Destroyer by Brian G. Turner Is a bit different from his first novel of the Chronicles of Empire Series. However it is not quite what I expected and definitely doesn’t quite match what the title Destroyer might conjure.

Destroyer is the first of three novels about space travel—the migration of man from his home into the unknown of a new planet. At first I expected a generation ship and though it might be loosely defined that way it really isn’t. However I’m not real clear on what the mission called for in respect to the crew operating the ship. There may have been plans for some rotation. Otherwise the settlers were all frozen, waiting for arrival and landfall.

The whole of the Chronicles of Empire has a similarity to Gene Wolfs New Sun-Short Sun-and Long Sun novels; the sheer suggestion of something in a magnitude of Epic. Though in style and setting the first Novel of Chronicles did bear some similarities to the New Sun portion of Gene Wolfs work, this the generation ship was less so in comparison to the Long Sun. Having recently finished the New Sun and the Long sun books I would be more inclined to compare this set of books to another generation ship set of book I recently read by Beth Revis; her Across the Universe trilogy of books. Even so, there are elements of style and theme that make Destroyer and her sister books something more of Brian G. Turner than anything else.

I might confess of looking at the cover and thinking that this could contain some space battles, what with the massive design of the ship portrayed and the title Destroyer. That’s not the case, and for me it wasn’t a make or break situation. In fact, the author quickly makes it clear that this story is about something else. And as I suggested I was originally thinking of Generation Ship and Colonization of new worlds. To some small extent this is a novel of colonization. Once again, though, the author makes it clear that this is going to be a novel of survival.

Still; none of those adequately describe what this novel is all about. This is a novel about a disparate group of people who have just met under dire circumstance who have to learn to work together to survive. They have to learn to trust each other and or to put aside differences long enough to find a solution to their situation. But more surprisingly this book and the series of three are more about relationships and particularly the relationship of two of these people. Jaigar, we learn early on, is a possible saboteur, though it is unclear what his agenda is. Vannick is a political officer of the government that is funding this program. If Vannick even suspected Jaigar he has the means and duty to squeeze it out of Jaigar. This becomes just the tip of the iceberg of distrust that threatens to end the group before it gets started.

Aboard a ghost ship, the crew have all mysteriously died, this group is, for unknown reasons, brought out of cryo and left to deal with an uncertain crisis where the ship might be dying and taking them and all the other frozen settlers with it. If they can’t work together they are surely doomed and even if they manage to muddle through, there are no guarantees they can solve the problems.

If you enjoy a good mystery and have enjoyed other Generation novels, this should please you, and I think anyone who loves Science Fiction should enjoy this set of books

J.L.D 2021

When the book was added to the library, I thought it had too few pages and I was correct. The book doesn’t end a story, it just sets up for the next book. So it’s a good read if you don’t mind that to see how the story continues you need to get the next book.

The first book holds onto mystery as cancer does to the body. There are moments of clarity. The more you read. The more is revealed and gets better. Disorientation is the dynamic movements on the spaceship - just that. If you have seen movies, "Gravity", "Passengers", or alien movie with mysterious lights. Then mix these all together and might get something like this. Jaigar and Tannick battle out their distrust, hate, and longing for what makes living worthwhile. Some characters get fleshed out later, but this book makes for a tightly written novella in suspense. And not on detail or any development. Eventually, during and after surviving so much. You will find an unexpected bromance going (later 2 books) that has an unusual but hearty laugh with the readers on ending this 3 book series on good terms. Not all is explained or enough backstory given properly, but makes for a fun, drama-suspense read.

Update: You start to realize more of what kind of spaceship in book 2 and the political aspects that drive some of the characters later. The girl, unhinged monk, dead crew, aliens, and other parts of the story are never fully explained. This book is a cliffhanger and could discourage others if you never read all three together(which may lead to more series/sequels). I enjoyed the slow build in suspense and mystery, but found myself confused at what purpose the first book served. An introduction into what?

SPOILER:: Then the aliens are something or offer insight into the future or some type of help. We see a battle to survive here, but are there bad aliens lurking out in space? 《These books make as chapter editions. After book 3, you are ready for all remaining unanswered questions to be resolved. These books have been proofread and edited to an extent. But this one needs more clarity. Like how big is the spaceship? Or how do these characters relate if they are constantly suspicious of others? How are we able to see the good with all turmoil and no expose before the storm?》

A page turner that I couldn't put down.  I began reading this book late one evening and had a hard time putting it down.  I couldn't wait to find more time to read the next day and I finished it that evening.  It is fast paced with enough details and character development to draw you in and not let go.  Most of the characters are hiding something and it hasn't been revealed what in the first book. 

There were some spots where I wanted to say "you think?" in response to Jaigar thinking things are not quite adding up or for not probing more with Koku but then maybe he would be less astute after awakening from a cryogenic sleep.

  I usually don't like books that aren't stand alones but this one is an exception.  It ended at a good place and yes, I'm getting the next book in the series. 

I also used the text to speech for a bit (couldn't bring myself to put it down) and it worked really well with the wriing.

Mostly science fiction, with a little ghost story thrown in. Characters are one dimensional and what dialogue there is, is minimal

The story is not bad. Drags a little but has a good detail of the people. Hope the next book pulls more together.

New to this author…

Loved the edge of seat tension and mystery. Looking forward to more adventure. Will read on.

Destroyer is the opening chapter of a S.F. trilogy. Throughout this novella you feel the tension of being on the edge of disaster. Plus, you are always sure that there is something even greater going on than the obvious life and death struggle the small group of survivors understands. This tense little page turner might well keep you up late into the night and will certainly send you back to read the second book, Survivor.

Buckle up you are about to experience the kind of wonder that only really good Science Fiction can offer. --- Highly recommended.

Firstly, to clarify the five star rating is not to say this is the greatest masterwork of sci-fi, it's to say it is great as what it is; exciting, fast-paced sci-fi in the pulp tradition. The entire book feels like a mixture of films like Pandorum, Passengers, and Star Wars blended with a smidge of Warhammer 40K and an old house ghost story, and this is part of its charm. It delivers exactly what it promises-guy wakes up unexpectedly from cryosleep on a malfunctioning ship and he and the rag-tag assembly of fellows in the same circumstance have to figure out the mystery and survive the dangers, with a few twists and turns appearing every time everything appears to be stabilising. If that description sounds like something you want to read the definitely get this book.

Firstly the reviewer who described this as just scrabbling about a spaceship with no point definitely seems to have missed it.

I've knocked a star off for the books length more a novella nowadays than a book, and I dislike books that finish on a cliffhanger.

I can concede that it's very brevity kept the tension ratcheted up and the panic of the main protagonist was palpable.

Add a mystery element to the mix and you have a very enjoyable read, light on the science side of the equation but we'll worth grabbing the trilogy

Fortunately as I have the I can ignore the cliffhanger and move right along.

This is a really great story, great plot, really well written and makes you want to read the next in the trilogy now.

Some characters you like some you don't get to know and some enigmas. The underlying theme also keeps your attention with its interjections. A good distraction for a quiet day. Without the development I hoping for in the rest of the trilogy I can only give 3 stars.

Exciting from the start. Many questions with few answers which keeps you absorbed in the story. The main characters start to develop and hope will learn more in the 2nd book