Elite: Mostly Harmless (Elite: Dangerous)

I had a lot of complaints about this story and could easily go line-by-line with an "angry red pen" and highlight the problems but I can summarize it easily: this book reads like the manuscript of an amatuer author fresh off the slush pile of an overworked editor. Unfortunately were I the editor I'd probably have rejected it after the first few chapters and moved further down the pile. I kept reading because I paid for it and I'd be damned if I didn't finish it.There is the kernel of a story here, maybe not a good story but a story. The real problem is that it seems to have had no more editorial attention than what Microsoft Word would provide automatically. It truly reads like a raw manuscript in need of a real editor. Spelling is fine but there's questionable grammar and usage, especially concerning the process of laying out dialog on a page.Firstly, if there's a theme to this book its that alcoholism is a hell of a disease. The main character is, frankly, an alcoholic who passively lets the plot occur to her rather than act in anything approaching a proactive manner. I can't say she actually does anything out of her own free will. Other people make horrible, life-altering decisions for her and she shrugs, lets it happen, nearly dies and then finds comfort in a bottle. If I wanted to read a portrait of what alcohol abuse does to a person I could read Hunter Thompson, at least he's witty.Secondly, it doesn't really fit with established game lore very well. It's obvious the author is a fan of the game its about but there are details about things like how technology works that simply don't fit with what can be seen in-game. I would say this is OK, except it's a glaring obvious oversight that a decent editor, familiar with the source material, would catch and correct. One glaring point is the ships seem to be flown like World War II era tanks, with foot pedals and levers, as opposed to the HOTAS (fighter jet) style controllers depicted in the game. Some of "local color" details that go beyond what a video game that takes place entirely inside a cockpit could show are interesting and creative. I enjoyed the fact varying level of spin-induced artificial gravity are shown, though in other places a basic misunderstanding of Newton has a fairly small asteroid with close to Earth levels of gravity (it would have to be an unnaturally dense asteroid).There's also too many 2010s pop-culture references that are jarring in a story that takes place more than a thousand years later. It's an open question whether Facebook will see the end of the next decade much less have an analogue millennia from now. We no longer nail our public business to the cathedral doors in town square, I doubt social networking as we know it or can even perceive it will exist in the future. Examples of 2010s slang pop out which again are jarring in a book set in 3300, but certainly fits in the raw manuscript of an amatuer author.Finally, it just felt rough. Once again, like a raw manuscript from a first-time author fresh off the slush pile. It needs extensive editing - both copy editing and for content. A few passes back and forth between the author and a professional editor would have it cleaned up, maybe shave 10,000 words off, and turned into a nice novella.Why I want to repeat that is that Frontier Developments is holding this up as an officially sanctioned novel on their official store website and is having this novel physically printed for about $15. It hurts the reputation of the company and the game itself for what amounts to a rough draft being held up as a publishable example of the game universe. (And it doesn't help that even the final release of the game itself has a reputation for being rough and unfinished as of the writing of this review.) This really comes across as something pulled directly from fanficion.net and put onto Kindle Direct Publishing with a minimum of work.I'm still giving it two stars because it does have potential and would have been an enjoyable book had it actually been finished before it was published. Unfortunately as there are print versions being made (maybe print on demand?) I doubt this will receive the level of editorial support it needs which means it's going to remain effectively a rough draft priced and presented as a final product.

Overall this book was not for me.I don't understand how this story fits in the Elite universe? This ends up being a generic sci-fi story that cut and pasted a few ship and system names. And a really bad story at that.I have been really enjoying the game as of recent and was hoping to get a little bit more into the universe. Decided to get the audio book to listen on my commute. Without spoiling anything, there is a tease of lore in the book, but it literally ends up being NOTHING. The characters are annoying and poorly developed. The only interesting character was the robot.Perhaps I am being so hard on this as I have just finished Thrawn prior to this book.Mostly Harmless is honestly terrible.Don't waste your money or time on this.

This book had a lot to live up to by being set in a universe as expansive as Elite Dangerous. It captures the feel of the game and the universe really well, but misses the mark with characters. Well, that or all the characters just end up being unlikeable.Angel is an inexperienced brat and comes off like one.Katherine has a very vague backstory that is never really explored in a deep way.Admin is a total druggie but still somehow has a heart of gold?Mental Eddie is predictably the big baddie.I would really like to have seen more exploration into Angels relationship with Slough other than "it's where my parents are and I hate it." There has to be some redeeming quality for me to care about it. Much like the characters.All in all the book is fun but shallow. And it twists one too many times at the end for my taste.

Yeah, it has its awkward moments, and the protagonist Angel seems to be drifting along as a passenger through most of the plot, but it's quick and fun and makes no pretense to be anything other than what it is. It's a fast-paced and fun story based on a PC game, not high literature.One quick warning: it goes from fun and a little silly to a pretty aggressive scene of violence about mid-way through that was kind of jarring.

This story was good but a bit too much happening to one character over the short course of the book. Maybe take out some of the twists and plots and flesh one or two of them out a bit more with a little more character development. I enjoyed it but it had too many surprises to the point of unbelievable.

I’m not sure why I finished. A teenage girl might like it but anyone else should read something else. The author seems to think spaceships drive like cars with an accelerator pedal.....

Writing is so flat it makes my head hurt. Bleh.

Strange story. I enjoyed it but I am not sure I am a fan of game universes. I bought the beta and thought to "immerse" myself in the experience. Time will tell if that happened. As to the story itself- It had some good moments and I enjoyed the action descriptions. I find a lot of American Scifi to be coming of age literature. To be honest much of it always has been, thinking of Andre Norton et al. and as I age I want something more than and endless line of kids finding their feet in the indifferent universe. I think there is a potential for a sequel and a character arc that could be interesting.

I remember the original Elite, which I played endlessly on my ZX Spectrum, my imagination roaming alongside the vector graphics into far away galaxies. So not only was I delighted to hear of the games latest incarnation, I was intrigued to see there was a whole series of novels set in the Elite universe.Elite: Mostly Harmless was something of a lighthearted read for me but what an enjoyable novel it was. It reminded me of Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel rat series. There was action and adventure enough to appeal to younger readers and adult humour for older readers. Kate did a great job bringing the setting to life, the characters were well drawn and the plot was pacy, exciting and always interesting. A five star read that will appeal to gamers and sci-fi fans alike. The space opera is reborn.

I enjoyed reading an Elite book with a bit of gallows humour. I had just read Drew Wager's books which I also enjoyed and Mostly Harmless was a good change of tone. I only clipped off a star for it being a bit of a grind at the start.Obviously this book is very niche for Elite Dangerous players so within that context I'd recommend it.

Mostly Harmless is probably a good summing up of this book as well as its title. As long as you don't have too high expectations going in, it's a perfectly serviceable read. I enjoyed it for the most part despite several instances of wincing at some of the plot developments. (Especially the end.... sorry Kate.) All in all a fine companion for a short journey. Just don't go in looking for epic sci-fi.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Who doesn't dream of owning a little cargo ship of their own and zipping about the galaxy?Had time life allowed I could happily have devoured this in one sitting. A very enjoyable story, with some well rounded, and multidimensional characters. A number of references to some Sci-Fi classics brought more than one welcome smile to my face.Needless to say I'm off to pay for beta access to the game, and will be reading the other Elite ebooks available.Bravo Kate, I look forward to the sequel.

For anyone into the Elite: Dangerous video game, you will automatically be familiar with the references in this book. The story draws on the lore, factions, locations, ships, starports, etc and weaves a wonderful tale of the lead character's life. Well crafted and well thought out with enough action to keep anyone interested, but not so grounded in the game that anyone into the sci-fi genre will feel left out.