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Thornscore #1
CHRYS
At the outer edge of the galaxy, on a backwater planet, to claim their future, Chrys must confront his past, and Verity overcome her fears.
CHRYS
A hero of the battle for the Thirteenth System, for over a decade, Chrys fought for a place in one of the mighty cartels. Success is within his grasp when a mysterious bequest from his home world sends him across the galaxy. Caught between his past and his duty, Chrys takes his engineering partner with him. As the voyage unfolds, he discovers a lovely woman in the place of his battle comrade.
VERITY
Verity endured over a decade of servitude for a chance at a brighter future. She has harbored a hidden crush on Chrys for years, wanting him to view her as a desirable woman and not only a battle comrade and business associate. She survived a battle with evil, and in victory, she will fight for her dreams.
When Chrys falls under suspicion of murder, it will take all their courage and wit to free him.
CHRYS
A hero of the battle for the Thirteenth System, for over a decade, Chrys fought for a place in one of the mighty cartels. Success is within his grasp when a mysterious bequest from his home world sends him across the galaxy. Caught between his past and his duty, Chrys takes his engineering partner with him. As the voyage unfolds, he discovers a lovely woman in the place of his battle comrade.
VERITY
Verity endured over a decade of servitude for a chance at a brighter future. She has harbored a hidden crush on Chrys for years, wanting him to view her as a desirable woman and not only a battle comrade and business associate. She survived a battle with evil, and in victory, she will fight for her dreams.
When Chrys falls under suspicion of murder, it will take all their courage and wit to free him.
- GenresScience Fiction
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2023
8 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
E.G. Manetti
18 books157 followers
I write from the world around me, and the world around me is full of color.
Award-winning author EG Manetti has always enjoyed a vivid imagination and occasional scribbling. Her epic science fiction series, The Twelve Systems Chronicles, blends the intrigue and danger of space opera with the passion and social rigidity of historical romance.
The ten-volume series began in 2012, with The Cartel: The Apprentice, Volume 1, and completed in 2021 with Thorn Bearer: Thornraven, Volume 3. The series has received four Paranormal Guild Reviewers Choice Awards, seven InD’tale RONE (Reward for Novel Excellence) nominations with five volumes award finalist badges. Shield Bearer: Thornraven, Volume 2 received the 2021 RONE for Science Fiction.
Elemental Fire: The Hidden Realms #1, her first venture into fantasy, combines her favorite aspects of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and action/adventure genres.
A former information technology project manager, EG resides in Florida with her beloved (often confounded) husband and their severely OCD Jack Russell Terrier. She writes as often as possible, cooks exceptionally, and gardens adequately.
The Twelve Systems Chronicles are epic science fiction romance that blends elements of space opera with the intrigue and suspense of a political thriller. “With characters that jump off the page, love that is forbidden yet unstoppable mixed with top-notch worlds and technology, sci-fi has never looked so good or become so addictive!” ~ InD'Tale Magazine, February 2018.
Enter The Twelve Systems with a free copy of The Cartel
Like EG Manetti on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
EG Manetti Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/egmanetti/
EG Manetti Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@egmanetti
Award-winning author EG Manetti has always enjoyed a vivid imagination and occasional scribbling. Her epic science fiction series, The Twelve Systems Chronicles, blends the intrigue and danger of space opera with the passion and social rigidity of historical romance.
The ten-volume series began in 2012, with The Cartel: The Apprentice, Volume 1, and completed in 2021 with Thorn Bearer: Thornraven, Volume 3. The series has received four Paranormal Guild Reviewers Choice Awards, seven InD’tale RONE (Reward for Novel Excellence) nominations with five volumes award finalist badges. Shield Bearer: Thornraven, Volume 2 received the 2021 RONE for Science Fiction.
Elemental Fire: The Hidden Realms #1, her first venture into fantasy, combines her favorite aspects of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and action/adventure genres.
A former information technology project manager, EG resides in Florida with her beloved (often confounded) husband and their severely OCD Jack Russell Terrier. She writes as often as possible, cooks exceptionally, and gardens adequately.
The Twelve Systems Chronicles are epic science fiction romance that blends elements of space opera with the intrigue and suspense of a political thriller. “With characters that jump off the page, love that is forbidden yet unstoppable mixed with top-notch worlds and technology, sci-fi has never looked so good or become so addictive!” ~ InD'Tale Magazine, February 2018.
Enter The Twelve Systems with a free copy of The Cartel
Like EG Manetti on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
EG Manetti Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/egmanetti/
EG Manetti Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@egmanetti
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 21, 2023
Yes, YES!!!! We are back in the incredible Twelve Systems world and loving every single minute of it!!! Chrys is a prevalent and beloved side character from the original series so getting his full story (and happy ending) is an absolute delight to see and read. I have pondered whether this book could be considered a stand-alone and my initial inclination is yes. Ms. Manetti has woven in any back-story that needs to be told beautifully I don’t think one would miss out if they haven’t read the previous books in this world. That being said, I have read every single one of those books (and would HIGHLY recommend them) so the characters, places etc. are all ingrained so I’m not sure I’m one who could objectively say.
I can say that if you love great science fiction, action, romance and haven’t read the previous Twelve systems series, DO! You will not only love them but it will make reading this book SO much more enjoyable.
NOW…. What makes THIS book so awesome? Well, Chrys is a fabulous, strong, kind and honorable character. One who grew up in a back planet agricultural system but has, by his very own boot straps, sacrificed and worked his way up the ladder to a prominent position that few attain. He still deals with the prejudices of the elite class but handles everything with such patience an aplomb that you can’t help but love him. Verity (FMC) is much the same. She, however, is a little less noticeable but just as intelligent, kind and loyal - Her duties as a technologist just keep her out of the spotlight a bit more, so those same elites not only see her as “less” but vastly underestimate her incredible intelligence and contributions.
These two together are absolutely perfect! At first I thought the love story would be the focus (as the story starts that way) but it soon developed into all the intrigue, twists and turns, surprises and suspense one comes to expect from this gifted author. In fact, I opened the book up thinking I would just read a few pages while eating breakfast…. And the next thing I knew it was after lunch and I had completely forgotten the outside world existed! It really is that addicting.
Part of the genius is that the author never allows one aspect to out-weigh the others. The sci-fi aspects are realistic, strong and believable enough to engage even the most tech savvy, while not alienating those of us who just want a great story. The romance aspect weaves itself into the overall storyline so deftly and seamlessly that when the action and suspense hits, the love is already established and adds to the experience rather than detracting from it.
It there is anything that might be a problem it is that much of the relationship foundation is built upon a friendship that threaded through the previous books, so first time readers might miss a bit of depth. But for those who have been aware of it, watching Chrys and Verity discover their attraction as they further the interests of Serengeti, strengthen their bonds with their friends and work to thwart those who would destroy them is absolute reading perfection!! This, folks is what sci-fi romance dreams to be!
I can say that if you love great science fiction, action, romance and haven’t read the previous Twelve systems series, DO! You will not only love them but it will make reading this book SO much more enjoyable.
NOW…. What makes THIS book so awesome? Well, Chrys is a fabulous, strong, kind and honorable character. One who grew up in a back planet agricultural system but has, by his very own boot straps, sacrificed and worked his way up the ladder to a prominent position that few attain. He still deals with the prejudices of the elite class but handles everything with such patience an aplomb that you can’t help but love him. Verity (FMC) is much the same. She, however, is a little less noticeable but just as intelligent, kind and loyal - Her duties as a technologist just keep her out of the spotlight a bit more, so those same elites not only see her as “less” but vastly underestimate her incredible intelligence and contributions.
These two together are absolutely perfect! At first I thought the love story would be the focus (as the story starts that way) but it soon developed into all the intrigue, twists and turns, surprises and suspense one comes to expect from this gifted author. In fact, I opened the book up thinking I would just read a few pages while eating breakfast…. And the next thing I knew it was after lunch and I had completely forgotten the outside world existed! It really is that addicting.
Part of the genius is that the author never allows one aspect to out-weigh the others. The sci-fi aspects are realistic, strong and believable enough to engage even the most tech savvy, while not alienating those of us who just want a great story. The romance aspect weaves itself into the overall storyline so deftly and seamlessly that when the action and suspense hits, the love is already established and adds to the experience rather than detracting from it.
It there is anything that might be a problem it is that much of the relationship foundation is built upon a friendship that threaded through the previous books, so first time readers might miss a bit of depth. But for those who have been aware of it, watching Chrys and Verity discover their attraction as they further the interests of Serengeti, strengthen their bonds with their friends and work to thwart those who would destroy them is absolute reading perfection!! This, folks is what sci-fi romance dreams to be!
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October 5, 2023 A favorite passage.
Chrys watched in silence while Verity made a delicate adjustment. Her long fingers moved with surety and grace, the calibration tool disappearing into the round device the size of a melon. The pod stabilized the controller unit while it was being enhanced and blocked Chrys’ vision, ensuring that the Iron Hammer secrets of controller construction remained secret.
With her head bent, a few loose curls teased across her cheek, drawing his attention to its silken perfection. Six months ago, they were four days in a militia transport, sleeping in bunks with four others, and yet it had none of the intimacy of this shared suite. He could not wish for a better companion for this voyage. Diligent in commerce, at leisure, Verity was a pleasant companion, with a puckish sense of humor and gentle manner. Even more intriguing because he knew her ferocity in battle.
A crease formed between Verity’s brows. Her full lips flattened with concentration. He had the impulse to kiss those lips back to plumpness. It was not the first time his mind had strayed to pleasure in her presence, but he had no indication she shared his interest. With a twist of one wrist, she exhaled. “There.”
Setting aside the tool, she used another to pull the controller from the pod. No bigger than a plum, the controller was a nest of shimmering pink strands, the alloy as proprietary to Iron Hammer as the construction. A dozen small spurs protruded around the surface, the connectors that would hook the encoded mercium into the pairing device.
Sky-blue eyes met his. “Let us try it again.”
With precision forceps a jeweler would envy, Chrys selected a faceted shard of cobalt mercium from the case.
Under Verity’s watchful gaze, Chrys slotted the crystal into the center of the controller, careful to avoid contact with any of the blade-sharp spurs. With a gentle tap, it locked into place. Using another specialized tool, Verity set the controller into the oblong testing module.
Picking up his slate, Chrys nodded. Verity tapped instructions into hers, and lights began to flow along the module. Shoulder to shoulder, they watched the blue lights flash in a sporadic pattern. In a few breaths, the lights stabilized into a series of horizontal streams. Verity glanced at him, her expression of cautious optimism mirroring his emotions.
His slate chirped. Symbols scrolled across the surface confirming the flow of data and energy. “Seventy percent. Eighty. Ninety-two. One hundred. Encoding fully enabled.”
“Almost.” Verity focused on her slate, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. “Almost . . . yes. Full integration.”
They had successfully encoded and installed the first of three crystals.
With a shout of triumph, he grabbed her in a hug. Her peaches-and-vanilla scent reminded him of the harvest season. Her vibrant form fit against him in the most pleasant manner. Shocked blue eyes met his, her form stiffening.
Embarrassed, he stepped away, fumbling for his slate. “I beg your pardon. I was carried away in the moment. It will not happen again.”
He knew better. Most apprentices had trouble with casual touch after years where contact with others carried harsh penalties. The return of bodily autonomy was one of their most prized freedoms. The casual intimacy of the past few days led him to act without thought. That he thoroughly enjoyed having her in his arms increased his guilt. As did her furious blush. Seeking a return to their casual camaraderie, he forced a smile. “Let us hope the next two crystals are as well behaved.”
Chrys watched in silence while Verity made a delicate adjustment. Her long fingers moved with surety and grace, the calibration tool disappearing into the round device the size of a melon. The pod stabilized the controller unit while it was being enhanced and blocked Chrys’ vision, ensuring that the Iron Hammer secrets of controller construction remained secret.
With her head bent, a few loose curls teased across her cheek, drawing his attention to its silken perfection. Six months ago, they were four days in a militia transport, sleeping in bunks with four others, and yet it had none of the intimacy of this shared suite. He could not wish for a better companion for this voyage. Diligent in commerce, at leisure, Verity was a pleasant companion, with a puckish sense of humor and gentle manner. Even more intriguing because he knew her ferocity in battle.
A crease formed between Verity’s brows. Her full lips flattened with concentration. He had the impulse to kiss those lips back to plumpness. It was not the first time his mind had strayed to pleasure in her presence, but he had no indication she shared his interest. With a twist of one wrist, she exhaled. “There.”
Setting aside the tool, she used another to pull the controller from the pod. No bigger than a plum, the controller was a nest of shimmering pink strands, the alloy as proprietary to Iron Hammer as the construction. A dozen small spurs protruded around the surface, the connectors that would hook the encoded mercium into the pairing device.
Sky-blue eyes met his. “Let us try it again.”
With precision forceps a jeweler would envy, Chrys selected a faceted shard of cobalt mercium from the case.
Under Verity’s watchful gaze, Chrys slotted the crystal into the center of the controller, careful to avoid contact with any of the blade-sharp spurs. With a gentle tap, it locked into place. Using another specialized tool, Verity set the controller into the oblong testing module.
Picking up his slate, Chrys nodded. Verity tapped instructions into hers, and lights began to flow along the module. Shoulder to shoulder, they watched the blue lights flash in a sporadic pattern. In a few breaths, the lights stabilized into a series of horizontal streams. Verity glanced at him, her expression of cautious optimism mirroring his emotions.
His slate chirped. Symbols scrolled across the surface confirming the flow of data and energy. “Seventy percent. Eighty. Ninety-two. One hundred. Encoding fully enabled.”
“Almost.” Verity focused on her slate, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. “Almost . . . yes. Full integration.”
They had successfully encoded and installed the first of three crystals.
With a shout of triumph, he grabbed her in a hug. Her peaches-and-vanilla scent reminded him of the harvest season. Her vibrant form fit against him in the most pleasant manner. Shocked blue eyes met his, her form stiffening.
Embarrassed, he stepped away, fumbling for his slate. “I beg your pardon. I was carried away in the moment. It will not happen again.”
He knew better. Most apprentices had trouble with casual touch after years where contact with others carried harsh penalties. The return of bodily autonomy was one of their most prized freedoms. The casual intimacy of the past few days led him to act without thought. That he thoroughly enjoyed having her in his arms increased his guilt. As did her furious blush. Seeking a return to their casual camaraderie, he forced a smile. “Let us hope the next two crystals are as well behaved.”
October 15, 2023
The much awaited sequel to the Twelve Systems Chronicles, Chrys (Thornscore#1) is a bit of a letdown. It reads like novella rather than a full length book with its rushed romance and staged intrigues and action, which are left mostly unresolved. After reading The Twelve Systems, I expected the same in-depth and nuanced characterizations, exciting action, convoluted plots and full-fledged secondary characters that made Lillian’s journey from a reviled apprentice to Adelaide Avatar so compelling. I hope Ms Manetti goes back to what she does best: explore and give voice to the incredible characters introduced in her previous books so that the rest of the sequels have the same refined and textured experience that gave us so much pleasure previously.
March 11, 2024
Great sci fi adventure with romance
I felt The Twelve Systems Chronicles ended with stories untold. Manetti begins those unfinished stories with Chrys, one of my favorite supporting characters. There is a major surprise and a lovely romance, along with unexpected danger and betrayal. I laughed out loud several times and fell in love with these characters all over again. There is graphic sex that is appropriate to the story and not excessive. There is graphic violence, which isn't unexpected. Many favorite characters made guest appearances, which made me happy. I'm looking forward to the next book.
I felt The Twelve Systems Chronicles ended with stories untold. Manetti begins those unfinished stories with Chrys, one of my favorite supporting characters. There is a major surprise and a lovely romance, along with unexpected danger and betrayal. I laughed out loud several times and fell in love with these characters all over again. There is graphic sex that is appropriate to the story and not excessive. There is graphic violence, which isn't unexpected. Many favorite characters made guest appearances, which made me happy. I'm looking forward to the next book.
October 9, 2023
Excellent addition to the 13 systems world. Chrys features in much of the previous novels and it's wonderful to learn more about his back story, family and life. This book has a different voice than the previous ones, which highlights the difference in characters. Cannot wait for the next installment in the series!
October 9, 2023
The was a surprise and very welcome release based on one of the supporting characters in the Twelve Systems Chronicles. We get to learn the history of Chrys. His family and past are introduced and his current interest in Verity. Lilian and Lucius show up, but just to move the plot along as this is about Chrys' journey. There was intrigue, surprises, and a bit of romance as you would expect from the author.
October 4, 2023
I love the voice and style that EG uses for the Twelve/Thirteen Systems novels. As promised, she will explore some of the secondary characters from the original series, and this is the first entry.
Chrys and Verity have been very aware of each other throughout the original series. Due to earlier situations and constraints, they were never able to explore a relationship. This is their story. The setting is new and the challenges comes from a different corner, but the Twelve Systems universe remains as extraordinary and dangerous as ever. EG describes the various settings with a concise and visceral vocabulary, full of colors and textures. Lilian and Lucius and the rest of the more prominent characters appear as they should, but they don't dominate the story, just facilitate the plot points.
Chrys and Verity are very different, with different backgrounds and skills. They have shared technical challenges as well as gun fights. Their romance grows naturally, but quickly, with the encouragement of everyone around them. We are also treated to several spicy sex scenes.
This story is intentionally self-contained, and is shorter than the previous books, with the HEA delivered on a silver platter. Enchanting.
Chrys and Verity have been very aware of each other throughout the original series. Due to earlier situations and constraints, they were never able to explore a relationship. This is their story. The setting is new and the challenges comes from a different corner, but the Twelve Systems universe remains as extraordinary and dangerous as ever. EG describes the various settings with a concise and visceral vocabulary, full of colors and textures. Lilian and Lucius and the rest of the more prominent characters appear as they should, but they don't dominate the story, just facilitate the plot points.
Chrys and Verity are very different, with different backgrounds and skills. They have shared technical challenges as well as gun fights. Their romance grows naturally, but quickly, with the encouragement of everyone around them. We are also treated to several spicy sex scenes.
This story is intentionally self-contained, and is shorter than the previous books, with the HEA delivered on a silver platter. Enchanting.
October 18, 2023
4.0
I still love the world space created by EG MANETTI but this continuation of characters is not quite as vibrant as the previous series. I however will still be in line for the next book.
I still love the world space created by EG MANETTI but this continuation of characters is not quite as vibrant as the previous series. I however will still be in line for the next book.
March 3, 2024
It was cool to revisit the Twelve (Thirdteen) Systems. I like Chrys. Was a bit too short for my taste. I really hope the author will write about the colonization of the 13th system.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews