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Kyra Sarin #1
Hard Vacuum 1
The Eighties are back. A novelette as over-the-top as the best Eighties action movies ever were.
Kyra Sarin has survived five years of the hardest fighting mankind has ever seen. On her way back to Earth, to finally see her children again, the space station she stops at is taken over by terrorists. It’s the last mistake they’re ever going to make.
This title has more violence and swearing than a dockers’ annual shin kicking party. If you are easily offended, or even pretty difficult to offend, you probably shouldn’t read this book.
Grab your copy today.
Kyra Sarin has survived five years of the hardest fighting mankind has ever seen. On her way back to Earth, to finally see her children again, the space station she stops at is taken over by terrorists. It’s the last mistake they’re ever going to make.
This title has more violence and swearing than a dockers’ annual shin kicking party. If you are easily offended, or even pretty difficult to offend, you probably shouldn’t read this book.
Grab your copy today.
- GenresScience Fiction
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2013
59 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Simon Cantan
32 books11 followersWant something exciting to read for free? I have a bunch of free books over here: http://simoncantan.com/get-your-free-...
Of course, if you'd rather read my bio, it's below, but it's not quite as action-packed :)
I was born in Dublin in 1975 and from the age of 13 I knew I wanted to be a writer. The book that made up my mind was "The Stainless Steel Rat" by Harry Harrison.
It's a fun, action-packed book with a lot of humour and I wanted to write something similar. I've been pestering friends and family with that idea ever since.
I wrote three books that weren't any good. They're still sitting in a digital drawer somewhere. Then I wrote a book that did what I set out to do decades before. "The Bite on the Line" is fun, fast, action-packed fantasy (or at least I think so).
I published it in June 2013 and got such positive feedback that I finished the rest of the series by September 2015.
In 2013, I also published "Hard Vacuum", which is my science fiction tribute to 80s movies. It's sweary, violent and has lots of one liners filled with puns. In other words, it doesn't take itself too seriously.
People liked that one so much I wrote the second book in the series and I'm currently working on the third.
In 2014, I started collaborating with Dave Higgins. We wrote Greenstar, which is our comedy science-fiction series. It's pretty unique, with our dry sense of humour.
You can find out lots more about my books on my website: http://simoncantan.com
If you have any book recommendations, I'd love to hear them too. I'm always on the lookout for fast-paced science fiction and fantasy.
Of course, if you'd rather read my bio, it's below, but it's not quite as action-packed :)
I was born in Dublin in 1975 and from the age of 13 I knew I wanted to be a writer. The book that made up my mind was "The Stainless Steel Rat" by Harry Harrison.
It's a fun, action-packed book with a lot of humour and I wanted to write something similar. I've been pestering friends and family with that idea ever since.
I wrote three books that weren't any good. They're still sitting in a digital drawer somewhere. Then I wrote a book that did what I set out to do decades before. "The Bite on the Line" is fun, fast, action-packed fantasy (or at least I think so).
I published it in June 2013 and got such positive feedback that I finished the rest of the series by September 2015.
In 2013, I also published "Hard Vacuum", which is my science fiction tribute to 80s movies. It's sweary, violent and has lots of one liners filled with puns. In other words, it doesn't take itself too seriously.
People liked that one so much I wrote the second book in the series and I'm currently working on the third.
In 2014, I started collaborating with Dave Higgins. We wrote Greenstar, which is our comedy science-fiction series. It's pretty unique, with our dry sense of humour.
You can find out lots more about my books on my website: http://simoncantan.com
If you have any book recommendations, I'd love to hear them too. I'm always on the lookout for fast-paced science fiction and fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 12, 2019
This is an over the top violent short novella about a woman on a space station; having fought alien insectoids for a few years she is one of a few survivors coming home. Just as she is looking down on Earth, the station gets taken over by some kind of space mercenaries, for what purpose she doesn't know. Cue lots of Rambo-like or Die Hard-like action, gory details, unscrupulous violence. I like the space details and the fact that we see a female soldier (this would have been very boring if it was a man) just doing her job.
I don't recommend this book to the tender or those allergic to strong language. While the immediate crisis is resolved, this is the start of a longer plot.
I downloaded an ARC from Instafreebie. This is an unbiased review.
I don't recommend this book to the tender or those allergic to strong language. While the immediate crisis is resolved, this is the start of a longer plot.
I downloaded an ARC from Instafreebie. This is an unbiased review.
September 3, 2015
Cheesy 80's
The author set out to write a cheesy, over the top novelette with groan-worthy one-liners, and he succeeded with flying colors. A fast, entertaining read that definitely wins the B movie award.
The author set out to write a cheesy, over the top novelette with groan-worthy one-liners, and he succeeded with flying colors. A fast, entertaining read that definitely wins the B movie award.
August 11, 2015
Die Hard in space. Best part was the groan-worthy one-liners.
August 8, 2015
Quick read
A quick read due to lots of action. This definitely was a page turner. I can't wait to read the second book to find out if what the main character was told about herself is true. Brain stealing makes for good sci-fi.
A quick read due to lots of action. This definitely was a page turner. I can't wait to read the second book to find out if what the main character was told about herself is true. Brain stealing makes for good sci-fi.
August 21, 2014
just as the Author described it, a nice, short book with gory deaths in outer space. Waiting for the continuation of the story.
September 16, 2015
Read this if you love Die Hard, the 5th Element, low brow humor and puns. So many cheesy puns. I love it.
October 18, 2015
the writer succeeded in their goal of creating a groan worthy B- movie of a tale. if that is what you're looking for, this action packed blood fest is right up your dark alley.
June 25, 2017
Más que una novela, es un cuento largo, el inicio y presentación de una serie. Presenta a la protagonista, una militar que vuelve a casa después de una larga lucha en otro planeta, única superviviente de su grupo.
No quiero entrar en detalles para no desvelar los dos o tres golpes de efecto del relato, que no están mal y ya uno va como avisado sin el como: novela de autor más o menos desconocido, dice que "vuelta a las películas de acción de los 80", eso es lo que te vas a encontrar en el libro.
Ni más ni menos. Se supone que si eres la única superviviente de tu unidad de 500 militares, que has ido a un lugar extraño y que os han masacrado, muy contenta y dicharachera no vas a estar. Pues sí, la chica no solo lo está sino que pelea como madre osa defendiendo a sus cachorros.
A quien le guste el tema le gustará la novela, tiene ideas interesantes y vueltas de tuerca bastante conseguidas. ¿Leeré el siguiente, que también tengo gratis? No, lo siento, tengo mejores cosas que hacer, pero eso no quiere decir que sea un mal relato/libro.
No quiero entrar en detalles para no desvelar los dos o tres golpes de efecto del relato, que no están mal y ya uno va como avisado sin el como: novela de autor más o menos desconocido, dice que "vuelta a las películas de acción de los 80", eso es lo que te vas a encontrar en el libro.
Ni más ni menos. Se supone que si eres la única superviviente de tu unidad de 500 militares, que has ido a un lugar extraño y que os han masacrado, muy contenta y dicharachera no vas a estar. Pues sí, la chica no solo lo está sino que pelea como madre osa defendiendo a sus cachorros.
A quien le guste el tema le gustará la novela, tiene ideas interesantes y vueltas de tuerca bastante conseguidas. ¿Leeré el siguiente, que también tengo gratis? No, lo siento, tengo mejores cosas que hacer, pero eso no quiere decir que sea un mal relato/libro.
October 19, 2022
Yeah, I would also be grumpy if I was unceremoniously awakened after less than two hours of sleep, and I would also have some one-liners ready for those who did the waking. With me, they would pay. I would give them an earful. Kyra Sarin, on the other hand, is a trained soldier, the lone survivor after five years of war at the edge of the solar system. Well, she has more to give them than a bunch of words but don’t despair. The one-liners are still there.
I liked the 80’s action and quips after each kill. The role reversal was a surprise, and this short left me wanting to know not only where the story would go but when and where these tidbits of society would be explained.
I give this short story five out of five stars because it makes me want more of the story. More of the characters. More of the society they live in.
I liked the 80’s action and quips after each kill. The role reversal was a surprise, and this short left me wanting to know not only where the story would go but when and where these tidbits of society would be explained.
I give this short story five out of five stars because it makes me want more of the story. More of the characters. More of the society they live in.
September 21, 2017
There is a lot of good science fiction out there: this isn’t one of them. While more of a snippet of a longer story, this short introduction did nothing to make me want to read more of the continuing adventures of the main character. If stupid blood and gore are your thing, as well as lots of profanity, go ahead and download this one. Otherwise, I would say don’t waste your time as things like this really give independent publishing a bad name. Luckily, I got this as a free download which added one star to my review.
December 30, 2017
The story didn't really hold up OR make me want to read the first full-length novel. Kyra was a stereotype of an action hero, which was perhaps the point, and wasn't really fun to read about at all. There were some jaunty one-liners, but none which were memorable. If you want a space opera, maybe focus on some of the ones with more interesting characters.
September 28, 2022
Pretty gory in places, but good fun... I'll read the sequel at some point...
September 8, 2016
Simon Cantan is one of my favourite authors at the moment and has been ever since I first stumbled across the 'Bytarend' series (incidentally, highly recommended for anyone who has not yet discovered them). The first time that I started reading Hard Vacuum, I have to admit that I couldn't get into it, it was too much hard swearing and violence for my liking. So I laid it aside and got on with reading other books. After a while, I came back to try and read some more about Kyra and finished the book in one reading! Yes, it is extreme, yes the language and violence is more than excessive, but this all fits within the sort of shoot-em-up comic book genre which Simon has aimed for. As with all of his books, it is very well written and edited and absolutely plot glitch free _ not easy to do with so many things going on!
So, before reading, make sure that you are in the right frame of mind, but do read it, I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
This is an honest review of a copy received from the author.
So, before reading, make sure that you are in the right frame of mind, but do read it, I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
This is an honest review of a copy received from the author.
April 6, 2016
We need more Vol's of Hard Vacuum.
This book is classic 80's greatness. Full of over the top violence and cheesy cringe worthy one liners after a great death. The lead character is a tough as nails female with a kick ass suit, that you'll fall in love with quickly. If you pick this book up go ahead and get the second volume, you'll want and need it.
This book is classic 80's greatness. Full of over the top violence and cheesy cringe worthy one liners after a great death. The lead character is a tough as nails female with a kick ass suit, that you'll fall in love with quickly. If you pick this book up go ahead and get the second volume, you'll want and need it.
September 28, 2016
Hilarious and action packed
I truly enjoyed this short read and aim to read the next in series.
Hopefully the author continues with this movie like action and wry wit. Our heroine is easy to empathize with and the near misses she experiences are delightful!
I received this ebook in exchange for and honest review.
I truly enjoyed this short read and aim to read the next in series.
Hopefully the author continues with this movie like action and wry wit. Our heroine is easy to empathize with and the near misses she experiences are delightful!
I received this ebook in exchange for and honest review.
December 2, 2016
As the author intended, lots of gratuitous violence, but still fun. I don't know how or why that works. Deep psychological base of anger I suppose, but it experiencing it vicariously keeps it under wraps then all to the good. My favorite line "Men aren't very good in combat. They are so emotional."
October 21, 2015
Though obviously required, the mention of ReadyNet every other sentence began to gall.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews