Captive Audience

Rating:
Summary: Captivated
Review: I love a "good read" and consider CAPTIVE AUDIENCE to be one of the most enjoyable books I've come across lately. I found the author's characters to be believable, their personalities, actions and reactions just as interesting and varied as "real world" people. Mr. Hatfield's use of subtle humor and puns is an appreciated pleasure also.

He gave me enough information to "see" the enviroment he has created without going overboard with techno jargon, something I do appreciate.

Any book that can keep my mind busy enough to ignore a hurricane raging outside has got to have something going for it! A good yarn overall and I look forward to his next efforts.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Fiction, Believable Characters
Review: "Captive Audience" has several things going for it; believable characters, each one with their own character strengths and weaknesses, a strong plot and sharp concise writing. The characters are not carbon copies of most of the typical genre heroes and villains. The heroes have all too human flaws, making them likable and villains flaws that make you want to root against them. The story builds slowly with excellent points of action and drama mixed in at the right proportions. The writing conveys its meaning and emotion with little wasted energy.

Rating:
Summary: Reveiw by the 2nd person to finish the book
Review: Captive Audience is professionally written book that deserves to be published as much or more than many books I've read.

The plot is well concieved and harkens back to classic SF (ie 50s~60s). Will Hatfield knows his material. I don't know if it is from research or personal experience, but there were almost no misplaced details. I was especially impressed with the descriptions of martial arts.

If it was just the plot and the action I would give the book 5 stars, but the characters are a drag factor. They are too realistic instead of melodramatic, for my taste in SF. No one has a life-dream, a burning loyality, belief in a cause greater than themselves, or unusual irrational fears or obsessions. Without any of these cliche motivations, the characters drift where the plot takes them, rather than driving it.

The character I was most sympathetic to was Yoshi Toshida. We quickly learn that his is irredemable corporate scum, but he has his self-serving, weezily-values and he sticks to them.

The book could have been helped by adding a collection of maps of the various ships at the the front of the book to help vizualize the action. (I don't think the lack of maps hurt the book, but they could have helped.) From what I understand the author wanted to include such a section.

The book was written with sequels in mind, and Captive Audience is good enough that I will read the others if I can.

Rating:
Summary: Truth in the title
Review: I read this book first when it was in an earlier draft, and Hatfield hooked me right away. His believable characters and taut, action-packed plot dragged me along for a wild, wild ride.

So, of course, when the book was published I had to read it again. I don't know how it was possible, but Hatfield actually made the book better. From page one, he drew me in and kept me immersed in the wonderful world he created.

I was, truly, part of a captive audience and I wanted to stay. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Rating:
Summary: Warning! Do Not Open Unless Prepared to Read!
Review: The book needs a warning label. I started it at restaraunt and ended up eating both lunch and dinner while I read the whole book. The author writes believable 4 dimensional characters of depth and history while painting a visual and aural setting for them to interact within. A very engrossing combination. Good work Bill.....

Rating:
Summary: Good story, well written.
Review: The story was tight, well-written and kept my interest all the way through - which is how I judge a good book. I picked it up on a Friday evening and did nothing avoidable but read until it was finished at 11 PM on Saturday. I'm not a martial arts fan but the fight scenes were well described and easy to follow. The aliens were interesting, I liked the ones who so easily turn pink and was pleased for their .... oops better not give away too much.
Now, I'm not a punster myself, but due to excessive time spent in the vicinity of those who are, I have learned to recognize puns 80% of the time. Anyone who likes puns will love the book for that alone. I especially like it when the Chimorizan (sp?) legend enters the story. The whole idea would be unbelievable except that most of us have read enough history to know better.
I recommend this book for a good read and hope there will be a sequel so we can learn if Earth can be saved.