First, in order to get the most out of this book it is really necessary to have read (or listened) though the original “Trader’s Tale” series. All through the story I kept thinking about how great this was for someone who had read the first series and how maybe not quite so much for someone who is completely unfamiliar with the characters and the backstory. There is such a strong tie to the backstory that I felt like I was catching up with old friends and I could imagine how if I had brought along a new companion to such a visit they might feel a bit left out as Ishmael, Pip and I shared old times.
Just for some background, by the end of “Owner’s Share” (which I listened to years ago when it first came out) I was not a happy listener. Nathan Lowell is an excellent writer and, in my case and I am sure in the case of many others, his Trader’s Tale series left me deeply emotionally invested in the main characters. So as to avoid too much in the way of a detailed spoiler, I will only say that at the end of Owner’s Share I felt toyed with, manipulated and wishing I had stopped listening after the first half or so of the story.
In Ashes Born (a great title in many respects) was a bit of a catharsis for me. Just like the main character is finally able to start getting on with his life, somehow, this story gave me a new perspective. It felt good to re-meet the old characters and remember all of the things I enjoyed about the previous series. This new series starts again on the optimistic note that began and permeated most of the first and I really hope that this follow on series can preserve that feeling all the way through. This book brings the story back to the positive story telling style that caused be to become a Nathan Lowell fan at the beginning.
Well worth the read for those who loved the first series all the way through as well as for those, like me, that were disappointed with its ending but have been hoping for a reason to return.