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The Targon Tales #0
Sky Hunter
Air Command pilot Nova Whiteside is assigned to a remote outpost to guard the construction of a new tethered orbiter, Skyranch Twelve, against rebel sabotage. The difference between the well-ordered Union air fields and this dusty garrison is made painfully clear when she runs afoul a brutal commander of ground troops.
When she is trapped behind enemy lines in a bloody uprising she meets Djari, a civilian whose trust in the governing Union is shattered by what he has witnessed.
Aboard the elegant new space station not all runs according to protocol and she soon suspects that more than farming is being done up there. When she uncovers the treacherous and illicit schemes taking place, it seems that local riots are the least of their troubles.
When she is trapped behind enemy lines in a bloody uprising she meets Djari, a civilian whose trust in the governing Union is shattered by what he has witnessed.
Aboard the elegant new space station not all runs according to protocol and she soon suspects that more than farming is being done up there. When she uncovers the treacherous and illicit schemes taking place, it seems that local riots are the least of their troubles.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2012
333 people are currently reading
1750 people want to read
About the author
Chris Reher
23 books108 followersI am a first generation Canadian currently and out of necessity residing on planet Earth (which, in the general and interplanetary scheme of things could REALLY use a catchier name, if you ask me. I mean, imagine heading past Proxima Centauri and someone asks you whence you came and you tell them "dirt". All theological implications aside, that just won't do.)
My first full-length work of fiction, Flight To Exile, is a fantasy which, I just realized, takes place on a planet that doesn't have a name at all and blurs the line between sci-fi and fantasy in ways that are probably illegal.
I then headed out far beyond Proxima Centauri and found a nifty story that soon turned into a Space Opera complete with wormholes and improbable laser guns. What fun. Laws of physics need not apply if you find a way to explain them away.
The series stars Nova Whiteside as a space marine whose pesky humanity keeps getting in the way of her doing her job according to protocol.
Currently, there are five books in the series, with three more planned.
When not finding ways to torture my subjects or entice them with inter-species hanky-panky, I design web sites or write about designing web sites. I enjoy long walks on the beach or, given the local beach shortage, write about beaches far beyond Proxima Centauri.
My first full-length work of fiction, Flight To Exile, is a fantasy which, I just realized, takes place on a planet that doesn't have a name at all and blurs the line between sci-fi and fantasy in ways that are probably illegal.
I then headed out far beyond Proxima Centauri and found a nifty story that soon turned into a Space Opera complete with wormholes and improbable laser guns. What fun. Laws of physics need not apply if you find a way to explain them away.
The series stars Nova Whiteside as a space marine whose pesky humanity keeps getting in the way of her doing her job according to protocol.
Currently, there are five books in the series, with three more planned.
When not finding ways to torture my subjects or entice them with inter-species hanky-panky, I design web sites or write about designing web sites. I enjoy long walks on the beach or, given the local beach shortage, write about beaches far beyond Proxima Centauri.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
September 24, 2013
Provided by Author in exchange for an honest review
I confirm it: Nova is a fantastic herione!
This book takes place before all the others in this series.
Here we have Nova at the beginning of her career. She a young pilot working hard on becoming a Hunter Class.
She's good, but she's not a door mat. She has har own ideas about the wrong and right and doesn't follow orders blindly.
Obviously this attitude doesn't sit well with everybody.
There're people who bend the law and those who brake it all together. When Nova stumbles on this it get physical .
Nova doesn't know who can be trusted. But she follows her guts and her honour. And she in some really bad situations.
The story is fast paced and full of action. It has a feeling of the early Star Wars movies: full of battles, rebels, corrupted officers! It's crazy fun!
We get to know why Nova is the way she is in the previous books. How she got her command and how she reacts to stress and to being put with her shoulders against the wall.
What I liked is the fact that Nova is fallible and human, but always coherent. Her actions and reactions are logical and comprehensible. She admits her falts and her guillibility, but she always does everything she can to overcome it.
I would have preferred to read this book as the first one, since then I would have appreciated the other much more - this books gives you the feeling about Nova's personality and her points of views regarding the Commonwealth and its policy. Also you get to see Nova's first love and her reaction to it.
It's a wonderful book, but my advise is still to read this one as first and then all the others - it's my opinion though, but I prefer to read stories in chronological order! *wink*
I'll be loking forward to read all the other stories Ms. Reher will write! :D
I confirm it: Nova is a fantastic herione!
This book takes place before all the others in this series.
Here we have Nova at the beginning of her career. She a young pilot working hard on becoming a Hunter Class.
She's good, but she's not a door mat. She has har own ideas about the wrong and right and doesn't follow orders blindly.
Obviously this attitude doesn't sit well with everybody.
There're people who bend the law and those who brake it all together. When Nova stumbles on this it get physical .
Nova doesn't know who can be trusted. But she follows her guts and her honour. And she in some really bad situations.
The story is fast paced and full of action. It has a feeling of the early Star Wars movies: full of battles, rebels, corrupted officers! It's crazy fun!
We get to know why Nova is the way she is in the previous books. How she got her command and how she reacts to stress and to being put with her shoulders against the wall.
What I liked is the fact that Nova is fallible and human, but always coherent. Her actions and reactions are logical and comprehensible. She admits her falts and her guillibility, but she always does everything she can to overcome it.
I would have preferred to read this book as the first one, since then I would have appreciated the other much more - this books gives you the feeling about Nova's personality and her points of views regarding the Commonwealth and its policy. Also you get to see Nova's first love and her reaction to it.
It's a wonderful book, but my advise is still to read this one as first and then all the others - it's my opinion though, but I prefer to read stories in chronological order! *wink*
I'll be loking forward to read all the other stories Ms. Reher will write! :D
October 26, 2015
Enjoyable space opera/romantic adventure story. Apparently one of Reher’s early works. Not quit as good as her later work. The plot and storytelling is good, but it’s a bit sparse and contains numerous minor typographical errors.
Well-developed heroine who is neither perfect nor a super woman. Much more enjoyable.
Though this book opened a five book (so far) series) it is neatly self-contained, not leaving the reader dangling.
Well-developed heroine who is neither perfect nor a super woman. Much more enjoyable.
Though this book opened a five book (so far) series) it is neatly self-contained, not leaving the reader dangling.
September 26, 2023
Wonderful Sci-Fi reading
A will written Sci-Fi novella of a woman in a man world and how she becomes a hero.
A will written Sci-Fi novella of a woman in a man world and how she becomes a hero.
February 17, 2017
2.5 Stars
I would first like to say that this book was originally listed to me on Nook as #1 in the series. I have recently discovered that it was supposed to be a prequel. As a #1, I am disappointed. As a prequel, maybe.
This story had a lot of potential. Space. Strong female character. All the stuff I love. But it was just lacking so much. The world was sparce. so many different words were shot at me so quickly I wasn't sure if it was planet, species, etc. This made reading confusing. it wasn't until the end of the book I realised one species had fur and what that species was I couldn't tell you. the portrait was not painted well. I feel like there could have been extra time taken to expand and explain the world (maybe this was covered in the actual first book).
That was another thing. it felt like the author didn't take time to do anything. at a brief 160ish pages the story was forced to move fast. jumping from one scene to the next. it was a bit jolting at first. The book was also riddled with grammatical and editing errors. even the misspelling of the main characters name.
Nova was a strong character but not in the way I would have hoped. I felt like the author used very stereotypical situations to help illustrate being strong. Being in the military. Being in a male dominated field. I read a lot of books with strong female characters and these characteristics can be easy ways to make a strong character. there are many more compelling strong characteristics I would have liked to have seen in Nova but didn't.
the ending is what saved the book, I guess. although very predictable and, like many things in the book, short and lacking some proper descriptions, the action was nice (and lived up to a bit of its star wars comparison) and a bit of Nova's snark and sass came through which I wish I could have seen more of.
Maybe I will try to seek out the rest of the books but it's doubtful.
I would first like to say that this book was originally listed to me on Nook as #1 in the series. I have recently discovered that it was supposed to be a prequel. As a #1, I am disappointed. As a prequel, maybe.
This story had a lot of potential. Space. Strong female character. All the stuff I love. But it was just lacking so much. The world was sparce. so many different words were shot at me so quickly I wasn't sure if it was planet, species, etc. This made reading confusing. it wasn't until the end of the book I realised one species had fur and what that species was I couldn't tell you. the portrait was not painted well. I feel like there could have been extra time taken to expand and explain the world (maybe this was covered in the actual first book).
That was another thing. it felt like the author didn't take time to do anything. at a brief 160ish pages the story was forced to move fast. jumping from one scene to the next. it was a bit jolting at first. The book was also riddled with grammatical and editing errors. even the misspelling of the main characters name.
Nova was a strong character but not in the way I would have hoped. I felt like the author used very stereotypical situations to help illustrate being strong. Being in the military. Being in a male dominated field. I read a lot of books with strong female characters and these characteristics can be easy ways to make a strong character. there are many more compelling strong characteristics I would have liked to have seen in Nova but didn't.
the ending is what saved the book, I guess. although very predictable and, like many things in the book, short and lacking some proper descriptions, the action was nice (and lived up to a bit of its star wars comparison) and a bit of Nova's snark and sass came through which I wish I could have seen more of.
Maybe I will try to seek out the rest of the books but it's doubtful.
October 22, 2014
Good read, well written
I enjoyed the read, character development was not too poorly done and the best thing was that even though it was a serial, it ended as a stand alone book. The plot line had a beginning middle climax and end, three love interest developed and was resolved and the path was left open for the next book, without just saying The End as happens in so many self-published books. The book was edited and proofed with more than Word Spell check. I will look forward to reading another in the series.
on a side note, I agree that aliens should follow the Roddenberry model. I would have a hard time suspending disbelief in a alien that was too alien that I could not see it as having a similar value system. A space faring gold fish is a little to beyond the outer limits for me.
I enjoyed the read, character development was not too poorly done and the best thing was that even though it was a serial, it ended as a stand alone book. The plot line had a beginning middle climax and end, three love interest developed and was resolved and the path was left open for the next book, without just saying The End as happens in so many self-published books. The book was edited and proofed with more than Word Spell check. I will look forward to reading another in the series.
on a side note, I agree that aliens should follow the Roddenberry model. I would have a hard time suspending disbelief in a alien that was too alien that I could not see it as having a similar value system. A space faring gold fish is a little to beyond the outer limits for me.
August 10, 2016
Doesn't need my review. Good book.
May 3, 2015
Sky Hunter
Chris Reher
Premise ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The book focuses on Lieutenant Nova Whiteside, a fighter pilot who has been stationed on a remote world called Bellac. She's an army brat, and she's followed the footsteps of her father, a pretty well-known officer.
Bellac is a world that is practically overrun by rebels called Shri'Lan. They're your pretty basic terrorists, but they have their reasons for fighting the Union, which started out as a trade conglomerate, and now control many of the "jumpsites," which allow interstellar travel between worlds.
The book is basically Union vs. Rebels, which isn't the most original premise ever, but that's kind of more of a backdrop.
Whiteside has a bit of an idealistic view of the Union, even after she's raped by one of their own guys and strong armed/intimidated into not reporting it.
It's tested again after she's captured by rebels doing the grunt work she was given as a punishment for trying to report her rape. Here she sees the damage both sides can do, and she meets a man named Djari who's a little sympathetic toward the rebels, and points out that they wouldn't be on Bellac if the Union wasn't there.
Overall, the premise isn't entirely original, but I'm for the way the story was told.
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The characters, particularly Nova and Djari, are compelling and interesting. Nova is tough, but she's still a woman. She's insecure at times, and fragile even, especially after she's raped. She's able to shrug off the experience because she's a soldier, and they're trained to move on after traumatic events. I think it's actually very realistic, the way she deals with it, because she has no choice but to move on. She has her career to worry about, so she can't mope around.
Djari is a rock for Nova, and he genuinely cares about her. He's not going to swoop in and make everything right. In fact, Nova never told him that she was raped.
The other members of Nova's squadron were also very well fleshed out, and when one of them is killed, you feel bad about it.
Writing ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The writing was good, for the most part. It was descriptive enough that I could see what was happening, and easy to follow. Reher was also pretty good with the steamy parts.
The only thing that kind of got me down was the description on the aliens. I felt that Reher could have explained them a little better.
Overall though, I never ran into anything too jarring, and I was pretty thoroughly immersed in the story. The writing was definitely engaging enough to make me want to know what happens next.
Journey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed reading this book. I read it in two days, and if I didn't have to do things like work, I probably would have read it in a single sitting.
At somewhere around 200 pages, this isn't a hefty read, especially compared to the 600+ page monstrosities I've been reading. It's good filler to read between heavier books.
Ending ⭐️⭐️
The ending was... Meh. It was suspenseful, but also seemed a little rushed. I was left saying, "That was it?"
Overall
Chris Reher
Premise ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The book focuses on Lieutenant Nova Whiteside, a fighter pilot who has been stationed on a remote world called Bellac. She's an army brat, and she's followed the footsteps of her father, a pretty well-known officer.
Bellac is a world that is practically overrun by rebels called Shri'Lan. They're your pretty basic terrorists, but they have their reasons for fighting the Union, which started out as a trade conglomerate, and now control many of the "jumpsites," which allow interstellar travel between worlds.
The book is basically Union vs. Rebels, which isn't the most original premise ever, but that's kind of more of a backdrop.
Whiteside has a bit of an idealistic view of the Union, even after she's raped by one of their own guys and strong armed/intimidated into not reporting it.
It's tested again after she's captured by rebels doing the grunt work she was given as a punishment for trying to report her rape. Here she sees the damage both sides can do, and she meets a man named Djari who's a little sympathetic toward the rebels, and points out that they wouldn't be on Bellac if the Union wasn't there.
Overall, the premise isn't entirely original, but I'm for the way the story was told.
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The characters, particularly Nova and Djari, are compelling and interesting. Nova is tough, but she's still a woman. She's insecure at times, and fragile even, especially after she's raped. She's able to shrug off the experience because she's a soldier, and they're trained to move on after traumatic events. I think it's actually very realistic, the way she deals with it, because she has no choice but to move on. She has her career to worry about, so she can't mope around.
Djari is a rock for Nova, and he genuinely cares about her. He's not going to swoop in and make everything right. In fact, Nova never told him that she was raped.
The other members of Nova's squadron were also very well fleshed out, and when one of them is killed, you feel bad about it.
Writing ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The writing was good, for the most part. It was descriptive enough that I could see what was happening, and easy to follow. Reher was also pretty good with the steamy parts.
The only thing that kind of got me down was the description on the aliens. I felt that Reher could have explained them a little better.
Overall though, I never ran into anything too jarring, and I was pretty thoroughly immersed in the story. The writing was definitely engaging enough to make me want to know what happens next.
Journey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed reading this book. I read it in two days, and if I didn't have to do things like work, I probably would have read it in a single sitting.
At somewhere around 200 pages, this isn't a hefty read, especially compared to the 600+ page monstrosities I've been reading. It's good filler to read between heavier books.
Ending ⭐️⭐️
The ending was... Meh. It was suspenseful, but also seemed a little rushed. I was left saying, "That was it?"
Overall
August 21, 2017
I picked up this book after reading "Orphans in the Black", a sci-fi anthology, and enjoying the author's short story in it. That story, like this book, follows Nova Whiteside, a pilot for a human military alliance. She's good at what she does but, like many of the female-in-the-military stories in "Orphans", is subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of her fellow soldiers. This has consequences on her psyche and also her career as she is shunted off to fly planet-side after reporting the rape. Of course, action follows her as she comes into contact with the rebel force that resists the expansion of "the Union". The Union is a United Federation-esque alliance of three main races, including humans. Unlike Starfleet though, economics plays a much greater role in the politics and expansion of the Union.
As Nova works through the administrative and personal consequences of her abuse, a decent amount of the story is spent examining her own gradual renewing of relationships, both professional and personal. The overarching storyline, though, is the resistance of the rebels to the Union expansion to the planet Bellac Tau and its newly mapped jumpsite.
This story was fine. There is a decent spread of action (both ground- and space-based) throughout the book, interspersed with a lot of relationship development. In the end, the story itself was fairly forgettable. I did come away with a certain attachment to Nova and I will probably pick up the next book in the series when I need a quick, inexpensive read.
As Nova works through the administrative and personal consequences of her abuse, a decent amount of the story is spent examining her own gradual renewing of relationships, both professional and personal. The overarching storyline, though, is the resistance of the rebels to the Union expansion to the planet Bellac Tau and its newly mapped jumpsite.
This story was fine. There is a decent spread of action (both ground- and space-based) throughout the book, interspersed with a lot of relationship development. In the end, the story itself was fairly forgettable. I did come away with a certain attachment to Nova and I will probably pick up the next book in the series when I need a quick, inexpensive read.
January 17, 2014
This is the first book in the Targon Tales, and I have already read books 2 and 3. At some point I'll probably read the remaining two. Of the three I've read, I think that this is the best one. As usual, Nova Whiteside is the protagonist, and her adventures and actions lead to an exciting read. The same sentient lifeforms are in this book as in the others, and the rebels are trying to remove the Union from Bellac and destroy the sky ranch and space station along with the tether that makes it easier to move materiel from the planet to the orbiter for shipment to other planets. I enjoyed the plot and the way Ms. Reher writes her books.
October 14, 2013
Full-length space opera novel with good character development, excellent plotting, strong if kinda distant writing, and pretty good world-building. Fifth in a string of books but first in story chronology, this one's sturdy enough to serve as a basis for the series while standing alone plot-wise. I enjoyed the read tremendously, although the book took a bit of getting into, and could easily come back for more. 4.5 stars
Note that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through the Library Thing Member Giveaway program.
Note that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through the Library Thing Member Giveaway program.
September 29, 2015
Sky Hunter was an okay read, but I really didn't get into the story that much. Even though I liked Nova, the main character, the rest of the story felt a flat. It's hard for me to believe that , but maybe I'm over thinking it? The story had potential to be great, the world built seemed really cool, but it fell just a little short. Still, for a Kindle freebie, it was a good read.
July 9, 2014
It is nice to read some new hard sci-fi that is written by a professional paying attention to his craft. Well written, well-plotted, no extraneous babble.
And this is most definitely "new school" sci-fi. Character driven rather than driven by ideas or technology, it is about politics, military life, and personal relationships in a time of war. It could have been set 50 years ago as well as 500 years into the future.
And this is most definitely "new school" sci-fi. Character driven rather than driven by ideas or technology, it is about politics, military life, and personal relationships in a time of war. It could have been set 50 years ago as well as 500 years into the future.
July 23, 2014
Some good brain candy to read. This book was entertaining and somewhat believable. I liked the fact that the main character, while being a woman, was portrayed tough but within the realms of reality. She was fragile, yet stood her ground and displayed great courage. Finally, a true woman warrior. The military harshness of combat wary soldiers under poor discipline and their tendencies for brutality was right on the money.
November 30, 2013
I found this to be a really good story. Poor Nova had put up with a d-bad and then ended up liking a really great guy who isn't who he says he is. All in all I enjoyed it! What I also like about this book was that Nova stood up for what was right and she didn't let things get to her. She stuck it out and didn't back down and it was worth it in the end!
April 3, 2014
This one started out very strong and it was a solid 4.5 for me until about the half-way mark then it just kind of fell apart. That ending was horrible as well. All that build up for that? I won't be reading anymore in this series.
February 23, 2016
Wow, really good science fiction story! Will definitely be continuing the series.
April 17, 2024
Lots of action. Reasonable storyline for military science fiction. Not much hard science fiction going on. It is military action taking place on another planet and in space with somewhat more advanced technology but nothing magical. (As Arthur C. Clarke said, "...technology so advanced that it is indistinguishable from magic.")
The story: Nova Whiteside has been assigned as a pilot protecting the planet-side Union base from rebel attack. The Union is building a tethered space station (which seems to be another name for space elevator). Planet-side rebels oppose this incursion of the Union onto their planet and thus the fighting. Nova is shot down and is captured by rebels and held by the people who are just trying to endure the fighting. She eventually escapes and is reassigned to the space station as a reactionary force. She sees her fortunes rising as she seeks a Hunter Class pilot certification.
Any problems with this story? Nova seemed amazingly unharmed given the belligerence she showed to her captors and to her superiors who seemed perfectly comfortable sexually harassing her. That is to say, she was harmed, and needed medical attention at times, but not experiencing harm to the extent I would have expected to be handed out by such terrible people.
Any modesty issues? Sure. Rape occurred but it was not described in detail. Sex occurred voluntarily and was described somewhat, but nothing out of the ordinary as far as I have seen in my reading. I've seen romance novels with steamier stuff in them. Nevertheless, it did happen.
The ending was telegraphed in advance. No surprises in "who dun it" at least toward the end. All the major threads of the story were resolved and Nova was able to move on in her space fighter career.
I might read this book again as part of reading the series. It reminds me of another series I read a while back, though the name of the series escapes me at the moment.
The next book is "The Catalyst".
The story: Nova Whiteside has been assigned as a pilot protecting the planet-side Union base from rebel attack. The Union is building a tethered space station (which seems to be another name for space elevator). Planet-side rebels oppose this incursion of the Union onto their planet and thus the fighting. Nova is shot down and is captured by rebels and held by the people who are just trying to endure the fighting. She eventually escapes and is reassigned to the space station as a reactionary force. She sees her fortunes rising as she seeks a Hunter Class pilot certification.
Any problems with this story? Nova seemed amazingly unharmed given the belligerence she showed to her captors and to her superiors who seemed perfectly comfortable sexually harassing her. That is to say, she was harmed, and needed medical attention at times, but not experiencing harm to the extent I would have expected to be handed out by such terrible people.
Any modesty issues? Sure. Rape occurred but it was not described in detail. Sex occurred voluntarily and was described somewhat, but nothing out of the ordinary as far as I have seen in my reading. I've seen romance novels with steamier stuff in them. Nevertheless, it did happen.
The ending was telegraphed in advance. No surprises in "who dun it" at least toward the end. All the major threads of the story were resolved and Nova was able to move on in her space fighter career.
I might read this book again as part of reading the series. It reminds me of another series I read a while back, though the name of the series escapes me at the moment.
The next book is "The Catalyst".
June 2, 2017
Actual rating 3.5
We start off with Nova, the MC going into battle piloting a Kite. Lot's of good action and her wingman gets shot down. She's ordered to leave him and proceed with the task at hand, but she chooses to land and save him. Then she destroys the damaged Kite and blows up her objective.
Later on base she's accosted by a couple of Marines and pulls a gun on them when they start getting handsy. They run to tell their CO who shows up in her quarters and rapes her. Now, she's told she should just let it go because there are so few women around, but she sticks to her guns and reports it.
She could make it very hard on the chain of command because her father is a well respected senior officer, but she leaves him out of it to deal with it by herself. The captain that raped her gets a month in the brig and she's transferred to another base.
Long story short, she uncovers a drug running ring being run by the same guy that raped her and falls head over heels for a local farmer who's acting as a medic in a rebel held town. She's rescued and puts in a good word with the Admiral on behalf of the farmer.
The farmer gets a job on their not-quite-a-space-station. Oh, he also turns out to be a terrorist, which neither the MC or the drug dealing officer can see, but we the reader figured out quite early on.
I'm torn over this book. Firstly, I do really like the MC. She's gritty and doesn't take crap from anybody. But she's also incredibly naive and at one point when the terrorist fleet is attacking and all pilots are sent to defend the not-quite-a-space station, she turns around and heads back because she wants to prevent the loss of evidence against the drug dealers. The other thing about this book is the way it's written. Start and stop. You find the story building up to something only for it to slow down with no real feeling that something substantial happened. Even the ending was predictable.
Overall a good read though
We start off with Nova, the MC going into battle piloting a Kite. Lot's of good action and her wingman gets shot down. She's ordered to leave him and proceed with the task at hand, but she chooses to land and save him. Then she destroys the damaged Kite and blows up her objective.
Later on base she's accosted by a couple of Marines and pulls a gun on them when they start getting handsy. They run to tell their CO who shows up in her quarters and rapes her. Now, she's told she should just let it go because there are so few women around, but she sticks to her guns and reports it.
She could make it very hard on the chain of command because her father is a well respected senior officer, but she leaves him out of it to deal with it by herself. The captain that raped her gets a month in the brig and she's transferred to another base.
Long story short, she uncovers a drug running ring being run by the same guy that raped her and falls head over heels for a local farmer who's acting as a medic in a rebel held town. She's rescued and puts in a good word with the Admiral on behalf of the farmer.
The farmer gets a job on their not-quite-a-space-station. Oh, he also turns out to be a terrorist, which neither the MC or the drug dealing officer can see, but we the reader figured out quite early on.
I'm torn over this book. Firstly, I do really like the MC. She's gritty and doesn't take crap from anybody. But she's also incredibly naive and at one point when the terrorist fleet is attacking and all pilots are sent to defend the not-quite-a-space station, she turns around and heads back because she wants to prevent the loss of evidence against the drug dealers. The other thing about this book is the way it's written. Start and stop. You find the story building up to something only for it to slow down with no real feeling that something substantial happened. Even the ending was predictable.
Overall a good read though
November 15, 2018
Not a bad book, a decent story to be sure, though I'm always puzzled why books like this think it's mandatory to have the female lead character undergo harsh experiences as character building exercises. Just once, I'd love to read a book about a strong heroine who didn't suffer at the hands of her captain, crewmates, prisoners, or unknown asailant. I don't understand why a female can't be a strong character based on her own merits, instead of because she wants revenge.
Anyway, if you like space adventures, this one has a bit of that, if you like planet bound scifi, this one has some of that too, if you like chase scenes, battles, blowing stuff up, and all the other things that make a good science fiction story, then this book is likely to appeal to you in some way. It was good enough as a stand alone story, I don't know if I'll follow the rest of the series or not, since although it was a decent story, it just didn't grab me the way some of these kinds of stories do, though that could be from some of the scenes I didn't agree with in the book, or it could just be that I'm an old fart who hates that people are jerks no matter where you go, and would really like to see a little less of that in the books I read for fun.
Anyway, if you like space adventures, this one has a bit of that, if you like planet bound scifi, this one has some of that too, if you like chase scenes, battles, blowing stuff up, and all the other things that make a good science fiction story, then this book is likely to appeal to you in some way. It was good enough as a stand alone story, I don't know if I'll follow the rest of the series or not, since although it was a decent story, it just didn't grab me the way some of these kinds of stories do, though that could be from some of the scenes I didn't agree with in the book, or it could just be that I'm an old fart who hates that people are jerks no matter where you go, and would really like to see a little less of that in the books I read for fun.
November 22, 2024
Nova is a fantastic herione. Here we have Nova at the beginning of her career. She a young pilot working hard on becoming a Hunter Class. She has har own ideas about the wrong and right and doesn't follow orders blindly.
Obviously this attitude doesn't sit well with everybody. Air Command pilot Nova Whiteside is assigned to a remote outpost to guard the construction of a new tethered orbiter, Skyranch Twelve, against rebel sabotage. The difference between the well-ordered Union air fields and this dusty garrison is made painfully clear when she runs afoul a brutal commander of ground troops.
There're people who bend the law and those who brake it all together. When Nova stumbles on this it get physical she gets sexually assaulted. Nova doesn't know who can be trusted. But she follows her guts and her honour and landed in bad situations.
The story is fast paced and full of action.What I liked is the fact that Nova is fallible and human, but always coherent. Her actions and reactions are logical and comprehensible. She admits her fault and her guillibility, but she always does everything she can to overcome it. Nova's first love and his treachery! and her reaction to it make it a beautiful
Obviously this attitude doesn't sit well with everybody. Air Command pilot Nova Whiteside is assigned to a remote outpost to guard the construction of a new tethered orbiter, Skyranch Twelve, against rebel sabotage. The difference between the well-ordered Union air fields and this dusty garrison is made painfully clear when she runs afoul a brutal commander of ground troops.
There're people who bend the law and those who brake it all together. When Nova stumbles on this it get physical she gets sexually assaulted. Nova doesn't know who can be trusted. But she follows her guts and her honour and landed in bad situations.
The story is fast paced and full of action.What I liked is the fact that Nova is fallible and human, but always coherent. Her actions and reactions are logical and comprehensible. She admits her fault and her guillibility, but she always does everything she can to overcome it. Nova's first love and his treachery! and her reaction to it make it a beautiful
March 7, 2023
Plot seems good enough so far. There are battles, war, good side, bad side... good side maybe not so good, bad side maybe not so bad... just guessing where this will go. Anyway its really nice to read, so looking forward to next books.
Sky Hunter is prequel which I'm reading as first book of The Targon Tales (not my prefered order usually). But I find it good enough even without knowing more about other characters.
Btw this is book #7 in Call of Courage: 7 Novels of the Galactic Frontier collection. And 7th book and author in that collection which I'm going to explore more, that collection was best find ever :)
Sky Hunter is prequel which I'm reading as first book of The Targon Tales (not my prefered order usually). But I find it good enough even without knowing more about other characters.
Btw this is book #7 in Call of Courage: 7 Novels of the Galactic Frontier collection. And 7th book and author in that collection which I'm going to explore more, that collection was best find ever :)
October 25, 2022
Getting into another series with a strong female lead. Just what Sci-Fi was needing, Nova shows great skills when she starts off with big ambitions to make Hunter class.
There was a great use of technology looking into the craft, taking on life in the military and not standing behind a big shadow of her father. During this book we get a full on. Side of her life from politics and relationships.
During this book she also has to stand up for herself ‘pulling a gun’ of some handsy marines ! stand up for yourself take a bow Whiteside.
As it goes it was quite a predictable book but full of action bar it being a bit stop start at times with the touch of naivety from Whiteside in points, hence not quite hitting the top rating.
There was a great use of technology looking into the craft, taking on life in the military and not standing behind a big shadow of her father. During this book we get a full on. Side of her life from politics and relationships.
During this book she also has to stand up for herself ‘pulling a gun’ of some handsy marines ! stand up for yourself take a bow Whiteside.
As it goes it was quite a predictable book but full of action bar it being a bit stop start at times with the touch of naivety from Whiteside in points, hence not quite hitting the top rating.
February 5, 2025
3.5 stars.. If Lt Nova Whiteside didn't come off as a bit too heroic and the story didn't have such dark moments, I would've rated it higher.
Likes:
* Lt Nova Whiteside ~ brave, idealistic, career military fighter pilot for Commonwealth of United Planets, Weapons specialist, closing in to Hunter Class pilot hours/points, father is Col. Tegan Whiteside
* Nathon Lis Djari ~ serene, happy, sweet, optimistic, organic farmer
* Sassy banter between pilots
Dislikes:
* Rhuwacs ~ expendable, trained killing aliens used by rebels
* Sgt Beryl & his goon squad
With-reservations:
rape, violence, PTSD, war, injuries, death, bullying, stalking, threats, sabotage
Likes:
* Lt Nova Whiteside ~ brave, idealistic, career military fighter pilot for Commonwealth of United Planets, Weapons specialist, closing in to Hunter Class pilot hours/points, father is Col. Tegan Whiteside
* Nathon Lis Djari ~ serene, happy, sweet, optimistic, organic farmer
* Sassy banter between pilots
Dislikes:
* Rhuwacs ~ expendable, trained killing aliens used by rebels
* Sgt Beryl & his goon squad
With-reservations:
rape, violence, PTSD, war, injuries, death, bullying, stalking, threats, sabotage
December 5, 2019
Pilot Lieutenant Nova Whiteside is assigned to a backwater planet where a rebel faction has infiltrated the civilians. As if dealing with the rebels isn’t enough, she’s bullied by Captain Beryl among her own troops and stumbles upon a traitorous conspiracy that makes her unsure who she can trust. Can she survive long enough to earn the coveted Hunter Class status so she can transfer to Targon? With few friends, she struggles to expose the conspiracies she’s uncovered while trying to stay alive. Fast-packed action, a likeable heroine, and political entanglement make this a fast and pleasurable read. Warning: there is a rape scene, although it’s not graphically depicted.
March 17, 2020
Competent military SF with a strong female lead character.
The earlier chapters felt slow to me, though the pace picked up towards the end. Good background development, showing the complexity of sorting out right from wrong in a war where both sides are at fault, and a reasonable attempt made to show how this affects the characters involved, although once that particular issue is raised, it needs to be taken deeper than it was.
Some weak plotting at points (Just why would Major Trakkas trust Nova with such a sensitive package?) but generally good, with several strands woven together quite effectively.
Read as part of the 'Galactic Empires' Kindle box set.
The earlier chapters felt slow to me, though the pace picked up towards the end. Good background development, showing the complexity of sorting out right from wrong in a war where both sides are at fault, and a reasonable attempt made to show how this affects the characters involved, although once that particular issue is raised, it needs to be taken deeper than it was.
Some weak plotting at points (Just why would Major Trakkas trust Nova with such a sensitive package?) but generally good, with several strands woven together quite effectively.
Read as part of the 'Galactic Empires' Kindle box set.
January 28, 2018
Trigger warnings: rape.
Meh. The TW above gets the book off in a bad space for me, and while it recovers in the middle arc, it loses its way again in the final act. The list of suspects for main bad guy is ... well, basically one person long ... and the whole climax feels very rushed. When your resolution depends on the villainous super spy revealing his entire plan, and not one by two separate instances of "suddenly, allies surrounded the bad guys", you need to do some more work on your plot.
Meh. The TW above gets the book off in a bad space for me, and while it recovers in the middle arc, it loses its way again in the final act. The list of suspects for main bad guy is ... well, basically one person long ... and the whole climax feels very rushed. When your resolution depends on the villainous super spy revealing his entire plan, and not one by two separate instances of "suddenly, allies surrounded the bad guys", you need to do some more work on your plot.
July 30, 2018
Sky Hunter follows a young air command pilot across a vast world as she trains for her Hunter Class pilot grade. When she gets trapped behind enemy lies, she learns that not everyone thinks the commonwealth is doing a great job. Nova will learn quickly, that betrayal can come from even the most unexpected places. From sexual assault to romance, to betrayal, Sky Hunter is definitely a story to please adults and young adults alike.
November 18, 2021
For anyone who enjoys Sci-fi!
This is a well-written sci-fi novel. Nova Whiteside grew up on military bases and has set her sights on becoming a Hunter Class pilot. Although the rape scene was distressing it is also a military truth and and so was the aftermath. I thought the author handled it well.
There are plots within plots, subterfuge and sky battles; a touch of romance, treachery and loyalty. I look forward to the next book in the series.
This is a well-written sci-fi novel. Nova Whiteside grew up on military bases and has set her sights on becoming a Hunter Class pilot. Although the rape scene was distressing it is also a military truth and and so was the aftermath. I thought the author handled it well.
There are plots within plots, subterfuge and sky battles; a touch of romance, treachery and loyalty. I look forward to the next book in the series.
November 20, 2022
I read The Catalyst, the first book in this series, several years ago and have had this prequel sitting on my Kindle pretty much ever since.
Solid, fastpaced space opera with a strong, likable female protagonist and plenty of action. Should probably get back to the rest of this series at some point.
Solid, fastpaced space opera with a strong, likable female protagonist and plenty of action. Should probably get back to the rest of this series at some point.
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