Review originally published at: https://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookreviews/book-review-lost-solace-by-karl-drinkwater/

Opal has escaped and stolen a military ship. She is a woman on a mission, and her destiny is a lost ship that suddenly reappeared close to a neutron star, to which it is being dangerously attracted. Opal has hacked the ship’s AI, and will risk her life in discovering the secrets of the returned ship.

This book had such interesting premises that I got very excited about when I started listening to it. The mystery about the returned ship picked my attention, and the fact that the AI seemed to have a more interesting personality than expected was a very good point. But there were things lacking in this book that could have made it a great one. For once, I missed some more plot. I felt that there was much action, which was exciting, but lack of a story and also a backstory. I would also have liked some more worldbuilding and descriptions. We discover too late why Opal is so interested in this lost ship. I am not against delayed information, but I would have appreciated some hints here and there to keep me going.

I have the feeling that with the story we got, a novella would have sufficed. The book felt long-winded, and there was much action without real storytelling. The ending was quite good though, and it got me interested enough to maybe continue with this series and see what happens.

Marisha Tapera’s narration was outstanding, not only interpreting Opal, but also bringing Clarissa, the AI to life, transmitting her quirks and changing personality. Both characters’ personalities are very different, and Tapera did a good job in showing this, making the dialogs flow and easy to follow.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.