Book Review: Half Share by Nathan Lowell

Summary

Ishmael Wang's world changed when he boarded the Lois McKendrick, a solar clipper that transports cargo throughout the galaxy. Now, settled in, he's changing life aboard the ship. He and his crewmate Pip have organized the sailors into a trading co-op for private trading, Pip is working with the ship's extra storage, maximizing profit, and Ishmael... well, he's just been offered a position in the Environmental section, out of the mess deck.

There's just one problem. He still doesn't know what he really wants to do with his life. And the sudden attention of a number of beautiful women around him is making it harder to think.

That's my summary. Here's the one I pulled from http://www.nathanlowell.com/half-share/

It’s a time of change on the Lois McKendrick. Sarah Krugg joins the mess deck and Ishmael Wang moves to the environmental section. Just after getting accustomed to life aboard a solar clipper, Ishmael must learn a whole new set of skills, face his own fears and doubts, and try to balance love and loss in the depths of space.

Both Ish and Sarah must learn to live by the mantra, “Trust Lois.” For Sarah, there is the hope of escaping a horrifying past. For Ish, he must discover what type of man he wants to become and learn the consequences of his choices.

Context

Half Share picks up right after the previous novel, Quarter Share. 

 

My Thoughts

Lowell has done it again, creating a thoughtful, pensive book that is a joy and comfort to read. The crew I became so comfortable and close with in Quarter Share is still here, and we get new information on them, but as Ishmael's world expands, so does the reader's. There are more members of the crew to meet, new members (okay, one new member), and people off-ship to run across. Ish's experiences are branching out from the closed little bubble he was in during Quarter Share, but he still remains himself. It's amazing to watch Ish evolve as he spends more time aboard the ship and with his friends and crewmates. I can't wait to see what the next book holds!

Would I Recommend This Book? Most definitely! It's a great continuation of Quarter Share, and the universe is growing from what little Ish knew. The reader gets to experience it all with him, and there seems to be no end to the wonders. I give Half Share a fashionable 5 of 5 stars.

For more on the author, visit http://nathanlowell.com/