideas confused me. It was difficult to comprehend the multiple viewpoints of the Justice of Toren because of the unknown nature of the ancillaries. Eventually, it makes sense which is a great accomplishment by showing how a multiple viewpoint intelligence could think. The other idea that was difficult to understand was the Radch rationale for their difficulty in naming gender. The Radch are gender neutral and think of every character as female. There is a reason for the rationale and it makes sense on reflection.

Recommendation

I appreciated being challenged by the ideas in this novel and highly recommend it. Ancillary Justice won the Hugo, Nebula, Arthur C. Clarke, and BAFTA awards for best SF novel in 2014. It also won the Locus award for best first SF novel.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17333324-ancillary-justice

A similar book in the space opera category is Nemesis Games by James S.A. Corey. This is the link to my review.

Nemesis Games by James S. A. Corey

A similar book I have read in the Hard Science Fiction category is All Systems Red by Martha Wells. This is a link to my review.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells