Nathan Lowell’s Golden Age of the Solar Clipper Series(es) includes:
Quarter Share
Half Share (Read
South Coast here)
Full Share
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Double Share
Captain’s Share (Read
A Light in the Dark here)
Owner’s Share
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In Ashes Born
To Fire Called
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Milk Run
Although I am a huge fan of Nathan’s
Tanyth Fairport Series, I am even more ridiculously a fan of the Solar Clipper series. I was introduced to them via John Ward, the great collector of interesting people, who suggested the Quarter Share podcast to me. A couple years later, and not only have I thoroughly enjoyed devouring the entire series on a regular basis, but I’ve also roped my family into the fandom as well. I’m pretty sure my mother has listened to the first six books at least a score of times. I’m not kidding. My children have listened in rapt attention to Quarter Share at least five or six times. We use them as road trip entertainment. They’re published in series of three, each trilogy focusing on a different phase of Ishmael Horatio Wang’s life.
Quarter Share is the basis for this vivid world and all of it’s amazingness. It sets us up to see just how a young man navigates a world that’s new to him, but will eventually become his calling. Ish makes true friends, finds a family, and asks an important question or two.
Half Share is Ish’s sexual awakening. No, he wasn’t a virgin when this book begins, but he really turns that aspect of his life on for this book. Therefore, I don’t let my kids listen to this one. However, it is by far one of my favorite books in the series because this is when the Shaman aspect of Ish’s nature is also awakened. Yes, I actually keep track of the whelkies. The companion novel
South Coast should be read after this one.
Full Share sets the tone for the next trilogy of books. Bad things happen and Ish works to fix them, while figuring out his place in the world. My kids love this one.
Double Share starts the second trilogy in the series with Ish’s life after the academy. To be honest, this is my least favorite of ALL of Nathan’s book, but my mom’s favorite. Quote “It’s my favorite because he affects so much change in the entire culture of the Tinker.” Quote “Which is exactly why I don’t like it…the NEED for all of that change to happen. It makes me angry and depressed that so many were oppressed for so long.” This is obviously a conversation I’ve had with my mom multiple times. We won’t ever agree on it. However, I’m still looking for my Leona Rosetti novel, Nathan…
Captain’s Share is MY favorite of this particular trilogy. Because not only does Ish affect great change, but the problems he resolves aren’t systemic abuse. Which I think is the main problem I have with
Double Share. Ish still makes a huge impact and changes the lives of many people. But those people would have at least been living still if Ish hadn’t entered their lives. But the tragedy of the Chernyakova is introduced here, which sets us up for the third trilogy. The companion novel
A Light in the Dark should be read after this.
Owner’s Share is our introduction to some great characters. Like most fans of the Solar Clipper series, I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, there is so much growth in Ish’s life. And he’s finally at the pinnacle of the ladder he’s been climbing since he was 18. And he finally gets everything he’s ever wanted. Until he doesn’t. After the dozenth? read-through of the series, I don’t hate Nathan as I finish this book every time anymore. But mainly because I skip the whole second half the a particular episode of the podcast.
In Ashes Born begins the third trilogy with a lot of introspection that I think goes a long way to calming down the fans that were rabid at the end of Owner’s Share. For me, this is actually my favorite book in the entire series. My first read-through of this book was during a crucial growth period in my life, very similar to some of what Ish was going through. (Not so much the dismemberment and money part.) For me, this book was just as therapeutic and healing as Ish’s sessions with Mal were for him. And Mal Gains will probably be my favorite punny name ever.
To Fire Called is rightfully dedicated to John Ward. But if Ward can’t get Nathan to write derring-do and such, I don’t know who can. Despite that, this is a great book. I love following the clues and solving the mystery. I love some of the fun characters that pop up in this one. And I’m super happy that Ish found that coat again!
Milk Run is the first in the Smuggler’s Tales companion series. It’s our introduction to Natalya. Here’s the derring-do Ward wanted. Or, so says Adriel. I loved this in-depth look at Toe-Hold Space, from the viewpoint of someone that grew up in it, verses Ish’s outside perspective.
Nathan has promised one more Seeker’s Tale (the third trilogy in the Solar Clipper series) and two more Smuggler’s Tales. And he promises they’ll intersect more overtly soon. I sure hope so. Because if what I think will happen happens…then I just can’t wait.
Thank you for these kind words.
You’ve got some more books to review now … 😉
LOL. Yes, I need to take the time to write the reviews. After all, I’ve read the other three books published after this about ten times now…