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Spirit of Empire #1
Last of the Chosen
Looking for adventure, romance, a modern day quest in the tradition of Star Wars? Hop aboard for an epic journey that starts on Earth but spans the galaxy. Join our heroes and heroines through a five-book series as they struggle to put down an invasion that threatens galactic peace. In the process, they might even save Earth.
582 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2011
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319 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 2, 2011
Indie titles on the Kindle usually cost $2.99. Last of the Chosen is pricier at $5.99 but worth it if you enjoy 'space operas'.
Amazon's Product Description does a good job of summarizing, but In short: There's a galactic empire undergoing a coup, survivor of the ruling caste flees to a present day earth while battling her pursuers. Our protagonist drives by and lends a hand a critical moment, turning the tide of the battle. He joins up (well, is shanghai'd) by the rightful ruler and travels back to the galactic core, trying to undo the rebels and restore order.
Last of the Chosen is not Hard science fiction.
The technology, the supporting characters, and even the enemies tend to be a little simplistic. The world is internally consistent for the most part, but feels more fantasy in space than science fiction. Colorful aliens which all breath the same atmosphere are members of a cohesive galactic society. Our heroes are guided as much by prophecy as their own wits, and elite servants of the empire carry around talismans which serve as both ID and proof that the issuer still lives, even if they are lightyears away. Yet they don't have FTL communication. Species run the gamut physically from 'ball of arms' to 'mini-dragon' yet their psychologies are disappointingly similar.
Last of the Chosen is a pretty enjoyable tale though.
The protagonist is likable, and grows throughout the book. The interactions between the main characters are plausible. And the story of the earthling whisked away to a galactic adventure is quite fun when you get right down to it.
I finished Last of the Chosen in about a day. Although a substantial book, it's a good enough page turner to make you forget it's weight. There are a few sections that drag a little bit that I found myself skimming, but overall the story was quite enjoyable.
I'm glad I bought it, and am reading the second in the series now.
Amazon's Product Description does a good job of summarizing, but In short: There's a galactic empire undergoing a coup, survivor of the ruling caste flees to a present day earth while battling her pursuers. Our protagonist drives by and lends a hand a critical moment, turning the tide of the battle. He joins up (well, is shanghai'd) by the rightful ruler and travels back to the galactic core, trying to undo the rebels and restore order.
Last of the Chosen is not Hard science fiction.
The technology, the supporting characters, and even the enemies tend to be a little simplistic. The world is internally consistent for the most part, but feels more fantasy in space than science fiction. Colorful aliens which all breath the same atmosphere are members of a cohesive galactic society. Our heroes are guided as much by prophecy as their own wits, and elite servants of the empire carry around talismans which serve as both ID and proof that the issuer still lives, even if they are lightyears away. Yet they don't have FTL communication. Species run the gamut physically from 'ball of arms' to 'mini-dragon' yet their psychologies are disappointingly similar.
Last of the Chosen is a pretty enjoyable tale though.
The protagonist is likable, and grows throughout the book. The interactions between the main characters are plausible. And the story of the earthling whisked away to a galactic adventure is quite fun when you get right down to it.
I finished Last of the Chosen in about a day. Although a substantial book, it's a good enough page turner to make you forget it's weight. There are a few sections that drag a little bit that I found myself skimming, but overall the story was quite enjoyable.
I'm glad I bought it, and am reading the second in the series now.
January 15, 2012
Lots of fun, great characters, good story. It is always exciting to find a new author that has potential, and this one does. His universe building is very good, and more importantly, original enough to be enjoyable. I've read both his first two books straight through, and am looking forward to the third one. Its nice to read a feel-good book sometimes!
July 25, 2011
It was a good enough story. The writing was ok, but some of the scenes repeated themsleves. For example, some of the same language was used when Val met Ellie as was used when Mike met her. It felt like deja vu.
I did enjoy his characters of alien race- a lot of cool life forms!
I did enjoy his characters of alien race- a lot of cool life forms!
October 24, 2011
Heavily mixed review of this book. I liked the story enough to read through the last page, and quickly. However, there were some distracting spelling and grammatical errors through out this book.
July 5, 2012
"Last of the Chosen" is an epic Sci-Fi. Sci-Fi usually is not my favorite genre, much less so epic Sci-Fi, so I was sceptical.
This book totally blew my mind.
It excels at character development, no matter at which PoV you look, all of them keep growing, developing, maturing. Even Otis. My favorite is George (yes, yes, not fair fixating your enthusiasm on an AI) and the Great Cats. In Part II the book get's rather emotional, allowing further depth to all characters involved. Perfect.
The plot development is fast paced, breathtakingly so, only stopping occasionally to allow a glimpse into the past to give some foundation to current and future events.
With the cliffhanger issue solved in the Kindle edition (you get an additional chapter on top of a note from the author that surely is unique in world-wide authordom, awe-inspiring!) this makes for a very fresh, compelling and fascinating debut novel.
I am, however, deducting one star. Whoever was supposed to be the editor of this book, needs a clap on her/his ears and no mistake. At 19% we get an inconsistency in location that makes you read the whole page several times because suddenly the complete scene is out of whack. In this book (as well as in the sequel) we get paragraphs stopping mid-sentence. Names get mixed-up, etc. This needs to be fixed!
Update (04.02.2012):
An ongoing discussion with amazon.com/CS has now revealed that the phenomenon of paragraphs stopping mid-sentence is indeed a *.doc/OtherFileFormat ->.mobi issue. While it completely eludes me, how in this day and age there can actually be a difficulty converting files, this is nonetheless the case. So, I retract my statement about that. I have also learned that in publishing this book, no professional editor was involved for reasons of speed, I also retract that statement. And on goes the 5th star.
This book totally blew my mind.
It excels at character development, no matter at which PoV you look, all of them keep growing, developing, maturing. Even Otis. My favorite is George (yes, yes, not fair fixating your enthusiasm on an AI) and the Great Cats. In Part II the book get's rather emotional, allowing further depth to all characters involved. Perfect.
The plot development is fast paced, breathtakingly so, only stopping occasionally to allow a glimpse into the past to give some foundation to current and future events.
With the cliffhanger issue solved in the Kindle edition (you get an additional chapter on top of a note from the author that surely is unique in world-wide authordom, awe-inspiring!) this makes for a very fresh, compelling and fascinating debut novel.
I am, however, deducting one star. Whoever was supposed to be the editor of this book, needs a clap on her/his ears and no mistake. At 19% we get an inconsistency in location that makes you read the whole page several times because suddenly the complete scene is out of whack. In this book (as well as in the sequel) we get paragraphs stopping mid-sentence. Names get mixed-up, etc. This needs to be fixed!
Update (04.02.2012):
An ongoing discussion with amazon.com/CS has now revealed that the phenomenon of paragraphs stopping mid-sentence is indeed a *.doc/OtherFileFormat ->.mobi issue. While it completely eludes me, how in this day and age there can actually be a difficulty converting files, this is nonetheless the case. So, I retract my statement about that. I have also learned that in publishing this book, no professional editor was involved for reasons of speed, I also retract that statement. And on goes the 5th star.
January 4, 2012
First book I checked out via the Kindle owner's lending program. This is a great story that blends an Earthling's alien abduction with a Star Wars style Empire with the exception of the Rebels are the bad guys and the Empire is good.
This direct-to-ebook novel is the first book of Lawrence P. White's "Spirit of Empire" series. It was released February, 2011 and the second book, "Knights of the Chosen" came out in June, 2011 with the third due any day now. The book was rather sizable at 570 pages and probably could have been trimmed about 10% or made into 2 or 3 installments of the series.
That is not to say the story is slow or lacks excitement, nothing could be further from the truth! "Last of the Chosen" literally starts out with a bang and keeps the adrenaline flowing and the pages turning right up to the cliffhanger ending!
I guess the author caught some flack for the cliffhanger ending, so he attached a note of apology and the first chapter of volume 2 to the end of the book. I did not have a problem with the cliffhanger for two reasons. First, if you had been paying attention, you knew the condition left "hanging" was not permanent. Secondly,it's a series. The cover of the novel proclaims it as such! Cliff hangers are part and parcel to any series.
If you like Star Wars, Star Trek, or Buck Rogers, I'm sure you'll enjoy "Last of the Chosen" too.
This direct-to-ebook novel is the first book of Lawrence P. White's "Spirit of Empire" series. It was released February, 2011 and the second book, "Knights of the Chosen" came out in June, 2011 with the third due any day now. The book was rather sizable at 570 pages and probably could have been trimmed about 10% or made into 2 or 3 installments of the series.
That is not to say the story is slow or lacks excitement, nothing could be further from the truth! "Last of the Chosen" literally starts out with a bang and keeps the adrenaline flowing and the pages turning right up to the cliffhanger ending!
