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The Lenticular #2
Traitor's Bargain
Who can a traitor trust?
Earth's Hegemony controls the surrounding alien civilisations with ruthless force. Their aim: dominate the galaxy to protect humanity.
Horribly mutilated during the invasion of Homeworld, Udun escapes to seek help from the rest of the Lenticular. Instead he becomes a fugitive and hatches a desperate plan to travel to the Hegemony in search of allies.
Left for dead on the Maagba battlecruiser, Rhees flees Human space and finds a powerful new alien species determined to stop the Hegemony. But can she trust them? And can she prevent humanity being destroyed if they succeed?
And on Udun's Homeworld, the Hegemony kills and maims more innocent Kresz and turns its gaze on the rest of the Lenticular.
Earth's Hegemony controls the surrounding alien civilisations with ruthless force. Their aim: dominate the galaxy to protect humanity.
Horribly mutilated during the invasion of Homeworld, Udun escapes to seek help from the rest of the Lenticular. Instead he becomes a fugitive and hatches a desperate plan to travel to the Hegemony in search of allies.
Left for dead on the Maagba battlecruiser, Rhees flees Human space and finds a powerful new alien species determined to stop the Hegemony. But can she trust them? And can she prevent humanity being destroyed if they succeed?
And on Udun's Homeworld, the Hegemony kills and maims more innocent Kresz and turns its gaze on the rest of the Lenticular.
- GenresScience Fiction
354 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2024
2 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Keith Stevenson
28 books55 followersI'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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 14, 2024
The struggle to free humanity, and the empathic Kresz, from the chokehold of the Hegemony continues…
Traitor’s Bargain picks up where Traitor’s Run left off. Udun, the maimed Kresz outcast from Homeworld, embarks upon a journey to find human allies in the heart of enemy territory. Meanwhile, disgraced Fleet pilot Rhees embarks upon her own journey after supposedly being executed upon an alien craft. After following their various trials and tribulations in Traitor’s Run, it was definitely a highlight seeing these 2 characters finally meet and join forces with the assistance of the mysterious Jantri’Va.
Back in the Sol System, Denev – the brother of Rhees’ deceased boyfriend – becomes an adjutant to Troels Volmar, the ruthless Comptroller of the all-powerful HDC (Hegemony Diplomatic Corps). Volmar is the obvious antagonist, and the visible face of a cabal of extremely powerful men bound by a 20-year-old secret that involves the death of Denev’s parents. Volmar is a master manipulator, so Denev can’t be too careful.
The last 25% of Traitor’s Bargain introduces some intriguing new sub-plots that will clearly play out in the final instalment (called Traitor’s War). I’m looking forward to what should be a thrilling conclusion where the fates of at least two species will be decided, and perhaps many more.
Traitor’s Bargain picks up where Traitor’s Run left off. Udun, the maimed Kresz outcast from Homeworld, embarks upon a journey to find human allies in the heart of enemy territory. Meanwhile, disgraced Fleet pilot Rhees embarks upon her own journey after supposedly being executed upon an alien craft. After following their various trials and tribulations in Traitor’s Run, it was definitely a highlight seeing these 2 characters finally meet and join forces with the assistance of the mysterious Jantri’Va.
Back in the Sol System, Denev – the brother of Rhees’ deceased boyfriend – becomes an adjutant to Troels Volmar, the ruthless Comptroller of the all-powerful HDC (Hegemony Diplomatic Corps). Volmar is the obvious antagonist, and the visible face of a cabal of extremely powerful men bound by a 20-year-old secret that involves the death of Denev’s parents. Volmar is a master manipulator, so Denev can’t be too careful.
The last 25% of Traitor’s Bargain introduces some intriguing new sub-plots that will clearly play out in the final instalment (called Traitor’s War). I’m looking forward to what should be a thrilling conclusion where the fates of at least two species will be decided, and perhaps many more.
May 7, 2024
There's nothing humane about what's being done in humanity's name.
Following the events of book 1 (Traitor's Run) Rhees Lowrans, a former Earth "Fleet" pilot, and Udun, an alien whose planet has been invaded by Earth's Hegemony, have both been betrayed and left for dead. Udun has fled his Homeworld and been rescued by an old friend. Meanwhile Rhees has been intercepted by the Jantri: an enigmatic Lenticular race who dress in golden suits of armour. Their technology appears to be far more advanced than the Hegemony and they're able to travel next to Hegemony ships without showing on sensors. The Jantri reveal they are willing to help fight the Hegemony but prefer to be "facillitators" not participants. But can they be trusted?
Stevenson employs an unusual writing style in the Lenticular Trilogy. The chapters telling the story of Udun are written in 1st person, while Rhees's narrative is told in 3rd person. I was a little confused by this until I realised that by Udun telling his own story he is able to introduce us to the Kresz culture, physiology, religious beliefs, etc. As Rhees is human we have no need for such explanations. Should any further explanation be necessary, the blog in Stevenson's website contains helpful information.
Traitor's Bargain rolls along at an exciting pace, never getting too bogged down in unnecessary detail while keeping us aware of the huge scope of the galactic setting. Unlike most trilogies, Keith Stevenson has chosen to release each of the novels in The Lenticular series a few months apart rather than the usual 2 year wait between installments which is wonderful! I look forward to reading Part 3, Traitor's War.
Following the events of book 1 (Traitor's Run) Rhees Lowrans, a former Earth "Fleet" pilot, and Udun, an alien whose planet has been invaded by Earth's Hegemony, have both been betrayed and left for dead. Udun has fled his Homeworld and been rescued by an old friend. Meanwhile Rhees has been intercepted by the Jantri: an enigmatic Lenticular race who dress in golden suits of armour. Their technology appears to be far more advanced than the Hegemony and they're able to travel next to Hegemony ships without showing on sensors. The Jantri reveal they are willing to help fight the Hegemony but prefer to be "facillitators" not participants. But can they be trusted?
Stevenson employs an unusual writing style in the Lenticular Trilogy. The chapters telling the story of Udun are written in 1st person, while Rhees's narrative is told in 3rd person. I was a little confused by this until I realised that by Udun telling his own story he is able to introduce us to the Kresz culture, physiology, religious beliefs, etc. As Rhees is human we have no need for such explanations. Should any further explanation be necessary, the blog in Stevenson's website contains helpful information.
Traitor's Bargain rolls along at an exciting pace, never getting too bogged down in unnecessary detail while keeping us aware of the huge scope of the galactic setting. Unlike most trilogies, Keith Stevenson has chosen to release each of the novels in The Lenticular series a few months apart rather than the usual 2 year wait between installments which is wonderful! I look forward to reading Part 3, Traitor's War.
February 22, 2024
This space opera continues from Traitor’s Run, with rebels from different planets joining forces to stop the invasion and destruction of not only the Kretz Homeworld, but also many worlds beyond.
Udon, is a humanoid crustacean-like alien, and also a survivor of the first assault on his Homeworld. Like many of his kind, he has been maimed to purposely strip him of the advantage of having telepathic abilities.
Rhees is a disgraced human pilot who soon learns that most of what she previously believed was a lie, and was consequently sentenced to a death she managed to escape.
Denev, who was once loyal to the Hegemony, suspects its leaders murdered his parents, and now understands Rhees is not a traitor, but is fighting for freedom from the evil forces that have corrupted the Hegemony’s original goal of protecting Earth from future invasions.
This novel’s strengths are in its character development. It was great to see Udon progress from a victim to a fighter. Rhees who often second guessed herself in Book 1, now refuses to be gaslit and is assertive and commanding. Denev’s role is relatively minor so far, but I suspect there will be a few surprises for him in Book 3. I enjoyed seeing good and bad in enemies and friends alike, which reinforces the understanding that peace can only be found when pre-conceived prejudices are questioned.
Readers who enjoyed Book 1 of this series will definitely enjoy Book 2. And the cover is awesome!
Udon, is a humanoid crustacean-like alien, and also a survivor of the first assault on his Homeworld. Like many of his kind, he has been maimed to purposely strip him of the advantage of having telepathic abilities.
Rhees is a disgraced human pilot who soon learns that most of what she previously believed was a lie, and was consequently sentenced to a death she managed to escape.
Denev, who was once loyal to the Hegemony, suspects its leaders murdered his parents, and now understands Rhees is not a traitor, but is fighting for freedom from the evil forces that have corrupted the Hegemony’s original goal of protecting Earth from future invasions.
This novel’s strengths are in its character development. It was great to see Udon progress from a victim to a fighter. Rhees who often second guessed herself in Book 1, now refuses to be gaslit and is assertive and commanding. Denev’s role is relatively minor so far, but I suspect there will be a few surprises for him in Book 3. I enjoyed seeing good and bad in enemies and friends alike, which reinforces the understanding that peace can only be found when pre-conceived prejudices are questioned.
Readers who enjoyed Book 1 of this series will definitely enjoy Book 2. And the cover is awesome!
June 22, 2024
i got sent this after reviewing book one for aurealis magazine - the initial plan was to write a review for the magazine but life got very complicated and continued the breakdown spiral that we have found ourselves in. this was an interesting direction from book one, shifting gears from the wider lenticular to deep politicking which was fun and interesting. definitely had my suspicions about the jantri so looking forward to book three to see what happens
May 1, 2025
The storyline becomes somewhat clearer in this episode as the various aliens realise that not all of the other species individuals are evil. The bonds are beginning to form that will provide a resistance to the overarching Hegemony. Another great read with still more to come. Does Nok have an agenda?
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews