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Owning a Spacebar #1
Owning a Spacebar
When Carson Flint traded his Commonwealth military badge for the quiet life, he thought he’d left his battles behind.
Two years of running a saloon called the Bulwark, a volatile hub for refugees, smugglers, and the occasional war-weary soldier, was the peace he’d been looking for.
He’s never had it easier, or been so bored.
But when a fugitive Commonwealth operative arrives with dangerous secrets and a war criminal on his tail, Carson’s sanctuary quickly becomes a target. Drawn back into a world of interstellar conspiracy and dangerous militias, Carson faces a decision that could alter the fate of not just the Bulwark, but perhaps the entire risk everything to help old allies or turn his back and let the chaos close in.
The Bulwark may have given Carson an escape from his past, but adventure and old debts are calling.
If you enjoy reluctant heroes, unexpected twists, and high-stakes galactic intrigue, then you’ll love Owning A Spacebar, the latest sci-fi adventure from John Walker.
Two years of running a saloon called the Bulwark, a volatile hub for refugees, smugglers, and the occasional war-weary soldier, was the peace he’d been looking for.
He’s never had it easier, or been so bored.
But when a fugitive Commonwealth operative arrives with dangerous secrets and a war criminal on his tail, Carson’s sanctuary quickly becomes a target. Drawn back into a world of interstellar conspiracy and dangerous militias, Carson faces a decision that could alter the fate of not just the Bulwark, but perhaps the entire risk everything to help old allies or turn his back and let the chaos close in.
The Bulwark may have given Carson an escape from his past, but adventure and old debts are calling.
If you enjoy reluctant heroes, unexpected twists, and high-stakes galactic intrigue, then you’ll love Owning A Spacebar, the latest sci-fi adventure from John Walker.
- GenresScience Fiction
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 22, 2024
1207 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
John Walker
1,202 books163 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 17, 2025
Got a quarter way thru and still wasn’t hooked. Decided to let this one rest for awhile.
December 5, 2024
Owning a Spacebar
What can I say? Retired military, opens a Spacebar in a neutral zone, runs into space warlords and thugs and strife ensues.
We what happens next to Carson, zeke, nell, and Liz.
Should be interesting.
What can I say? Retired military, opens a Spacebar in a neutral zone, runs into space warlords and thugs and strife ensues.
We what happens next to Carson, zeke, nell, and Liz.
Should be interesting.
January 19, 2025
This book is kind of strange. The premise is that this former soldier, Carson Flint, has bought a bar on a planet called Peldan. Peldan lies in a part of space called Crossroads. It’s a supposedly neutral territory in space between three different civilizations, the Commonwealth, the Thortan domain and the Lumari Collective. All three have been fighting each other off and on with no one seeming to come out on top.
Flint, was tired of what the Commonwealth military had been ordering him to do. Yet, we don’t get much information on what he actually did while in the military. He’s bought this bar or saloon and is making a comfortable living in Castus, the only viable town on Peldan. It’s not a particularly hospitable place being in a desert where the temps in the daytime can become unbearable. Most of his customers come in late in the evening and night when the sun isn’t shining so hot and people can get some work done.
I guess the name of his place is called Cafe Bulwark, but mostly it’s just shortened to Bulwark. He’s got his long time friend, Zeke Weston with him and Zeke pretty well manages the place keeping both his employees and his patrons happy. Now this isn’t a highly reputable place, but it’s the only place of its kind where people from any of the three civilizations can come and talk without the threat of getting killed. Oh, they can get killed, but that’s frowned upon by everyone and could result in whomever brought trouble being band from the Planet forever.
Of course nothing in Castus could enforce anything since they can barely defend themselves if someone were to take a big dislike to the place. So, the citizens of Peldan and Castus are careful to make sure everyone that comes there, enjoys their stay. There are a number of boarding houses in Castus so even the military from any of the civilizations are welcomed as long as they behave themselves.
Then a long friend of Carson’s finds his way to Castus. He’s actually very anxious to get there seeing as he’s been badly wounded and needing place to hide out and get some medical attention. Wade Green is running from the Thortan military having stole some very valuable information. They are the ones that shot him and are going to find him no matter what it takes. Zeke finds Wade struggling in the Bulwark and takes him down to a partially empty storage room. But the a ship of Thortan militia arrive and that spells very bad trouble.
The Thortan domain has fractured itself after the last war. It seems that the upper crusts of their society were the scientist and engineers that were always inventing new things and using them to improve their lot in life. The problem was that they weren’t passing on these modern conveniences down to the ordinary citizens. So there was the aristocrats and the commoners until the commoners got fed up and revolted. Now the whole domain is split up into various groups with warlords making their own laws. These warlords have their own militias to enforce what they want which is everything!
So, a shuttle has just landed in the middle of Castus demanding they turn over Wade Green and the information that he stole. Initially, Carson doesn’t know anything about the fact that Green has come to Peldan nor that he’s been sequestered in a supply room in his very own spacebar. Zeke soon feels him in on the situation. Telling him that Green needs some immediate medical help. But with Commander Markov Dalra, Thortan militia, demanding they turn him over, Carson can’t get Green to the doctors.
Commander Markov Dalra isn’t a nice guy. He lets Carson know that if he doesn’t get Green immediately, then his ship in orbit is prepared to wipe out the town. Well, it’s not long after that when Green dies and Carson Flint shoots Commander Dalra in the face! That’s when the real story starts.
I’m not sure I’m going to continue reading this story. There just doesn’t seem to be anything really compelling for me to do so. I don’t know enough about Carson Flint to understand why he is the way he is nor do I have much reason to care. Also, outside of the story, there’s a lot of editing mistakes in this book which is unusual for a John Walker book. Still, if this kind of book interest you, by all means, have at it. I believe this is the start of a series, but it’s not really clear until you look for the next book.
But since book 2, “Declining Empire”, is available on Amazon, I guess it is a series. Not my kind though!
Flint, was tired of what the Commonwealth military had been ordering him to do. Yet, we don’t get much information on what he actually did while in the military. He’s bought this bar or saloon and is making a comfortable living in Castus, the only viable town on Peldan. It’s not a particularly hospitable place being in a desert where the temps in the daytime can become unbearable. Most of his customers come in late in the evening and night when the sun isn’t shining so hot and people can get some work done.
I guess the name of his place is called Cafe Bulwark, but mostly it’s just shortened to Bulwark. He’s got his long time friend, Zeke Weston with him and Zeke pretty well manages the place keeping both his employees and his patrons happy. Now this isn’t a highly reputable place, but it’s the only place of its kind where people from any of the three civilizations can come and talk without the threat of getting killed. Oh, they can get killed, but that’s frowned upon by everyone and could result in whomever brought trouble being band from the Planet forever.
Of course nothing in Castus could enforce anything since they can barely defend themselves if someone were to take a big dislike to the place. So, the citizens of Peldan and Castus are careful to make sure everyone that comes there, enjoys their stay. There are a number of boarding houses in Castus so even the military from any of the civilizations are welcomed as long as they behave themselves.
Then a long friend of Carson’s finds his way to Castus. He’s actually very anxious to get there seeing as he’s been badly wounded and needing place to hide out and get some medical attention. Wade Green is running from the Thortan military having stole some very valuable information. They are the ones that shot him and are going to find him no matter what it takes. Zeke finds Wade struggling in the Bulwark and takes him down to a partially empty storage room. But the a ship of Thortan militia arrive and that spells very bad trouble.
The Thortan domain has fractured itself after the last war. It seems that the upper crusts of their society were the scientist and engineers that were always inventing new things and using them to improve their lot in life. The problem was that they weren’t passing on these modern conveniences down to the ordinary citizens. So there was the aristocrats and the commoners until the commoners got fed up and revolted. Now the whole domain is split up into various groups with warlords making their own laws. These warlords have their own militias to enforce what they want which is everything!
So, a shuttle has just landed in the middle of Castus demanding they turn over Wade Green and the information that he stole. Initially, Carson doesn’t know anything about the fact that Green has come to Peldan nor that he’s been sequestered in a supply room in his very own spacebar. Zeke soon feels him in on the situation. Telling him that Green needs some immediate medical help. But with Commander Markov Dalra, Thortan militia, demanding they turn him over, Carson can’t get Green to the doctors.
Commander Markov Dalra isn’t a nice guy. He lets Carson know that if he doesn’t get Green immediately, then his ship in orbit is prepared to wipe out the town. Well, it’s not long after that when Green dies and Carson Flint shoots Commander Dalra in the face! That’s when the real story starts.
I’m not sure I’m going to continue reading this story. There just doesn’t seem to be anything really compelling for me to do so. I don’t know enough about Carson Flint to understand why he is the way he is nor do I have much reason to care. Also, outside of the story, there’s a lot of editing mistakes in this book which is unusual for a John Walker book. Still, if this kind of book interest you, by all means, have at it. I believe this is the start of a series, but it’s not really clear until you look for the next book.
But since book 2, “Declining Empire”, is available on Amazon, I guess it is a series. Not my kind though!
December 3, 2024
The English has a rather interesting curse that wishes you to live in interesting times.
Somebody probably did so to Carson Flint when he hung up his Commonwealth " military gloves" to start running a saloon called the Bulwark on the planet Peldan in a town named Castus at a rather convenient " celestial "The Crossroads" between three intelligent races.
How else can one explain it when first these three races suffered a common uprising in the classes, setting three races a heck of a way back in their respective civilizations.
But for Carson the big blow came when a previous military agent inadvertently brought trouble along to the Bulwark, from a supposedly "friendly" alien race.
And everything goes lethally haywire!
Author John Walker has developed quite an explosive plot revolving mostly around the Bulwark with some characters that will probably lift the eyebrows quite often as the action develops into lethal skirmishes.
And the reader will every now and then even smirk in superiority at a couple of situations developing along the way with some of the lesser characters. Yes, fun there is as well.
Enjoy
Somebody probably did so to Carson Flint when he hung up his Commonwealth " military gloves" to start running a saloon called the Bulwark on the planet Peldan in a town named Castus at a rather convenient " celestial "The Crossroads" between three intelligent races.
How else can one explain it when first these three races suffered a common uprising in the classes, setting three races a heck of a way back in their respective civilizations.
But for Carson the big blow came when a previous military agent inadvertently brought trouble along to the Bulwark, from a supposedly "friendly" alien race.
And everything goes lethally haywire!
Author John Walker has developed quite an explosive plot revolving mostly around the Bulwark with some characters that will probably lift the eyebrows quite often as the action develops into lethal skirmishes.
And the reader will every now and then even smirk in superiority at a couple of situations developing along the way with some of the lesser characters. Yes, fun there is as well.
Enjoy
January 1, 2025
A 3.5 * probably
This was a tricky read to get going with ...
The opening section provided a rather disjointed introduction of characters and locations. Some historical background might have helped set the scene and eased the way into the story.
There was also a lot of scene hopping.
Once I'd uncovered it, Space Bar is a good story ,set in the middle of a bigger story. There are some great action scenes.
It also appears that the story has been rewritten from a 1st person POV to a third person POV and a few "I"s still infest the narrative.
This was a tricky read to get going with ...
The opening section provided a rather disjointed introduction of characters and locations. Some historical background might have helped set the scene and eased the way into the story.
There was also a lot of scene hopping.
Once I'd uncovered it, Space Bar is a good story ,set in the middle of a bigger story. There are some great action scenes.
It also appears that the story has been rewritten from a 1st person POV to a third person POV and a few "I"s still infest the narrative.
November 28, 2024
OWNING A SPACEBAR is a rousing story of a couple of “retired” undercover agents who now own a bar on a dreary but politically neutral planet. An old colleague shows up unexpectedly with vital information, severe gunshot wounds, and a space militia right behind him. What’s an out-of-the-game barkeep gonna do?!
January 14, 2025
Great action
Carson and Zeke own a bar called the Bullwark, on a desert planet. After the war, they landed in a neutral zone.
A freighter Brings in refugees and an old operative and hiding out another badly wounded operative.
The settlement is attacked and they hold off the intruders.
Carson and Zeke own a bar called the Bullwark, on a desert planet. After the war, they landed in a neutral zone.
A freighter Brings in refugees and an old operative and hiding out another badly wounded operative.
The settlement is attacked and they hold off the intruders.
February 4, 2025
Hmm, kind of torn on this one. It's a decent story, but it's way over done these days. I'll probably continue with the series, at least for the next book, but after that, no idea at this point.
For what it's worth though, the story isn't bad, I'm just a bit full up on alien/past civilizations leaving advanced technology stories at the moment.
For what it's worth though, the story isn't bad, I'm just a bit full up on alien/past civilizations leaving advanced technology stories at the moment.
December 7, 2024
Good Book
Good reading. The storyline was interesting, the characters were three dimensional and spelling, grammar checking and proofreading were great. This is an old fashioned space opera with heroes and villains.
Good reading. The storyline was interesting, the characters were three dimensional and spelling, grammar checking and proofreading were great. This is an old fashioned space opera with heroes and villains.
December 14, 2024
Excellent
But I never did figure out who owns the space bar. Jumping from character to character like he did got me so confused I gave up on trying to figure anything out and just consetrated on trying to follow the story.
But I never did figure out who owns the space bar. Jumping from character to character like he did got me so confused I gave up on trying to figure anything out and just consetrated on trying to follow the story.
December 16, 2024
More Novella than a Book
Great story; but short. I read it in a few hours. The second book coming out 12/17/24 will be even shorter. I thought the characters were awesome, the plot was engaging, but the scene settings were marginal.
Great story; but short. I read it in a few hours. The second book coming out 12/17/24 will be even shorter. I thought the characters were awesome, the plot was engaging, but the scene settings were marginal.
December 31, 2024
War and relationships can open doors....
The characters and their struggles for freedom and friendships. The interactions of the principles while surviving an enemy with no morals, brings those struggling together strength.
The characters and their struggles for freedom and friendships. The interactions of the principles while surviving an enemy with no morals, brings those struggling together strength.
February 23, 2025
Worse than amateur
Not only does the writer change between third person and first person in the same paragraph, he also frequently mixes up past tense with present tense in the same sentence. Do not get this book until the author passes middle school grammar.
Not only does the writer change between third person and first person in the same paragraph, he also frequently mixes up past tense with present tense in the same sentence. Do not get this book until the author passes middle school grammar.
April 2, 2025
Good read
Good read...very engaging This book was more light-hearted and less intense than I am used to, and was a welcome relief.
I enjoyed the dialog between the characters...it seemed more realistic than the usual tough guy stance.
Good read...very engaging This book was more light-hearted and less intense than I am used to, and was a welcome relief.
I enjoyed the dialog between the characters...it seemed more realistic than the usual tough guy stance.
December 2, 2024
Great read!
Lots of fun in this one! Some space bar action, some battles, a bad guy arrives, ancient technology, space battles, just another day in a bar!
Lots of fun in this one! Some space bar action, some battles, a bad guy arrives, ancient technology, space battles, just another day in a bar!
December 4, 2024
Top Notch Science Fiction!
December 10, 2024
good reading, lots of action
I was pleasantly surprised when I read the first paragraph it indicated to me that the series was worth reading. I was sorry it finished
I was pleasantly surprised when I read the first paragraph it indicated to me that the series was worth reading. I was sorry it finished
December 14, 2024
Fast paced read
My first John Walker book. I was not disappointed. Fast paced story, lots of what nows. Looking forward to reading more.
My first John Walker book. I was not disappointed. Fast paced story, lots of what nows. Looking forward to reading more.
December 16, 2024
Interesting cast of characters; lots of space excitement. and lots of possibilities for follow-up stories.
December 22, 2024
Started the book because I thought it was gonna be about alcoholics in space. Stayed because it turned out to be alcoholics in space. With guns.
December 27, 2024
Nice concepts
Space bar with interesting owners& customers. Good action with suspense, turmoil, and tech to save the day while making things complicated.
Space bar with interesting owners& customers. Good action with suspense, turmoil, and tech to save the day while making things complicated.
January 7, 2025
Excellent
It is easy to picture the bar with the descriptions given. The characters are memorable and the events riveting. It's a really good read. Try it!
It is easy to picture the bar with the descriptions given. The characters are memorable and the events riveting. It's a really good read. Try it!
January 31, 2025
Unusual
I am not really sure why I found it unusual, but I did. I liked it, nonetheless. It was predictable in a few places, and wildly unpredictable in others. Made for a good mix.
I am not really sure why I found it unusual, but I did. I liked it, nonetheless. It was predictable in a few places, and wildly unpredictable in others. Made for a good mix.
February 22, 2025
Decent enough. Barely anything in the fucking bar mind. Full on sci-fi space and outside the bar stuff.
February 23, 2025
A decent action book, but I was hoping for a story about... owning a spacebar.
February 27, 2025
slow starting but ends up pretty good
Pretty good story.
Enjoyed it by the end.
Some was a little too good to be be believable.
But still worth reading.
Pretty good story.
Enjoyed it by the end.
Some was a little too good to be be believable.
But still worth reading.
May 6, 2025
It was boring so I never finished and returned the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2025
dnf. not bad but a lack of females, lots of gritty western stuff but not clear what point was.
August 25, 2025
Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, read with the Alexa audio assist application. Military space opera. Political methods fail, time to start fighting.
September 5, 2025
In every…
…story there has to be a goal. Either the author makes it about action and intensity or personal growth/accomplishment. This book does both.
…story there has to be a goal. Either the author makes it about action and intensity or personal growth/accomplishment. This book does both.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews