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Star Farmer #1

Tom Savage

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On a frontier planet, land is cheap.
So is your life.

Tom Savage is intent on homesteading, and Phaethon is the newest planet open for colonization. Here, technology is lacking in many places. And for 200 credits, anyone can claim one square kilometer of prime farmland.

But Tom has a secret or two. He is not interested in farming crops, at least not at first. Tom wants to harvest pieces of Phaethon’s sun.

To do so will mean first reaching his stake out near the desert, surviving human predators along the way, bringing fugitives to justice, and dealing with the resident sand dragon population.

All in a day’s work for your local star farmer…


Veteran science fiction and fantasy author, two time Kindle Scout winner Jaxon Reed presents an all new space opera set in the Milky Way’s vast frontier! Fistfights, bar brawls, and gun battles pepper this fast-moving and fun romp, with high-tech hijinks meshing with Wild West drama. Download today!

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2024

489 people are currently reading
113 people want to read

About the author

Jaxon Reed

95 books169 followers
Jaxon Reed is a speculative fiction author and two-time winner of Amazon's Kindle Scout program.

Jaxon is an Aggie, living in Texas on a ranch with his wife and boys, several cats, and one pound dog.

Sign up for new release alerts, sales and freebies at https://jaxonreed.substack.com

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5 stars
584 (53%)
4 stars
350 (31%)
3 stars
129 (11%)
2 stars
26 (2%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Meenaz Lodhi.
1,021 reviews86 followers
August 25, 2024
4/5*
Fantastic SciFi a la Western!
Review to come soon.
Profile Image for XR.
1,979 reviews106 followers
January 15, 2025
My interests are piqued. This looks promising.
Profile Image for Matt Owen.
24 reviews6 followers
July 31, 2024
Jaxon Reed is back with another installment in the Milky Way universe.
The war is over, and Phaethon is the newest planet to be colonized. This leads to a fun disparity in technologies - arrive in a levitating train, and then get around town on horseback. There is a bit of a mystery as to who Tom really is, but enough hints are dropped that if you’ve read the previous books, you’ll probably figure it out. Needless to say there is a great adventure to be had in the book, and plenty of bad guys to deal with, and I was happy to go along for the ride.

Jaxon’s unique and fun style is on full display here and if you’ve enjoyed the previous series you’ll like this one too. Thoop! Thoop! PHLABAM!

Note: I received an ARC of this book and this review is voluntary.
Profile Image for Nancy (The Avid Reader).
3,063 reviews128 followers
August 2, 2024
Tom Savage is the first book in the Star Farmer series by Jaxon Reed. Tom Savage is a great start to a new series. Tom Savage is a mixture of old Western and science fiction novels. Tom Savage reminds me of a John Wayne movie and TV shows like Earth 2.

Phaethon is being colonized so Tom Savage buys some land on this new planet. Land is being sold at a very reasonable price to entice people to live there. Some rogue people are living on Phaethon. Life on Phaethon is like living in the old Western days.

After landing on Phaethon Tom he had to fight several men on his way to the piece of land he bought. Everyone Tom saw after landing did not believe Tom would make it out of town alive, much less to his homestead.

But Tom is not the person they all believe him to be. Tom has a few secrets he is holding on to. Tom’s dad always told him not to tell people you just met your life story as you don’t know who you can trust and who you can’t.

The land Tom bought is very secluded and barren. Unlike most people who move to this new planet, Tom is not planning on being a farmer. No Tom has other reasons for being on the planet, reasons that he is not willing to share at the moment.

I truly enjoyed reading Tom Savage. I fell in love with Tom from the beginning. The descriptions made the story very appealing. I could see everything I was reading in my head as if I was watching a movie. The descriptions made it so easy to do so. I can’t wait to see what the Star Farmer has waiting for us in the next book.

I enjoyed reading Tom Savage so much that I highly recommend it to anyone who likes Westerns or science fiction! Grab a copy of Tom Savage today!
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews359 followers
August 15, 2024
Prepare for a New Adventure !! . . .

Jaxon Reed is back with his phenomenal writing style that pulls the reader into the heart of the action to become part of the story. I have always admired the realistic feel of the world he deftly builds around us, and this particular story has a “Wild West” feel. He brings his heroic characters to life so that the reader cares about what happens and responds accordingly. In this new series, Tom Savage arrives on Phaethon, the newly offered planet open to farmers for homesteading. But he has something else in mind if he can get to the area he wants to claim out in the desert without being killed by the bad guys or hostile creatures like the sand dragons or the giant nighttime owls. Prepare yourself for pulse-pounding fast action ahead as this amazing author takes us on another exciting journey in the fight for survival. And he NEVER disappoints!
Profile Image for Carmen.
95 reviews
February 16, 2025
Star Farmer

This is a rollicking good story. It reminds me of a good SciFi western series I used to watch on TV. Loved the battle bot named Timmy, and the bulletproof armor for our protagonist and friend, and the horses. Can’t wait for book 2.
Author 1 book
February 2, 2025
A fun romp of future tech meets settlers on an old west type planet. Youth, budding romance, good guys, bad guys, aliens, battles and fights what more could you ask for? It ends a bit abruptly, and the second installment hasn’t yet picked up from where it leaves us off… but, I’m remaining cautiously optimistic. lol, I enjoyed it enough to give the second book a chance.
26 reviews2 followers
August 5, 2024
Jaxon Reed starts a new series set in his Pirates of the Milky Way universe. This one sees a new character head out to a remote new planet that is just starting to be settled. It hasn't yet determined if it will be part of the League or Republic. It's basically the wild west! Set on the frontier planet of Phaethon, the novel follows the intrepid Tom Savage, a homesteader with a twist—he's not just farming crops; he's harvesting pieces of the planet's sun. Reed masterfully weaves a tale of survival and justice, where human predators and sand dragons are just part of the daily challenges. With its fast-paced action, vivid world-building, and a touch of humor, "Tom Savage" is a must-read for fans looking for a fresh take on colonization and space exploration narratives. Jaxon Reed's skillful storytelling and rich character development ensure that "Tom Savage" stands out as a memorable and enjoyable read. Whether you're a long-time science fiction aficionado or new to the genre, this book is sure to capture your imagination and keep you entertained from start to finish. Jump in for what I am sure will be another enjoyable series.
4,467 reviews21 followers
Read
August 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this story that introduces Tom as he begins homesteading on a new planet. Lots of shenanigans occur, Tome meet new and interesting characters, and makes some friends. All in between some light drama and surprises. It was a hot and I really enjoyed it. While a bit more light hearted then others in the same universe, it was just as good and entertaining. Plus the set up for what might be coming next makes me want the next one now. I read it in one sitting as had to see what trouble Tom would find himself in next. Loved it.
Profile Image for Dr susan.
3,054 reviews51 followers
August 24, 2024
Entertaining sci fi adventure

There is graphic violence with a body count. But the story is fun. Tom has secrets, is likeable, and interesting. Gwen is also a surprise. I look forward to book 2.
8 reviews
March 10, 2025
Just a fun adventure for anyone young or old to enjoy

This author Jaxon Reed is someone I have just found lately and I am very glad that I have,his story telling and character development helps generate a very enjoyable read that you won’t regret reading it will take you on a very fun and enjoyable adventure you will find it difficult to stop reading and just keep on reading until your finished. I can’t wait to finish this review and start reading the next book. You will find this book a good investment in money and time spent. Enjoy yourself.
Profile Image for Dannan Tavona.
968 reviews10 followers
June 22, 2025
Western space opera

Alternate universe, SF advanced technology, space opera

Tom is homesteading on a new planet. Sort of. He moves out to the tiny frontier town of Little York where he meets Gwen, another famous rich kid in disguise. Tom is doing secret Tom Swift things, and more.

Excellent editing. Absorbing and sort of tongue in cheek. Apparently there are 30 novels ahead of this start to a new series, all set in the same shared universe.
321 reviews5 followers
June 27, 2025
Awesome book

Enjoy the slow build up because once the main character hits the ground everything starts moving then ramps up into high speed! It’s a book that I recommend reading.
613 reviews7 followers
September 2, 2024
I love this novel!

Woohoo! Making a farm out of nothing, bad guys, evil villains, farming on an undeveloped planet, Marshall's and more! Headed for no.2!
Profile Image for Kimberly Newman.
170 reviews9 followers
August 29, 2024
Exciting yet not desperately evil

I enjoyed Tom Savage's easy-going attitude and loved it when he pulled his technological wonder out of his sleeve. It is a fun read and did not fall into bad "romance" as many do.
Profile Image for Mike Pearson.
154 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2025
A good time for a snowy day

The author has been able to get you to keep up the story and make it a very good story
Profile Image for Jim.
748 reviews
January 26, 2025
First book in the series

This young adult book reminds me of some of Robert Heinlein’s books for juveniles. Young people on their own on a remote planet trying to make a living. A great story.
56 reviews2 followers
August 28, 2024
Never fails to entertain

Love the continuation of the plair/star league story and the slow burn revealing the identities of main characters, can't wait for sequel

2 reviews
March 6, 2025
fun read, engaging story

Story is fun with lots of adventure on a newly settled planet. Characters are interesting and a little mysterious. Enjoy!
322 reviews4 followers
September 21, 2025
Tom Savage

I thought it started off a like slow, but them it picked up and got much more interesting. I enjoyed the characters and the story line. I purchased the whole series and I'm looking forward to reading book two. I would recommend the book. Happy Reading!!!
76 reviews
January 8, 2025
Great read

Jaxon Reed is a very good world builder. I enjoyed this coming of age book. It has some twist and turns I didn’t see coming. I couldn’t put it down. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thank you for your imagination,
Wendy
Profile Image for Andrew Aldrich.
7 reviews
January 7, 2025
Good read

This book is a good read. A little slow to get to the major plot points to understand what's going on and good character development towards the end.
33 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2025
A Surprise!

I was surprised. I didn’t expect such a great story, with really great protagonists, written so well. I enjoyed every page and look forward to book#2.
996 reviews13 followers
December 5, 2024
Short but good

Good starting book of an interesting series harvesting the sun. However, the book is short. Not that that means it's bad. As the first book, it's mainly setting up the cast of characters and the scene as it were basically, the MC is harvesting chunks of the sun... or trying to. Looking forward to the next book.
128 reviews
April 25, 2025
Fun space western

Was a fun book, rather glad there are a a few of them in the line and under the kindle unlimited.
This book was a 1 day read.
213 reviews2 followers
September 8, 2024
Plodding and Dull

Exposition heavy and plot light with dull characters. Boring action scenes as well. A lot of extraneous stuff is focused on which hinders the story advancement and really drags the book down - the author takes the time to explain the back story of meaningless side characters that barely touch the plot and are only involved briefly. And he does it through pure exposition - no story telling. This is what really detracts from the book - it would otherwise be a passable scifi western
6 reviews
September 8, 2024
A basic Sci Fi with not a lot of plot

I didn't hate this book, I just didn't find it very interesting. Not a lot happens plot wise, the characters didn't really stand out or grab my sympathies. It was also very apparent that the book was written by a military man with conservative leanings. Honestly, that doesn't bother me but it was a little too obvious.
16 reviews
March 1, 2025
Tom Swift updated for today

If anyone out there is old enough to remember the Tom Swift novels, this is basically the same thing updated for today. Smart young man triumphs over the bad guys using tech instead of brawn. It's fun but his tech is so far ahead of what everyone else has there's not a lot of tension. Unlike Tom Swift he does not invent the tech he just brings it with him from off world to a poor newly colonized world that doesn't have much tech yet. They are using horses for transport but at the same time people modify their ears and eyes for better hearing and vision so it comes off as a blend of spaghetti Western and sci-fi. I enjoyed it but it really is firmly aimed at young adults. No sex or cursing which is refreshing. ( One of the reasons this older adult enjoys reading young adult novels) . It's a nice old fashioned fun story to relax with but hopefully future sequels will give the main character some meatier challenges to work through that can't all be solved by another piece of tech . The writing is good and some questions are left unanswered for future books. If you still have fond memories of reading Asimov and Heinlein young adult books then you might want to give this series a try or gift it to the young adult in your life.
Profile Image for Steven Whitfield.
114 reviews2 followers
January 5, 2025
Omg the science is so bad

Ooo look science! One cubic centimeter of the core of the sun weighs 1972 grams.... At 9000000 Celsius.... 2 Cm by 2 cm is 8 cubic centimeters... Close to 20 kilograms.... Now lots of math and the blast as the sun chuck vaporized everything near by equal a bit over a metric ton of TNT.
Minimum "safe" blast radius for that is about 1200 meters...
Horses... 3 years from birth to regular riding use, gots to harden them bones ya know!!! Planet only been settled 2 years. Next having the horses risen up the ramp onto the back of a flatbed horse driven wagon pulling a couple ton carcass.... Go get your self some toy horse or dinosaur and model that out and explain just where the drag team ends up????

What ever scavenger they have round there are nightmare fuel cause on earth it can take a wild ecosystem no people round kind a week to reduce to bones.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews

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