Katana Red

by Tobin Marks

Stranded on an alien world, Lieutenant Commander Alex Porter has lost everything. His best friend, his crew, and his starship are all gone. Everyone is dead, and he’s a few heartbeats away from joining them. Run through by his own katana—the only vestige of his former life, now the instrument of his death—its exit wound bubbles red. Enveloped by darkness, his vision fades. Hanging by the last thread of consciousness, Alex hallucinates the jaws of some massive beast closing around him. How sad an ending, to die alone so far from home, he thinks. And then the darkness is complete.But fate has its own plan for Alex. Foretold one thousand years before by an ancient ancestor through a prophecy passed down. This fate was always inescapable. . .

411 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2023

About the author

Author Tobin Marks has created an alien watery world called Aqueous. Orbiting a Red Dwarf 1187 light years from Earth, Aqueous is teeming with dangerous reptilian life...and one long forgotten human colony.

Marks is a world traveler who grew up in a household of rocket scientists. As a boy he had a front row seat observing many NASA and NOAA projects. Now from his home in north west Baja he has written the trilogy: The Hope Prophecy. Book one: Endeavors Run, is a blend of real science, science fiction, and fantasy. Book two: Katana Red, and book three: Drakon Rus, are exciting continuations of the series. In March, 2021 the prequel: Ark of the Apocalypse was released to rave reviews, and he is now working on the second trilogy: The Hope Progression.

Reviews

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katana Red


This is really a Master of Puppets!!!
The prologue starts with These huge bears called Colossal Bears, that were engineered with DNA of earth bears. Didn’t pay her off well with the Aquean ecosystem had been a complete failure.

Introducing, we have now the prophecy twins, as I’d like to call them.. Brittany and Lorraine.

Right off, the bat were thrown into chaos when an alarm sets off. Magellan's observation tower, the sound, the alarm being a bell‘s from the ancient starship that brought them there before.

Adequate warning of an attack by the relentless Thith.
Tang Tang Tang.

Thith are these Lizard Creatures, Although the Thith were bipedal, they had small, seemingly frail bodies.

The Book of Bloodlines are instructions are about whom we, the custodians of the sealed book of prophesy, allow to open and read, Only the Intended shall open this book."

"Protector of Hope," but only signify her legitimacy as his predecessor.

Inter Connecting parts of this prophecy
In the same type of spacecraft, the female, who preceded by eight days and four hours of his path is the strongest in history. The family is a combination of earth & aqueous.

Is important the seconds count protector of hope is key to his arrival.

Don’t forget, we have dragons in this story!!The lizard people THITH were in a pandemonium with the dragon, so large they ever seen.

Then, within the prophecy is the daughter of the prophets. Blood only can hear the voice, but they were twins, and the dragon named Rodinya, ( Endeavors Run)

They mention the protector of hope who is dying Lorraine and Britt, I need to work together to see it through to keep in mind there’s traders amongst to destroy the whole prophecy

The earth man, Alex, (same one from Endeavors Run with Baseball with super natural abilities, and is a master swordsman , the Sword called Red Katana ….Recalling how the redness happened to the sword where Alex dying body have been covered by Rodinya ‘s red goo.

Then, from the last book you still have the Normand’r kind of like a puppet Masters to the humans.

The rest is a classic thrill ride really need to pay attention to the players on the board!

As timelines go it’s precise with the prophecy timeline, I was asked by the author himself for an honest review! I give this 4.5 ⭐️’s

[Wilfred Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being the second book in a series, Katana Red is a literary piece that would beat anyone's expectation. It encapsulates the activities preceding the arrival of a Protector Of Hope that would avenge the Cambrians from the damage caused by the Thith invasion.
The author made this book in such a way as to ensure the interest of the readers by including plot twists, such as the unexpected betrayal of the director of the metal guild, and his unwavering loyalty to the Thith, the sworn enemies of the Cambrians.
The author also demonstrated versatility in his inclusion of more than one theme in this novel. This is evident in the fact that even though the storyline of the book is based on adventure, different portions of the book such as the part that headlined the plight of the OVAL pilots showed properties of a sci-fi novel, among other themes.

It is a highly recommendable book not only because it is extremely enjoyable, but also because it would challenge the minds of especially young readers to imagine the possibility of life outside earth, since the setting of this novel is on an alien planet. This way, the author subconsciously creates an interest for science. The novel is a perfect combination of fiction and fantasy. There is magic, space travel, prophecy, dragons.

This book is engaging, there are so much to learn from this great book. Likewise, it is easy to comprehend the authors motive, I didn’t come across any errors while reading. Therefore I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

[Vickie Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would require a lot of courage and strong will to resist the hypnotizing effect this book is bound to have on anyone that encounters it. Katana red is a book whose storyline is based on adventure. The specificity of the author's choice of words makes it more readily assimilable to a wide range of readers.
Katana Red has its setting in the city of Cambria. It started off on a happy note, describing the peace that Cambrians enjoyed under the reign of their beloved governor. However, this peace was disrupted by news of arrival of the Thith who were intent on ensuring the annihilation of the Cambrian citizens to enable them take over the land, since theirs was destroyed. The most dramatic plot twist occured when Rodinya, the dragon that delivered the Protector of Hope to Cambria took actions that overrode the plans of the Thith.
Consequently, as the Hope Prophecy foretold, the Cambrians were saved from the Thith while Alex, the Protector of Hope sojourned in search of a partner that would help him fulfill the prophecy.
A captivating feature of this book is that it is not predictable in any way. Due to this, readers will be on their toes to discover what would happen next as the story unfolds.
The language is simple and specific, the storyline is superb, the sequence of events is engaging. Most readers will be grateful to come across a book like this. I'd give it a 4/5 rating.

[Evans John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the introductory pages of the book, the potential satisfaction that Katana Red would provide to the reader cannot be missed. Katana Red is the second book in the Hope Prophecy series. The author went all-out in displaying his talent by creating this fantastic novel.
The attributes allotted to every character in the book is relatable, and makes the book more understandable.

Characterization here was very straightforward. Marks took time to build each identity used in the story. The story was wrapped perfectly around just a few characters in a way that allowed easy comprehension One character in this book that I came to love so much is Miss Lorraine Lawson, the daughter of the Cambrian governor. Her charisma and friendliness made her loved by a lot of people. She is one of the main characters in this book, because she had the primary responsibility of ensuring that Alex, the Protector of Hope, was fit to go on his quest in search of an ally who would rescue the city of Cambria together with him.

This book was very satisfying to read. There is proper book formatting, and the editing is faultless. I am rating this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katana Red, unique and original, tells about the Cambrians and their fate regarding a Thith invasion that was intended to wipe them out. Every page of this novel is so carefully crafted that it is almost impossible to believe that it is a fiction novel.

A character in the book that was very excellently portrayed is the Cambrian governor, Governor Sven Lawson. He embodied a true leader in his actions and verdicts in every situation that bordered on the peace of the Cambrians.
The governor's men were also perfectly described, and they all served as epitome of hard work and loyalty.
Katana Red is a true masterpiece, a work of art perfectly produced by an extremely talented author.

Moreover, this work was exceptionally edited, and I didn't find any errors. Katana red deserves the widest possible readership. In light of this, I rate katana red by Tobin marks 5 out of 5 stars. This book would appeal to anyone interested in apocalyptic reads, sci/fi, fantasy, adventure, outer space, dragons, and new worlds. Its a 5 star piece.

[Alexander Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Katana Red; Author, Tobin Marks, takes us on a fantasy-filled journey on the planet Aqueous. The human colony on planet Aqueous faces imminent war and possible annihilation as the Tith, a colony of genetically engineered reptilian creatures, that also inhabits the planet, set out to take Cambria, the land on which the human colony resides on.

Tobin tells the story of two sisters, Lorraine and Britt Lawson, charged with saving the world as they know it, with the help of a centuries old prophecy and the man whom the prophecy spoke of. These three and all who stand with them have to endure and overcome the betrayals, treachery and hardships that will be thrown their way.

Katana Red is an interesting read, if you are patient enough to get past the unengaging, almost boring prologue. It is written in clear and understandable lingo, there is no confusion as to what is being discussed in every chapter.

There is significant personal
growth of each of the characters as you read on and the character development in Katana Red is the most satisfying thing ever. I love how the book is balanced, serious but fun at the same time. I love the natural progression of the book and how the characters are portrayed. As mentioned before, the prologue isn’t as engaging as the book turns out to be once you’ve settled into it.

Overall, Katana Red was a really good read and completely exceeded my
expectations, I’ll totally follow up on the other books in the trilogy.

[Sue Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tobin Marks literary prowess takes a reader's imagination through a fantastical world of different possibilities like bioengineered DNAs in different creatures. His world-building and flow are amazing as each page transports the readers into an intriguing world. The characters were beautifully developed through their complex abilities and personalities. Through his proficient storytelling, the description of Lorainnes outburst and rage scene was satisfying. The contrast he created between the calm Lorraine and her sudden outburst was a unique one.

The language and diction are partly simple for an average reader to understand and read through the story with an understanding. There was the use of ambiguous words which could create a reader barrier or mental fatigue.

With complete freedom from grammatical errors, I had a wholesome read. I loved how the dialogue between the characters felt real and sincere, with the right amount of humor that made the scene easy to imagine. There was nothing to dislike about this Tobin Marks masterpiece, making this fantasy storyline a pleasure to read. As far as honest reviews go, this book deserves a 4.5-star rating. Great job Tobin!

[Tracey baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters developed at a steady pace revealing much more about them and what they could achieve if put to the test. This was seen most especially in Alex as he discovered new abilities resident in him after making a recovery.

I liked the way the plot was brought to light with each character and their peculiar traits, I saw the different characters evolve especially Lorraine who's my favorite character by the way, she somewhat reminds me of myself.

I honestly don't have an issue with the book apart from the slight errors I noticed. I'm really waiting for the next part of the book. I need to know what happens next.

[Dennis steward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a good reading experience. I commend the writer's choice of words, the novel was so captivating that I was really engrossed in it. The prologue did justice in introducing the story pretty well. I liked the fact that the writer made use of figures of speech which I found interesting and also how well the book connects with the mind.

The book was well-detailed, and the beginning of each chapter took its time to explain the context and background. Furthermore, the fact that some part of the book left one in suspense was really nice because this would keep the reader with a quest to know what happens next. It also helps prevent the reader from being bored.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second installment of the Hope Prophecy series.

Briefly explaining what this book is about would be impossible. The book is not simple. In fact, this book is very complex and simply excellent. When writing the first review, I already mentioned that this series can certainly go hand in hand with great world successes such as Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. The genre is not nearly as similar, but the complexity of the writing certainly is.

I personally like this sequel better than the first book. In the first book, due to the large number of characters, I sometimes got lost and it would take me a lot of time to remember who is who, who is with whom, who is in which world. And there were a lot more characters than in this book. Of course that is when Tobin killed many of his characters in the first installment. Let's say that the first book was truly the beginning that introduced the reader to the world with all the descriptions and indicated little by little in which direction the story was going. This book is the opposite. A lot of things have been unraveled and found out, and now the focus is more on the main character, on Alex, but also on the characters that are part of the prophecy. I also found this book easier to read. As a person whose mother tongue is not English, it is very important to me that the book is readable and written in a somewhat normal manner and dialect. From that point it is certainly great.

The book has a lot of pages, so it should not be taken as some kind of light reading, because it is not. But what is important to me is that it keeps me in suspense, that it is not boring and that it flows easily page by page. Of course, I don't have to say how frustrated I was that I came to the end with a hundred questionnaires over my head and a huge desire to find out what will happen because a large war is on the horizon (there is also a dragon) and the story ended there.

I can't wait to read the next chapter because the series is really worth reading and it's great.

[Malvin Kosy · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the carefully explained details, to the well-scripted vocabulary, the life-like characters, and down to the mind-blowing and captivating storyline, Katana Red is definitely bestseller material. Irrespective of the fact that it is a book in the Hope Prophecy series, Katana Red can be very well assimilated even though it is read singly.

It describes life in Cambria, the hope and fears of the Cambrians regarding the Thith war and the promised arrival of the Protector of Hope whose presence would yield victory on the part of the Cambrians. Katana Red further explains the roles of characters that were pivotal to the arrival of the Protector of Hope, and who had duties to see to his well-being until he acts to fulfill the prophecy.

The story behind Katana Red is truly captivating, and each character was carefully presented like a work of art to fit their roles perfectly. Each scene kept me at the edge of my seat, but the part of the book that I would describe as the climax was when Alex, the Protector of Hope was brought to Cambria by Rodinya the dragon just as the Prophecy foretold. Even though the prophecy was clear that Alex would survive, it was still impossible not to have a little doubt based on the state he was described to be in.

Katana Red is a truly wonderful piece of writing, and there is nothing displeasing about it.
It is age-friendly, and is easy to comprehend. It is an embodiment of 10 out of 10.

[Opeyemi Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something truly outstanding about this book is the way the author started out by describing the location of the story, its border towns, and the age-long struggles that inhabitants faced with predators. This way, a mental image is already created in the mind of the reader before the actual story begins. It highlights the never-ending struggle with colossal bears, and the way they ravaged the cities every now and then. It also talked about the way that the Cambrians were thrown into sudden turmoil over the ringing of the bell which signified an invasion of deadly lizard-looking creatures, the Thith.
Katana Red didn't fail to meticulously explain the events surrounding a prophecy that spoke of hope for the Cambrians through the activities of a Protector that was destined to show up at the right time to rid them of their misery.
My favourite character in Katana Red is Lorraine Lawson, the daughter of the Cambrian governor that portrayed nothing but dedication, hard work and a free spirit. These attributes of hers made no one else more fitting as the Prophecy Intended, the person whose duty was to make sure that the Protector of Hope was delivered successfully to carry out his mission.

Every little detail in the book came together to create a masterpiece, and it is truly an amazing piece. Readers that find mystery tales intriguing will love Katana Red.
It is nothing short of a 5-star book.

[Jannie Parson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katana Red provides a balance between abstraction, fiction and practicality. The story borders on the life of a group of people that inhabit a city on an alien planet. It speaks of the continuous struggles of these people, the Cambrians, with different predators over the years. It also mentions a hope Prophecy, which spoke of redemption for the Cambrians from an inevitable invasion of lizard people (the Thith) whose core aim was to eradicate every trace of life and take over the city.
Something notable about this book is the manner in which every character, attribute and event is detailed so well as to provide a mental picture of what is being read. The author's choice of words, simple and very easily assimilable, is also plausible.
By all means, Katana Red is a wonderful book. I'd rate it five stars.

[Trinity · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third installment of Tobin Marks' Hope Prophecy Series follows Alex, a male seventh-generation protector of Hope, as he makes his way through Cambaria in order to accomplish the prophecy. The Lawson brothers make an effort to step into Alex's shoes, but he needs assistance and must finish things swiftly. In the meantime, the intelligent, reptile, bipedal Thilth plan their last assault on humanity in an attempt to drive them from home planet Aqueous. The series demonstrates Marks' ability to craft a work of art for the general audience. All these happenings were being controlled by the Normad'r, who were seen as the gods of the galaxy.
Also, you'd need to be familiar with the other Hope Prophecy Series for you to enjoy Katana Red to the fullest.

I had no trouble reading this book. The language used was simple. A few strange terms that I encountered were all defined. The writers knew exactly who their readership was since he always hits the spot. The plot works really well. The author presents several significant story twists, which allows him to successfully surprise the reader multiple times. As a result, the plot has surprising turns. You start making predictions as soon as you pick up a book.

Chapter 29 explains more about the honourable deeds of Private Bulanski, commonly called Bull, which seems to be the one of which I'm most ond. Bull, having a huge macho and a private in the governor's guard, was revered by everyone for his skills as a soldier and also for his way with horses. He brings out the best in each and every member of the governor's guard by giving and obeying orders judiciously. Bull also adds to the fun part of the book, as can be seen from the way he handled the Katana retrieval from the hospital and when he saved Major Garcia's life. Eventually, Bull was promoted to lieutenant in order to watch over the Lawson twins more closely.
I would say Lieutenant Bulanski is more of a hero in the book.
 
I think Mark should have given us more information on the lives and cultures of the Normad’r and the Thilth, because, having been following the Hope Prophecy series and knowing so little about them, I would have preferred more details on them and their actions. Regardless, I can't wait to read more books in the Hope Prophecy series.

Ultimately, I had a very smooth reading experience. I did not find any errors in my reading, meaning the editing was flawless. I'm rating Kantara red a 5 out of 5 stars.
Furthermore, I would recommend this book to enthusiasts of space travel and adventure novels.

[Joshua Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being my third read from the Hope Prophecy Series, Tobin Marks has yet again proved his dexterity in bringing out such an excellent masterpiece for the public.
 
As a continuation of the previous Hope Prophecy Series, Katana Red is reunited with Alex's crash on Aqueous. Alex (the seventh-generation male and the Protector of Hope) finds his way into Cambaria with the expectation of fulfilling the Hope Prophecy. While taking note of the signs of the prophecy, the Lawson twins try their best to fill Alex in on his role as the Protector of Hope. But to do this, Alex had to complete some tasks quickly and with help from others. At the same time, the Thilth, a bipedal intelligent and reptilian species, having fought for more than a century with humans, were plotting their final attack on mankind with the aim of wiping them off the face of their planet, Aqueous.
 
The flow of each discussion with the characters filled me with awe as I read all the chapters with a high degree of concentration in order not to miss out on the words being said. Also, the organisation of all the events was very well put together and made understandable, as it didn't require much energy to recall the last events that had already taken place. Mark really brought the characters to life, as all traits were clearly depicted till the end, especially from the Death Doctor, who had quite an impression on everyone.
 
The book is captivating and beautifully written. But with very little illustration, the pictures looked magnificent, realistic, and added more value to the book. Katana Red has it all, from love to betrayal to comedy and down to revenge. There were times when I was frustrated and times when I was happy with the way things were going in the book, and it seemed to me like I was present with the characters, especially with Alex, who was my favourite character.
  
I would recommend this book to people who have an interest in sci-fi adventures as well as interstellar With this, I would give the book five out of five stars.
Kudos to Mark for this wonderful piece.

[Robert Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fascinating narrative, the book unfolds the fulfillment of a thousand-year prophecy aimed at saving the human race in Cambria amid internal enemies. The Hope Prophecy prophecies the imminent and final seventh war against the Thith, who demand the surrender of the Cambarians. The destiny of victory or defeat rests upon the shoulders of the Lawson twin sisters, descendants of Yanbeyeva, accompanied by the Protector of Hope and Rodinya. Rodinya was to facilitate the delivery of the Protector of Hope, who was to undergo treatment and establish a bond with the twin sisters, after which he returns to Rodinya and then embarks on a quest for help to Drakon Uke with the 4th book of prophecy.
The protagonist of the book went through a lot of growth in the story, growing from an ignorant and uninformed person to a strong and confident person. Also, the characters personality gains depth as a result of this development, exposing multiple emotional and motivational facets that deepen the portrayal's complexity. Because of the characters real difficulties and feelings, I could relate to them, which makes the story a compelling examination of human experiences.
I had a good reading experience. I commend the writer's choice of words, the novel was so captivating that I was really engrossed in it. The prologue did justice in introducing the story pretty well. I liked the fact that the writer made use of figures of speech which I found interesting and also how well the book connects with the mind.The book was well detailed, the beginning of each chapter took its time to explain the context and background. Furthermore, the fact that some part of the book left one in suspense was really nice because this would keep the reader with a quest to know what happens next. It also helps prevent the reader from being bored.
However, I found it difficult relating to some words because they were ambiguous. Also, I noticed there were problems with the wrong use of punctuation marks and this made it not easy flowing.

[Aditi Anvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katana Red, the third book of the Hope Prophecy series, is as interesting a book as it can be.

It tells the tale of humans who left Earth for another planet, one not lacking in resources. Tobin Mark, the writer of this splendid book, helped very well with my imagination with the depiction of a map of Aqueous, the new planet, and Cambria, the human colony. The humans face a major crisis: a species war between them and the reptilian inhabitants of Aqueous, who want to colonise and rule them. The Cambrians, until recently, won the racial wars with the help and alliance of the Dragon Uke, another human colony that appeared before them on Aqueous. But their alliance dissolved, which made the Thiths confident of their final conquest against the Cambrians. Here the prophecy comes into play—a thousand-year prophecy that mentions the coming of a protector, one that will lead the victory against the thieves.

My favourite parts would be Chapters 36 and 58, which kept me on edge as my mind raced to decipher who the traitor in the library is. My favourite person would be the MC, Alexander Porter, IFC commander, master swordsman, and protector of ope. His experiences, skills, and decision-making embody him as the perfect candidate to bear such heavy responsibility, one upon which the fate of aqueous humans lies. There are also some others I'm fond of, like Baseball and Bull, two men, one who gave his life to save his friend and the other who would do anything for his own person. The book also dabbles in romance, as in the case of the Hammar couple and the spark between Lorraine and Alex.

I salute Tobin Mark's flair for writing, his plot twists, character development, and “event positioning." This book deserves wide recognition as it is perfect even for a sci-fi book, a genre where authors rarely pen an interesting read. Therefore, I must rate it 5 stars. I recommend this book to all sci-fi enthusiasts and regular people seeking a plot-twisting, edge-keeping read.

[Joseph Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book 'Katana Red' is indeed an intriguing series. It is in no small way a spell-binding piece of writing, embodying meticulousness in it's precise description of each character, scene and role in every page. As already stated, it is part of a series, and even though the author did a superb job in making every scene understandable, knowledge of the happenings in the previous book in the series is required to understand specific occurrences in the book.

The author kept to simplicity in his choice of words, and this was plausible in the hypnotizing effect it had. Each character was thoroughly described, and the roles fitted perfectly. However, my favourite character was the Major Guillermo Garcia, a major in the governor's guard. The major piqued my interest above all others, because of his strict yet humorous nature. He was depicted to be a person of high mental capability, which was evident in the way he handled issues at different points in the book. The characters felt real, due to the vivid description, and each scene was written particularly well. The book kept me guessing at different points, and made me laugh a lot.

Even though it is given that the book is part of a series, it was quite disappointing that it ended abruptly. The cliffhanger at the end definitely threw me off-guard and it was displeasing. Other than that, it focused on a theme I found interesting, and that was pleasing.

In summary, the book emphasizes adventure, and I would recommend it to readers that like action scenes such as younger readers and fans of drama and mystery stories.

Due to the manner in which the scenes are carefully arranged, and the way the storyline is nothing short of excellent, I would rate it five stars anytime, any day.

[Owen Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katana Red is the second book in the Hope Prophecy series. It is a book with a storyline bordered on mystery and drama. The book recognizes the existence of mystical powers and justifies its abilities. Since it is part of a series, a prior knowledge of the first book in the series is necessary to ensure clear understanding.

The book had a lot of cliffhangers and was not predictable in any way. The events in the book had a commendable sequence, one that is capable of keeping any reader glued to their seat till the last page. Every character described kept true to the demeanors assigned to them, but the character that caught my attention was Private Peabody Bulanski. In contrast to his name which suggests a weird, cowardly person, Private Bulanski was portrayed as a ferocious and brave soldier whenever situations required, and a friendly and humorous person at other times. The gentle and humble nature he maintained despite his obvious strength was something I found exceptional. My favourite part of the book was when the prophesied Protector Of Hope appeared, forcing many people who had long dismissed the prophecy as a fairytale to believe again. The book had a lot of fun scenes, and laughter was inevitable.

The only thing I disliked about the book is the fact that some concepts seemed almost too impossible. This is however justified by the fact that the book strives to project mysticism in the best possible way.

I would recommend the book to younger readers and people that believe in magic. It will also be of great interest to fans of adventurous tales.

The book deserves a solid mark of 8 out of 10 in my opinion. It is a truly great book.

[Wanda Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captain Alex Porter is on a mission with his crew from earth. Unknown to them, there is a planet called aqueous where the person they are searching for now lives.
A group of humans of the aqueous planet, seeking political power wreck the ships causing a fatal accident that leaves only one survivor who is badly injured. Captain Alex Porter has his Katana Sword stuck in his chest and he bleeds profusely. He readily accepts his fate to join his crew members but a thousand year old prophecy that linked the two planets together preserve his life.
He is carried to the aqueous planet by a some dragon and there he finds out that he is the Protector of Hope, long fabled about, and his duty was to preserve the human life that is being threatened by the Thith, thousands of a reptilian genus that inhabit the southern region of the aqueous. Lorraine Lawson and Britt Lawson are the Governor of Cambria's twin daughters and they were the custodians and part executioners of the prophecy.
For the prophecy to be fulfilled, Captain Alex Porter, who is the protector of hope, needed to marry a royalty from Dragon Uke, another human colony in aqueous to get an ally for the upcoming war between the enemies that seem to be ganging up against them.
The first confrontation between the Thith and the Cambria people led to a fight that the tight scrambled away in fear. But they had a bigger master plan that will defeat Cambria if the protector of hope doesn't come around.
Alex Porter, after recovering under the care of the sister doctors realized that he had super fighting abilities with his katana sword. Realizing the gravity of the responsibility he now faced, he left for the Spine, when he was healthy and strong enough to find the Rhodina, the dragon, to start fulfilling the prophecy, and saving the human species on aqueous from extermination.

[Dennis Reckinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tobin Marks' "Katana Red" is a captivating book about extraterrestrial humans who seek refuge on an alien planet, Aqueous. The humans face battles with the Thiths, the original reptilian inhabitants of Aqueous, and their alliance with other humans. The human colony, Cambria, is hopeless due to a broken treaty with the Thiths. A folklore prophecy of a Messiah is revealed, but the Thiths are bioengineered by the Nomad'r, a highly intelligent species. The Nomad'rs use the humans to wage war against the Ulfins, who aim to overthrow them and become overlords in the galactic realm. The book is a must-read for fans of the hope prophecy series. If you want more knowledge get your copy!

My favourite character would be Private or Lieutenant Bulanski, a simple man who never hesitated to bleed for his own. A particular part of the book that really stood out to me would be Chapter 38, where Tobin Mark displayed his gift with the familial bloodline tracing on Earth and on Aqueous.
I really appreciate the Author's talent in the book, with the plot twists and cliffhangers especially in the tale of the prophecy; it's simpleness to the common people, diversity and intricacies to those in the know.

I must commend the author for weaving together so many intertwined plots. The storytelling strategy was well-thought-out and very intricate. This was a really enjoyable and interesting read. Novels about adventure and space travel that combine several storylines into one mind-blowing conclusion always appeal to me.

All in all, Katana Red is a solid 10/10, I genuinely anticipate reading the next book. I recommend this book to anyone seeking a good read, cliffhangers, plot twists and of course, sci-fi enthusiasts. This book is perfect to me and as such, is rated 5 stars.

[Emmanuel Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tobin Marks examines the existence of extraterrestrial beings in "Katana Red," a novel in which they escape Earth and head for a distant planet. The Thiths, the first reptilian occupants of Aqueous, and their coalition with other human occupants are enemies of the humans. A violated covenant with the Thiths has left the people of the human colony of Cambria despondent. When Alex, the Protector of Hope, shows there, it validates a folktale prophecy about a Messiah who will come to save them. But the Nomad'r, a highly intelligent species, bioengineered the Thiths to be manual labourers for mining a unique crystal in Aqueous. The Ulfins want to topple the Nomad'rs and take control of the galaxy, so they employ the humans as weapons in their struggle against them. Please ensure you get your copy.

This book has excellent communication throughout. The right tone and emotion are created in this piece by the author's word choice. His descriptions are vivid and his writing style was proper.
The characters are compelling, with strong personalities that make their actions and emotions plausible. I love the way he thought about and conveyed the feeling. Though certain story devices seemed very convenient at times, the book included two equally engaging tales that mingled throughout, twists and turns, and a tonne of shocks and discoveries regarding series characters.

This intriguing book offers a wealth of insightful teachings. In addition, the absence of errors made it easy for me to comprehend the author's intentions while reading. I therefore rate this book five stars out of five.

[Michael Sweeten · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Hope Prophecy series, Katana Red, describes how mankind left Earth for a new world where there are plenty of resources. The reptile residents of Aqueous are waging a war against the humans, hoping to colonise and subjugate them. The Thiths triumph with confidence as the Cambrians, who had previously defeated the Dragon Uke in racial conflicts, disintegrate. The book predicts the coming of a protector who will spearhead the fight against the thieves using a thousand-year prophecy.

The valiant deeds of Private Bulanski, popularly known as Bull, a well-liked horseman and soldier. He handles the governor's guard with ability and with judicious obedience. Bull's job was to protect the Lawson twins, so he was appointed to lieutenant. The plot twists and cliffhangers—especially in the prophecy—show off the author's skill. While the book's complexity attracts to the knowledgeable, its simplicity appeals to the general public.

Katana red was a science fiction book that I really liked as a political manual. People who want to change the world and reach their full potential will find this book interesting, especially those who enjoy science, notably doctors, astrophysicists, and environmental scientists. Instead of being obliged to read lengthy expository texts, the reader learns about technology, medicine, environmental health, and maybe even politics. Fans of stellar space operas will undoubtedly enjoy it.

There was barely anything to dislike or recommend to the author to improve on. I did not find any errors in my reading, meaning the editing was flawless. Hence, I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars.

[Ian Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katana Red describes the events preceding the fulfilment of the Hope Prophecy, and enlist the duties assigned to specific people and the manner in which they were to carry out these duties to ensure that the prophecy takes its course. It is the second book in the Hope Prophecy series.

My best part of the book was Lorraine's discovery of her role as the Prophecy Intended, and her subsequent discovery of the prophecy book that was specifically written for her. Coincidentally, she is my favourite character in Katana Red due to her light-hearted nature. Even though she is a twin, she is depicted to be completely different in behaviour from her twin, Britt. Something I found amiable about Lorraine is the fact that even with the level of power she had as the governor's daughter and the Prophecy Intended, she still maintained a very cordial relationship with the people around her, unlike her sister.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and the only setback I had was the obscure nature of most of the words used in the book. Other than that, it was nothing short of an unforgettable experience.

The author did justice in delivering the book the way he wanted, and any reader would find the book just as enjoyable. However, people that have a thing for fantasy and mystery books will be at the edge of their seats till the last page of the book. It is by all means a five-star book.

[Nicola Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book 'Katana Red', the author melds real science with the fantastically impossible, giving his literary work an incredible believability. His command of structure and dialogue is flawless, and the story is packed with realistic characters. Katana Red is the second book in a series, the Hope Prophecy series.

The author did a wonderful job bringing each character to life with his explicit descriptions and meticulous style of writing. The book was spell-binding in every way due to the suspense it inserted at different points.

The protagonist, Alexander Porter, who is described as the Protector Of Hope in the book is unarguably my favourite character. His charisma, and his determined spirit is something I found highly commendable. He, and every other character in the book felt real to me.

Each scene was written perfectly well to outline every action and emotion it was intended to. Unfortunately, the protagonist, in my opinion, was not given enough attention and this made it somewhat difficult for me to care about him. In my opinion, if a lot more was said about him, it would've truly emphasized his place as the main character.

Katana Red is undoubtedly a great piece of writing, and because of the writer's choice of words, it is suitable for readers of all ages. If I was to give it a mark, I think it deserves a 9 out of 10.

[Andrea Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this captivating narrative, the book unfolds the fulfillment of a thousand-year prophecy aimed at saving the human race in Cambria, an Aqueous realm abundant in various crystals. The Hope Prophecy prophesies the imminent and final seventh war against the Thith, who demand the surrender of the Cambarians.

The destiny of victory or defeat rests upon the shoulders of the Lawson twin sisters, descendants of Yanbeyeva, accompanied by the Protector of Hope and Rodinya. Before the impending Thith invasion and the arrival of the Protector of Hope, the twins were to read the "Third Book of the Intended."

Rodinya was to facilitate the delivery of the Protector of Hope, who was to undergo treatment and establish a bond with the twin sisters, after which he returns to Rodinya and then embarks on a quest to Drakon Uke with the 4th book of prophecy. The human race's survival hinges on unraveling the prophecy amid internal enemies. Alex, an Earth man with supernatural abilities and the prophesied Red Katana, aids in this crucial mission.

The protagonist of the book goes through a lot of growth in the story, growing from an ignorant and uninformed person to a strong and confident person. Also, the characters personality gains depth as a result of this development, exposing multiple emotional and motivational facets that deepen the portrayal's complexity. Because of the character's real difficulties and feelings, I could relate to them, which makes the story a compelling examination of human experiences. Indeed, this is a book adventure readers will relish!

[Fiona Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katana Red describes life in Cambria in the days nearing the fulfilment of the Hope Prophecy. It gives details of the happenings surrounding the appearance of the Protector Of Hope, a person destined to save the Cambrians from a Thith war. It is a part of a series, and the way in which it is written makes it truly fascinating.

Something I really liked about the book is the way each chapter is specific to a particular occurrence and explains the occurrence in context in details. This, and many other properties of the book, such as the writer's choice of words, makes the book amazing.

My favourite character in the book is Doctor Britt Lawson. Her stoic, authoritative nature gave her an air of power and made her stand out, even though her methods of approach were not welcome by most people.

The book is simply fantastic, and there was nothing displeasing about it whatsoever. The theme focused on something that I have always found intriguing; the possibility of a second planet with humans in it.

Apart from the fact that the book contains a negligible amount of censor-worthy words, I would recommend it to young, fantasy-loving readers. If it were to be rated, Katana Red deserves a full 10 out of 10 marks.

[Achieve Effiom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly intriguing and truly satisfying, Katana Red is nothing short of a praiseworthy piece. Even though it is part of the Hope Prophecy series, it is still understandable in it's entirety, even to new readers.

The order in which every event in the book was arranged was enjoyable to the core. My favourite part of the book was the part where the dragon Rodinya helped the Cambrians to scare off the Thith till the Protector Of Hope was ready to swing into action. I had more than one favourite character since each was a perfect incarnation of their assigned traits. Due to the way the happenings in the book are carefully arranged, Katana Red kept me turning the pages in a suspenseful frenzy.

The part of the book I found dislikable is the way most of the scenes are unnecessarily stretched. Even though the author strived to promote clear understanding, the way that some of the scenes were prolonged was uncomfortable and tiring.

In a general sense, Katana Red is an interesting piece, and will undoubtedly suit the taste of young and old readers alike.

Asides the fact that a few parts of the book were redundant, I would rate the book 4 stars.

[Colin Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katana Red is an engaging science fiction piece penned by Tobin Marks. It details the journey of the Lawson twins and their quest to fulfill a prophecy that was foretold centuries before they were even born. Britt and Lorraine Lawson are the exact opposites of each other, and rarely do they get along. Their father is the Cambrian provincial governor on their planet, Aqueous. In order to prevent their defeat at the hands of the Thith (their sworn enemies who possess lizard-like qualities), Sven Lawson entrusts his twin daughters with finding a way to fulfill the Hope prophecy and save the lives of their people. But they are unprepared for the discoveries they will make and how their lives will change beyond expectations. The prophecy states that they would train and support a stranger from another planet who was to be their savior while facing the possible threat of betrayal of their cause. Will the Lawson twins succeed on this quest despite the pressure resting on their shoulders? Will their efforts be enough to prevent the extinction of their people? Find out more by picking out a copy of this book.

This book had quite a few positive and enjoyable aspects. Though there were a lot of compelling and well-rounded characters in this book, my favorite has to be Lorraine, for a lot of reasons. Her presence was always a refreshing part of the book, and her emotions and struggles made her very relatable. Right from the beginning of the book, it is shown that she is the calmer version of her sister, and despite being liked more, she wished for the courage to stand for the right things. Another positive aspect was the excellent world-building. It was fascinating to see the author create a unique and believable setting that felt real and authentic. There was a very keen attention to detail, and this allowed him to craft a setting that is rich with history and lore. And this brings me to my favorite part of the book, which is the world-building. The planet of Aqueos and its human colonies were described so accurately that I was able to visualize what life there would be like. There was also a tough and intricate classification of leadership, together with a fair share of political struggles to keep me engaged. From Governor Lawson to his council of advisors, these influential figures were responsible for the people of Cambria despite their personal grudges and differences.

I also enjoyed the author's style of writing. It impacted the plot by creating a sense of urgency and tension, and thus it influenced the actions and motivations of the characters. The quality of the writing made this future world feel realistic and well thought out because it contained different obstacles and challenges for the characters to overcome in order to reach their full potential. This played a key part in making the book more believable and immersive.

But, in spite of the book's positive qualities, I also came across some drawbacks. Multiple errors made me think that the book had not been professionally edited. These mistakes frequently led to confusion and negatively impacted my reading experience.

I have chosen to give this book a rating of three stars out of four due to the above-mentioned reasons. While I commend the author for developing a captivating piece that kept me reading, I have to acknowledge the problems I had with the book. Despite this, Katana Red is a book I will be rereading in the near future, and I am definitely looking forward to reading the third book in the Hope Prophecy series titled Drakon Rus. The small excerpt at the end of the book already has me excited.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys science fiction and adventure books with stunning action and fight scenes. However, the book is better suited for a mature audience because of the explicit language and disturbing scenes.

[Amy Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many fantasy stories falter in terms of world-building. Writing a story using our planet as we currently know it isn't easy; building a whole new world to base a story is even more so. However, Tobin Marks does a decent job of building Aqueous, a fictional world where most of the action occurs.
Perhaps it is not enough to build an immersive world if the characters are too hard to follow. Save for some immediate favorites like Lorraine and her twin Britt, most of the story's characters do not, in my opinion, feel welcoming. Unlike fantasy stories like Harry Potter, where the reader can jump in from any installation of the book series and still follow completely, Katana Red seems to demand, for the most part, that the reader begins with its predecessor: Endeavors Run.
Notwithstanding, the non-human characters known as the Lizard People (the Thith) are fascinating. Their conversations with the residents of Aqueous Planet are electrifying and form part of what I found amazing about the story—talking Lizards who can walk and fight as well. That was a stroke of genius by Tobin Marks.
The book's language will demand that you whip out the nearest dictionary several times. For instance, on page 10, the writer says, "After a couple minutes of respite." Replacing rest (easier to breeze through) instead of respite wouldn't have watered down the scene.
Granted, the science is advanced, but no exact rule says advanced vocabulary must accompany advanced science. If anything, the grammar should be simple so the reader doesn't have to think too much to understand. Of course, there is much to be said about the technical jargon employed by the writer. In that regard, he did an amazing job.
Moreover, the writer also made sure to leave no room for grammar errors. Interestingly, the language might appear advanced in many cases, but there is not one scene where the wrong vocabulary is used to infer something else. I also like that the writer makes the protagonist of the Hope Prophecy, the POH (the real one), from Earth. For some reason, it makes me feel more at ease that the one whose sword, prophesied tens of centuries ago, will save an entire race is from Earth.
Sci-fi often feels tedious to read and understand without trying to understand (which is one of the pointers to a good story). Katana Red has many darn good moments, but it has a general tediousness. Overall, I like the character arcs, military scenes, and the gradual increase in suspense in the story. Every encounter generates more heart thuds in the reader than the former, and the ultimate cliffhanger? My goodness! The cliffhanger indeed holds immense promise for the next installment of the Hope Prophecy series.
Sci-fi lovers and fantasy fans will enjoy every bit of Katana Red. But I feel any ordinary reader (my tongue is in my cheek here) would struggle to find their feet, especially in the first few chapters.