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The Mystic Saga #1
Indentured
In McElhaney’s newest tale of science-fiction suspense, we meet Declan Stringfellow – a man single-handedly taking out his revenge on the organized crime ring in Richland. The cards seem to be dealt in his favor until a car accident lands him in the hospital.
But don’t close your eyes for a second…
In the blink of an eye, he goes from being in a hospital MRI scanner to being aboard a Colonial Establishment Cruiser 300 years in the future. He wakes up in a different body, and it’s the identical body as 21 other people who all find themselves equally as confused.
How did they all get here and where are they going?
From the Xulon Award winning author of "Mommy's Choice," "One Crazy Summer," "Event Horizon," and "Saving Brooksie." Now Scott McElhaney is making all his novels available to Kindle readers at the very accessible price of only 99 cents.
But don’t close your eyes for a second…
In the blink of an eye, he goes from being in a hospital MRI scanner to being aboard a Colonial Establishment Cruiser 300 years in the future. He wakes up in a different body, and it’s the identical body as 21 other people who all find themselves equally as confused.
How did they all get here and where are they going?
From the Xulon Award winning author of "Mommy's Choice," "One Crazy Summer," "Event Horizon," and "Saving Brooksie." Now Scott McElhaney is making all his novels available to Kindle readers at the very accessible price of only 99 cents.
94 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2007
38 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Scott McElhaney
73 books63 followersScott's first novel, Mommy's Choice, was originally published in paperback under the pseudonym Scott Curtis. In under a year on the bookshelves, that novel won the National Christian Choice Book Award for romantic suspense. When Scott moved to a different publisher and started making his novels available to Kindle readers, he returned to his real name and reduced the prices to the absolute minimum allowed by Amazon.
Scott McElhaney currently resides in Ohio with his wife and two sons. He's a Desert Shield veteran of the US Navy, having served on the USS South Carolina CGN-37. Although his books didn't become available to Kindle readers until December 2011, over 250,000 digital copies have been purchased to date and he still maintains a position in the top 100 worldwide in the "Sci-fi Space Opera" category.
Scott McElhaney currently resides in Ohio with his wife and two sons. He's a Desert Shield veteran of the US Navy, having served on the USS South Carolina CGN-37. Although his books didn't become available to Kindle readers until December 2011, over 250,000 digital copies have been purchased to date and he still maintains a position in the top 100 worldwide in the "Sci-fi Space Opera" category.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 15, 2012
Sci-Fi At Its Best!
I bought this book out of sentimentality. The synopsis of this book reminded of Stargate SGU season 2 meets Stargate SG-1 season 1:18 "Tin Man" episode where the SG teams ventures to a post-apocalyptic planet and the lone caretaker clones the entire team unbeknownst to them. Anyhoo, the Stargate franchise is my all-time favorite franchise and I couldn't resist the nostalgia.
That said, although this was not a Stargate episode, this story was excellent and I am so glad I took a chance on it. I loved everything about the storyline, the premise of the story, the constant feeling of apprehension and paranoia that everyone in the story was suspect to the conspiracy.
This fast and fun read will continually keep you on your toes. The plot is ingenious and creative. The story hooked me from the very beginning, I felt like I never wanted this book to end.
I highly recommend this book to fellow SF fans and also fellow dark urban fantasy readers who are looking for a good space opera book but do not want to end up with a space romance. I can't wait to read Legacy, next book in the series.
I also recommend:
The Clones Of Mawcett
Space Trippers Book 1: Trippin'
Mutineer (Kris Longknife)
Peacekeeper: A Major Ariane Kedros Novel
The Renfield Syndrome (Rhiannon's Law, Book Two)
I bought this book out of sentimentality. The synopsis of this book reminded of Stargate SGU season 2 meets Stargate SG-1 season 1:18 "Tin Man" episode where the SG teams ventures to a post-apocalyptic planet and the lone caretaker clones the entire team unbeknownst to them. Anyhoo, the Stargate franchise is my all-time favorite franchise and I couldn't resist the nostalgia.
That said, although this was not a Stargate episode, this story was excellent and I am so glad I took a chance on it. I loved everything about the storyline, the premise of the story, the constant feeling of apprehension and paranoia that everyone in the story was suspect to the conspiracy.
This fast and fun read will continually keep you on your toes. The plot is ingenious and creative. The story hooked me from the very beginning, I felt like I never wanted this book to end.
I highly recommend this book to fellow SF fans and also fellow dark urban fantasy readers who are looking for a good space opera book but do not want to end up with a space romance. I can't wait to read Legacy, next book in the series.
I also recommend:
The Clones Of Mawcett
Space Trippers Book 1: Trippin'
Mutineer (Kris Longknife)
Peacekeeper: A Major Ariane Kedros Novel
The Renfield Syndrome (Rhiannon's Law, Book Two)
March 23, 2019
Edit error
Another book that hasn't found a descent editor. Lie, lied. Lay, laid, lain. Someone help this stupid author. Dumb shot.
Another book that hasn't found a descent editor. Lie, lied. Lay, laid, lain. Someone help this stupid author. Dumb shot.
July 6, 2017
Declan Stringfellow is on a vigilante mission to take out the drug dealers and their organization when he is shot, rushed to a hospital, and undergoes an MRI to determine the damage. One minute he’s entering the scanner and the next he’s waking up (in a new, healthy, and fit body) in the far distant future aboard a spaceship. Future humans have developed the technology to highjack the results of MRIs collected in the past and imprint them on the brains of commercially-developed human bodies. Although the original Declan and the others with him lived out their normal lifespan in the past, the new beings only have memories up to the point of the MRI and nothing further. To their horror, they have been created to serve as “Indentures” or slaves. They are on this space vessel bound for an uninhabited planet light years away with the goal of building a base for future colonists already enroute from Earth. However, not everything is as it seems and many of the Indentured aren’t “on board” with their new lives.
This is the first book in a five-book series, The Mystic Saga, by Scott McElhaney. With an interesting storyline that goes from modern times to well into the future, a variety of characters, cool tech, heartbreak, and mysteries all around, the story had me hooked right away. There are intriguing developments all along the way that the characters question, just like I was doing. I’ve already obtained Book 2 to continue the fun.
This is the first book in a five-book series, The Mystic Saga, by Scott McElhaney. With an interesting storyline that goes from modern times to well into the future, a variety of characters, cool tech, heartbreak, and mysteries all around, the story had me hooked right away. There are intriguing developments all along the way that the characters question, just like I was doing. I’ve already obtained Book 2 to continue the fun.
September 9, 2012
The premise of the story is quite interesting, indentured people, who have been recreated from MRI scan information being sent across the solar system to create a colony on another planet. However the story could have been more in-depth, parts were fairly predictable in my opinion, and when you do find out the answers to mysteries in the story - they don't feel very satisfactory.
I didnt particularly like the ending either, although I suppose it was quite clever really. I won't say anything as I don't want to spoil anything and it is such a short story, that I can't really say much about any of it. If you enjoy sci-fi then you will probably enjoy this, and if you don't well it's not even 100 pages!
I didnt particularly like the ending either, although I suppose it was quite clever really. I won't say anything as I don't want to spoil anything and it is such a short story, that I can't really say much about any of it. If you enjoy sci-fi then you will probably enjoy this, and if you don't well it's not even 100 pages!
September 24, 2015
Brilliant
In the future, using MRI brain scans, the government is able to download the results into either fetuses or adult clones. The current citizens have legislated their rights concerning the continuation of their lives. Unfortunately this doesn't apply to those MRIs done back in the 21st century. These are available for download into a clone, and those unfortunate people are not protected by the current legislation. They are indentured, and trapped in a cloned body fitted with a electronical shocking device. This is not acceptable to our hero, Declan, who believes in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He's very unhappy.
Brilliant idea and I am looking forward to reading the other 2 books. Definitely a 5 stars.
In the future, using MRI brain scans, the government is able to download the results into either fetuses or adult clones. The current citizens have legislated their rights concerning the continuation of their lives. Unfortunately this doesn't apply to those MRIs done back in the 21st century. These are available for download into a clone, and those unfortunate people are not protected by the current legislation. They are indentured, and trapped in a cloned body fitted with a electronical shocking device. This is not acceptable to our hero, Declan, who believes in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He's very unhappy.
Brilliant idea and I am looking forward to reading the other 2 books. Definitely a 5 stars.
May 14, 2012
This was definitely an interesting read. I'm a little disappointing that it was less than a hundred pages. It felt like thins story should have been about 500 pages. The story was pretty good with a couple of sneaky twists thrown in.
I'm going to have to start on the second one as soon as possible, I really want to get some questions answered, that's when you know you've read a good book, when you have questions you have to answer.
I'm going to have to start on the second one as soon as possible, I really want to get some questions answered, that's when you know you've read a good book, when you have questions you have to answer.
July 4, 2012
I kept waiting for this novella to get better. Because the premise sounded pretty okay (future humans revive 21st century humans in cloned bodies then forcibly "indenture" them). Because there's a space ship on the cover. Because, while the writing needed to be tightened, it was otherwise sound.
Sadly, it never got better.
Sadly, it never got better.
September 18, 2017
This is a short, and fun, little novella that will get you thinking of the "what if" moments if the technology were real: in this case, what would really be the case if you woke up as a cloned human and your memories are of yesterday being in reality a couple of hundred years in the past?
The author does a good job of sucking you into the moment and feeling as if you are the main character. The technology and scenarios are realistic enough for this sci fi fan and, if you like a good storyteller Mr. McElhaney knows how to do it. At 99 cents, this one is a bargain and I recommend it.
The author does a good job of sucking you into the moment and feeling as if you are the main character. The technology and scenarios are realistic enough for this sci fi fan and, if you like a good storyteller Mr. McElhaney knows how to do it. At 99 cents, this one is a bargain and I recommend it.
February 4, 2023
An interesting read
The reason I gave this book 4 stars is that it got confusing at the end where the other indentureds showed up without explaining where and how they got there. Perhaps I missed it because my reader jumped a few pages and I went back to where I thought I was reading. Still I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
The reason I gave this book 4 stars is that it got confusing at the end where the other indentureds showed up without explaining where and how they got there. Perhaps I missed it because my reader jumped a few pages and I went back to where I thought I was reading. Still I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
July 13, 2020
Plot twist in progress.
Confusing characters, but with a perfectly reasonable explanation for the confusion. Several story threads going at the same time eventually coalescing into the true narrative.
Confusing characters, but with a perfectly reasonable explanation for the confusion. Several story threads going at the same time eventually coalescing into the true narrative.
January 2, 2023
Hmm, I'm not really sure what to say. There's a fair bit of jumping between people and times and a number of times in this short book where a conversation happened between characters that I just don't understand. If I'm honest, I still wasn't really sure what was going on by the end.
July 9, 2018
A great start to an interesting plot - can't wait to see where it goes from here....
April 23, 2020
Worth reading
Kept me gripped all the way through. Didn't get predictable or boring. Very interesting ending. Might read the next one.
Kept me gripped all the way through. Didn't get predictable or boring. Very interesting ending. Might read the next one.
October 22, 2022
Interesting Future
I really found this book intriguing. What is said about the future is no longer an impossible task or sci fi
I really found this book intriguing. What is said about the future is no longer an impossible task or sci fi
September 3, 2016
Indentured, book one of The Mystic Saga, was a pleasant surprise that left me thinking about the story for days after reading it. I am one of those that has a hard time getting into a book unless something grabs me, and this one did such almost right away. I ended up reading this book in about 3 sittings, reading most of it in two sittings.
The story is about Declan Stringfellow, a witty man who single handidly seeks to take down a crime ring. He winds up in the hospital, but still keeps his humor about him. Little does he know a simple MRI scan results him in being in a space ship 300 years in the future.
I really felt attached to Declan’s story, and liked his interaction with the other characters right away. The problem was, he really was the only character I cared about as the story progressed.
The plot itself was intriguing and I found myself telling others about this story because I found the idea of an MRI scanning your brain and harvesting your thoughts, memories, and brain waves, only to be used in the future, was an interesting idea. In a way, it was kind of spooky. It made me go, “Hmmm, I wonder if this could ever happen in real life,” which is exactly how a science fiction book should be.
The pacing of the story was pretty good, as it went from scene to scene where something always seemed to be happening. However, there was a small portion of the book that I felt dragged on a little and didn’t have that excitement that matched the beginning. Still, the book makes up for it at the end as everything starts to pick up and time travel is introduced.
The book sets itself up well for the sequels, making you actually want to read more. It may not be the most brilliant writing of all time, but it’s intriguing enough, and an easy read. For the price, it’s worth the look. There is definitely an entertainment value in Indentured, and may even leave you contemplating the book well after you finish.
The story is about Declan Stringfellow, a witty man who single handidly seeks to take down a crime ring. He winds up in the hospital, but still keeps his humor about him. Little does he know a simple MRI scan results him in being in a space ship 300 years in the future.
I really felt attached to Declan’s story, and liked his interaction with the other characters right away. The problem was, he really was the only character I cared about as the story progressed.
The plot itself was intriguing and I found myself telling others about this story because I found the idea of an MRI scanning your brain and harvesting your thoughts, memories, and brain waves, only to be used in the future, was an interesting idea. In a way, it was kind of spooky. It made me go, “Hmmm, I wonder if this could ever happen in real life,” which is exactly how a science fiction book should be.
The pacing of the story was pretty good, as it went from scene to scene where something always seemed to be happening. However, there was a small portion of the book that I felt dragged on a little and didn’t have that excitement that matched the beginning. Still, the book makes up for it at the end as everything starts to pick up and time travel is introduced.
The book sets itself up well for the sequels, making you actually want to read more. It may not be the most brilliant writing of all time, but it’s intriguing enough, and an easy read. For the price, it’s worth the look. There is definitely an entertainment value in Indentured, and may even leave you contemplating the book well after you finish.
May 11, 2014
Indenture, First book in the Mystic Saga Series by Scott McElhaney.
I know of 5 books in the Mystic Saga but not sure if that concludes the series. I'll be reviewing all 5 over the near future.
Our protagonist in this book is Declan who goes through a rather amazing set of very creative science fiction circumstances that, to me, are remarkably “science” fiction. I never really sorted that out in my head..;. DEEE CLAN, or Deck clan. Oh well, my problem really. I used both pronunciations interchangeably for my own amusement.
We start a jolt that appears to be a robbery of some undesirable criminal element, a get away, and our protagonist being shot, crashing, and landing in a hospital where medical treatment requires an MRI which is the pivot point for nearly all the upcoming and unexpected twists and turns that spans both space and time.
It is a very fast read. While the cast of characters are a little thin in 'character development' it reads enough like a short story that it isn't terribly distracting. By the time you get rather interested in the final set of twists you realize it is the final twists of the book. The Goodread stars claim 3 stars is I liked it. 4 would be I really liked it. I'd go 3.5 but am rounding down.
Scott McElhaney does deserve a nod of approval. It is rather difficult to write a book that reads this fast. I was done with this one in nothing flat. Granted it was only around 85 pages long (difficult to say with Kindle's percentages rather than pages) but still finished twice as fast as 85 pages would normally take for me to read. I'll be starting the second book in the series almost immediately, even though I have 4 other books on my plate just now. Congratulations Scott, good job.
I know of 5 books in the Mystic Saga but not sure if that concludes the series. I'll be reviewing all 5 over the near future.
Our protagonist in this book is Declan who goes through a rather amazing set of very creative science fiction circumstances that, to me, are remarkably “science” fiction. I never really sorted that out in my head..;. DEEE CLAN, or Deck clan. Oh well, my problem really. I used both pronunciations interchangeably for my own amusement.
We start a jolt that appears to be a robbery of some undesirable criminal element, a get away, and our protagonist being shot, crashing, and landing in a hospital where medical treatment requires an MRI which is the pivot point for nearly all the upcoming and unexpected twists and turns that spans both space and time.
It is a very fast read. While the cast of characters are a little thin in 'character development' it reads enough like a short story that it isn't terribly distracting. By the time you get rather interested in the final set of twists you realize it is the final twists of the book. The Goodread stars claim 3 stars is I liked it. 4 would be I really liked it. I'd go 3.5 but am rounding down.
Scott McElhaney does deserve a nod of approval. It is rather difficult to write a book that reads this fast. I was done with this one in nothing flat. Granted it was only around 85 pages long (difficult to say with Kindle's percentages rather than pages) but still finished twice as fast as 85 pages would normally take for me to read. I'll be starting the second book in the series almost immediately, even though I have 4 other books on my plate just now. Congratulations Scott, good job.
July 13, 2012
Interesting.
Let me start at the end. The creators of this book have said that they believe no ebook should cost more that 99 cents. They have delivered only 99 pages. I'm not sure they quite get the idea. 99 pages is not really a book/novel in my opinion, and I don't have an issue with books costing more, just not as much as physical books. Charging as much for an ebook as the physical book is con, no matter what the publishers say.
They appear to be publishing the 'books' one a month. Arthur Conan Doyle used to release his stories as a series for newspapers and magazines, so this idea is nothing new. In fact, I quite like the idea, but it's a bit of a stretch to call them books, more serialised stories.
I quite enjoyed the story, however, I've a general problem with time travel stories. For some reason it isn't something I can go with or suspend any sort of disbelief over. For this reason, Dr Who is also a big fat, 'No!'. Anyway, my own personal sci-fi problems aside, the rest of it wasn't bad. Quite light touch, much like reading a screenplay, but on the whole a good effort.
I've got the others lined up to read, so will see how this serialisation pans out.
Let me start at the end. The creators of this book have said that they believe no ebook should cost more that 99 cents. They have delivered only 99 pages. I'm not sure they quite get the idea. 99 pages is not really a book/novel in my opinion, and I don't have an issue with books costing more, just not as much as physical books. Charging as much for an ebook as the physical book is con, no matter what the publishers say.
They appear to be publishing the 'books' one a month. Arthur Conan Doyle used to release his stories as a series for newspapers and magazines, so this idea is nothing new. In fact, I quite like the idea, but it's a bit of a stretch to call them books, more serialised stories.
I quite enjoyed the story, however, I've a general problem with time travel stories. For some reason it isn't something I can go with or suspend any sort of disbelief over. For this reason, Dr Who is also a big fat, 'No!'. Anyway, my own personal sci-fi problems aside, the rest of it wasn't bad. Quite light touch, much like reading a screenplay, but on the whole a good effort.
I've got the others lined up to read, so will see how this serialisation pans out.
February 20, 2014
This novel gripped me from the first chapter and never let go. The surprises were truly unexpected. The future tech was very original and logically shaped the plot. The mystery and discovery are so huge in this novel that I can't say much more without ruining the experience.
I will say the only reason it's not 5 stars is that the ending was so abrupt. I blinked and it was over. But the story as a whole was marvelous.
I will say the only reason it's not 5 stars is that the ending was so abrupt. I blinked and it was over. But the story as a whole was marvelous.
June 30, 2012
This is the first book in the "Mystic Saga". I have also read "Legacy" and "Violation" from the same series. Each is basically a longish short story following the same thread of future history, though there are some characters that leak through from one story to the next. So far a good read, with each installment seeming to be a little better then the last. I am interested to see where this goes.
July 12, 2012
Easily one of the biggest surprises that have come from my indie-author reads. 99 cents bought me the beginning of one of my favorite series in sci-fi.
The writing and character development is rich for just about 100 pages. The author inserts many unexpected and wildly entertaining plot twists through-out, and the story is just plain interesting. By the end of the book, I HAD to have more.
The writing and character development is rich for just about 100 pages. The author inserts many unexpected and wildly entertaining plot twists through-out, and the story is just plain interesting. By the end of the book, I HAD to have more.
February 10, 2013
I can't completely decide how I feel about this book. I think the premise is interesting and it has a lot of promise. I guess I almost wish it had been longer. I feel that fleshing out the world and the characters was needed, at least in my opinion. I will likely try at least another one in this series to see how it progresses.
August 1, 2013
Wow, what an original story! This is a small book that messes with your head as the story slowly unfolds in front of you. It features solid characters, a great plot and fascinating science fiction ideas on almost each page. It fulfills its purpose of getting you hooked and wanting for more. A great read.
July 26, 2016
Overall, I thought it has a good plot, good setting, solid characters, and nice writing, but it was a little under developed. I really liked it, but I wish there was more of it. The story felt rushed. I wish Mr. McElhaney had slowed down and developed the story more fully. I really wanted more details about their situation. The ending just came too soon.
May 2, 2012
I thought the story started very strongly, but quickly began to lose steam. The ending was very quick and convenient. Yet, for such a small price, it was worth it and hope the rest of the series can put some muscle into the story.
September 11, 2019
Short and sweet. Like this review. Because of how short...there really is no character development, so by the end, I didn't care if they died. I just wanted to know what was going on. I know now...and it was cool. So...off to read #2, because #1 really was cool.
May 19, 2012
Eh.... not going to bother reading the rest of this series.
May 25, 2012
A good read thatstarted pretty well but sort of dipped away at the end a bit.
Read
June 16, 2012Thought that this book was well worth the $0.99 kindle price. While it is a short (< 100 pages), I didn't think it lacked anything. I will most likely read the follow up.
August 3, 2012
The plot was quite choppy. It had a number of plot lines that confused me.
April 27, 2015
It was a quick read but I wasn't too impressed. There wasn't a lot of character development and the end just came too quickly. Wasn't really impressed by the ending either.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews