Preview
  • Hard Knocks

  • SC Marva Collins, Book 3
  • By: Nathan Lowell
  • Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
  • Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (348 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Hard Knocks

By: Nathan Lowell
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $33.90

Buy for $33.90

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

It pays to take a second look.

In the Deep Dark, it's a long walk home.

The Marva Collins runs into unexpected problems a long way from port. Faced with some hard decisions and uncertain about the choices, Ishmael has to roll the dice with inadequate information.

Is he sailing too close to the edge of forever?

©2023 Nathan Lowell (P)2024 Podium Audio
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Hard Knocks

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    287
  • 4 Stars
    40
  • 3 Stars
    20
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    291
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    253
  • 4 Stars
    48
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

another great story!

this was another great story in the series. it did feel a little flat towards the end but they left room for The story to continue. would highly recommend

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

A fine finish and a fresh start.....

Thank you Mr Lowell. Hopefully your remodel goes well. As I have since Quater share. I await more from This universe of yours. I am a fan of and do recommend the other world's you vist. This one is my favorite blend of honor, loyalty and playfully execution of a strong work ethic. The amount of wisdom you place in your writing, never leaves me disappointed. even if the first two books of this series were a bit..... uneventful. The end of this one has me excited for the next chapter. Thanks again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Weaker than the previous installments in this seri

The story comes basically in three parts:

The first section covers the training cruise, and is consistent with the previous book. Done well, and enjoyable for the same reasons.

The second section covers a life-threatening challenge, but the challenge is overcome without much difficulty. There is a subplot that starts here, but that subplot is abandoned without much point and could have easily been edited out of the book. There is an interesting political plotline that begins here.

The last section is something of a denouement to the main Ishmael Wang plotline (so far, anyway), and feels both drawn out and perfunctory ... as if Lowell couldn't figure out how to tie off the various subplots and ended up just stopping.

This is a heartwarming conclusion to this storyline. The boy gets the girl and the girl gets the boy, and most things are right with the world. Unfortunately, the ending was not especially well written.

The book is recommended for anyone who has been following Capt. Wang's exploits, but as a standalone, it's not especially strong.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

A continuation of a great story

It didn’t hold my interest as much as earlier books in the series. I hope the next one will bounce back with a more dramatic edge.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Space Odesy

I love Nathan Lowell books. very refreshing and believable. All his books are captivating.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Excellent

An excellent conclusion to the Marva Collins series, I do hope we get to see more in the Solar Clipper universe but if not, I've very much enjoyed the ride.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

well thought out universe

Another great story in the series. I recommend the entire Solar Clipper universe of stories to anyone wanting to enjoy great characters in a well thought out background.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

LOVED IT

I’m so unbelievably happy, I love this world for I myself am in the freight business and I’ve been following Ish around for years, wishing I had my own ship in the stars, I hope there’s more to come, thank you Nathan for your wonderful storytelling. Can’t wait for the next chapter, safe voyage.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

very nice. back to the quality of the first few books.

wonderful story line, characters we know in a new adventure that entirely makes since we just didn't see it coming!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Excellent

Exactly what I was hoping to get from this series again. My favorite of this trilogy. So happy we got more Ishmael.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!