Mephisto's Game

Tyrus Rechs: Contracts & Terminations #4

by Jason Anspach, Nick Cole

The fearsome bounty hunter Tyrus Rechs has laid a careful trap to kill an elusive and powerful criminal known as Mister Zauro for crimes orchestrated on the planet Detron. But unbeknownst to the bounty hunter, another trap has been laid just as carefully… a trap for Tyrus Rechs himself. For Zauro is a Lizzaar, and Lizzaar crime lords are not without their defenses. Rechs is mere moments away from finishing his termination when the counter-trap is triggered. In an instant the tables are turned, the hunter becomes the hunted, and it is Rechs who is on the run as he is battered by an army of mercenaries, assassins, and war bots led by a mysterious and ruthless killer named Mephisto. Now Tyrus Rechs, the perpetual loner, must rely on a growing group of unlikely allies if he hopes to survive to see the end of… Mephisto’s Game!

Genres: Science Fiction

376 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2023

About the author

JASON ANSPACH is the author of Galaxy's Edge, Wayward Galaxy, Forgotten Ruin. and more.

He lives in Puyallup, WA with his wife and their seven (not a typo) children.

Reviews

[Jim Powell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think that this was quite possibly the worst book these Anspach and Cole have written. It took two chapters to complete a thought. If they were paid by the word they made a lot of money. It doesn’t take 30 pages to complete a thought.
This is beginning to be a trend with their latest books. I’m done.

[Booksofdoom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long monologuing isn't my favourite. Still, could finish it and get another chapter of Tyrus Rechs.

I really hope the other series' I'll read will not keep being so drugged up with nonsense train of thought though, because then it won't be worth it any more

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little stretched

I really enjoyed the first three books in this series, but at times this one felt stretched just to make word count.

[Per Erik Løff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably first part of 4 (minimum). Story "continues" in Uncommon Valor and that barely have Tyrus in it at all. (I also am pretty sure that they suddenly changed the rules of the Ancients pyramids)

[Nic Plume · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is good, the action is solid, however the exposition is often long-winded and regularly goes on tangents that distract from the action and often interrupts it.

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a continuation of a series from 2018-21, to be followed by a fifth volume soon. As with volumes 0.5-3, this was solid and well-written mil SF from a pair of pros. No ground gets broken here, but neither did I ever find myself stopping to wonder if anyone had edited the book, and the authors left no inexplicable logical gaps or randomness to confuse their readers.

The basic plot sets up fun, highly-kinetic action: Rechts is servicing a contract on a galactic crime lord, but discovers the hard way that he’s the subject of a countering contract. Great stuff, gripping without being overdone. Book 5, Uncommon Valor, flows out of this one, and is waiting in my queue. I’m excited that this series is getting new additions–and that’s not something I say very often!

7/10 (3.5 stars)

[Philip J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been enjoying several of the books from the Galaxy’s Edge universe. Being able to learn more about Tyrus Rechs has been great fun with this dedicated series. This particular book, however, was a little wanting. Although a good story it is tedious to get through. So much introspection was going on in almost every characters’ head that it detracted from the plot.
As an aside, it has been obvious from the Galaxy’s Edge series that the authors are BIG Star Wars fans, and they have come dangerously close to duplicating those characters, but there was a blatant name drop that I hope doesn’t get them in trouble copywrite-wise … naming a ship “Slave One” that is piloted by a bounty hunter. These guys need to be more careful.

[Alex Mahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mephisto's Game brings a noticeable shift in tone to the Tyrus Rechs series, trading some of the previous books' momentum for a more introspective approach. While the character work is solid, the frequent and often repetitive internal monologues from Rechs, Mephisto, and others can disrupt the pacing. It still adds depth to the lore and offers a different lens on familiar characters, for me, I just didn't love that aspect.

[Joey Calvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

As are all of the books in this series, it is an action filled mil Sci fi look into the life of the deadliest bounty hunter on galaxy's edge. Tyrus is dealing with someone targeting him as well as his own failing mental health. I highly recommend this series.
-- Stryfe DO-7420

[richard wentzell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not disappoint

Great to be back in the edge, the out beyond. I've read them all and have enjoyed each and every one of Anspach and Coles works. The story just keeps getting better and better. Can't wait for the next.

[Riho-Rene Ellermaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okayish

Otherwise quite good and entertaining, but again the almost uncontrollable flow of words, words, words.... Similar to the other book of the series - Sulla??

[William M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Homerun

Can not get enough Tyrus Rechs content. Easily one of my favorite fictional characters. Looking forward to Book 5. Thanks Nick and Jason!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

After waiting 2 months for whispersync-for-voice to kick in, I finally got the audiobook and listened in one day! Awesome story, great narration! Will listen to the last book tomorrow.

[NICHOLAS ABRAHAMSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing read

This book was addictive the whole way through.
I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait for the next book.

[Blake Hiatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like murderous chaos projected onto our current political climate set a couple of millennia in the future.

Tyrus returns, pursued and pursuing.

Great space adventure.