Assassin's Flight

A Star Nation in Peril #3

by Skyler Ramirez

To save her people, she will destroy everything.

Everyone wants Heather Kilgore dead, even her own star nation. But she has little time to defend herself. Instead, she’s traveling hundreds of light years from home to face a threat so severe it has the potential to destroy billions of lives.

Faced with a deadly mercenary group, a scheming arms manufacturer trying to start a war, and an enemy with the will to do whatever it takes to further their aims, can the Fringe’s greatest assassin overcome terrible odds and somehow save her part of human space? First, she'll need to enlist the help of a mysterious agent from Earth whose interests may not align with her own.

Immerse yourself in a world of espionage and assassination, set in the sci-fi universe of Dumb Luck & Dead Heroes and The Worst Ship in the Fleet. This gripping sci-fi adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering who the good guys and bad guys really are, as you work with Heather Kilgore to save a star nation!

Order today.

512 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2024

About the author

Skyler grew up in Southern California, under the best weather that state has to offer. So, he's shown a little of his insanity over the years in moving to colder, wetter places: New York City; Provo, Utah; Bainbridge Island, WA. He now resides with his family in Texas, which (apart from the humidity) gives him that great weather once again.

Skyler has been and continues to be a leader and executive with multiple Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, working across a variety of functions, both technical and non-technical. In other words, he's very much a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. Maybe that's why he has now decided to be an author as well. In it, he’s finally found the thing he loves to do most.

Mr. Ramirez currently resides in Texas with his wife, Lindsey, and their four children.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Skyler Ramirez’s writing style and find his stories engaging and entertaining. This particular Main Character has a bit of a tragic backstory and the entire circumstances of her life and profession are objectively tragic, so that’s hard. This is book three in a series, so this information isn’t dropping spoilers for this book.

There are some interesting characters in this (and all of his) books, and I very much enjoy the interplay between them, the spaceship/station/exoplanet slice-of-life stuff, some really lovely women character scenes that add some relationship depth. I got a kick out of some of the fun technobabble wordplay like “impellers” for “future technology which powers cars” that’s fun and it made me smile and giggle.

Speaking of fun wordplay, there’s a literary device where an author uses a character’s surname as an on-the-nose descriptor or a type of foreshadowing in a way, which Ramirez uses here with Heather Kilgore—Kill Gore!! I can’t believe I just put that together at the end of book 3 —- duh!!
[I wonder if there’s a name for this? I’m enjoying it in another book right now with a Penelope Truelove main character and it’s my current favorite literary device.]

The narrator is very good. I love the way she does different space dialects and accents. She does a variety of characters with her voice and each has a richness that makes them unique without sounding forced or distracting. Her tone, diction, pacing, and emotional range are on point.

I love the way Ramirez manages to bring this dark, tragic story to an end in such a way that feels uplifting. I think it’s very clever the way in act three, he tangentially included a popular character or two from previous (and upcoming) books, like hearing someone talking about a good friend we haven’t seen in a while, and the epilogue fully sets up a new adventure with characters we know and those we (or at least I) haven’t met yet. Very good product placement of the new story to keep us hooked and reading. (I also learned that 180 centimeters is 5’11” and in many regions it’s considered “tall”.)

I would recommend this series, book, and author to fans of Dennis E. Taylor, John Scalzi, Becky Chambers Wayfarers series, and L.M. Sagas.

[Beach Bum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent use of pre-existing Universe

The whole series is nicely done, bringing together aspects of stories we get glimpses of in the Brad Mendoza books
Kilgore is far more lethal/violent in these books than on her guest appearances elsewhere and it is her early career that this focuses on
I would have liked to have read more about the years gap that seems to appear between the last chapter and the epilogue, there must be a few stories there, especially the relationship with Stick, that we know from other books was more than a kiss on the cheek
Given the ending and the epilogue, it seems this may be the end of the Kilgore series, which is pity, it has great potential

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likely the last book of this series and well worth the read. Fun sort of new character is introduced. I read references to this character in other books and it was nice to see the character in full gear. (Fast gear?) Good story line with lots of interesting preparation, then action, plus other characters with their unique skill sets. This story line fully concludes. The good part right at the end has a teaser for more books to come and new directions to go, but that is a whole new series to look forward to.

[Leather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This third part of Heather Kilgore's adventures is from a narrative point of view much more digestible than the previous one.
However, in the previous one the plot was much better. Here we have a very classic heist story type thriller, with all the twists and betrayals expected in it.
I also found some logical flaws in the story, and a messy side in Heather's team, with some useless and poorly characterized secondary characters.
The pace is correct, nothing more.
Readable but not exciting.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining space opera listening 🎶🔰

This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book three of three

Great story with non-stop action adventure as they race against time. The exchange of language is great 👍.

I have listened 🎶 to a number of series by this author and enjoyed each.

I would highly recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of space opera adventure thriller novels 👍🔰 2025 👒😀

[Falstaff Arroyo Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassin’s Flight:… (A Star Nation in Peril Book 3)

This is definitely the best of the Trilogy, absolutely stupendous. The previous two volumes are very good for fans of Skyler Ramirez’s “Captain Brad Mendoza” series, who may be interested in Heather Kilgore’s Origin story and much more… A MUST buy —preferably with the discounted Audible companion, when bought togeter— you won’t regret it.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exe assassin's flight/fight

Heather Kilgore, former King's assassin because she didn't kill the innocent wife and daughter of one of the King's enemies is on the run from a Capture or Kill team. At the same time she is going after the intergalactic organization trying to start a war between her home system and another so they can sell weapons to both sides. It is a read that is hard to put down.

[SOTERO RIVERA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sci-fi spy thriller.

Even though this was a science fiction novel, it took more of a spy thriller feel. It was not as action-packed as some of the other books, but it had a lot of action nonetheless. There were some betrayals, some twists & turns, with a good twist to the ending. A couple of interesting characters show up at the end.
Have fun.

[JimBo Michel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Tale

Skyler Ramirez is a great story teller. The story just sucks you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. This one is another page turner that leaves you wanting more. I have got to find out what happens next. One of the best sci-fi series that I have ever read.

[Chuck Woodbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining

Loved it, twists and turns, and mainly a caper story as Heather Kilgore tries to get the goods on a shady defense contractor that is attempting to start an interplanetary war in order to sell more weapons. But first she needs a trustworthy team….

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of Ramirez’s books are space opera, either individual or fleet actions. This is not; it is a heist story and well done.
I considered five stars, but there were stretches setting up for the heist that dragged a little.

[DustyMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book, there’s quite a bit of action. Personally, I do not like the dream sequences, after a while I just fast forwarded to skip over them. Other than that I can’t wait till the next book comes out.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seemed to enjoy this book, not clear why. A whimsical romp with lots of action and yet some morality in play. Politics, big business and secret agents are involved, along with royalty and crazy people.

[liz Bears · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome!

Awesome is the only word for it start to finish. Great story, action, characters and ending. This guy might know what he’s doing!

[Randal Gritzner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top Notch Science Fiction!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Lord, enough action to seriously cause the reader whiplash. Was a very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading more y this author.

[CHERI · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to love a remorseful assassin

What a great story. Fast paced. Humorous at points. A wonderful addition to the Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes universe.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are sure fun adventure books. I love the characters. Though I don’t like the objectification.

[Jas]

TBR

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and interesting