The birth of a new company… A challenge that cannot be refused… A new threat emerging on the horizon… A monumental change in the future of a Ranger…
The new galactic trade network that will fund the Free Fleet’s operations is beginning to grow, and soon will begin operations. But if operations are not secure, it could threaten the safety of the entire galaxy…and beyond.
Only one, very unlikely hero, can protect the galaxy against potential disaster. And he needs help.
"Singularity" is the 13th episode in Part 3 of the Frontiers Fringe Worlds.
Born in 1960 and raised on an overdose of television, NASA, and science fiction, Ryk Brown has worked as a cook, rock guitarist, stage lighting technician, and paramedic. He currently resides in Northern California with his wife, daughter, and cat. By day he fixes computers, and by night he creates stories. Having spent his entire life "thinking stuff up", the advent of digital publishing has finally given him an excuse to write it all down and share it with others. ("Others" meaning someone other than his poor wife and daughter.) A long-time fan of all things science and space, his goal is to write and publish an on-going series of sci-fi adventures. To be set in his own version of humanity's future, his characters will explore the vast reaches of the galaxy, and perhaps even the universe. He invites you all to join him on this journey through his vivid imagination.
Just finished “Singularity”, the thirteenth installment in Ryk Brown’s Fringe Worlds series, and it takes a refreshing turn from the usual pirate skirmishes and daring rescues. This time, the spotlight shifts to organizational strategy and economic sustainability—specifically, how to fund the Free Fleet now that its primary backer, the House of Ta’Akar, is stepping back.
Deliza Ta’Akar introduces a bold new initiative: a trading and freight company called Singularity. The concept is ambitious—establishing shipping hubs across the galaxy to facilitate local commerce and strengthen the fringe worlds through galactic trade. It’s a smart pivot that adds depth to the series’ universe-building.
On the action front, Deliza challenges Josh Hayes with a mission: to steal or disable the super jump drive. His investigation leads him to a pirate-controlled planet, where he discovers a device capable of disabling ships. Joining him is Brianna, a tech-savvy character from earlier in the series. Her return was a delightful surprise—I’m hoping she becomes a regular!
As always, I listened to the audiobook via Audible. Jeffrey Kafer continues to deliver a stellar performance, bringing consistency and energy to the narration across the series.
The Author delivers a change of focus from raw combat tactics to complex strategies for growth.
The change to intricate economic strategy and a personal challenge for Josh Hayes carry the reader into a new perspective of the development of the Free Fleet. It is yet another 'page turner' of a story that once again leaves me drooling for more. Personal relationships develop heartwarming outcomes that readers familiar with the character's will welcome.
enjoy the book, a continual page turner, five stars.
As I usually say, I don’t give a lot of books 5 stars, this one deserves it and dear reader the question is why first of all, there’s not a lot of action in this book, it is basically slice of life and plenty of character development, which I like for these characters. This is basically a filler book, allowing the readers to get to know the characters more. I am glad to see some relationships developing as I hoped they would. there are dangling threads that will help progress the story, but I see additional things that the author may or may not want to write about. no spoilers, Murphy is our Shepherd, and he has a say, the story didn’t wind up the way I thought it might, and the trauma of those characters and what they have to go through could be explored in the next book, it could be interwoven with the story. my kudos for the author for using an under used character in Brianna, she has the chops to be included in additional stories in this series or future books. because of her regeneration she is not only a computer techie, but she is also a trained fighter, she should be incorporated more in the series. additional side characters should be used more often because Nathan is basically a captain and can’t charge into everything, that’s why he has a crew. kit and his crew should be used more, send them out on rescue missions or fire fights. This series can go on for many many more books if the author decides to do so.
Aside from the usual planning backdrop, this installment moves along a few plot elements that have stagnated (in particular, relationships) and has an exciting heist subplot that was the best part in my opinion. Still perplexed as to why with all the habitable worlds, our intrepid band has never encountered another civilization but that’s not an issue.
Different than the other books in frontier saga but better!
Are we starting to get tired of all of the battles that started to sing the same. Instead, this time they focused on the characters and storyline which I found exciting. It also appears they are opening up new story lines that will had a lot more depth in the coming books. Highly recommend.
not up to Ryk's usual brilliance; the plot line was unnecessarily convoluted, especially regarding risking jump emitters when the pirate tech could have been tested, stolen, and used under safe conditions, in another galaxy. Series struggling now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The problem with success in world building is that peace and tranquility are difficult to attain. The concept requires risk. And frequently when moving at the speed Capt. Nathan Scott does when pursuing a goal, problems will arise. In "Singularity," the 13th edition in The Frontiers Saga Part 3, Deliza Ta'Akar, responsible for much of the technological development in spacecraft, seeks to discover if her designs can be hacked and her tech stolen by undesirables. A ranger discovers pirates have the ability to shut down the operation of vessels using some kind of unknown device. This triggers worry that the new jump drives, which seemingly have little limitation in distance capability, may be vulnerable. And who better to test the problem, probing for inconsistencies, than Josh Hayes, the wild young pilot the Aurora originally found in the airspace of Haven, a remote dusty world in human populated space. Josh rose through the ranks and serves as a Ranger enforcing the Aurora's trade routes. Josh doesn't care much for the idea, but he realizes its importance. This novel is all about Josh and moves right along. Josh has a short attention span and cares little for protocol. He likes to push the envelope. And he does in this novel, forming unusual alliances and courting death as he works to breach Aurora security to test his employer's ability to maintain safety. Like usual, I read this in short order and clearly enjoyed it. I just read Ryk Brown's account of how he went from a failing computer business to writing full time, selling his early works to Amazon's Kindle. I'm glad he stuck with it.
Can’t be it, both love and space fights, plus intrigue, mystery shadow villains and no-good pirates!! I loved this one! It was slightly different allowing for some of our most loved characters to maybe finally find and settle with the love of their life and maybe even a family. But don’t worry, it’s not mushy or erotic romance. It’s mostly quick blips with the usual bits of humor and wit thrown in. Thank you so much to this author for finally bringing these people who have fought hard, some even dying at least once, and given up a regular life in order to protect the right of freedom. They deserve this! The pirates stink! I mean they’re just sooo mean and conniving, but it’s not like the undercover Free Fleet agents don’t know and expect a double cross. After all, they’re scallawag pirates. Will it be enough? And the biggest question is….will Josh win the bet? Sooooo good!!! I was rather shocked when it was just suddenly “the end” That’s the first time in reading this series that I literally felt like I just got started and then it was over. Went quick. Can’t wait for the next one!! Oh!!! And btw….we were left without an answer to one of the biggest questions from the agents mission. We were left hanging. 🙁
The main thread of the whole book is Josh and Deliza betting against each other. One thinking it's Impossible to steal a super jump drive the other not Other sub plots abound, but nothing of major importance until, literally the last few pages, which sets the scene for the next book at a guess It's all going a long as you would expect, given the previous story lines, with no real surprises We are a long way into the saga, we must be getting close to 50 books, the characters are well known and their decision making process a given. There needs to be a real shake up on all of this to get more than 3* from me
This series, from the start up through this episode, has been fascinating,innovative, and thoroughly enjoyable. Ryk Brown has proven his ability in years past, so this comes as no surprise . It is, however, extremely gratifying. I put him in the same category as Ringo, Stirling, Weber, and others who created their own unique vision of possible universes and populated them with admirable, all too human, characters.
These are always a welcome read! I started the series years ago and I was late to the party then. I became spoiled, reading them back to back. Now, sadly, I have to wait between books. If you enjoy great science fiction with a healthy dose of adventure, this is your series!
Nathan and the free fleet are proceeding with the universal trading company that is going to support the fleet. In an effort to prevent the theft of the jump drive off one of the shuttles, Deliza has challenged Josh to find a way to breach security. Several other interventions occur and we get glimpses of a mysterious figure who portends things to come.
No matter how long. The team of Nathan Scott's is growing and the galaxy is heading toward a great peace... But as the Alliance grows smaller as the word gets around that they fresh Fleet and the Singularity can get the goods and put they pirates out of business. The Alliance will have to... must step in. Then the real fun begins!!
Nathan Scott and the team from the Arora continue to expand the alternative system of Development that has outpaced the Alliance of Earth. The characters continue to evolve and the technological challenges become more interesting.
I have enjoyed these stories for years. Spent many a night shift in a control room reading them. I especially like the "science" in the fiction. Great cast of characters. Kept me awake when I needed to be. Keep em coming. Thanks
I always enjoy getting to catch up with all the main characters In this series of books. I like the fact that Nathan and Jessica seem to be together. The fact that Josh is going to settle down...unbelievable.
Great story line, good development and decent movement/action, but ....
Really tired of getting to the end of the book after a day or 2 of casual reading, knowing it will be better than 6 months before I'm teased again. 🤔🤔🤔
This is one of my favorite episodes (I have read them all). The continuous building of the theme throughout with the climax at the end made it hard to put down. Can’t wait to see what happens with the plot building in the background.
This is the sci fi novel of the decade. It was everything wrapped into one novel which is rare indeed. I loved many books in the series but this one was special. It cant get any better than this can it?
I have read all of the frontiers saga books to date and look forward to the releases everytime. The only thing i think id like is for each book to be a bit longer.
Less action Tham some episodes, but a fun look at setting up intergalactic trade. Character development continues, and I loved watching our characters grow.
They are all great so it is tough to come up with something new to say but this one was particularly fast and fun. Worst part, as always, is the wait for the next one.
Yawn... Another case of spreading it thin. The more this story advances, the less appealing it has become. Maybe it's time to put an end to this misery. I really enjoyed part 1, part 2 was OK, part 3 has now become so diluted it's not fun anymore.
As the free fleet Get setup, plans are being made to take one of the free fleets jump drives . The book moves a little slow Concentrates more on the Players of this Space opera. All in all it gets you coming back for more Good job ryk. 🤗