What do you think?
Rate this book
The Kaelen Extraction: A Billy Firebrand Adventure
Once, they were the galaxy’s most fearsome mercenaries…
A lot has changed since then. Still, a friend is a friend. So, when one of their old crewmates dies under mysterious circumstances, the infamous Billy Firebrand calls the old crew back together for one last mission. With a busted ship, a lifetime’s worth of demons, and a galactic war on the line, they’ll face odds they probably couldn’t have beaten in their prime.
These days… they don’t stand a chance.
Ride with Billy, Shotgun, Stick, El, and Mouth as the galaxy’s worst mercenaries face impossible odds, hidden enemies, and… hybrid flying squirrel baboons?
Fans of The Worst Ship in the Fleet and Rogue Agent will love this new series full of swashbuckling adventure, witty banter, and plenty of sci-fi fun. Tag along with this crew of has-beens as they redefine what it means to be heroes (and not always in a good way). Set in the fan-favorite universe of Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes, you don't need to have read that series to fully enjoy this action-packed full-length novel.
A lot has changed since then. Still, a friend is a friend. So, when one of their old crewmates dies under mysterious circumstances, the infamous Billy Firebrand calls the old crew back together for one last mission. With a busted ship, a lifetime’s worth of demons, and a galactic war on the line, they’ll face odds they probably couldn’t have beaten in their prime.
These days… they don’t stand a chance.
Ride with Billy, Shotgun, Stick, El, and Mouth as the galaxy’s worst mercenaries face impossible odds, hidden enemies, and… hybrid flying squirrel baboons?
Fans of The Worst Ship in the Fleet and Rogue Agent will love this new series full of swashbuckling adventure, witty banter, and plenty of sci-fi fun. Tag along with this crew of has-beens as they redefine what it means to be heroes (and not always in a good way). Set in the fan-favorite universe of Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes, you don't need to have read that series to fully enjoy this action-packed full-length novel.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
120 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Skyler Ramirez
82 books136 followersSkyler grew up in Southern California, under the best weather that state has to offer. So, he's shown a little of his insanity over the years in moving to colder, wetter places: New York City; Provo, Utah; Bainbridge Island, WA. He now resides with his family in Texas, which (apart from the humidity) gives him that great weather once again.
Skyler has been and continues to be a leader and executive with multiple Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, working across a variety of functions, both technical and non-technical. In other words, he's very much a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. Maybe that's why he has now decided to be an author as well. In it, he’s finally found the thing he loves to do most.
Mr. Ramirez currently resides in Texas with his wife, Lindsey, and their four children.
Skyler has been and continues to be a leader and executive with multiple Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, working across a variety of functions, both technical and non-technical. In other words, he's very much a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. Maybe that's why he has now decided to be an author as well. In it, he’s finally found the thing he loves to do most.
Mr. Ramirez currently resides in Texas with his wife, Lindsey, and their four children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 25, 2025
A group of mercenaries work together to fight injustice and corruption throughout space civilization – perhaps breaking a law or two along the way in The Kaelen Extraction: A Billy Firebrand Adventure by Skyler Ramirez. They are hired for a special mission to track down a stolen weapon that could unnecessarily cause a war. Pursued by villains and finding new trouble in each place they visit during this daring final mission, Firebrand and crew make new friends and solve old problems along the way. This is the first novel in The Galaxy’s Worst Mercenaries series, so only some of the loose ends are tied up by the end of this book.
Is it swashbuckling if you’re using weapons with lasers and beanbags? Full of the beloved tropes of the futuristic deep space Sci-Fi genre, this poignant novel also delves into the complex relationships between family members and childhood trauma, with a good helping of comic relief on the side. The tropes included here are generally associated with futuristic space settings, such as advanced weapons involving lasers and daring pilot maneuvers in old spaceships. The world-building of this wide, future-based universe is well developed, considering that each planet only gets a chapter or two to learn about its particular features.
There are also vignettes of pulp fiction mixed in as part of the comic relief necessary to digest the more intense and heart-wrenching passages. These can feel silly at times, but they lend a little more levity to the story. They also help to divide the story into different sections, as well as reveal some of the internal thoughts and beliefs of different characters on the ship, since the novel is a third-person omniscient type, which delves into the mindset of multiple characters throughout. At the beginning, there is also the feeling of a “heist” action story, as several chapters deal with the difficulties in convincing team members to return to the crew.
Despite some of the sillier components of the book, Ramirez’ characters are well rounded, and every new challenge helps them develop further – even if it takes a little while to notice the changes in some. There are some moments that truly wrench the heart and others that warm it, as intended, perhaps even bringing readers to tears. The dialogue is well constructed and diverse between characters, based on their written backgrounds and ethnicities, adding delightful flavor. While the story is plot-driven, plenty of time is made for hilarity and the fascinating study of human relationships – both romantic and otherwise.
Overall, the plot of The Kalean Extraction forms the beginning of a mystery, which ideally will be solved by the end of the series. The adventures of the crew jump from roaming in a jungle and being chased by wildlife to white collar crimes and warfare, which keeps the novel exciting, since it is paced like a suspense novel with a few slower chapters at the beginning and an increased pace toward the end. Although the plot is engaging on its own, it’s truly the relationships between characters that keep readers coming back for more.
Is it swashbuckling if you’re using weapons with lasers and beanbags? Full of the beloved tropes of the futuristic deep space Sci-Fi genre, this poignant novel also delves into the complex relationships between family members and childhood trauma, with a good helping of comic relief on the side. The tropes included here are generally associated with futuristic space settings, such as advanced weapons involving lasers and daring pilot maneuvers in old spaceships. The world-building of this wide, future-based universe is well developed, considering that each planet only gets a chapter or two to learn about its particular features.
There are also vignettes of pulp fiction mixed in as part of the comic relief necessary to digest the more intense and heart-wrenching passages. These can feel silly at times, but they lend a little more levity to the story. They also help to divide the story into different sections, as well as reveal some of the internal thoughts and beliefs of different characters on the ship, since the novel is a third-person omniscient type, which delves into the mindset of multiple characters throughout. At the beginning, there is also the feeling of a “heist” action story, as several chapters deal with the difficulties in convincing team members to return to the crew.
Despite some of the sillier components of the book, Ramirez’ characters are well rounded, and every new challenge helps them develop further – even if it takes a little while to notice the changes in some. There are some moments that truly wrench the heart and others that warm it, as intended, perhaps even bringing readers to tears. The dialogue is well constructed and diverse between characters, based on their written backgrounds and ethnicities, adding delightful flavor. While the story is plot-driven, plenty of time is made for hilarity and the fascinating study of human relationships – both romantic and otherwise.
Overall, the plot of The Kalean Extraction forms the beginning of a mystery, which ideally will be solved by the end of the series. The adventures of the crew jump from roaming in a jungle and being chased by wildlife to white collar crimes and warfare, which keeps the novel exciting, since it is paced like a suspense novel with a few slower chapters at the beginning and an increased pace toward the end. Although the plot is engaging on its own, it’s truly the relationships between characters that keep readers coming back for more.
October 10, 2025
Fun book with interesting characters who are all on the side of having a special skill or skills. They are "real characters" to use a phrase from the past. This space opera is the first of what hopefully will be more to come, especially since the story line calls for at least one more book to finish up this storyline. Lots of character dynamics in how each of the team get along or not with the others. Spacer culture gets more time in this book. This book ties into the universe of several other series by Skyler Ramirez. Please keep more books of all these series coming. The plus on independently published book is that I usually do not have to wait for a whole years to see the nexr. This book is recommended.
September 26, 2025
Another fine addition to the Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes universe.
I found this a little hard to track at the beginning but once I got into the swing of it.... it's quite a ride! If you thought Brad and Jessica have a strange relationship, you haven't seen anything yet. This band of misfits takes the term 'dysfunctional' to an entirely new level.
Thanks Skyler for another great read, can't wait for the next episode.
I found this a little hard to track at the beginning but once I got into the swing of it.... it's quite a ride! If you thought Brad and Jessica have a strange relationship, you haven't seen anything yet. This band of misfits takes the term 'dysfunctional' to an entirely new level.
Thanks Skyler for another great read, can't wait for the next episode.
September 27, 2025
Fun, but confusing
The story is a great romp, lots of humour and lots of strong characters. The confusing part comes about due to the author flipping from one character to the next and telling the story in the first person, from that different characters perspective. Takes a few sentences to realise things have changed
Other than that a highly enjoyable read
The story is a great romp, lots of humour and lots of strong characters. The confusing part comes about due to the author flipping from one character to the next and telling the story in the first person, from that different characters perspective. Takes a few sentences to realise things have changed
Other than that a highly enjoyable read
September 19, 2025
From the universe of Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes, Brad's hero Billy Firebrand gets his own series. Former mercenary Billy needs to get his team back together to stop a bio weapon being used. Good characters and interactions make this a good story.
January 16, 2026
Adventure....Definitely
Intriguing problem, great characters and character development, surprises right up to the end.
Great reading for any age, no offensive language or smarmy sex scenes, just good interesting fun!
Intriguing problem, great characters and character development, surprises right up to the end.
Great reading for any age, no offensive language or smarmy sex scenes, just good interesting fun!
January 17, 2026
Excellent
I love how he just keeps me reading... Not scanning... Which is a big compliment coming from me. Fun book... It's your opportunity to get to know his style, just as he said. I may have read all his other books and will continue to read as long as he continues to write. 🙂
I love how he just keeps me reading... Not scanning... Which is a big compliment coming from me. Fun book... It's your opportunity to get to know his style, just as he said. I may have read all his other books and will continue to read as long as he continues to write. 🙂
September 21, 2025
Too much buffoonery!
A lot of Skyler books have a light touch with humour offsetting seriousness, but this one went too far. There was no tension as it was just a cartoon.
A lot of Skyler books have a light touch with humour offsetting seriousness, but this one went too far. There was no tension as it was just a cartoon.
September 25, 2025
Not bad...
Not as good as the other two series in this universe. A little too over the top/juvenile, but fun nevertheless, and a quick read.
Not as good as the other two series in this universe. A little too over the top/juvenile, but fun nevertheless, and a quick read.
September 29, 2025
Great ride!
Ride along with the great Billy Firebrand. Or the real one? Great story, quirky crew, and interesting characters. Skylar has another winner.
Ride along with the great Billy Firebrand. Or the real one? Great story, quirky crew, and interesting characters. Skylar has another winner.
October 2, 2025
An exciting adventure!
Just like the rest of Skyler's other books this one keeps you on the edge of your seat. Cant wait for the next in the series.
Just like the rest of Skyler's other books this one keeps you on the edge of your seat. Cant wait for the next in the series.
October 9, 2025
A fun romp!
Carried me to the next exciting adventure of Firebrand and his crew of weirdo's. What is in store for the gang next?
Carried me to the next exciting adventure of Firebrand and his crew of weirdo's. What is in store for the gang next?
November 11, 2025
Awesome fun!
Mr Ramirez gets better and better! Great characters and a story that pulls you in for a fun ride. Love this universe! Thanks and keep em coming!
Mr Ramirez gets better and better! Great characters and a story that pulls you in for a fun ride. Love this universe! Thanks and keep em coming!
January 16, 2026
Great start to a new series. Funny and likable characters. Well developed and believable. Great story with lots of action!
February 1, 2026
great fun!
It was great fun reading this story! Enough hard science-fi and a lotta laughs too! Looking forward to the next episode.
It was great fun reading this story! Enough hard science-fi and a lotta laughs too! Looking forward to the next episode.
October 25, 2025
I liked this first, Billy Firebrand story, but not as well as other stories of Brad Mendoza. The Firebrand characters are not as easy to bond with, although I’m not sure why. Still, a good read that I very much enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews