Daros by Dave Dobson - A Serious But Funny Sci-Fi Adventure Story Worth The Time

Daros by Dave Dobson

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Daros is a Sci-Fi Adventure/Space Opera novel focusing on the exploits of two characters on and above an imaginary planet the book is named for. I enjoyed this story immensely, but it took me a few chapters to get into it. The story has a lot of detail, so the reader really must be invested in reading this story. After the exposition, the story flows well and is rich in aspects of the motivation of the characters, the setting, and especially the humor. I would add the category of humorous sci-fi to the description. The humor is really what kept me reading on. I loved the subtle dry wit the author added to the story through an artificially intelligent character that aids one of the principal characters through most of the book.

Captain Nellen Vereen of the small freighter, Envy's Price, intends to unload cargo on the planet Daros. Accompanying him is his daughter, Brecca, and two more crew members. Along with regular items to be delivered, there is an item promising to deliver wealth to all aboard.

When the ship arrives at Daros, they find themselves in the middle of a war. The Envy's Price is hit and plummets toward the planet below. Captain Vereen orders all hands to evacuate the ship. Brecca grabs the valuable item and leaves the ship in an escape pod while the captain attempts to land the damaged ship.

Meanwhile, aboard one of the attacking Zeelin warships, Navigator Frim unfolds a plan to stop the war. That is, if she can avoid being culled by the cruel commander of her ship.

Brecca finds herself alone and unsure of what to do until she is taken aboard a cloaked Vonar ship being operated by an artificially intelligent entity named Lyra. The two strike up an uneasy relationship as they learn to understand one another, that transforms into an unusual friendship as time goes on.

I enjoyed the principal human character, Bacca Vereen, and her artificially intelligent companion, Lyra. Although, I may have that backward. Sometimes it appeared Bacca was more of the sidekick than the ship. In any case, these two and their interactions were priceless and a major source of entertainment.

Sixteen-year-old Bacca is wise beyond her years. Thanks to what she has learned while working onboard her father's ship, and also, because of a good education, she solves problems that would confound some of the smartest adults. Her main quest is to find her father who went down with his ship. While she hopes for the best, she also fears the worst which drives most of her part of the story. She also has a great sense of humor, which is helpful in her dealings with Lyra.

Lyra is the power behind the Vonar ship who adopts Bacca as the Interlocutor. The Interlocutor's job is to provide Lyra with arguments, or rather, statements, to analyze to determine how to best proceed in particular situations. The interactions between Bacca and Lyra is where much of the humor appears. Lyra comes across as your basic smart-ass without meaning to. Nearly every statement made to Lyra is analyzed out loud, which often seems condescending. 

As far as I am concerned, the interactions between these two are worth the price of the book. Daros is a stand-alone story, but I would enjoy a sequel featuring these two characters again.

Along with the character interaction, I also enjoyed the many plot twists, but there in one in which a character is encased in a substance and requires rescue. It is one of the best scenes in the book and I laughed all the way through it.

The biggest takeaway for me in Daros is Bacca's hero’s journey as she is forced to think on her feet, but also relies on help from Lyra. As a teenager, Bacca is a force to be reckoned with. I can only imagine what she will be like as an adult. It wouldn't surprise me if she became a major player in the affairs of the galaxy.

If you are looking for an entertaining, witty, and interesting story, this is it. This review really only scratches the surface of what is in the book. I recommend this for the quality of the writing, the humor, and the character interactions in Daros.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A native of Ames, Iowa, Dave loves writing, reading, board games, computer games, improv comedy, pinball, pizza, barbarian movies, and the cheaper end of the Taco Bell menu. Also, his wife and kids. Dave is the author of Snood, Snoodoku, Snood Towers, and other computer games. He first published Snood in 1996, and it became one of the most popular shareware games of the early Internet. His most recent computer game is Doctor Esker’s Triad. He also designs and publishes board games though his company, Plankton Games. You can see his games at the PlanktonGames.com website. More information on his writing and novels are available at DaveDobsonBooks.com. Dave spent 24 years teaching geology, environmental studies, and computer programming at Guilford College, and he does improv comedy every week at the Idiot Box in Greensboro, North Carolina. He’s also played the world’s largest tuba in concert. Not that that is relevant, but it’s still kind of cool. Daros is Dave’s fourth book of fiction after Flames Over Frosthelm, Traitors Unseen, and The Outcast Crown.

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