Starhawk

Priscilla Hutchins, Book 1

By: Jack McDevitt

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Priscilla Hutchins has been through many experiences.This is the story of her first unforgettable adventure.…

Priscilla "Hutch" Hutchins has finally realized her lifelong dream: She’s completed a nerve-bending qualification flight for a pilot’s license.

Her timing is far from optimal, however. Faster-than-light travel has only recently become a reality, and the World Space Authority is still learning how to manage long-range missions safely. To make matters worse, efforts to prepare two planets for colonization are killing off native life-forms, outraging people on Earth.So there’s not a lot of demand for space pilots.

Priscilla thinks her career may be over before it has begun. But her ambition won’t be denied, and soon she is on the bridge of an interstellar ship, working for the corporation that is responsible for the terraforming.

Her working conditions include bomb threats, sabotage, clashes with her employers - and a mission to a world, adrift between the stars, that harbors a life-form unlike anything humanity has ever seen. Ultimately, she will be part of a life-and-death struggle that will test both her capabilities and her character....

©2013 Cryptic, Inc. (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Not The Hutch I Know...An Origin Story

I picked this up after reading most of Hutch's stories. While I appreciate that the author went back to explain the beginnings of our beloved hero, it was not that exciting for me. Had I started with this book, I would not have continued reading more about her.

Naive and fresh from flight school, Priscilla Hutchins soon discovers that interstellar travel has unexpected consequences to people, the environment and the politics of Earth. In sticking to her convictions and sincere desire to protect people, she finds herself entangled in a web of political plays by upcoming Politicians and activist groups.

Priscilla is awkward, headstrong and trying to stick to what she knows; the world around her won't let her. My issue is that I didn't want to see her like this. The action sequences seemed contrived, her reactions too cliche. I soldiered through because I wanted to find out where the story left off. I was glad to learn the origins of her nickname, but beyond that I was not excited by the plot.

Good but not a 'can't miss'

I enjoy nearly all of Mcdevitt 's stories because they are generally easy listening and entertaining. I enjoyed this book but it felt unnecessary. Not at all his best.

If new to McDevitt, get this title first

Story seemed forced, almost contrived. Much of this could have been exposition in a new novel about those aliens first encountered at Talios. There were so many threads left hanging. I feel like McDevitt's biggest fan and this is not what I've come to expect from him. Even so, I did not feel it was a total waste of time. If you've never read McDevitt, start with this one and you will not be disappointed when you enjoy his other books.

slow story, no peak.

I found it dissapointing how the story seemed to several times slowly build to a exiting peak, that never was delivered.

a good continuation prequel

if you like the Hutch series this gives the back story. Very entertaining a a good diversion.

Why am I listening to this?

I’m on Chapter 20. I have been waiting for some kind of story or plot to arrive. But it hasn’t. It’s like the author is telling the day to day life of the characters just kind of aimlessly. Add to that the cringe worthy, comments about woman and I have to ask, why am I still listening to this? I know this book was written in 2013 but this story is written in the future. Did the author not think woman’s roles wouldn’t change in that time? Things like saying a woman could never pilot to Mars. Huh? I remember my mailman father saying no woman could do my job. Every time I see the neighborhood mail lady delivering mail while talking on her pink glitter cell phone I think of him. Bless his heart. This author reminds me of that.

SRR

Loved the book and narrator. The story is great.
I love. many of Jack McDevitt's books.

How many times are we going to do this?

The number of times McDevitt novels would have ended in 12 pages with no drama if the pilots of these large spacecraft had brought along a few cubic meters of compressed oxygen and a second lander is starting to become laughable. As is the few months it takes for every woman (who you can bet is extremely attractive and described in needless detail) to fall in love with a boring and unpleasantly pushy male character. This is genre writing at it's most formulaic.

great listen

Really enjoyed the narrative. Great story and easy to listen to voice. Thanks for the entertainment.

Jack McDevitt is one of my favorite authors

I love all the books in the Academy (Priscilla Hutchins) series. The science isn’t overwhelming and the plots are interesting and well thought out. There are always multiple surprises. I like to visit them like old friends, but due to moves no longer have my hard copies. I truly am happy that Audible has them available for us.