Dark Run
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4.2 • 103 Ratings
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
In this debut space epic, a crew of thieves and con artists take on a job that could pay off a lot of debts in a corrupt galaxy where life is cheap and criminals are the best people in it.
The Keiko is a ship of smugglers, soldiers of fortune, and adventurers travelling Earth’s colony planets searching for the next job. And they never talk about their past—until now.
Captain Ichabod Drift is being blackmailed. He has to deliver a special cargo to Earth, and no one can know they’re there. It’s what they call a dark run…And it may be their last.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Brooks's terrific debut demonstrates that a good caper tale can take place anywhere, even in interstellar space. Capt. Ichabod Drift and the crew of the Keiko have an unusual approach to galactic law and order, one that ranks "convenience over obedience." All of them have secrets that they'd rather not reveal, but Drift's is the biggest of all: he was once known as Gabriel Drake, a notorious privateer. He thought he'd escaped his past, but now it has come calling in the form of Nicolas Kelsier, ex-minister of Extra-terrestrial Resource Acquisition for the Europan Commonwealth, and Drift's former boss. Kelsier offers him both the carrot and the stick: Drift can take Kelsier's smuggling commission and earn a handsome sum for himself and his crew or have his past revealed to the Federation of African States and the rest of the galaxy. Even with elaborate planning, capers never run easily, and this one is no different. It will take all the skills of each of the Keiko's crew members and some "outrageously ballsy chicanery" on Drift's part if they are to escape with their lives, let alone make a profit. Fans of rip-roaring space adventures will greatly enjoy this one.
Customer Reviews
For Firefly Fans
I gave this 4 stars because I couldn’t give it 3 and a half. For the Browncoats out there (like me), you will feel right at home. The Cap’n has his tighpants moments, and his YoSafBrig moments, his 2nd in command is a warrior woman, he’s got an innocent female crewmember, and there’s a mercenary crew member. Oh, and there’s Chinese dialogue occasionally. As a read it’s not a page turner, but it’s steady and engaging, again especailly for Browncoats. But be warned Browncoats, there is no Whedenesque dialogue in this. Still, you’ll be able to identify with the ‘Verse.
Dark Rerun
You've seen all these characters before if you read the Expanse novels:
Rourke = Naomi Nagata
The Maori = Amos Burton
Jai = Alex Kamal
Jenna = Clarissa Mao in her techie phases
The villains are familiar. The ship is a cube-shaped Rocinante. At least for the captain of the ship, the author showed a fleck of effort by reimagining James Holden as Captain Jack Sparrow, but with a back story that will remind you of The Expanse's Anderson Dawes. Setting? The same. Technology? Same. Ship layout? Same. The writing is not as good (and, at times, downright awkward), the dialogue is stilted and occasionally just unbelievable (think Drifters Alliance series or even fan fiction). The reactions of some of the characters to each other do not always make sense.
On the up side, the story is original(ish) and even fun at times. Thankfully, because it is a light and not very cerebral read, the action moves fast. Because I am a glutton for punishment, I will read the sequel and hope that he used an editor for that one.
Browncoat approved
Awesome read, pays homage where needed. Looking forward to the next.