This was a good old-fashioned space opera, full of intrigue, aliens, cool bits of technology, and all the space battles you could wish for.

The main part of the story centers on the crew of a human cruiser (part of the Combined Corporate Defense Force - the real power of humanity in space is all with transstellar corporations) on patrol in a remote system. It’s been 70 years since the war ended with the insectoid Xre, but the Xre are poking around near the borders of this particular system as defined by the peace treaty. This starts out as a game of cat-and-mouse, but the threat of escalation (and a resumption of the war) is clear. We don’t just get the human perspective on this; we also get interludes from the Xre themselves, so we see how both sides are viewing the not-quite-conflict.

The secondary plot line is centered on the CEO of one of the huge transstellar corporations - specifically, the one that’s got interests in the system the aforementioned cruiser is guarding. His company is dealing with an outbreak of a new super plague on one of their most lucrative mining colonies, he’s starting to hear rumors of the Xre incursion, and there are hints that there are more things in play than he suspects.

The series of encounters between the humans and the Xre are as kick-ass a bunch of space battles as I’ve ever read. Great emphasis is placed on stealth and the difficulties of finding a small target in the vastness of space, and on the time-lag when the ship you’re trying to spot might be several light-hours away. The science is pretty hard (excepting, of course, the FTL drives) and the weapons are all cleverly deployed. The captain of the cruiser is awesome, her crew is awesome, it’s all awesome.

The corporate side of things is decently fun, but not as awesome. Part of the problem is simply the fact that Tomlinson made the POV here the CEO of a mega-corporation. Poor guy is starting out in a deep hole as far as sympathy or empathy goes, and I can’t say I ever grew to like him. He doesn’t seem to be a *bad guy*, but “energetic and clever businessman focused on making his company succeed” isn’t an archetype I’m really going to go for right now. Luckily, there’s the epidemiologist in charge of the super plague who I liked quite a lot.

But all in all, this was tons of fun and I burned through it in like 2 days. I don’t see any news about the sequel, but I’m looking forward to it.

The line was drawn a great many years ago, defining the separation between human and Xre space and for nearly 70 years this has been observed and respected with no cause for concern. But now several reconnaissance drones have disappeared in this area. There isn't much it could be other than a Xre ship that has crossed the line.

Captain Susan Kamala and her crew of the Ansari are directed to investigate and resolve the issue. Kamala knows that a resolution should be thorough, but at the same time, she should do whatever she can to avoid creating a full-fledged war.

The investigation leads to a tense encounter and a new understanding (and respect?) of other life forms.

I am typically not a fan of 'military' science fiction and I have seen that label applied to this book, but I did not find this to fall typically into that category. For me, this was a nice combination of military scifi and space opera. I'm glad I gave this a chance based on my previous readings of author Patrick Tomlinson's books.

The book is told from multiple perspectives, including the aliens. I found this to be one of the more fun aspects of the book - getting a look at human behavior from an outsider's point of view (a favorite moment being the responses to shared farewell salutes).

The story is pretty straightforward - no real side plots to speak of. However, Tomlinson here is creating, appropriately, a set of characters that we quickly become attached to. The side plots then are the separate stories for the individuals.

I wrote "appropriately" in the previous paragraph because I am often reminded of something that Theodore Sturgeon once said. During a Q&A at a small convention I attended, someone asked, "Other than length, what is the difference between a short story and a novel?" Sturgeon thought for a moment and said, "A short story is about things people do. A novel is about people who do things." Tomlinson has definitely provided a story about people (including non-human 'people') who do things.

I look forward to seeing what else these people do.

Looking for a good book? In the Black by Patrick S. Tomlinson is a fun space opera where the characters drive the interest in the story.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Patrick S. Tomlinson kicks off a fun and crafty new series with In the Black.

Nobody has seen the Xre in the 70 years since humanity went to war with them in the Intersection War. Now, after all these years, a Xre warship is blowing up human platforms in Grendel space. Commanded by Susan Kamala, the Ansari is on the hunt for the perpetrators as a coy game of cat-and-mouse unfolds across interstellar space. Meanwhile, on the planet Lazarus, CEO Tyson Abington is engaged in his own game as the transtellar shipping magnate finds himself the victim of corporate espionage and sabotage, as one of his freighters has returned to orbit as a plague ship...

In the Black is a deft sci-fi actioneer, and Tomlinson proves to be as equally adept a plotter on land as he is among the stars. There's plenty of suspense, tension, twists, and betrayals as Kamala, Abington, and the Xre Derstu Thuk work on not only figuring out who is manipulating them, but staying one step ahead of their attackers. Easier said than done, that one. The space battles, particularly the climactic assault, are tactically interesting and legitimately exciting page-turners.

Tomlinson concocts an intriguing blend of The Hunt for Red October with the humor and pacing panache of John Scalzi. I wasn't aware going in that this was the start of a series, but given the amount of fun I had here, and the tantalizing promise made by a cliffhanger ending, means I'm fully on board for book two.

Este libro y su autor han sido víctimas de una injusta campaña de difamación en Goodreads con un montón de puntuaciones negativas incluso antes de su puesta a la venta, probablemente por las opiniones políticas de Tomlinson. De esta forma, resulta muy difícil hacerse una idea sobre la calidad del libro tomando esta sola referencia, pero si queréis una reseña espero que equilibrada, aquí la podréis encontrar.


In the Black se define como ciencia ficción militar e indudablemente la mitad de la novela se ajusta perfectamente a esta definición, pero lo que no se comenta es que también tiene una curiosa parte de thriller empresarial que complementa y equilibra la trama para ir ofreciendo cambios de perspectiva que le vienen muy bien a la historia y que, como suele pasar, alcanzarán un punto común en algún lugar de desarrollo de la historia.

Mi parte preferida es la militar propiamente dicha, con una nave patrullando la frontera establecida entre los humanos y los alienígenas tras una guerra que aunque ha acabado, sigue teniendo en vilo a las dos razas enfrentadas. Cuando empiezan a desaparecer de manera misteriosa los satélites espía que vigilan la zona, saltan las alarmas. La capitana Susan Kamala habrá de investigar el tema con cuidado de no traspasar la fina línea que convertiría en agresión militar sus actos. Se trata de una protagonista fuerte y decidida, pero no por ello menos humana. Me encanta cómo la describe el autor y cómo sus actos van encaminados a defender lo que cree justo, aunque pueda parecer contradictorio con las órdenes recibidas. Esta sección del libro tiene algunos toques de primer contacto, pero no se dedica a explorar esta parte en profundidad, quizá generalizando en demasía el honor guerrero.

La otra mitad del libro, el thriller empresarial, es menos atractivo para mí. En esta ocasión el foco se centra en el mandamás de una de las compañías humanas más importantes. Podría haberse aprovechado para realizar algo de crítica social, ya que vemos las tremendas diferencias entre los CEOs de los grandes conglomerados empresariales que dictan el futuro de muchos mundos y el resto de los mortales, pero es algo que se da por hecho y hay cierto aire de propaganda de superación de los problemas por tus propios méritos que no resulta para nada convincente. Sin embargo, mi principal problema con esta parte del libro es la resolución un tanto chabacana del conflicto entre el infiltrado en la compañía y el máximo dirigente, que es decepcionante. Con la cantidad de recursos a su disposición tener que recurrir a algo tan poco lógico me sacó totalmente de la novela. Menos mal que estaba ahí la capitana Kamala para animarme.

Lo que tampoco se indica claramente en la portada es que esta es la primera entrega de una serie, ya que el final es un continuará de libro de esos que te estampan en las narices y se te queda cara de tonta. Supongo que leeré la continuación cuando esté disponible, ya que son más los pros que los contras del libro, esperando que mejore esos aspectos que tanto me han chocado.

Humans and alien Xre maneuver in a demilitarized zone, each wondering what the others - and their superiors back home - are up to. The author gives readers both human and alien perspectives on a conflict that the front lines would seem to prefer to avoid.

Though it took me a while to get settled in to this read, once I did I was hooked. This seems to be the first in a series and I can't wait for what comes next "In the Black".

Published by Tor on October 13, 2020

In the Black is a fun mix of space opera and military science fiction. It is also a story of interstellar intrigue involving a fragile peace between humans and aliens that may be undermined by traitors on both sides.

Susan Kamala commands a warship owned by the Combined Corporate Defense Fleet. Her cruiser, the Ansari, is patrolling near a colonized planet called Grendel. In relative terms, Grendel is near the treaty line that divides corporate space from free space. A Xre ship commanded by a Xre called Thuk has been quietly picking off recon drones in corporate space. Kamala is not amused. In defiance of orders designed to forestall interstellar war, she launches a clandestine attack that bedevils the Xre.

Ageless Corporation has a controlling interest in Grendel. The CEO of Ageless is Tyson Abington. Although Ageless is in competition with two other major corporations, it has teamed with them on a project involving Grendel. News of the skirmish with the Xre also jeopardize Ageless’ interests if it were publicized. Another of the Ageless projects hits a snag when a bulk carrier returning from a mining operation is infected by a plague. News of the plague leaks, sending investors into a tizzy and leading Abington to suspect there is a spy in his camp. Among Abington’s lesser problems is his executive assistant. She’s an AI but the new body that Abington gifted her at her request has apparently made her horny.

There are also problems on board Thuk’s ship, which seems to have been sabotaged. Those problems force Kamala to choose between war and humanitarian diplomacy as Thuk’s ship nears the treaty line. The problems affect Kamala more directly when the Defense Fleet appears to regard her with disfavor.

The plot builds tension that befits an action novel, but key characters display a sense of humor that balances the tension. Kamala, Abington, and Thuk all have convincing personalities that add credibility to the story. Patrick S. Tomlinson’s intelligent plot emphasizes diplomacy as much as military conflict and takes a surprising twist by the novel’s end. The story does not end at that point, however, as In the Black is the first novel in a series. Since the novel moves quicky and is free of padding, the story merits another novel.

RECOMMENDED

In the Black by Patrick Tomlinson, a good engaging space thriller that makes you want to come back and keep reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the sequel.

Rating: 8.5/10

With In the Black, author Patrick S. Tomlinson has brought readers a fun space story that is both light and intriguing. The narrative presents an interesting take on the future of intergalactic affairs, imperialism, and alien encounters. I found it to be quite delightful.

I think what I liked the most about In the Black is that it is not what I expected at all. For a book that starts out with a dangerous alien encounter, the narrative takes a few unexpected turns and really ends up in a surprising place. I do not want to say too much for fear of spoiling the plot, but I appreciated the way Tomlinson framed this story and the themes that the book tackles. Also, the unpredictable nature of it created a lot of tension and intrigue that drove the story and kept me interested.

Tomlinson proposes some interesting ideas on aliens in this book, too. The author seems to have stepped away from the standard alien of an unfeeling race more advanced than humans that treats them like insects, presenting instead beings who are just as nuanced as the human race. I also love that some of the book is told from the aliens’ perspective, which, again, is something I have not seen much of in Sci-Fi. Writing the story this way allows the reader to experience the tension in the story from both sides, and I really liked that aspect.

I also liked the fact that it was a pretty light read. I consume a lot of epic fantasy and space opera-type books, and In the Black will never be confused as one of those. It is a much more easy going book to read, and it came along just when I needed something a little breezy.

There were a few times when I questioned the characters decisions or motives, but I think that comes along with taking risks in one’s writing. If one is trying to step out of the box (which, it is clear to me that Tomlinson is with this book), I think there is always the chance that a reader may not agree with everything the characters do. The writing was interesting enough to keep that fact from taking me out of the story too much.

All in all, In the Black was a fun space story with good themes and a unique plot. I recommend this book for fans of Sci-Fi, especially if you are looking for a lighter read.

. Military science fiction isn't something I'm greatly familiar with but thank goodness Patrick Tomlinson kept it simple-ish for those of us who aren't completely conversant with how spaceships move around in space. Make the details sound good but give me lots of action to keep me distracted from all the engineering; check. That's what he did and I thoroughly enjoyed myself and.....I will be reading the next one whenever it is ready for the fanatics (that would be people like me).

Tomlinson does a very good job of both keeping things exciting and tying all of these loose threads together at the end in a believable manner. He's also created an interesting and realistic cast of characters. Although not billed as such, it feels like the beginning of an interesting series. I found it highly entertaining and devoured it in one sitting.

Patrick S. Tomlinson is back once again, diving into the world of space operas and science fiction in his newest novel, In the Black.

Captain Susan Kamala have picked up a mystery in need of an immediate investigation. Satellites sent to the far reaches of human space are going silent – suspiciously so. One would be an oddity.

If only it was one. No, what is happening is anything but a coincidence or a strange happenstance. That is why the Captain and her crew must investigate, and in doing so, they're about to find themselves over their heads.

“So, someone is not only finding out recon drones, but picking them off.”

If there's one thing I knew I could count on with In the Black, it's that it would be full of science fiction splendors and mysteries. Tomlinson's writing always is. This is a space opera through and through, with a few additional elements (such as military science fiction) to truly mix things up.

If I'm being completely honest here, the time I spent reading In the Black seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. Captain Susan Kamala and her crew faced an interesting journey here, made all the more complicated by diplomacy and human nature in general.

I think that's actually the part I loved the most about this book. It was a slow-building novel, not afraid to spend the first ten percent of the novel setting the scene. But so very quickly it seemed like it was subverting my expectations, and throwing in these delightful twists.

All of which made for a thrilling reading experience, naturally. I loved the twists, the implications, all of it. I even didn't mind the fact that In the Black essentially concluded on a cliffhanger, forcing readers to wait to find out the truth of what is really going on (naturally, it's more complicated than it appears, and I love it).

I would normally save a 5 star rating on a science fiction book for a 'serious' novel but this military sci-fi was just so much fun to read that I'm recklessly throwing all 5 big stars at it. Military science fiction isn't something I'm greatly familiar with but thank goodness Patrick Tomlinson kept it simple-ish for those of us who aren't completely conversant with how spaceships move around in space. Make the details sound good but give me lots of action to keep me distracted from all the engineering; check. That's what he did and I thoroughly enjoyed myself and.....I will be reading the next one whenever it is ready for the fanatics (that would be people like me).

It seems there is an honest to goodness line drawn in space beyond which humans and aliens cannot cross to the other side. Sounds like a set-up for somebody to put their toe across the line to me. And that's kind of/almost what the Xre did. For 70 years the treaty has held firm, nobody has violated it. Now the Combined Corporate Defense Fleet ship Ansari has lost yet another recon drone and the only culprit in the vicinity would surely have to be the Xre on the other side of the red line. But how did they do it? That's what Captain Susan Kamala and her crew have to find out before they start a war with the aliens.

As I said, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, probably in part because it didn't take itself too seriously. There are humans and aliens involved in the military aspects of this stretch of space as well as the corporate world where the money for all the defenses comes from. When the world of one of the corporate giants begins to collapse the affects go straight to the heart of the military. So who is behind all the calamities that have come together at the same time? Honestly, I have no idea because this entire plot is a cliffhanger; yes, I've said the dreaded word and, unfortunately there is no going back on it. And even with the cliffhanger I still really, really liked these characters and the plots and the action scenes...just the whole thing. I'll be waiting impatiently for the next exciting adventure. Sooner rather than later would be nice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Tor/Forge for an e-galley of this novel.

This has that edge that Tomlinson is so good at writing. Two ships with the same problem, some one has set them up. It takes a Captain that takes risks to change the outcome. Great plot with many surprises. This is just the first in the series. It quits when all the main characters are in the same place. Love the series and waiting for the next book.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.