Empty Space

I had read this book a number of years ago - and recently a book that I had just finished reminded me of some things from this story. But for the life of me, I could not remember what the title was, or who the author might be. Then I got the idea to check on Goodreads to see if it might be listed as a book I've read. Sure enough - there it was.I enjoyed this story - and I'm enjoying reading it again (both reading and listening to the audible book). The main character is an interesting one - a bit similar to Dexter Morgan from Jeff Lindsay series of books.I've read most of the books that Alan Black has written - and read them again. I highly recommend them.

Not going to spoil this one at all, the MC is interesting and surprising. The biggest problem I'd that Mr Black has not extended on a number of his SF books. Yes, they are stand alone, but could do with a sequel.

Why yes. Yes he can.I love Alan Black's books because he takes a fun sci-fi adventure and peppers it with truly interesting characters who give the story an extra level of exploration and fascination. This one has that in spades.The book starts out like many other sci-fi tales, in a far-future world of a highly stratified society where our hero is, against all odds, working to rise above his lower-class roots and make something of himself. It comes as no surprise that members of the higher society whose ranks he aspires to join are not welcoming, and actively set out to sabotage him. What is a surprise is the character's reaction.I'm not going to spoil the author's gradual development and unveiling of his main character, but I will tell you that Mr. Black does what very few authors do: he acknowledges that his character comes from a difficult upbringing, he doesn't shy away from the horrible things that happen to that character as a member of a disadvantaged class. Moreover, the author does shy away from the emotional scars that the character's past has left. Instead, those scars become the key to why this main character is different than any of the others whose stories you've read.By the end, I found myself rooting for the main character, of course, while at the same time having a vigorous internal debate with myself about what it said about me that I was pulling for a guy who, to be honest, did some pretty terrible things to other people, deserved or not.Thank you, Mr. Black, for giving me that extra layer of meaning and introspection. It makes a fun story so much more.

[Bit of a spoiler here]I started reading this book and got tangled in it right away. The character, the ambiance, the story are all new to me (unless you've seen or read "Ender's Game", there are some similarities there, don't know which came first). Also some resemblance to the series Aliens (The movies)... big lonely ships, cargo vessels, and such. The idea of ships fitted like small cities or towns, reminds me of Rama (from A. Clarke).I also liked that the character is not the classic literature hero, he is quite disturbed and carries a burden.Liked all the other characters as well, very nicely developed.

Phenomenal book, if buzzing with the creep factor. I just LOVED it!!! I got it with my KU subscription because I don't just buy ANY book anymore (been burned by too much junk and stupid drivel, too many characters just tooo TSTL anymore). This has become one of my all-time favorite finds now! Read it in a day, too enthralled to stop. Affter I returned the book today, I bought it to KEEP!!!!!I never thought I would identify with a serial killer before, but ... yep, I'm now a huge FAN of York -- and Mr. Black! (I find I can't use too many exclamation points about it.) I hope the author makes this a "serial" (pun in tended, though there is little overt humor in the book in spite of the constant thread of irony running through it, that and of course that Karma is a BITCH! and you never know when somebody you stepped on can bite you back), but even if Mr. Black does not write more books about York, this book is a GEM and now on one of my special KEEPERS, to be re-read again and again! Go, Mr. Black!

“Empty Space” was the second book by Alan Black that I’ve read—both engaging from beginning to end. Black writes science fiction, but it’s the people and their relationships that shine through, not the science. It makes him a versatile, multi-genre writer.When we meet York Sixteen, he’s already been abandoned, abused, bullied, and beaten, yet every time he makes forward, upward progress, Black hits him with another setback. Instead of Sixteen, he should have been named Sisyphus. York is a by-the-rules kind of guy, so much so that he would be called a “straight arrow” except for (no spoilers) one tiny little flaw in the shaft of the arrow. At first the flaw goes unnoticed, then…well, I said no spoilers. Read the book.I appreciate the way Black incorporates the characters and contributions of other writers in his stories, implying that they have become classical, surviving into the 27th century. The appearance of Black’s thinly-disguised alter ego as one of the numerous villains in the story was also a treat.Good job, Alan Black.

This was one I couldn’t put down. When I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it. At any possible moment i would pullout my phone and read a few pages. It is hard to put a finger on what I loved, though I think it is the untold stories between chapters, the characters development. And fast paced story arch. Perhaps its the dark side of the main character. It is not light reading there are some difficult and deep emotional scars the character only shrugs off superficially but are dealing with internally. As a military Sifi this was good as a sifi it was good as a futuristic story this was great. As a first in a series (please let me read something more from this universe) I am loving it. I’m recommending this to everyone left and right I’m giving it 9/10

The hero is abused in almost every possible way and triumphs- a familiar story but I enjoyed this take on it. Quite a bit of "with one bound" revenge early on; someone capable of what he apparently does could have sorted out the bad guys in his life much more effectively. And a very depressing society base to start with.And the hero is a sadist too....

A very entertaining read, if you cross this guy something bad will happen to you! Poor orphan using hard work and skulduggery to better his lot and get even, in a society where all that matters is money and power.

good author good to read

Nice story enjoyed the characters the idea behind the story and the way the main character didn't give up. Like Metal Boxes and Titanium Texicans its a recommend if u enjoy reading about characters that are like the old say "When the going gets tough the tough get going"

Great story, vividly told with great contrast of characters in the mix and York dishing out justice. York is a disturbed individual, an anti hero where motivation comes from a dark desire rather than strength of character. Most fiction sees the main protagonist evolve but here he is a wild animal let loose.