I still retained too much faith in the members, I think. Please read my review of ' Dark Horse', a fine story by Diener or Powers of the Earth (a ridiculous book) and the pro-slavery commenters led by a Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710 (a self-identified NeoNazi). Goodreads still stuns me, though my experiences should have prepared me. This book (that does not even claim to be a novella) received a 4.25 Rating.

Having tried to read several of the books In the series in order to discover the point of them if any, I can answer 'Yes, Yes and Yes'. A nasty personal worldview embedded throughout the series in both dialogue and direct writer exposition. A lazy interpretation of the late seventeenth or early eighteenth century sea culture loosely based on the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies. The concept of minimal historical research into the period being simulated is equally strange to this writer. Like the typical low end, minimal effort US science fiction writer, to this writer world building is an unfamiliar concept. This was certainly written after the series was slammed for its non-existent background universe. I think that this book is proof that 120 pages to retcon the criminal lack of world building for an insane little series, can be churned out in almost 29 minutes. And if you are I implore you to run ( not walk ) over to a copy of A Fire Upon the Deep by Verner Vinge. Unless you happen to be super interested in how space farming works or evolves as newer technology becomes available. The problem with this middle story is that we already know it after the first book and it isn't particularly interesting. Seeing Denholm's life on New London and what drives him to abandon an upper class existence in a techno-paradise and first meeting Lynette. Lynette has just died and we see Denholm struggling to deal with it while running his holding, raising his son, and adjusting to having Julia rather than Lynette sharing that duty. I think I would've enjoyed the story that comes after this one more. It was nice to see how Denholm and Julia got together but that was sort of an afterthought considering how much space it's given. Would be more interesting if Lynette or even Harlyn was more present in the Alexis storyline but as they aren't. But it doesn't actually add much to the story, given what we learn in Into the Dark and only hints at information confirmed in.

Into the Dark by J.A. Sutherland