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Ursa Steel
Ursa Steel is a collection of three stories in a distant future where humanity's military complex and space exploration has flourished.
In "Harvest Death," witness the horrors of war as infantry clash with a savage alien race during an invasion of their planet.
In "Cauldron Quarry," join the exploits of a Mech crew known as the Mud Wolves as they fight on various planets and encounter something unexpected during their latest contract.
In "Warrior First," follow a solo pilot's daring escape after he's forced to eject from his Mech and be hunted by those who outnumber and outgun him.
Whatever your taste of adventure may be, Ursa Steel is sure to appease your thirst for sci-fi action, thrills, and a camaraderie we can only aspire to be a part of.
In "Harvest Death," witness the horrors of war as infantry clash with a savage alien race during an invasion of their planet.
In "Cauldron Quarry," join the exploits of a Mech crew known as the Mud Wolves as they fight on various planets and encounter something unexpected during their latest contract.
In "Warrior First," follow a solo pilot's daring escape after he's forced to eject from his Mech and be hunted by those who outnumber and outgun him.
Whatever your taste of adventure may be, Ursa Steel is sure to appease your thirst for sci-fi action, thrills, and a camaraderie we can only aspire to be a part of.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2024
2 people are currently reading
697 people want to read
About the author
Jacob Russell Dring
93 books28 followersJacob has been writing books since 2009, honing his craft over the years. The written word has become a calling, one that fills him with purpose. While poetry and spoken word are among his other passions, fiction will always be the champion of his heart.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 2, 2024
I read this book in paperback and this is an unsolicited review. Jacob Dring does it again, creating a believable future using excellent writing. He’s a master storyteller, able to engage the reader from the first page with storylines and characters which stick with you long after you’ve finished.
Dring shares three tales from the same future, though each can be read as a standalone, mentioning places and tech in common, but the characters are unique to each story. The first story begins with teams of military making landfall on a planet which the intel was incorrect, whether intentional or not isn’t clear. What was to be a quick “subdue the simpleton aborigines” quickly becomes clear to the team that they are tough and intelligent and in much higher numbers than assumed. There are Mechs, which I feel are underused in science fiction and his description is believable and well thought out. Expect high-paced action, big caliber weaponry, and creepy aliens.
The second story follows a small team of Mech mercenaries who take a job to secure a small planet for a corporation who wants it for themselves (though there’s already a company mining on the planet). The team arrive to find much more than they bargained for and questioning if the money is going to be worth it.
The third story follows one lone Mech mercenary whose job goes sideways and he has to self-destruct his Mech and then survive on foot. This one is all action and wits and plays out like a video game in my mind’s eye… though he doesn’t pick up a bunch of cool gadgets on the way, sadly. It’s a run-and-firefight all the way through, with luck, pride, and smarts his only hope of survival.
If you’re looking for stories which have neat tidy endings, or super in-depth detail, this isn’t it. Dring leaves the endings for the reader to decide for themselves (my favorite type of story). Top-notch storytelling, it’s a quick, though gnarly, read. (I chewed all my nails off on this one.) If you enjoy military science fiction, mechs, space operas, or action sci-fi, then I highly recommend this book to you. (And check out his extensive collection of other books… I for one am hooked!) This book gets 5/5 stars from me.
Dring shares three tales from the same future, though each can be read as a standalone, mentioning places and tech in common, but the characters are unique to each story. The first story begins with teams of military making landfall on a planet which the intel was incorrect, whether intentional or not isn’t clear. What was to be a quick “subdue the simpleton aborigines” quickly becomes clear to the team that they are tough and intelligent and in much higher numbers than assumed. There are Mechs, which I feel are underused in science fiction and his description is believable and well thought out. Expect high-paced action, big caliber weaponry, and creepy aliens.
The second story follows a small team of Mech mercenaries who take a job to secure a small planet for a corporation who wants it for themselves (though there’s already a company mining on the planet). The team arrive to find much more than they bargained for and questioning if the money is going to be worth it.
The third story follows one lone Mech mercenary whose job goes sideways and he has to self-destruct his Mech and then survive on foot. This one is all action and wits and plays out like a video game in my mind’s eye… though he doesn’t pick up a bunch of cool gadgets on the way, sadly. It’s a run-and-firefight all the way through, with luck, pride, and smarts his only hope of survival.
If you’re looking for stories which have neat tidy endings, or super in-depth detail, this isn’t it. Dring leaves the endings for the reader to decide for themselves (my favorite type of story). Top-notch storytelling, it’s a quick, though gnarly, read. (I chewed all my nails off on this one.) If you enjoy military science fiction, mechs, space operas, or action sci-fi, then I highly recommend this book to you. (And check out his extensive collection of other books… I for one am hooked!) This book gets 5/5 stars from me.
June 11, 2024
Ursa Steel by Jacob Russell Dring is a riveting novel that skillfully blends elements of fantasy and adventure. The story follows the protagonist, Ursa Steel, on a journey filled with danger, discovery, and personal growth. Dring’s world-building is rich and immersive, drawing readers into a vividly crafted universe where every detail enhances the overarching narrative.
The characters in Ursa Steel are well-developed and relatable, each contributing to the story’s depth. Ursa, in particular, stands out as a strong and complex lead, whose evolution throughout the novel is both compelling and believable. The supporting cast adds layers to the plot, enriching the reader's experience.
Dring’s writing style is both descriptive and engaging, making it easy for readers to visualize the fantastical settings and action-packed scenes. The pacing is well-balanced, maintaining a steady momentum that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.
In summary, Ursa Steel is a captivating read that offers a perfect blend of fantasy, adventure, and character-driven storytelling. Jacob Russell Dring’s ability to create a rich, immersive world and compelling characters makes this novel a must-read for fans of the genre.
The characters in Ursa Steel are well-developed and relatable, each contributing to the story’s depth. Ursa, in particular, stands out as a strong and complex lead, whose evolution throughout the novel is both compelling and believable. The supporting cast adds layers to the plot, enriching the reader's experience.
Dring’s writing style is both descriptive and engaging, making it easy for readers to visualize the fantastical settings and action-packed scenes. The pacing is well-balanced, maintaining a steady momentum that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.
In summary, Ursa Steel is a captivating read that offers a perfect blend of fantasy, adventure, and character-driven storytelling. Jacob Russell Dring’s ability to create a rich, immersive world and compelling characters makes this novel a must-read for fans of the genre.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews