• Midshipman's Hope

  • The Seafort Saga, Book 1
  • By: David Feintuch
  • Narrated by: Vikas Adam
  • Length: 16 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (288 ratings)

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Midshipman's Hope  By  cover art

Midshipman's Hope

By: David Feintuch
Narrated by: Vikas Adam
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Publisher's summary

When a hideous accident kills the senior officers of the UNS Hibernia, it leaves a terrified young officer to save 300 colonists and crew aboard a damaged ship on a 17-month gauntlet to reach the colony of Hope Nation. With no chance of rescue or reinforcement, Nicholas Seafort must overcome despair, exhaustion, and guilt. He must conquer malfunctions, mutiny, and an alien horror beyond human understanding. And he must save lives and take them - in the name of duty.

©1994 David Feintuch (P)2015 Audible Inc.

What listeners say about Midshipman's Hope

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Amazing Writing, Decent Story

I was very torn about writing a review for this book. I decided in the end that I would have to because I had so much to say that I just couldn't keep it all in...
The main character of the book is a 17 year old midshipman on a years long voyage to a distant colony. Through a series of unusual and unfortunate circumstances, he becomes the captain of the ship, with a number of other midshipmen, and hundreds of crew and passengers looking to him as the leader.
To be clear, this ship is mostly about interpersonal relationships, leadership, and personal struggles set in space. There are a few very short fighting and battle scenes, but It definitely isn't what I would call a "space opera" (at least by my definition).
For the most part, I thought that the writing was very good, with the characters not being amazing, but believable enough for the story.
As for the negatives... The strangest (and my least favorite) part of this book was the fact that religion plays a huge part in the story and the future that this book takes place in. There are prayers before every meal and CONSTANT references to "Lord God" and "blasphemy" throughout the story. Basically, the government has established a "state religion" and religious code that every is forced to be obedient to. I'm not sure if the author is himself a deeply religious person, or if he was trying to create a story in some fictional future... All-in-all, I really disliked this whole concept. Personally, I might consider myself "religious" (on a good day), but this really started to annoy me after awhile. If the whole religion aspect was taken out, I would give 5 stars... As it stands, only 4.
I'm looking forward to the next book, but am not sure if I will listen to the full series or not yet since the others take place much later in the main character's life.
It was definitely worth the listen. If you can get past the fictional religion, then I would recommend it.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Pretty good start

It’s always fun to find a decent new series. This first book builds a whole new world where civilization is united under one nation and one religion similar to the British empire in medieval times. No it isn’t a religious “preachy” book, it just creates an story where the captain is the head of the church and state while underway. Any other religion is discouraged and blasphemy is about the worst thing anybody could do, but that’s about the extent of it. If you are offended by anyone even mentioning God, go ahead and skip this one.

Like most “space operas” I was expecting some high tech ship involved in all kinds of space battles with the lasers, nuclear torpedoes and of course light speed delays. The ship in this book is a very minimally armed navel cargo ship full of passengers and just a handful of actually navy personnel aboard. Think love boat in space….. with a single laser.

Despite the lack of action the book was pretty entertaining. The story deals with different situations where a young person is put in charge and his fresh view of the way things are currently ran causes people to question and think about what they are doing. The main character is a bit juvenile with his temper tantrums but I guess that is understandable since the main punishment for the midshipmen throughout the book is a good old fashion spanking.

It’s pretty good so far, but we’ll see for sure after book 2.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Tortured Soul Grows Up Quickly

So, you're a lowly 17-year old Midshipman still learning how to be an officer, still maturing, still ... well, guess what, none of that matters anymore because you have a job to do regardless of whether you want it or whether anyone else wants you to do.

You have a short time to grow up and take responsibility for your ship, the lives or your crew and the lives of your passengers. And now, to top it all off, you're under attack from a previously unknown alien.

How would you handle it? Do you think you could save the ship and get back home? How would you cope with the horrors your decisions bring?

Midshipman Nick Seafort didn't have a choice - the regulations clearly state that he has to assume the roles and responsibilities of Captain of the Hibernia. Every decision he makes eats at his soul, but every decision he makes ensures that the Hibernia will get to its destination safely.

I sent Audible an email 2 years ago asking that they get the rights to this series, as I wanted others to enjoy what I've enjoyed all these years. David Feintuch has crafted an excellent character study of a tortured (albeit to himself) sould trying to do what's right and what's best for those lives he's now responsible for.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

AWESOME, TRULY FANTASTIC. A MUST READ!

I am so glad I gave this new series a chance. I could not put down the book.it was so... Interesting! Adventures and action all the way.Nicholas Seafort is such a courageous character. A real hero. He is very charismatic and he draws loyalty from his people. David Feintuch is an excellent writer and I love Vikas Adam's voices for all the different characters. Very well done. I have already downloaded the second book in this series and will be listening non- stop through the night. I would recommend this series to readers who like fantasy science fiction. You won't regret it I assure you!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing...

First Impressions
-- slow to pick up, a lot of dialogue and story. It rewards you in the end with an amazing timeline of events that would make you scream "More!!!"

Narrator
-- things started out as weird. I thought that he was a lousy narrator, but in the end it was very satisfying.

Final thoughts
-- this is the type of book that would make you think and put yourself into the eyes of the characters. It forces you to think of things in a different way. It had me crying on some of the scenes... a lot of times. (Ive never cried for a sci fi book ever)



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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

A 12-year old's bad time in space

First impression's are very important for a book. Since we only get to experience what the author wishes us to experience, even more so. That's a big reason why I will never be able to picture the main character of Midshipman's Hope as anything other than a whining little kid.

I must have stopped a dozen times in the first two chapters of this book. Apparently we are following the story of 17-year old midshipman Seafort though some Bad Times™. Though a series of events that I suspect are supposed to be tragic this wet-fish of a future officer ends up the captain. From there the book is a mostly traditional space opera, focusing on the crew and their relationships through times of trial and stress. Action scenes are few and far between and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The bad part is I'm supposed to care about these people when the majority of the time I just want them to shut up. Every single god damned decision is agonized over by our prepubescent captain.

Religion plays a major cultural role for the characters. Heavy fundamentalist christian influences for that religion which I don't know if the author really understood. If I was at all religious I suspect this would be annoying, and for those with a more anti-religious stance it will be downright grating. Either way the author entirely fails to explore HOW a culture and government that endorsed fundamentalist religion of ANY creed is able to build a star-spanning empire. Much like almost every other aspect of this book it feels like the author had an idea, explored it enough to convince his friends he was clever, and the ran off to the next thing.

Overall? Seafort should have gone down with the ship.


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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
  • DB
  • 04-02-18

Needs more hope

There is a lot of negativity in the book... Maybe the writer was trying to represent real life, but in leisure time, I prefer a bit more up lifting and fun. It was a pretty good book otherwise...

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of my favorite sci-fi book series

I am so excited to find that Audible finally brought this series to audio (granted it was over a year ago but somehow I had missed it until recent)!

Feintuch's Nick Seafort and his coming of age story was inspirational to me as a young man as Seafort is his harshest and most severe own self-critic, not unlike my own striving for perfection in my younger days. I still find the story riveting to this day (almost 20 years after first reading it) but I look upon the main character with a little more pity, a lot more forgiveness, and even more sympathy now. It's every sci-fi loving kid's dream to be a Captain of this own ship and following the tragic early events of this book, it's easy to wish you were in Nick Seafort's shoes!

The story varies in pace throughout and you are often left wondering where Nick's motivation comes from (you learn it wholeheartedly by the end of the book). The supporting characters are excellently portrayed by the author, although given to you through the first person narrator, you question the validity of some of it due to perspective.

I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of any of Jack Campbell's novels.

The narrator does an excellent job with the voices of all the characters and I hope he continues reading the rest of the series!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Good navel yarn

Big good sci-fi book based on old seafaring schooners of the 19 century, a little bit too far fetching on on e Gilrix seen to the next when he's crying like a 12-year-old not consisting.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow......

This is one of those books that just flows.....the narrator is perfect for this story, and it is one of those tales that just rolls from one scene to the next, and you ust know the author is going to continue from page to page effortlessly (so it seems). Towards the end you say "oh no, don't,end it that way!"......and then an ending unfolds that you never saw coming....
Fantastic book.......

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