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Ragamuffin (Sci Fi Essential Books)
by Tobias S. Buckell
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Tor Books (2007-06-12)
ISBN: 0765315076
EAN: 9780765315076
Dewy Decimal #: 813.54
Hardcover: 320 pages
Release Date: 2007-06-12
SKU: BA08051865
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: Exactly as shown, Dust Jacket intact with some wrinkling. Text clean with NO marks.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
The Benevolent Satrapy rule an empire of forty-eight worlds, linked by thousands of wormholes strung throughout the galaxy. Human beings, while technically “free,” mostly skulk around the fringes of the Satrapy, struggling to get by. The secretive alien Satraps tightly restrict the technological development of the species under their control. Entire worlds have been placed under interdiction, cut off from the rest of the universe. Descended from the islanders of lost Earth, the Ragamuffins are pirates and smugglers, plying the lonely spaceways around a dead wormhole. For years, the Satraps have tolerated the Raga, but no longer. Now they have embarked on a campaign of extermination, determined to wipe out the unruly humans once and for all. But one runaway woman may complicate their plans. Combat enabled, Nashara is more machine than flesh, and she carries inside her a doomsday weapon that could reduce the entire galaxy to chaos. A hunted fugitive, she just wants to get home before she’s forced to destroy civilization---and herself.
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Customer Reviews
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Emancipation?
Rating  (5)
Date: 2008-08-27
From the very first line of this book we know we're dealing with a battle for the true freedom of humanity.
The question of where humanity actually fits into the society of the larger universe is hotly (as in explosive battles) debated, but largely left to be decided in future volumes. Ragamuffin spends many of it's pages describing interesting technology and finding even more interesting uses for it. There are guns (lots of guns but their most interesting uses aren't death), space worthy vessels of all shapes and sizes (from ziplock bags to modified asteroids), ubiquitous virtual reality, sky hooks, wormholes (I love how the wormhole map at the front of the book looks like a subway map), mind control and the ultimate mechanical turk.
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An incredibly innovative science fiction novel
Rating  (4)
Date: 2008-06-19
Do you enjoy space opera with a little Caribbean flavor? Do wormholes and rum sound like the perfect mixture for a good time? If you are like me (and let's hope you are not, that could be messy), you likely have no standard in which to answer these questions. I could count on one hand how many Caribbean-flavored space operas I've read, and still be sporting a closed fist at the end. Yes that's right, zero Caribbean space operas for me. I suddenly feel so sheltered.
Luckily, Tobias Buckell decided to enlighten me and write "Ragamuffin", a Caribbean-styled space opera extravaganza (minus the singing and dancing). I can honestly say it is the best one I've ever read, but that doesn't add to this discussion. "Ragamuffin" takes place in the same universe Buckell created in his fine debut novel, "Crystal Rain". However, it is not a straight sequel, but more of a standalone with a few recurring elements. The characters of John deBrun, Pepper and Jerome, introduced in "Crystal Rain", return in "Ragamuffin", but the story is not a direct continuation of the storyline from the previous novel.
The universe which is a collection of forty-eight worlds connected by a network of wormholes is ruled by the mysterious Benevolent Satrapy (not like we would expect them to name themselves the Malevolent Satrapy). The Satrapy employ the Hongguo as their military arm, using them to curb the development of technology. Humans are treated as a lower caste in the universe, relegated to a various collection of their own colonies and habitats. Nashara is on the run after killing a Gahe breeder at Pitt's Cross. Barely escaping the planet, Nashara is trying to stay one step ahead of the Hongguo. She finally finds refuge on a Ragamuffin ship. The Ragamuffins are pirates and rebels that maintain their own free society near a dead wormhole. Eventually, Nashara and the crew of Ragmuffins will uncover the insidious plans of the Benevolent Satrapy and the Hongguo.
Meanwhile, John deBrun, Pepper and Jerome are living on Nanagada, when a wormhole above the planet reopens. The Teotl, the alien gods worshipped by the Azteca, have returned, and enlist John, Pepper and Jerome to help them. The Teotl's survival is in jeopardy, and outside help is needed. Can the Ragamuffins help? Will Nanagadans save the Teotl? Will Nashara escape the Hongguo? And can the Ragamuffins survive the advancing Hongguo onslaught?
The uniqueness and creativity of Buckell's universe cannot be understated. The universe is vividly imagined and developed. The story is more mature than "Crystal Rain", as more complications evolve over the course of the novel, and the overall depth of story is more comprehensive. Short chapters of only a few pages keep the action moving for a fast-paced and enjoyable read. Buckell's character development has also matured from his debut novel. The characters are not as flat, and harbor more complicated motivations for their actions. I still would like to see more world-building in Buckell's novels; he has so many interesting ideas that I would love to see explored further. But at this point, Buckell appears satisfied in writing fast-paced enjoyable action novels. Still, this is a strong sophomore effort.
Last Word:
"Ragamuffin" is a solid step forward for Tobias Buckell. Showing a maturing sense of story and character development, Buckell has written a tremendously engaging space opera with a slew of turns and twists along the way. If Buckell continues to show the same rate of improvement, his future looks extremely bright.
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quick read, maybe too quick at times
Rating (4)
Date: 2008-06-07
When the cover of your book features a character flying backwards firing a gun the size of her body while it ammo clip is even longer, you're probably expecting a lot more action than anything else. And that's what you get with Ragamuffin. The book hurtles along at breakneck speed for the most part, with a few lagging scenes, and delivers on the promise of its cover. Whether or not this is completely a good thing probably depends on what you're looking for. Personally, I thought it sped along a bit too quickly, sacrificing a few things I wouldn't have minded seeing (deeper characterization for one).
Ragamuffin is set in the same universe as Buckell's earlier book Crystal Rain, though one wouldn't necessarily know that at the start. And while familiarity with Crystal Rain would make for a better read, it isn't essential. The book is basically cut up into thirds. The first third introduces us to Nashara, a mysteriously augmented human as she tries to flee the planet where she has just killed one of the alien overlords (the alien Satraps rule the universe, ruthlessly limiting technology and freedom of movement) as an agent of a human terrorist group seeking to overthrow the Satraps. Her arranged escape doesn't go well, and soon she is taking refuge on a battered Ragamuffin (alleged pirates) ship, which has itself just been ambushed. The first third deals with her attempt to escape pursuit. The second third switches to the setting of Crystal Rain where several of its main characters are reintroduced. Here is where familiarity with the previous book will help, though Buckell gives enough background so that readers coming new to Ragamuffin won't be lost. In this section, the alien enemy fought off in Crystal Rain returns, not only in unexpected fashion but also with unexpected motivation. The final third of the book, as one would expect, meshes the previous plot lines as the characters come together to try and stave off humanity's (and others') extinction by the Satraps and their human enforcers, the Hongguo (one of whom is in many ways the most interesting character).
As mentioned, the action is fierce, involving lots of individual and small group fights, several chase scenes, pitched battles in space, etc. One of the chase scenes, the one depicted in the cover as a matter of fact, stands as one of the most interesting I've seen in quite some time. The pace, as mentioned, is pretty breakneck, the only slow down really coming in the beginning of the second section where there's a lot of needed set up and background.
Also as mentioned, other aspects of the writing suffer somewhat due to the focus on action. The prose itself is fine, better than serviceable though nothing to marvel at. The characters are a bit sketchy. The ones from Crystal Rain will probably appear even more so to those unfamiliar with the first book. Nashara, despite the pages we spend with her, never really comes across as fully formed, which is too bad, especially toward the end when her secret really begins to play out in the plot--it had a lot of rich potential that is sometimes hinted at but never really mined. The same is true of the Hongguo character, and even his counterpart/superior. Both of them, though especially the former, have lots of inherent potential for conflict and reflection, but as with Nashara, we see only glimpses of what could have been.
I also wouldn't have minded a bit more background on some of the universe details, some of the habitats visited or mentioned, and a few other things. But these clearly would have slowed the pace down and I'm guessing their lack was more a conscious choice than a lack of ability.
Which is why the book gets a four since it does quite well what it seems to be aiming at--creating a fast-paced adventures in space rock-em-sock-em sort of novel. I personally like a bit more so in my own mind I'd give it a three, but for a public review, it's hard to knock it for missing things it tells you upfront (that cover again) aren't going to be of major concern. Like Crystal Rain, it's a fast, enjoyable read that won't probably stick around too long in your head. Though long enough so you'll be happy to pick up the third one coming. Recommended.
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Tobias just keeps getting better and better.
Rating (4)
Date: 2008-05-09
Now, as for Crystal Rain, I was both intrigued and a little concerned about the book. It started out in a way I hadn't expected. The part that gripped me the most was the latter half of the book. Yes, the first half was good, but for some reason that latter half just took over. I don't want to ruin it for anyone, so I won't give away the details, but all the characters and the tricks and turns there were so unexpected and amazing. And right in the end I think my heart just fell right out with the decision that Dihana had to make. I could never make that decision. I can't imagine what it must be like to have to sit with something like that.
So all in all I found the novel to be rather good. It was this sort of semi-mixture of scifi and fantasy really and I think it worked pretty well.
Now as for Ragamuffin...
I was amazingly wrong about Ragamuffin (stay with me, this is a good thing). While the universe is the same, really it is a stand alone from Crystal Rain. It takes place a little bit after the events of the former book, but starts off in a different part of the universe--the part that was closed off to the people of Nanagada.
While things are seemingly ruled by a misguided relationship with aliens posing as gods on Nanagada, it is an entirely different story for the rest of the universe. The Benevolent Satrapy seems to control everything. Humans are claimed to be 'free', yet they are far from it. Some alien races keep humans as pets. The few human factions that are free skulk around on the outer edges struggling to survive. The Satraps are like the Borg, controlling minds and manipulating everything to work in their favor. The difference here is that the Borg are polite enough to tell you that resistance is futile and the Satraps don't really say anything at all--they just take over. After plenty of years of tolerating groups like the Raga, the Satrap are fed up and want to wipe out humans once and for all. In comes Nashara. She's a fugitive with a secret. She carries inside of her human body a weapon that could very well tear down the foundations of current civilization. Her only goal is to somehow get home before she lets this weapon loose.
That's the really cut and dry version. The story is incredibly complex, in a good way. I don't want to go into detail because it would ruin the book.
Tobias is what I would call expert in making you believe that all is well, and then turning it all upside down on you. He makes sure you trust the words of a character and then rips that trust right out from under you so that you really start to question who is trustworthy. This is somewhat of a gift I think. It's not easy to do this to me. I especially thought it would be hard after falling for it in Crystal Rain, but Tobias keep throwing twists into the story and surprising me. Kudos to Tobias for that (yes, this is a compliment).
The only thing I thought hurt the story was all the various viewpoints. To me there were too many. The story was still very good, but it felt like some characters perhaps weren't developed as much as I would have liked (Kara for example). Perhaps these are characters who will show up in anything new that Tobias is cooking up, and if so then fantastic. Ragamuffin, however, had a very strong plot and good pacing. When Tobias brings in familiar characters he doesn't waste time trying to explain every little detail because it isn't necessary. Description is used at appropriate times. This is something that I think sets him apart from other authors that use many different POV's. Most authors I would get annoyed with almost immediately if they had more than 4 POV's in a novel of this size. Not the case with Tobias. Ragamuffin moves right along without diverting unnecessarily, bringing in characters at appropriate times to provide the reader with different takes on the various events in the book. Without being repetitive, I might add. I just wanted a bit more on some of the characters. Just a little.
And, just to give Tobias more good criticism, I absolutely loved his description of all the space battles. This is Space Opera at its best. The battles were action packed, and yet not too grandiose. This isn't Star Wars, and that's a good thing.
All in all this is a fine book. A lot more action than Crystal Rain, and an entirely different feel. Strong plot, new and familiar characters that are memorable, and good writing, all make for a darn good book.
Oh, and by the way, Pepper is freaking awesome!
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good sophomore effort
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-01-06
Crystal Rain was a truly enjoyable and well written science fiction debut novel. I am very happy to report that I just read Ragamuffin (Sci Fi Essential Books), and it is a very worthy followup book.
While Crystal Rain took place on one planet, Ragamuffin shows us what has been going on in the galaxy - and the lot of humans in that galaxy is not a good one. Slavery, reservations, and pethood to alien races are just not good ways to live; the Benevolent Satrapy is not a benevolent place for humans to exist.
But some humans are fighting back. We get to see that fight, and then we get to return to Nanaganda when the fight travels to that world, where we get to see what happens to some of the Crystal Rain characters. Lots of well written action scenes; people fighting for something very worthwhile.
Great stuff, and I am really looking forward to the third book, Sly Mongoose.
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