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Outcasts: A Character Driven Military Space Opera
"IT ENDS HERE..."
Seven years have passed since Elizabeth Stone left Sunvale. Since then, she battled her demons. The nightmares always left a trail of violence and sorrow in her mind. Along with it, was the guilt of not being able to save those she’d lost. That was until an opportunity presented itself to her. A chance to overcome her dark past, and a means to mend her broken spirit.
The Wardens lived a life of peace since the fall of Victus years ago. But that peace is short-lived after a bloody massacre in the city of Sephria. The Wardens are called to deal with a new foe, while an enemy from their past works in the shadows.
They soon learn that no matter the time or universe, the past always catches up…
Seven years have passed since Elizabeth Stone left Sunvale. Since then, she battled her demons. The nightmares always left a trail of violence and sorrow in her mind. Along with it, was the guilt of not being able to save those she’d lost. That was until an opportunity presented itself to her. A chance to overcome her dark past, and a means to mend her broken spirit.
The Wardens lived a life of peace since the fall of Victus years ago. But that peace is short-lived after a bloody massacre in the city of Sephria. The Wardens are called to deal with a new foe, while an enemy from their past works in the shadows.
They soon learn that no matter the time or universe, the past always catches up…
518 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2024
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4 people want to read
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October 19, 2024
'Outcasts: A Wardens Story' by 'Jonathan Staten' is a book set in the same world as other works of Warden series but it can be read as a standalone work. The book is a combination of various genres - a sort of science fiction or fantasy set in the future with a great deal of action and adventure.
The first two books had the Wardens dealing with a powerful enemy Victus, an intergalactic warlord. However, Victus fell several years ago leaving Wardens in peace. Now, it is a different threat first showing up with a massacre in Sephria, however it would seem that an old enemy is behind it. Prax Ruveks, a general for Victus, comes out as a powerful enemy
Elizabeth Stone is one of the protagonists and probably the most interesting one in my opinion. She deals with nightmares and memories of those she has lost while at the same time learning about her newly found powers. Her character made me feel emotionally invested in the story.
Her redemption arc is mixed with a more action-based adventure of the Wardens. Even in other parts, dealing with loss is an essential theme in the book giving emotive force to the story:
“Such is life—an account of losses and gains—a vicious cycle. So long as you live, Draven, you will continue to feel that pain of loss. But that is where the balance comes in — as gain. Much like good and evil, one cannot exist without the other. "
One problem with this book was that world-building was not always strong. When a book is set in a distant future or place (this one is set in both), it gives the author a chance to reimagine every detail of life and I think an author should use that power enough. That was not the case here. Occasionally it was easy to forget that the book is set nearly a thousand years into the future. There were not enough scientific advances or even cultural changes you would expect to see a book set in the future. This reservation, however, is easy to dismiss if you try to read it as more of a fantasy rather than science-fiction.
“I’ll watch anything with some good action. Maybe some blood and guts here and there for good measure.”
The narrative is third person limited variety and is cinematic and fast-paced in quality. Though there are scenes of gruesome violence
“Blood was shed and limbs were torn.”
Or
“He could see the other shadow picking up its speed, and within seconds, the area ahead was a bloodbath. While it ripped and tore through the opposition. The shadow Leo controlled scanned the area. It looked to be a main hall of sorts, with one wide staircase leading to the second floor. If he had to guess, that would be where the main target resides. After gaining that bit of intel, Leo released his hold on the shadow, giving it free rein to wreak havoc on the enemy force that awaited them.”
There were other times it managed to make me smile:
"If someone were to ask the guy what chivalry is, he’d probably tell them he murdered it and buried it in the yard somewhere."
Overall, Outcasts is a sort of book that those into Star Wars will love. The easy prose makes it a fast and action packed read that can be read in a single weekend.
The first two books had the Wardens dealing with a powerful enemy Victus, an intergalactic warlord. However, Victus fell several years ago leaving Wardens in peace. Now, it is a different threat first showing up with a massacre in Sephria, however it would seem that an old enemy is behind it. Prax Ruveks, a general for Victus, comes out as a powerful enemy
Elizabeth Stone is one of the protagonists and probably the most interesting one in my opinion. She deals with nightmares and memories of those she has lost while at the same time learning about her newly found powers. Her character made me feel emotionally invested in the story.
Her redemption arc is mixed with a more action-based adventure of the Wardens. Even in other parts, dealing with loss is an essential theme in the book giving emotive force to the story:
“Such is life—an account of losses and gains—a vicious cycle. So long as you live, Draven, you will continue to feel that pain of loss. But that is where the balance comes in — as gain. Much like good and evil, one cannot exist without the other. "
One problem with this book was that world-building was not always strong. When a book is set in a distant future or place (this one is set in both), it gives the author a chance to reimagine every detail of life and I think an author should use that power enough. That was not the case here. Occasionally it was easy to forget that the book is set nearly a thousand years into the future. There were not enough scientific advances or even cultural changes you would expect to see a book set in the future. This reservation, however, is easy to dismiss if you try to read it as more of a fantasy rather than science-fiction.
“I’ll watch anything with some good action. Maybe some blood and guts here and there for good measure.”
The narrative is third person limited variety and is cinematic and fast-paced in quality. Though there are scenes of gruesome violence
“Blood was shed and limbs were torn.”
Or
“He could see the other shadow picking up its speed, and within seconds, the area ahead was a bloodbath. While it ripped and tore through the opposition. The shadow Leo controlled scanned the area. It looked to be a main hall of sorts, with one wide staircase leading to the second floor. If he had to guess, that would be where the main target resides. After gaining that bit of intel, Leo released his hold on the shadow, giving it free rein to wreak havoc on the enemy force that awaited them.”
There were other times it managed to make me smile:
"If someone were to ask the guy what chivalry is, he’d probably tell them he murdered it and buried it in the yard somewhere."
Overall, Outcasts is a sort of book that those into Star Wars will love. The easy prose makes it a fast and action packed read that can be read in a single weekend.
Displaying 1 of 1 review