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Starship’s Mage #16
Chimera's Fall
The power and reach of Mars are beyond question
The limits of that power are all too real
At the edge of their reach, even they cannot save everyone…
Faced with the terror-inspiring might of the reawakened Reezh Kazh, the Church of the Nine that once ruled hundreds of stars, the people of the Dual Republics of Chimera have asked Mars and humanity for protection.
For now, the Protectorate is united behind their Mage-Queen. Ambassador Connor O’Hannagain and Mage-Captain Roslyn Chambers are charged to do everything they can—but the reality is grim.
The Protectorate is too far away. The Chimera System cannot be saved… but the Chimeran people might be. Even as every warship Mars can spare is rushed forward to their new ally, massive fleets of transports are assembled to carry as many people to safety as possible.
The magical power of Mars can save some of Chimera’s people, human and reezh alike, but if steel and magic cannot guard the innocent, Chambers, O’Hannagain and others all face a single harsh question:
When Chimera falls, who stays behind?
The limits of that power are all too real
At the edge of their reach, even they cannot save everyone…
Faced with the terror-inspiring might of the reawakened Reezh Kazh, the Church of the Nine that once ruled hundreds of stars, the people of the Dual Republics of Chimera have asked Mars and humanity for protection.
For now, the Protectorate is united behind their Mage-Queen. Ambassador Connor O’Hannagain and Mage-Captain Roslyn Chambers are charged to do everything they can—but the reality is grim.
The Protectorate is too far away. The Chimera System cannot be saved… but the Chimeran people might be. Even as every warship Mars can spare is rushed forward to their new ally, massive fleets of transports are assembled to carry as many people to safety as possible.
The magical power of Mars can save some of Chimera’s people, human and reezh alike, but if steel and magic cannot guard the innocent, Chambers, O’Hannagain and others all face a single harsh question:
When Chimera falls, who stays behind?
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2025
About the author
Glynn Stewart
119 books1,754 followersGlynn Stewart is the author of over 60 books, including Starship’s Mage, a bestselling science fiction and fantasy series where faster-than-light travel is possible–but only because of magic.
Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.
Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 18, 2025
Tremendous under-performance for the author; middling compared to his peers. Much of this felt like a rehash of Refuge (Exile #2), which I suppose isn't a problem except for the hardcore fan like myself, who has read nearly all the author's back catalog.
Generally the issue is that the overall plot is simple and obvious, and worse, hasn't deviated in the slightest. The execution is excellent, but you can only do so much if the plot writes itself.
Tactical brilliance, strategic blunder.
Generally the issue is that the overall plot is simple and obvious, and worse, hasn't deviated in the slightest. The execution is excellent, but you can only do so much if the plot writes itself.
Tactical brilliance, strategic blunder.
March 16, 2025
First 83% of the book is focused on logistics of evacuation, with the rest mostly action. The pacing could be better, more time spent on characters, but I did not expect much in those terms and thus wasn't disappointed.
February 7, 2025
I've started reading Glynn Stewart several years ago, when his Starship's Mage series was about ten books long, I think. It was an experiment for me, since I was highly skeptical about self-published and indi authors. First couple of books by Glynn Stewart confirmed my bias, I must say. They had huge number of issues for me, from characterization to the level of prose and writing skill and plethora of other issues - but there was something intriguing going on there, so I decided to persevere. Those first books were mostly dreadful, if I'm going to be perfectly honest. Most of them were one or two stars in my book, but I always tacked on a star or two for the worldbuilding and entertainment factor. And I noticed that the quality of writing was steadily increasing. Not only that, but characterization was improving and the author was steadily leaving behind his Miles Vorkosigan/Honor Harrington copy of a main character and introducing other very interesting PoVs. At first I was irritated by that, because I wanted another fix of a character that I learned to love, but Stewart managed to endear his other characters to me so that I stopped minding the fact that his original protagonist was in a way written out of the series.
Now, somewhere around book 10 the writing got really good and I could honestly give 4* to the novels which quickly became my yearly favorites. Well, not favorites - but books I highly appreciate and am looking forward to reading every year.
Chimera's Fall is 16th full novel in the series and I couldn't possibly tell you what it is about without spoiling the entire series, but I will just say that this is seriously good space opera and military fantasy on par with the best novels by David Weber. So, if you are an aficionado of this subgenre of Sci-Fi, I don't think that it would be a waste of time for you to start with the series from its more humble beginnings. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and Stewart has managed infodumping and technobabble in much better and less boring way than most other better known authors - including said Weber. So, I highly recommend this one.
To finish, I must say that I'd love to see this author begin another series in some other genre, perhaps fantasy, employing the skills he has obviously polished in the meanwhile. 5*
Now, somewhere around book 10 the writing got really good and I could honestly give 4* to the novels which quickly became my yearly favorites. Well, not favorites - but books I highly appreciate and am looking forward to reading every year.
Chimera's Fall is 16th full novel in the series and I couldn't possibly tell you what it is about without spoiling the entire series, but I will just say that this is seriously good space opera and military fantasy on par with the best novels by David Weber. So, if you are an aficionado of this subgenre of Sci-Fi, I don't think that it would be a waste of time for you to start with the series from its more humble beginnings. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and Stewart has managed infodumping and technobabble in much better and less boring way than most other better known authors - including said Weber. So, I highly recommend this one.
To finish, I must say that I'd love to see this author begin another series in some other genre, perhaps fantasy, employing the skills he has obviously polished in the meanwhile. 5*
January 27, 2025
These are such a treat.
February 1, 2025
Thank you Glynn Stewart. Just one question is the a book 17? Cause this cliffhanger ending for Roslyn Chambers is intriguing. read this book folks. ARC Copy. The final version is quite Phenomenal and outstanding seriously people read or listen to this book.
January 26, 2025
Still a good series, just not a lot of suspense or movement in this book - besides the event heralded by the title.
Felt a lot like a filler, not even some major character development. And there were certain actions from some characters that seem to be just for the sake of the plot and out of character.
Will still continue reading this series and looking forward to next installment that will hopefully move the story a little forward.
Felt a lot like a filler, not even some major character development. And there were certain actions from some characters that seem to be just for the sake of the plot and out of character.
Will still continue reading this series and looking forward to next installment that will hopefully move the story a little forward.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2024
Top Notch Science Fiction!
January 26, 2025
An easy and exciting read
Having just read The Protectors of Sol series, I can say that this is the better series. Stewart has shown us he can fling tonnage and guns across the inky black of space; this series shows interpersonal relationships alongside and inside the huge ships.
I do question his decision to maroon his main character planet side, but then, I suppose next book, she’ll do what no one else has ever done … earn a fourth medal of valour. Given her propensity of jumping in where needed in desperate times, I imagine there will be plenty of chances for her to throw herself in the line of fire and emerge victorious.
This is an easy series to read. There are no messy relationships to deal with, everyone seems to be as practical as the next person, and there’s always a chain of command. Instead of feeling cut and dried or missing something, the writing feels true to the nature of the milieu.
Excellent book. Waiting now for July and book 17.
Having just read The Protectors of Sol series, I can say that this is the better series. Stewart has shown us he can fling tonnage and guns across the inky black of space; this series shows interpersonal relationships alongside and inside the huge ships.
I do question his decision to maroon his main character planet side, but then, I suppose next book, she’ll do what no one else has ever done … earn a fourth medal of valour. Given her propensity of jumping in where needed in desperate times, I imagine there will be plenty of chances for her to throw herself in the line of fire and emerge victorious.
This is an easy series to read. There are no messy relationships to deal with, everyone seems to be as practical as the next person, and there’s always a chain of command. Instead of feeling cut and dried or missing something, the writing feels true to the nature of the milieu.
Excellent book. Waiting now for July and book 17.
March 7, 2025
Abandoned at around 37% mark.
If I could give zero or negative stars I would do so. If you skip over the obvious progressive virtue signaling, such as telling us some character is non-binary when you never see them again and their sexuality plays ZERO factor in the story, if you skip over the insane gender disparity in the military where nearly every character is female, if you skip the conversations that serve no purpose other than to show how virtuousness of all the characters and the story would still be terrible.
Nearly the ENTIRE book is the same characters have the same conversations about logistics, logistics, logistics. It's boring and extremely repeatative. Rosalyn talks about the logistics with O'Hanagain. Rosalyn and O'Hanagain talk logistics with Wang and his people. Keira talks logistics with her assistant. Keira talks logistics with Roslyn. Keira talks logistics with the Prometheans. Jane talks logistics with her people.
I read nearly 40% of the book and only a single battle takes place, it's observed and not experienced, and it's a single short chapter. The rest of the book reads like UPS senior managers trying to figure how to deploy their trucks.
If I could give zero or negative stars I would do so. If you skip over the obvious progressive virtue signaling, such as telling us some character is non-binary when you never see them again and their sexuality plays ZERO factor in the story, if you skip over the insane gender disparity in the military where nearly every character is female, if you skip the conversations that serve no purpose other than to show how virtuousness of all the characters and the story would still be terrible.
Nearly the ENTIRE book is the same characters have the same conversations about logistics, logistics, logistics. It's boring and extremely repeatative. Rosalyn talks about the logistics with O'Hanagain. Rosalyn and O'Hanagain talk logistics with Wang and his people. Keira talks logistics with her assistant. Keira talks logistics with Roslyn. Keira talks logistics with the Prometheans. Jane talks logistics with her people.
I read nearly 40% of the book and only a single battle takes place, it's observed and not experienced, and it's a single short chapter. The rest of the book reads like UPS senior managers trying to figure how to deploy their trucks.
January 24, 2025
Pressure is building, so much to organise and get a plan in place to evacuate upward of 2 Billion people, and the clock is ticking, the Reezh Kazh, will undoubtably respond to their recent engagement with the small protective force from Mars
Rescue transports have arrived along with 2nd Fleet, which is a good start, but the ability of their enemy to up the anti is not known, nor how long it will take them to respond.
The first group of evacuees from Chimera are away, followed by the second group, will they have time for a third? The timelines are very tight in regards the efforts of everybody involved with this huge endeavour. Tick tok, tick toc.
Well done Sir Glynn, love your work. I didn’t get much done around my place, nor early nights keeping up with the shear scope of this undertaking. I look forward to the follow on when it arrives.
Rescue transports have arrived along with 2nd Fleet, which is a good start, but the ability of their enemy to up the anti is not known, nor how long it will take them to respond.
The first group of evacuees from Chimera are away, followed by the second group, will they have time for a third? The timelines are very tight in regards the efforts of everybody involved with this huge endeavour. Tick tok, tick toc.
Well done Sir Glynn, love your work. I didn’t get much done around my place, nor early nights keeping up with the shear scope of this undertaking. I look forward to the follow on when it arrives.
January 12, 2025
This story arc gets harder and harder to read, because the situation gets darker, more fraught, more painful and very much like a defence action in David Weber's Honorverse Manticore-Haven War. The Nine are coming and all of the planetary population of Chimera is evacuating or preparing for occupation. Rosalyn Chambers is in the middle of all of this mayhem and ends up planetbound when the Protectorate Fleet leaves with the evacuation transports. This bearer of the Medal of Honor is going to have to put on her Marine colonel hat and dig in. I wonder if she will do as well as Abigail Hearns did; I'm looking forward to finding out in the next book.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 17, 2025
Slow to start and basically everything happens at the end. Typical for the series so not much of a surprise. The book is basically planning to evacuate a planet for most of it. Overall a decent book but I can see the next book being extremely boring if there isn't a time skip, based on the ending of this book.
Towards the end the author decided that defining his abbreviations wasn't something he wanted to do so there are things in there that I didn't know. Obviously things like RMN are in there but that's been in the series since the beginning. There are also points where a sentence contains a word that is then abbreviated in the next sentence but you have to figure out which word got the abbreviation. Minor but very annoying.
Towards the end the author decided that defining his abbreviations wasn't something he wanted to do so there are things in there that I didn't know. Obviously things like RMN are in there but that's been in the series since the beginning. There are also points where a sentence contains a word that is then abbreviated in the next sentence but you have to figure out which word got the abbreviation. Minor but very annoying.
January 24, 2026
3.5 stars.
Well, it's no surprise that Chimera fell, given the title of the book. But I do like that we're splitting up Roslyn and Connor into two separate threads. It'll be interesting to see what they do in the next book.
I enjoyed all the preparations for war and occupation but not so much the battles. It got quite technical at times, which seems to be one of those foibles that military SF authors tend to fall into. Personally, I would rather learn more about all the interpersonal relationships and wider societal implications than how the cannons work on some battleship.
Looking forward to the next book!
Well, it's no surprise that Chimera fell, given the title of the book. But I do like that we're splitting up Roslyn and Connor into two separate threads. It'll be interesting to see what they do in the next book.
I enjoyed all the preparations for war and occupation but not so much the battles. It got quite technical at times, which seems to be one of those foibles that military SF authors tend to fall into. Personally, I would rather learn more about all the interpersonal relationships and wider societal implications than how the cannons work on some battleship.
Looking forward to the next book!
February 16, 2025
I marked this review as containing spoilers - but just in case, don't read this until after you've read the book!
I love that Stewart brought the Prometheans into the fight! I wasn't sure he was going to come back to them, but I am so happy he did. And to use the Republic's hardware to help save the people of Chimera is an excellent plot point and excellent use of irony. I love the plot twist at the end, on Chambers getting left on the planet, certainly not what I was expecting. This is a fantastic book. Starship's Mage is one of my favorite series!
I love that Stewart brought the Prometheans into the fight! I wasn't sure he was going to come back to them, but I am so happy he did. And to use the Republic's hardware to help save the people of Chimera is an excellent plot point and excellent use of irony. I love the plot twist at the end, on Chambers getting left on the planet, certainly not what I was expecting. This is a fantastic book. Starship's Mage is one of my favorite series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2025
Ok, interesting segment of the story, off on a (slight) tangent, but worth the read. I'm sure the next book will progress if not finish this piece of the overall story arc, so it should be very interesting if this book was anything to judge by. I liked this one, though there was a lot of POV switching, some of which wasn't necessary, but for the most part, I liked this book, so can't really complain. Looking forward to the next one.
February 27, 2025
Gripping, chilling, I can NOT wait for Book 17
And I’m glad it’s coming in a few months! Stewart-sensei has pulled off another masterful book, carefully balancing logistics with tension and still making the set pieces interesting. The stakes are high, the stage is set for a crazy round 2, there are untold parties in other systems… man we have AT LEAST 3 books worth of stories from this alone!
And I’m glad it’s coming in a few months! Stewart-sensei has pulled off another masterful book, carefully balancing logistics with tension and still making the set pieces interesting. The stakes are high, the stage is set for a crazy round 2, there are untold parties in other systems… man we have AT LEAST 3 books worth of stories from this alone!
January 23, 2025
This is the type of science fiction I really enjoy. The author does a very good job in creating characters, flashing them out and putting them in situations that show their mettle. The story line is getting desperate and it keeps you reading to see what will happen. This is a very good book and I look forward to the next one.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review,
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review,
January 26, 2025
Excellent continuation
Sixteen books into this series, and Glynn Stewart continues to deliver excellent new installments.
Focus remains on Chimera and it's evacuation. It's good to see some of the characters make mistakes: no one is perfect!
Looking forward to "The Lies Arcana" which, with everything else we know by this point, is a very intriguing title...
Sixteen books into this series, and Glynn Stewart continues to deliver excellent new installments.
Focus remains on Chimera and it's evacuation. It's good to see some of the characters make mistakes: no one is perfect!
Looking forward to "The Lies Arcana" which, with everything else we know by this point, is a very intriguing title...
February 1, 2025
War in Heaven
What was up with neglecting the the POV of the enemies to very last pages I came off has if you forgot to include anything and added last, and after the last two books this seemed like a foolish mistake has readers rarely like faceless enemies WE in joy a complex narrative that show bouts sides.
P.S.
Why aren’t any Hands sent to the war to fight?
What was up with neglecting the the POV of the enemies to very last pages I came off has if you forgot to include anything and added last, and after the last two books this seemed like a foolish mistake has readers rarely like faceless enemies WE in joy a complex narrative that show bouts sides.
P.S.
Why aren’t any Hands sent to the war to fight?
August 2, 2025
Sad commentary on war's choices
Chimera is under attack from the Reeze and cannot be held. Awful decisions have to be made on the ground and in space. Transitional battle that plays only for time, with massive costs to the Fleet and the planet. Hard to read, harder to comprehend the scale, but well done. Waiting for the next episode.
Chimera is under attack from the Reeze and cannot be held. Awful decisions have to be made on the ground and in space. Transitional battle that plays only for time, with massive costs to the Fleet and the planet. Hard to read, harder to comprehend the scale, but well done. Waiting for the next episode.
January 24, 2025
This series continues to expand and grow with each book.
We see more of the society on Chimera and the efforts to save the
inhabitants.
Mars is doing everything possible even knowing it might not be enough.
Can't wait for the #17!
We see more of the society on Chimera and the efforts to save the
inhabitants.
Mars is doing everything possible even knowing it might not be enough.
Can't wait for the #17!
January 25, 2025
Excellent storytelling
I had forgotten just how gripping and addictive this series is until I reread in preparation for Chimera’s Fall. I now will have a hard time waiting for book 17.
I had forgotten just how gripping and addictive this series is until I reread in preparation for Chimera’s Fall. I now will have a hard time waiting for book 17.
January 28, 2025
Really Milking these "Books" Out.
The Author has Really been Milking these last three "Books" Out. At best they qualify as one cliff hanger. Sadly, not the first series he's beat to death for a few more books.
The Author has Really been Milking these last three "Books" Out. At best they qualify as one cliff hanger. Sadly, not the first series he's beat to death for a few more books.
June 1, 2025
Glynn Stewart ROCKS
I am a big Glynn Stewart and a big CGN fan. I
see many similarities in their writing. Big characters, sometimes sympathetic villians, and good stories. This book is a excellent example of all that.
I am a big Glynn Stewart and a big CGN fan. I
see many similarities in their writing. Big characters, sometimes sympathetic villians, and good stories. This book is a excellent example of all that.
June 16, 2025
Very binge worthy!
I have been reading this series for about two months and will have to hunt up this author's other books while I wait for the next one. When I run out of those I hope I find more with plots this addicting.
I have been reading this series for about two months and will have to hunt up this author's other books while I wait for the next one. When I run out of those I hope I find more with plots this addicting.
June 22, 2025
A good book in the series
This was a good book in the series. The focus on the upcoming challenges due to the imminent invasion was well thought out. The character growth continued and the depth was apparent.
This was a good book in the series. The focus on the upcoming challenges due to the imminent invasion was well thought out. The character growth continued and the depth was apparent.
January 26, 2025
Another great thrilling chapter in the Starship mage series. As always over to quick and ready for the next book.
January 27, 2025
enjoyable
Slow start but building to an action packed finish. So much happening. Not sure how the cover relates to the story?
Slow start but building to an action packed finish. So much happening. Not sure how the cover relates to the story?
January 30, 2025
Sad but inspiring.
Very realistic universe, easy to bet caught up in. Now we wait for what happens next. Both in the Stewart universe and here on my tablet.
Very realistic universe, easy to bet caught up in. Now we wait for what happens next. Both in the Stewart universe and here on my tablet.
January 31, 2025
Great as usual
Lol over all of the Starship Mage books this is of same great quality good technical stuff and. Tactical Also you will enjoy it
Lol over all of the Starship Mage books this is of same great quality good technical stuff and. Tactical Also you will enjoy it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews