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The Handler's Gambit: Saxen Saga Book 1
Play the game.
Murder the innocent.
Don't let them see you sweat.
Turner Boone lives a duplicitous life under a vengeful warlord who employs Boone's tactical genius for his galactic conquest.
Boone wants out.
As a quintessential planner, he's aiming for the long-game to free himself. But when the warlord assigns him to handle a teenage weapon with elemental powers, all his plans go to hell.
As Boone grows attached to his ward, he realizes they both need to escape. His new plan is a gambit that may make things worse before they get better--if he even lives to execute it.
A dark, character-driven adventure in the far reaches of our galaxy, this novel features epic space battles, biological magic, and the discovery of friendship between two young killers.
Murder the innocent.
Don't let them see you sweat.
Turner Boone lives a duplicitous life under a vengeful warlord who employs Boone's tactical genius for his galactic conquest.
Boone wants out.
As a quintessential planner, he's aiming for the long-game to free himself. But when the warlord assigns him to handle a teenage weapon with elemental powers, all his plans go to hell.
As Boone grows attached to his ward, he realizes they both need to escape. His new plan is a gambit that may make things worse before they get better--if he even lives to execute it.
A dark, character-driven adventure in the far reaches of our galaxy, this novel features epic space battles, biological magic, and the discovery of friendship between two young killers.
- GenresScience Fiction
413 pages, Paperback
Published November 4, 2023
11 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Ingrid Moon
13 books11 followersSubscribe for more info, special offers, updates, and more!
https://bit.ly/moon-news-gr
Ingrid Moon is an author, educator, and scientist, among other things. Early indoctrination into science and speculative fiction led her to pursue science and technology as a career.
She lives in Los Angeles with her family and many, many (too many) cats, pigs, and squirrels, but she is not a crazy cat lady.
https://bit.ly/moon-news-gr
Ingrid Moon is an author, educator, and scientist, among other things. Early indoctrination into science and speculative fiction led her to pursue science and technology as a career.
She lives in Los Angeles with her family and many, many (too many) cats, pigs, and squirrels, but she is not a crazy cat lady.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 2, 2024
Review: I enjoyed this fast paced novel set in a broad universe with a myriad of opposing factions.
The C.A. want to kill Vindik. Vindik wants to obliterate Boone and Co.. Boone and Co., hate the C.A. Kind of a revenge tribangle. The Sci in the Fi is good yet the Saxen powers verge on the fantastical and take an otherwise gutsy scifi novel to the edge.
Dumbas......er, Elyon is a poorly crafted character. She has been built as an assassin from an early age and gets her jolllies killing indiscriminatly. Then all of a sudden is sullen and crwying hers wittle heart out over someone lying to her. "Oh poor wittle heartwess mwuffins, wet me stwoke your fierwy wed hair and console your bwoken heart". Huh? Is this supposed to be the part where Elyon is imbued with vulnerabilities and empathy? Elyon is a mash up scene where you try to stuff humanity into a psychopath.
I am no writer but for believabilities sake, why not keep the psycho a psycho as that is all she has ever known, and make Boone her final transcendant reach for humanity / empathy within?
A solid novel that lost a bit in characterization.
Rating: 4.2/5
The C.A. want to kill Vindik. Vindik wants to obliterate Boone and Co.. Boone and Co., hate the C.A. Kind of a revenge tribangle. The Sci in the Fi is good yet the Saxen powers verge on the fantastical and take an otherwise gutsy scifi novel to the edge.
Dumbas......er, Elyon is a poorly crafted character. She has been built as an assassin from an early age and gets her jolllies killing indiscriminatly. Then all of a sudden is sullen and crwying hers wittle heart out over someone lying to her. "Oh poor wittle heartwess mwuffins, wet me stwoke your fierwy wed hair and console your bwoken heart". Huh? Is this supposed to be the part where Elyon is imbued with vulnerabilities and empathy? Elyon is a mash up scene where you try to stuff humanity into a psychopath.
I am no writer but for believabilities sake, why not keep the psycho a psycho as that is all she has ever known, and make Boone her final transcendant reach for humanity / empathy within?
A solid novel that lost a bit in characterization.
Rating: 4.2/5
October 16, 2024
Wow! This story was action-packed and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. Boone, a calculated and intelligent boy-turned-commander, and Elyon, a woman honed into a weapon, are captivating characters that had me wondering what they would do next. Moon’s worldbuilding had me immersed immediately - I highly suggest this book to all space fic fans!
May 25, 2025
"If freedom meant she couldn't do the things that appealed to her, was it freedom at all?"
I almost didn't finish reading this book. After the first couple chapters it just all felt too hard for me to get my head around. And then I kept going and everything started to click into place as I was inducted into the expansive and complex universe that is the backdrop for this initial tale in the series.
Ingrid Moon has crafted an intriguingly detailed 'world' with a long history and various factions and cultures - together with a tightly plotted story, plenty of action, superlative characters with complex motivations, it makes for an engaging read.
It was pleasing that the author did not feel the need to dump all of the world building and character details on the reader (which would have spoiled the story). There is enough for the plot to unfold and to suggest more broadly at the history and interests at play. I look forward to learning more in the future.
I am greatly anticipating the further books in the series.
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I almost didn't finish reading this book. After the first couple chapters it just all felt too hard for me to get my head around. And then I kept going and everything started to click into place as I was inducted into the expansive and complex universe that is the backdrop for this initial tale in the series.
Ingrid Moon has crafted an intriguingly detailed 'world' with a long history and various factions and cultures - together with a tightly plotted story, plenty of action, superlative characters with complex motivations, it makes for an engaging read.
It was pleasing that the author did not feel the need to dump all of the world building and character details on the reader (which would have spoiled the story). There is enough for the plot to unfold and to suggest more broadly at the history and interests at play. I look forward to learning more in the future.
I am greatly anticipating the further books in the series.
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 31, 2025
A nice start to series. Different than I normally read. I am a big fan of hard science, or at least science that makes logical sense. Less so of fantasy superhero magical powers. You don't have to follow every physical law to make me happy. There is not a lot of hard science in this story. It does have a good setup for this world building. Lots of room for expansion and exploring how the politics of this universe work.
A good opening space battle. I would have liked more.
I did like our main protagonist. A brilliant strategist hiding in a deceivingly young body. Not sure the point of the brief prolog. I will have to assume it comes into play in the next book. There was not enough of our antagonist to make me hate them.
This book does not end in a cliffhanger, something I hate. It is a complete tale in its own.
Onto the next book in this series.
Have a GoodReads.
A good opening space battle. I would have liked more.
I did like our main protagonist. A brilliant strategist hiding in a deceivingly young body. Not sure the point of the brief prolog. I will have to assume it comes into play in the next book. There was not enough of our antagonist to make me hate them.
This book does not end in a cliffhanger, something I hate. It is a complete tale in its own.
Onto the next book in this series.
Have a GoodReads.
March 11, 2024
War Games.
The author Ingrid Moon imagination is really amazing on this first book of the series.
Using a great game muster to fight a war is a genius move, the only question is “ will it work “ ?
Coincidence,
This whole week I watched the
complete series of the
hunger-games including the new one and In a weird way this book is a reminder, only this game is played in space, moves and counter moves, a war like 3D chess with amazing brains strategies which is the real twisters in this whole book.
Beautiful narration by Scott Allen for each of the characters in this creation.
My recommendations !!!
Oded Ostfeld.
The author Ingrid Moon imagination is really amazing on this first book of the series.
Using a great game muster to fight a war is a genius move, the only question is “ will it work “ ?
Coincidence,
This whole week I watched the
complete series of the
hunger-games including the new one and In a weird way this book is a reminder, only this game is played in space, moves and counter moves, a war like 3D chess with amazing brains strategies which is the real twisters in this whole book.
Beautiful narration by Scott Allen for each of the characters in this creation.
My recommendations !!!
Oded Ostfeld.
June 7, 2024
This is a great sci-fi read with a good mixture of action, space battles, covert ops, interpersonal relationships, and suspense. There's a hint of Romeo and Juliet but not enough to he a distraction or to ruin the story.
One area I think could be improved was in the area of the Saxen backstory. While I don't need Tolkienesque detail, I could use a little more. Plus, I don't think it was conveyed early enough just how powerful and brutal the Saxen were.
I did appreciate how it was unclear just who the "good guys" were in the story. It made the outcomes of conflicts less predictable.
Overall, a good book and I'll be reading the next book soon enough.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
One area I think could be improved was in the area of the Saxen backstory. While I don't need Tolkienesque detail, I could use a little more. Plus, I don't think it was conveyed early enough just how powerful and brutal the Saxen were.
I did appreciate how it was unclear just who the "good guys" were in the story. It made the outcomes of conflicts less predictable.
Overall, a good book and I'll be reading the next book soon enough.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 10, 2024
Audiobook: This was my first experience with Ingrid Moon's work, and it won't be my last. Commander Boone wanted to escape from the murderous warlord who employed him. Commander Boone had a plan; for the plan to work, several events needed to fall into place, and the odds were stacked against him. I enjoyed the story. I liked the setting. I was entertained by the characters. There were some surprises and some edge-of-your seat moments. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Scott Allen's narration was great, and his performance enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
March 31, 2024
Quite an introduction to this series. Interesting characters and an extremely complex situation. I look forward to reading more of this series. I do wish she had spent a bit more time on the background for the Saxen people as it would explain the situation more completely. Clearly that part of the story would flesh the situation out a great deal.
The characters are developed nicely and are sympathetic. As thus is an opening salvo their situations are not fully resolved so be prepared for that.
I received an advance copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters are developed nicely and are sympathetic. As thus is an opening salvo their situations are not fully resolved so be prepared for that.
I received an advance copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 13, 2024
Moon has delivered with The Handler's Gambit. You're never far from a battle, never far from a fight. Somehow, there's room in between for strategy, deception, betrayal, and loyalty. A great ride from beginning to end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 22, 2024
The best sci fi I've read in a very long time. I swallowed it all in just 3 days, not being able to put it down. Then on top of that I nearly expired before the next in the series came out.
October 26, 2024
Interesting read
The first book of this series is a interesting start. A upstart of a cadet and a powerful Saxen which unknown powers. What could go wrong..
The first book of this series is a interesting start. A upstart of a cadet and a powerful Saxen which unknown powers. What could go wrong..
October 3, 2025
I read the second book in that series first but this was worth reading even though I had read the second one before. It was very well written and I enjoyed reading it. 5 stars!
November 30, 2025
Highly recommend this series for any sci-fi fans out there. It's full of action and surprises.
October 19, 2025
The Saxen Saga is an original take of world (universe) building. It is built with an enormous scale of fleets of ship and near instantaneous travel across the galaxy, yet it is grounded in a character focused journey.
For a science fiction the technology is more advance than most stories and services only as a backdrop. Thus the details of the technology is used with a light touch.
Unique character arch types of used. The traditional model of heroes is avoided. One hero focuses on strategic decision making and has a bit of glass jaw in combat. Yet the co-hero is highly emotional and shows little restraint or control. Yet both characters strongly compliment each other.
If you enjoy a science fiction experience that ranges from a complex chess game to moments of unchecked rage, you will enjoy The Saxen Sage. It is nice to read an epic story that feels orginal.
For a science fiction the technology is more advance than most stories and services only as a backdrop. Thus the details of the technology is used with a light touch.
Unique character arch types of used. The traditional model of heroes is avoided. One hero focuses on strategic decision making and has a bit of glass jaw in combat. Yet the co-hero is highly emotional and shows little restraint or control. Yet both characters strongly compliment each other.
If you enjoy a science fiction experience that ranges from a complex chess game to moments of unchecked rage, you will enjoy The Saxen Sage. It is nice to read an epic story that feels orginal.
March 12, 2024
Received as a review copy from Story Origin; also received from Story Origin as an audio review narrated beautifully by Scott Allen, this is an honest review.
This is a wonderful, vibrant adventure that grabs your attention right from the start as we get to know a Commander Boone is desperate to leave behind the strict existence that is life in service of the Coalition. Unfortunately, Boone gets roped back into the dangerous world of secrets that can save innocent lives while also hauntingly ending life at the same time. There is not easy road for Boone to take... he'll just have to live with his actions of become consumed by the ghosts that haunt him.
Highly recommended.
This is a wonderful, vibrant adventure that grabs your attention right from the start as we get to know a Commander Boone is desperate to leave behind the strict existence that is life in service of the Coalition. Unfortunately, Boone gets roped back into the dangerous world of secrets that can save innocent lives while also hauntingly ending life at the same time. There is not easy road for Boone to take... he'll just have to live with his actions of become consumed by the ghosts that haunt him.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews