Colourful characters in an exciting scifi adventure
5 stars Amazon review
This scifi novel takes us on a trip aboard the Herald Petrel: a run-down spaceship with its brand new captain, who seems to want to be anywhere but there. Understandable with the burden he carries and the anything but welcoming crew, who has just lost their former captain.
Something is very fishy on this ship though and Captain Galahad has to find allies he can trust and who will trust him in order to solve the mysterious schemes going on and save his ship and crew. Could there be something far more scandalous behind it all than the first investigations suggest?
Whilst the story is truly suspenseful and keeps you guessing, its biggest asset are the wonderful characters. They are colourful and fun – a scifi Dickens would approve – as well as absolutely believable. You can see and hear them in your mind. I fell in love with this varied crew and its captain right away.
The style of writing makes it easy to fully immerse yourself in the narration. It is rather like watching a scifi series on TV as the writing makes the images unfold in your head. You might even hear a theme tune whilst cheering your faves on through this adventure. No wonder maybe that the author includes a list of possible theme tunes for the characters and ship.
The hardback edition also has beautiful colour pictures of character drawings by Alj/Aljeen and a drawing of the author as seawolf by The Patrex.
I can’t wait for a second novel to continue the adventures of the Herald Petrel.
Space Opera Adventure With Loads Of Heart
4 stars Amazon review
Look, I could go on and on about what I liked and disliked, but the bottom line is, I liked everything and disliked nothing. All the details a prospective reader needs to know are in the description and in the content warnings thoughtfully provided by the writer. If ensemble cast science fiction tales are your flavor of jam, I suggest you crack this one open.
A space opera about a traumatized captain, a crew too keen to adhere to bureaucracy, and a failing ship that may or may not have been targeted by terrorists. I found the characters deeply charming and the exploration of how to be human (or humanoid, anyway) in the midst of an inflexible institution compelling. It’s a strong debut and screaming for a sequel.
4 stars by Rachel Ashera Rosen on Goodreads
Herald Petrel by Strange Seawolf is an insanely gripping space odyssey that brilliantly blends the trauma and heroism of the protagonist, Harold Galahad, with the high-stakes drama of a ship teetering on the brink of disaster.
From the opening pages, where Harold is introduced grappling with the ghosts of his past losses, to the climactic moments of life-and-death decisions, Author Seawolf maintains a taut narrative that kept me thoroughly engaged. The author’s portrayal of Harold’s internal battles and eventual redemption is both compelling and emotionally relatable. The secondary characters were also very well-developed and thoroughly likeable, with their unique quirks and challenges, making the dynamics very rich.
One of the best things about this book was the way the author has weaved a multi-layered mystery within the narrative. The suspense is palpable, driving the story forward with a relentless pace that ensures there’s never a dull moment. Moreover, the author’s world-building is out-of-the-world, with detailed descriptions of the ship’s mechanics and the vastness of space that enveloped me in a fully realised universe. The integration of various species and their interactions adds a rich touch to the narrative, highlighting the novel’s underlying themes of unity and understanding across differences.
Herald Petrel is an amazing science fiction read, offering a story that is as much about overcoming personal demons as it is about the thrill of space exploration. It is a heart-pounding adventure that delivers in spades, making it a must-read that will leave you thinking long after the last page is turned.
5 stars by Heena Rathore Rathore-Pardeshi on Goodreads