I guess the author caught some flack for the cliffhanger ending, so he attached a note of apology and the first chapter of volume 2 to the end of the book. I did not have a problem with the cliffhanger for two reasons. First, if you had been paying attention, you knew the condition left "hanging" was not permanent. Secondly,it's a series. The cover of the novel proclaims it as such! Cliff hangers are part and parcel to any series.
If you like Star Wars, Star Trek, or Buck Rogers, I'm sure you'll enjoy "Last of the Chosen" too.
May 17, 2012
From the first page on, I couldn't put it down...thus I lost a lot of sleep. Mike Carver is my HERO! My nightmares are made up of the Chesori! Last of the Chosen is the first in the series; as soon as I finished it I purchased the second one (Knights of the Chosen) and as soon as I finished that I had to wait three months for the third (Voice of the Chosen). I sit here now waiting for another...I'm hooked! If you're a wannabe space traveler this story is for you!
December 12, 2011
Good book. Could use more character development.
May 17, 2012
Modern old style space opera... um yes
August 15, 2013
This was a great book. I enjoy books with pre-flight humans getting hijacked by other species, they usually describe space and the races differently than books written from a perspective of people who have conquered space flight and life in the stars. I enjoy the more colorful views about humans that you discover.
The only thing that bothered me during the read was the repetitive use of the words 'rightness' or 'the right of you'. At first it was because one character reused it numerous times, but then other characters also used it and it rang falsely in my head, but by the end of the book I could see it was a cultural thing to say and it didn't grab my attention anymore.
Yes the book ends in a MAJOR cliff hanger, but we are vindicated as the author has nicely added the first little bit of the next book so you aren't stuck throwing the book or emailing him death threats. Plus the next book in the series was already out when this copy was published, and the third book was supposed to be out two years ago. So you are able to hop book to book regardless of cliffhangers or waits for the third book.
The only thing that bothered me during the read was the repetitive use of the words 'rightness' or 'the right of you'. At first it was because one character reused it numerous times, but then other characters also used it and it rang falsely in my head, but by the end of the book I could see it was a cultural thing to say and it didn't grab my attention anymore.
Yes the book ends in a MAJOR cliff hanger, but we are vindicated as the author has nicely added the first little bit of the next book so you aren't stuck throwing the book or emailing him death threats. Plus the next book in the series was already out when this copy was published, and the third book was supposed to be out two years ago. So you are able to hop book to book regardless of cliffhangers or waits for the third book.
January 16, 2018
DNF 43% Man, the book started out so well, too. The storyline seemed solid with the MC barely avoiding being smooshed during an alien fight, being kidnapped by said aliens, infected with an alien symbiote and becoming part of the crew. I adored the symbiote and cat creature and when the Navy officer was informed about aliens the actions and reactions were unique and spot on. Then, fizzle. Who cares about months of nothing in space, blah, blah, blah. Whole chapters could and should have been removed to enhance the story. Every fourth chapter was worth reading after they went into space, period. I wish I could get a refund on the rest of his books. Not recommended.
December 20, 2013
Good SciFi
May 7, 2020
I had not planned to buy this book, but I started reading the sample on Amazon. It grabbed me...I bought the book and it never really let go. Sure there were establishing moments that moved a little slowly, but they just set you up for the next go-round of action or intrigue. But what I love most about this series is it's Characters. They are deep, psychologically consistent and the good guys are very engaging. I loved even the non-humans because they have heart.
This story starts out on normal workaday earth. But it eventually spans the known universe. There is love, friendship, and a hell of a lot of cleverness. Then there are the really nasty bad guys who pose serious threats. The author handles very complex situations adeptly. The story is never really predictable. Expect the unexpected and roll with it because it's going somewhere interesting.
I highly recommend this read. It's a long book and it is the first in a series that I have yet to read. Important note: I am dyslexic and like audiobooks when I can get them. This one has an Audiobook that I wasn't crazy about when sampled. So I actually read the book and for me, that's a challenge. I loved it.
This story starts out on normal workaday earth. But it eventually spans the known universe. There is love, friendship, and a hell of a lot of cleverness. Then there are the really nasty bad guys who pose serious threats. The author handles very complex situations adeptly. The story is never really predictable. Expect the unexpected and roll with it because it's going somewhere interesting.
I highly recommend this read. It's a long book and it is the first in a series that I have yet to read. Important note: I am dyslexic and like audiobooks when I can get them. This one has an Audiobook that I wasn't crazy about when sampled. So I actually read the book and for me, that's a challenge. I loved it.
January 10, 2018
I love this series. Larry White is one of my favorite authors of all time. The subject is original. The characters are three dimensional and well developed. The imagery is enthralling. And the author is able to take the reader through a range of emotions through out the story with twists and turns like a roller-coaster. I've read this book at least a dozen times and I enjoy it just as much every time.
Larry is in the same class as Andre Norton and David Weber.
Larry is in the same class as Andre Norton and David Weber.
May 27, 2019
This Book #1 seems a bit Childish, rather than Adult SciFi
Unfortunately, there’s also more “Fantasy” intertwined in this story than SciFi, which puts it in a negative atmosphere for me. The number of characters and species involved is too much to keep straight, especially since the Book started off at a pretty quick pace (and just increased in intensity from there). Overall, I’d much rather prefer to see more Science and SciFi than Fantasy and miraculous things ....
Unfortunately, there’s also more “Fantasy” intertwined in this story than SciFi, which puts it in a negative atmosphere for me. The number of characters and species involved is too much to keep straight, especially since the Book started off at a pretty quick pace (and just increased in intensity from there). Overall, I’d much rather prefer to see more Science and SciFi than Fantasy and miraculous things ....
April 25, 2018
Nice book. In fact, the series is great! I am on the 5th and last book and am still enjoying it!
I recommend this book and series! In fact, if you have children who like sci-fi, I would recommend this series to them! It is well written, easy to follow, and there is no gratuitous language or sex (maybe why some gave it 1 star).
I recommend this book and series! In fact, if you have children who like sci-fi, I would recommend this series to them! It is well written, easy to follow, and there is no gratuitous language or sex (maybe why some gave it 1 star).
June 14, 2022
I wanted to like this. But from the very start too much tell and now enough show was going to have it at a 2 for my tastes. But by the end aspects of the empire had me disgusted even as the author seemed to try and portray as right and necessary. Potholes.... Plot holes and narrow thinking are the ONLY things that explain this in my mind. I'm done.
June 17, 2022
DNF 5%
This book, what I read of it, seemed the product of someone who had read a few 1950s sci-fi short stories and then watched Star Wars before deciding to write a book. It is stylistically dated, patronizing and simplistic. The language was stilted and had no flow. It jarred on my ear, if you know what I mean.
This book, what I read of it, seemed the product of someone who had read a few 1950s sci-fi short stories and then watched Star Wars before deciding to write a book. It is stylistically dated, patronizing and simplistic. The language was stilted and had no flow. It jarred on my ear, if you know what I mean.
January 14, 2020
A must read
This book contains enough action to hold my attention, a very well-thought-out plot I should say plots keep my interest and a good storyline all of the things are required in a very good read
This book contains enough action to hold my attention, a very well-thought-out plot I should say plots keep my interest and a good storyline all of the things are required in a very good read
March 28, 2020
Classical style, but too shallow characters. Very predictable. But a nice enough book for young adults or people who are working themselves into the genre, with a lot of alien species, space ships, new tech, romance and some fighting.
July 8, 2022
Not much nuance or personality for the characters, but a solid feel-good story. Dragged on a bit and sort of repetitious. Not a fan of the ending (which requires series continuation), and not interested enough to continue the series.
January 18, 2018
DNF: do not even remember!
February 18, 2019
Excellent! Can't wait to read the next.
October 1, 2019
I like the ending but the beginning was much to similar to another series the author wrote.
October 2, 2019
Outstanding
Wow what a story,. Twists and turns, excitement beyond belief, a a page Turner for sure absolutely a shocking end.
Wow what a story,. Twists and turns, excitement beyond belief, a a page Turner for sure absolutely a shocking end.
June 19, 2024
I really liked the characters. The plot isn't groundbreaking.
March 5, 2013
"Last of the Chosen" was gifted to me last Christmas and I finally got around to pulling it up on my iPhone Kindle app thinking, ahem, more like hoping... it wouldn't be "too" lame -- because the cover artwork looked like an adolescent drew it (which is not to say they can't draw. It just looked rather amateurish which turned me off). But enough of MY "fluff"!
This book is epic SciFi! SciFi is my favorite genre but coming out of the blue from such a (previously) unknown writer as Lawrence P. White was even more thrilling. A bright, and true emerging talent. We welcome you into the genre!
The Empire Trilogy (Book 1) "Last of the Chosen" blew my mind and all I can say is: I want more. Now. So it's on to Book 2 for me!
It excels at character development from each PoV as all of them keep growing, developing, maturing -- making you CARE about the plight of Empire. Otis, one of the Great Cats, was an initial favorite as I imagined his majestically lethal presence with intense loyalty and intelligence. PURR-FECT!
I could go on and on, but please excuse me while I finish reading: The Empire Trilogy (Book 2) "Knights of the Chosen" & catch me on the flip side of the galaxy!
This book is epic SciFi! SciFi is my favorite genre but coming out of the blue from such a (previously) unknown writer as Lawrence P. White was even more thrilling. A bright, and true emerging talent. We welcome you into the genre!
The Empire Trilogy (Book 1) "Last of the Chosen" blew my mind and all I can say is: I want more. Now. So it's on to Book 2 for me!
It excels at character development from each PoV as all of them keep growing, developing, maturing -- making you CARE about the plight of Empire. Otis, one of the Great Cats, was an initial favorite as I imagined his majestically lethal presence with intense loyalty and intelligence. PURR-FECT!
I could go on and on, but please excuse me while I finish reading: The Empire Trilogy (Book 2) "Knights of the Chosen" & catch me on the flip side of the galaxy!
May 9, 2017
(My first written review on goodreads)
Found this through the Kindle Lending Library and I'm hooked. The author's writing style seemed awkward in the beginning but he seems to have caught his stride. Initially I felt a little put off by it but, looking back I think I've come to appreciate the character of his style.
As for the story - it's not fair to compare this book to Star Wars but... yep, Star Wars. I empathize with the author as it's hard to jump into a genre when it's been so overwhelmingly defined by the Skywalker franchise; however, I don't really think of this as a negative point for the series. I grew up in the late 80s/early 90s not really appreciating Star Wars as a space opera/drama but rather as a nerdy escape (and continue to appreciate it as such to this day).
TL;DR: Fun story and thoroughly enjoyable to pick up after work. Especially enjoyable (imo) if you didn't get to experience Star Wars when it first came out.
Found this through the Kindle Lending Library and I'm hooked. The author's writing style seemed awkward in the beginning but he seems to have caught his stride. Initially I felt a little put off by it but, looking back I think I've come to appreciate the character of his style.
As for the story - it's not fair to compare this book to Star Wars but... yep, Star Wars. I empathize with the author as it's hard to jump into a genre when it's been so overwhelmingly defined by the Skywalker franchise; however, I don't really think of this as a negative point for the series. I grew up in the late 80s/early 90s not really appreciating Star Wars as a space opera/drama but rather as a nerdy escape (and continue to appreciate it as such to this day).
TL;DR: Fun story and thoroughly enjoyable to pick up after work. Especially enjoyable (imo) if you didn't get to experience Star Wars when it first came out.
August 30, 2019
I was very pleased with this book.
The story is fairly familiar: Galactic royal heiress is fleeing a sinister alien species and an unsuspecting earthman is swept up in the crossfire and beyond as he aids the heiress. Turns out the aliens are abetting a coup d'tat by unscrupulous/evil insiders within the galactic government. The book is basically the story of how the earthman and others begin the process of restoring the galactic royal heiress and the previous benevolent galactic order to power.
While the basic plot is familiar, the story is interesting and very well written. The characters are likable and well developed. The Kindle version I read is actually two books combined. But while accordingly a lengthy read, the story moves at a brisk pace and I was never bored. As Space Opera this book excels. There is clearly at least one more book to follow in this series. I'll definitely buy it.
The story is fairly familiar: Galactic royal heiress is fleeing a sinister alien species and an unsuspecting earthman is swept up in the crossfire and beyond as he aids the heiress. Turns out the aliens are abetting a coup d'tat by unscrupulous/evil insiders within the galactic government. The book is basically the story of how the earthman and others begin the process of restoring the galactic royal heiress and the previous benevolent galactic order to power.
While the basic plot is familiar, the story is interesting and very well written. The characters are likable and well developed. The Kindle version I read is actually two books combined. But while accordingly a lengthy read, the story moves at a brisk pace and I was never bored. As Space Opera this book excels. There is clearly at least one more book to follow in this series. I'll definitely buy it.
September 23, 2012
My husband found these books and recommended them to me. I really enjoyed reading them, they have a little of everything, action-adventure-romance-suspense all the while in space! Give them a chance and you'll be hooked like I am. Can't wait for book 4 to come out and I'm not even finished with book 3, I don't want it to end!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews