Traitor's Run

The Lenticular #1

by Keith Stevenson

Two outcasts. One goal: stop Earth.

Earth's Hegemony controls the surrounding alien civilisations with ruthless force. Its aim: dominate the galaxy to protect humanity.

On Earth, disgraced pilot Rhees Lowrans is thrust into a job she doesn't want. She sees firsthand how the Hegemony will sacrifice anything - including her - to keep Earth safe.

In the Lenticular, Udun - one of the empathic Kresz - is on a secret mission when he learns of the Hegemony's expansion into nearby space. But his warnings are ignored and the Hegemony invades his world and mutilates any Kresz who oppose them.

Can these two outsiders stand against the might of the Hegemony? And will the human race survive if they succeed?

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2023

About the author

I'm the author of The Lenticular Series, a space opera trilogy of species slaughter, invasion and rebellion where humanity are the bad guys, and the SF thriller Horizon.
I'm a past editor of Aurealis - Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine from 2001 to 2004. I hosted 30 episodes of the Terra Incognita Speculative Fiction Podcast, and edited and published Dimension6 the free Australian speculative fiction electronic magazine from 2014 to 2020.

Reviews

[Stephen Stanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first rate space opera, this kept me guessing right to the end.

[Anthony O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit, I was a little nervous to read Traitor's Run at first. I'd seen the author, Keith Stevenson, on a writing panel and the vibe I got from the work was that this would be hard sci-fi with a capital H. You know, lofty concepts, mind-blowing ideas, dense text and very little emotional connection.

Now, don't get me wrong, I like to read those kinds of books from time to time, but it just isn't where I'm at right now. Regardless, I grabbed it to have a squiz - mainly because of the killer premise - and was delighted from the outset.

This is approachable, engaging and emotional science fiction, with the BIG IDEAS you want from the genre but also characters with rich, textured emotional journeys. Our two main POV characters come from different worlds (literally *and* figuratively) and the juxtaposition of the two reminds me, in the best way, of Iain M. Banks' Culture books and Joe Haldeman's pulpier but nonetheless brilliant works.

Make no mistake, this is an excellent read and a bold opening for a trilogy that, instead of being released over the next millenia, all drops within four months of each other. This is gladdening news because I immediately wanted to dig into the next chapter.

If you're even vaguely interested in clever, empathetic and enthralling sci-fi yarns, dig your eye biscuits into Traitor's Run immediately.

[Dirk Strasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Traitor’s Run from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Keith Stevenson throws us headfirst into an epic galactic opera in Traitor's Run, kicking off The Lenticular Trilogy. Picture a universe jam-packed with crazy-cool alien cultures, space trips, and a whole lot of political drama. Right at the centre? The Hegemony - humans playing both heroes and baddies. Dive deep, and you've got Rhees Lowrans, a pilot with some heavy baggage, and Udun, this wild empathic lobster-like alien from the Kresz, trying to figure out the massive space politics game.
The beauty of it? It isn’t just about strange planets or flashy space wars. Stevenson gives each alien world its own vibe, soul, and backstory. We see everything through Rhees and Udun's eyes - the good, the bad, and the cosmic. The plot is huge, but the two main characters keep things grounded. Their stories pack an emotional punch.
So, if you're into epic space tales with a fresh spin, Traitor's Run should be your next binge. It's got drama, heart, and makes you think twice about where humans fit in the universe. And there's more to come in this series! I can't wait!

[Christine Yunn-Yu Sun · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Space opera” is a sub-genre of science fiction that emphasises space warfare. According to Wikipedia, this type of work features “technological and social advancements...in faster-than-light travel, futuristic weapons, and sophisticated technology, on a backdrop of galactic empires and interstellar wars with fictional aliens, often in fictional galaxies”.

Traitor's Run is the first book in Australian author Keith Stevenson's The Lenticular Series. In his words, this space opera trilogy portrays “species slaughter, invasion and rebellion where humanity are the bad guys”.

In this series, Earth controls a federation of worlds and civilisations called the Hegemony. Relentless and ruthless, it will sacrifice anything – including aliens and its own citizens – to dominate the galaxy and protect humanity.

Against this backdrop, we meet Udun, a member of the Kresz, an insular and peaceful species native to their Homeworld. Here is a description of the Kresz:

“Tall and heavily armoured, like a cross between a crab and a lobster but with only two arms and two legs, although these were strangely jointed and much longer than a human's. The eyes too were human-like, even if the thing's mouth looked like a horror show.”

More importantly: “The cowl behind the head [like a cobra's hood]...is an extra-sensory organ which allows the Kresz to 'pick up' on the empathic state of other Kresz nearby.” As Udun explains it: “The sensation of others' feelings was natural for a Kresz, as natural as looking up in the sky and seeing the suns, and just as assuring.”

This is why the Kresz are peaceful creatures, because “it took a deep madness to inflict [any injuries] on someone when that suffering instantly became your own”. Simply put, such ability for one Kresz to immediately understand another in any situation is the bedrock of their society.

Yet, when Hegemony forces invade the Kresz Homeworld, they brutally harvest the hoods from everyone who dares oppose them. “This is not simple occupation and suppression. It's beyond even calculated murder. It's the malicious destruction of the soul of an entire people, something only a species that has lost its own soul could contemplate. This is the human race.”

One of the witnesses of the Hegemony's capacity to cause carnage, destruction and suffering is Rhees Lowrans, a disgraced human pilot working for the so-called Diplomatic Corps. But there is no diplomacy here, with the Hegemony encouraging factions in various alien societies and then launching full-scale invasions in the name of quelling local “civil disorder”.

As one character describes it: “The Hegemony always come in friendship, one hand extended but the other clutching a weapon behind their back... They move secretly wherever possible. They stay strong by driving outwards and sweeping aside all those who might challenge them. They will never stop.”

Stevenson's representation of the human race is refreshing yet chilling. Can Udun and Rhees help overthrow the Hegemony and restore peace and order in the universe? We can only wait and see what happens next in The Lenticular Series.

[Soscha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traitor's Run, the initial volume in The Lenticular Trilogy created by Australian author Keith Stevenson, encapsulates all the elements one would expect from a science fiction narrative. Set against a vast galactic backdrop, the story immerses readers in a tapestry of intricately crafted alien societies, interstellar travel, and underlying political intrigues. Within this universe, the ruling administration of humanity's Hegemony strives to assert dominance over every sentient species it encounters. This drive for control is not unfounded, as the readers are informed early on that humanity almost faced extinction during a past conflict with another species.

Stevenson's writing style maintains a brisk pace, utilizing concise descriptions and employing short paragraphs—a combination that lends itself well to a seamless reading experience, particularly when enjoying the novel on a Kindle device.

Traitor's Run offers intelligent and accessible science fiction, featuring compelling characters and exploring themes that resonate with the realities of contemporary society. It is a captivating tale of humanity's quest to find its place amidst the vastness of the cosmos. Anticipation for the subsequent volumes in the trilogy is high, making it an easy recommendation for anyone who revels in stories about humanity's journey among the stars.

[Runalong · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine traditional space opera with an unusual but well designed alien character. For me a little more pace would have helped but old school fans I think will enjoy it

Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...

[Connie Gatzke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me awhile to really get into, but the world and species building was thorough and detailed. I love the creativity, and felt like this space opera was truly unique. I found it enjoyable reading from both the alien Udun's, and the human Rhees' viewpoints. Earth's Hegemony has a goal to protect humanity, but at what cost? Do humans have rights that supersede all other species? Traitor's Run has laid the groundwork, and I can't wait to see where the next books in this series lead me. Thank-you Goodreads giveaway for the opportunity to read this novel, and I will definitely pick up the next installment of this epic journey.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Traitor’s Run from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Traitor’s Run is the first instalment in The Lenticular Trilogy by Australian author Keith Stevenson, and it has all the trappings of science fiction that you’d expect; a vast galactic canvas with a myriad of extremely well-drawn alien societies, interstellar travel, and plenty of political machinations. The central administration of humanity’s Hegemony is fixated on controlling all sentient species it encounters, although not without reason, as we learn early on that humanity was almost wiped out in a war with another species at some point in the past.

The story is told from two points of view: Rhees Lowrans is a Fleet pilot whose miscalculation during an exercise costs the life of her lover. Dismissed from Fleet in disgrace, her father’s connections gift her a second chance in the Hegemony Diplomatic Corps (HDC). The HDC is part intelligence agency, part black ops and humanity’s first line of defence against extraterrestrial threats. Rhees soon comes to despise Troels Volmar, the Comptroller of HDC and his ‘ends justifies the means’ approach to diplomacy.

The second viewpoint is from Udun, an alien from the Kresz homeworld. (Picture a lobster in the shape of a very large human with a cobra-like hood that can engorge from the back of its neck and you get the idea.) The Kresz are a highly empathetic species, which means they sense the emotions of other Kresz nearby and participate in a world mind whilst retaining their individuality. The Kresz are an insular species and want nothing to do with the Hegemony, but the HDC has other ideas.

Udun is unlike most Kresz in that he is interested in other species and yearns to spend more time off the Kresz homeworld. And here we encounter one of the key themes in Traitor’s Run; both Rhees and Udun are ostracised for not conforming to the expectations of their societies. While their respective journeys do not intersect – at least not in this instalment – there are obvious parallels including the inevitable collision between independent thinkers and heavy-handed regimes. Thought-provoking material indeed.

I find some science fiction can be difficult to engage with, particularly where high science concepts dominate or the canvas is so vast it inevitably comes at the expense of characterisation. However, I didn’t find that with Traitor’s Run at all. Stevenson’s pacing is brisk and his tendency towards a modest level of description and short paragraphs worked well as I read the novel on my Kindle.

Conclusion:

This is intelligent and accessible SF, with engaging characters and themes that are very relevant to modern day. I can’t wait for the next instalment and would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys stories about humanity finding its place amongst the stars.

[Con Haidoussis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Traitor's run engaging from the first few paragraphs. Keith Stevenson paints a fascinating and diverse world full of various life-forms, cultures, philosophies and technologies. Like most good novels Stevenson drops us in the thick of things as we get to know the various characters and locations, much like sampling a chef's new menu.
Following a devastating defeat many years earlier, the forces of Earth and its surrounding planets have formed The Hegemony, an alliance willing to go to any lengths to "safeguard Hegemony security". They spread across the galaxy making contact with each new civilization in the name of diplomacy, while their agents probe for any information which gives The Hegemony an advantage when it comes to conquering each new people or finding an indigenous tyrant to do their dirty-work.
Any resistance is smashed in the most horrific way leaving each surviving rebel wishing they were dead.
In his debut standalone novel Horizon, Stevenson already showed he can write smart, capable women. In Traitor's Run, Rhees Lowrans, the daughter of a high-ranking Hegemony officer is assigned a dead-end job in a Hegemony data-hive as punishment for the death of a colleague, working under Volmar, the ruthless director of Hegemony forces. She sees first-hand what Earth is willing to do to maintain its military might and realizes that The Hegemony must be stopped.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the galaxy known as The Lenticular, Udun, acting as a secret envoy from the crustacean-like Kresz meets a severely mutilated alien who tells him of The Hegemony, a military force that is steam-rolling its way thru the galaxy at the cost of all other life-forms. He rushes home to make his report but before any action can be taken The Hegemony strike, install a puppet regime and crush any resistance in the most appalling way imaginable.
Can these two outcast "traitors" find each other, form an alliance and find a way to defeat The Hegemony?

[Carol Ryles · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hegemony is a human-led federation of worlds that safeguards its dominance by subjugating potential opponents. When the insular Kresz – a crustacean/insectile humanoid species – refuses to join, the Hegemony treats them as a threat. The subsequent drama unfolds from mostly two points of view: Rhees Lowrans, a talented albeit disgraced human pilot who blames herself for the death of a loved one; and Udun, a Kresz who prefers to live offworld, a rare trait amongst his species. As each is drawn into separate conflicts – ones that threaten their lives and challenge their beliefs – they are forced to make choices that were previously unthinkable.

There is much to like about this novel, including the representations of good and evil in both humans and aliens, and also the strong female characters working in institutions that, thus far, appear to be dominated by males. The novel’s strengths lie with Stevenson’s thoughtful and intelligent depictions of various aliens and their cultures, particularly the worldview, religion and social mores of the empathic Kresz. The narrative voices are successfully character specific, though can be dry at times and often remained so during weapon-to-weapon conflict and scenes of emotional turmoil. Readers looking for classic space opera with a twist will enjoy this novel. I will certainly be looking out for Book 2. Thank you Net Galley and coeur de lion for sending this book for review consideration.

[Ian Feldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable space opera

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Booksprout for a honest review.

Let’s get the basics out of the way. The book has a nice cover, clean formatting, and no obvious technical errors. Nothing distracts you from the story. Lots of aliens, space travel, and big stakes action included with enough sciency sounding stuff to be convincing. I didn’t feel like book 1 ended as a stand-alone. While I enjoyed the story, it feels like book one sets the stage for the coming books in the trilogy with all the back story out of the way.

The story moves along at a good pace. I was never bored despite the clear world-building that occurs throughout. Characters are somewhat one-dimensional but act consistently with what the reader knows about them. Good and bad are well-defined. Lots of action though I didn’t really feel any affinity for the protagonists. There is an open question in my mind if the author is asking the reader to choose a side based on some questions the main characters ask themselves toward the end of the book. Had some of this been fleshed out more throughout the story, I would have given that 5th star.

In all, an enjoyable story to pass an afternoon.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ceasefire between humans and the K-Chaan, only there are factions that don't want the war to end and they get their wish.
We get a juxtaposition of two circumstances: a disgraced human former pilot who is forced into working for the HDC (the Corps, or spooks), the secret-holders of the Hegemony, or human space empire. The other is a Kresz (a bipedal cross between a lobster and a crab, more or less) "diplomat" named Udun from a planet called Homeworld in the Lenticular region of space.
Political machinations are at work in both the Hegemony and out on the Kresz homeworld, and the secretive HDC leader Troels Volmar is at the heart of it all.

Space opera and straight-up sci-fi at work in an excellent tale by Keith Stevenson, an author new to this reader. The two main characters are interesting narrators for the story thus far (part 1 of a new series). Our journey with Udun is particularly enthralling as we get to see a wholly alien society up close. The Hegemony, too, as an idea and character has much of 1984 about it, with more than a hint of the bad side of the CIA/FSB.
A very worthy beginning to the series & definitely recommended.

[Sharondblk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a space opera, and I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this one.

And what a space opera it is. Galaxy and civilisation spanning, with fully fleshed out aliens, not just as "enemies because they are not like us" (one of my least favourite tropes). The civilisations are complex and interesting.

The book is told from two points of view, one in first person and one in third, which is a bit odd. There is also a lot of telling and explaining, although this is somewhat balanced by a plot that moves along at a good pace, and the amount of action packed in there.

I could have done without Rhees constant swearing, even in the third person thoughts part. It was particularly jarring since she apparently only knows I swear word!

[Chuck McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh, action packed and utterly engrossing addition to the Space Opera subgenre, Traitor's Run hits the ground running from the very first page and doesn't let up for the remainder of the book. Stevenson's take on aliens - making them sufficiently inhuman to be utterly weird and fascinating, while simultaneously human enough to be relatable to the reader - is masterful, and strongly underpins this gripping tale of war and espionage set against the backdrop of galactic politics. A must read, and the first in a trilogy.

[Laurie Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suggest reading Traitor’s Gathering the Lenticular Series Prequel which provides a good starting point for the series. There's some good background knowledge of the Lenticular and some of the various species living therein. With this you can move on to this episode. Further development of the various species evolves in this episode. Surprisingly perhaps, unlike most Sci-Fi, it is not humanity that are the good guys. A good read with a rather unique storyline.

[Anthony Philosophos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hegemony is an alliance of planets dominated by humanity to the detriment of alien species. Rhees is a human pilot that figures out what humanity is doing and decides to fight against the tyranny. I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next novel by Keith Stevenson.

I recieved an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Stephen Ormsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is outstanding space/galactic opera that takes you for a real ride. The aliens are unique and the setting takes you away. The intrigues and the situations, as well as the vastness of the societies, are engrossing. As the beginning of a trilogy, I am hooked and will be looking for the rest of the series.

I received an eARC from the publisher for an honest review.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. A fine read but never really felt all that attached to any part of the story... kinda blurred together; while not for me in the end of it, the author does have a passion I could appreciate.

[Trent Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keith brings energy and invention to one of my favourite genres. Space Opera done right. Intelligent, thrilling with heart.

[James Balasalle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad! I thought the author did a great job of having a non-human as a main, viewpoint character. I'd read more of them.

[Willow Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was great. It was well written and i enjoyed reading it.5 stars!

[Chet A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted on Reedsy Discovery Here

Traitors run is a fast paced galaxy hopping space opera. The story focuses on two main characters on opposite sides of a conflict that will soon determine the fate of an entire planet.

Udun is a Kresz, a bipedal race with evolutionary ties to carapaced insects, and who have developed an organ that allows them to connect empathically one to another. Udun is one of the few Kresz who doesn’t enjoy the constant connection he shares with his neighbors. Others can feel this about him and makes his strangeness even more pronounced. He has always ever wanted one thing, an escape. If he could just leave this world and make a way for himself somewhere that others couldn’t feel his every emotion perhaps he could be happy. That is until his planet has first contact with a new group who calls themselves The Hegemony.

Rhees is a human pilot of the Earth Hegemony. After a recent tragedy during a training exercise she has left the fleet to join the Hegemony Diplomatic Corps. She knows that many of her new colleagues are eager to see her fail, but she is determined to be of service to the people of the Hegemony. When a large-scale attack takes out half a colonized star system she is tasked with finding the unknown aliens. During her investigation she begins to realize that, perhaps, the Hegemony may not be as amiable towards its member races as the HDC would have people believe.

I am a fan of space opera and this feels a lot like what I want out of a space opera novel. First contact stories can be really interesting and I love that we get to hear about this first contact from the perspective of the alien rather than the humans involved. I love the world building that Stevenson has done here to make “Homeworld” feel historically rich and deeply alien, while also feeling homey. Rhees’s story however evokes a more traditional sci-fi espionage with bar room brawls and spaceship chases. There are a lot of elements that I really enjoyed about this book.and as it is only the first in the series I’m sure the intrigue is only just beginning.

From a critical perspective I did have a few issues while reading that negatively impacted my enjoyment of the novel. The first issue that I found may not be as major for other readers, but the narration switches from first person during Udun’s story to third person during Rhees’. This was jarring for me every time and although it may have been a deliberate choice to try and make the reader feel more a part of Udun’s world and make it feel less alien, but it just kept pulling me out of my immersion with the story. The second, and also mostly editorial, issue was the sheer amount of repeat phrases. I stopped counting the number of times people “retraced their steps” which ultimately only affected my immersion. My last issue is a little more about the choice for this book to be two distinct stories, because that is really what we have here. Typically in a space opera with multiple pov or split pov we would eventually see some intersection of the stories that is impactful to the plot, but other than a single referenced character there is no meaningful connection between these stories in the first novel. I think I would have enjoyed them better as two separate books with more focus on individual character development and switching character

The final verdict, for me, is that I want to know more about Udun’s story and I will probably try the second book. If you like first contact stories and/or space opera then I think this will be a diverting read and worth a look. I also hope that the second book starts delivering on some much needed connections between these stories right out of the gate. I hope this helps in your search for new worlds to explore.

[Plots and Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: The Hegemony
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿: Nok
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Delayed
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Novel
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Sci-fi Opera
4/𝟱

🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ I loved the clarifications on the societies at the end
~ The drama/action in the created world was done
~ Solid rationale building on how travel happens, areas of space and how species interact
~ Excellently created species with at least one I haven’t seen before

The Kresz, whose ultimate aim is have a Borg-like communion, are about to have their reclusive ant-scorpion-crab-cockroach society shaken by Hoomans & their Hegemony. The Hegemony, led by cruel hoomans who will stop at nothing to keep their own species safe - even if it means destroying planets with over 13 billion people & mas mutilations… because hoomans will be hoomans & someone has to stop them. Will it be strange Udun of the Kresz or disgraced Rhees of the hoomans?!

The Book essentially tells 2 stories:
~ First, the human Rhees, a disgraced Hegemony pilot who is transferred to a secret service (SS) department after her dad steps in. As she learns about what the Hegemony actually does, she becomes more and more disenfranchised by the government she works for.
~ Secondly, Udun, a crab, ant, scorpion, cockroach, alien, who is considered ‘strange’ by his highly telephatic fellow beings and who seeks to leave the almost hive mind his planet has - until, through a chance encounter he hears of the horrors of the Hegemony but is unable to convince his fellow (we want to be left alone, so we will be left alone) beings that precautions are necessary. When betrayal happens on his planet and the minds of the people begin to crack. Udun needs to find new reasons and ways to stay alive.

✨𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.

🌱THE MEH
~ I had several of these, will mention them in my video

♡🌱 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 ;)

[Dakota Zaengle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series! It found a balance that I haven't seen in the sci-fi books I've read recently, it focused more on worldbuilding in a xeno/political/biological way and had less of the focus on 'here is a long description of how this technology works'. It was a refreshing change and made for some excellent species that I think will lead to really interesting conflict in the sequel(s).