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Guild Wars #16
Ally: The Guild Wars, Book 16
"It's better to die free than to live a slave."
When the Mercenary Guild tried to bend the galaxy's deadliest assassins to their will, the Depik shocked the galaxy by choosing mass suicide to enslavement. Only those Depik not present on their home planet of Khatash survived to retreat to the shadows, to plan, to form alliances, to rebuild and look forward to the day when they could retake their home from the Veetanho invaders and exact revenge.
That day has finally come. And this time, the Depik do not stand alone.
When the Mercenary Guild tried to bend the galaxy's deadliest assassins to their will, the Depik shocked the galaxy by choosing mass suicide to enslavement. Only those Depik not present on their home planet of Khatash survived to retreat to the shadows, to plan, to form alliances, to rebuild and look forward to the day when they could retake their home from the Veetanho invaders and exact revenge.
That day has finally come. And this time, the Depik do not stand alone.
Audible Audio
First published December 17, 2021
54 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Kacey Ezell
79 books104 followersKacey Ezell was born in South Dakota in 1977. Her parents joined the US Air Force in 1984, and she grew up around the world on various military bases. When she was seven, her mother gave her a copy of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragondrums, and shortly thereafter, Kacey decided that she wanted to be a dragonrider when she grew up. In 1999, she followed her parents into the “family business” and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy before going to pilot training. As dragons were in short supply at the time, she reasoned that flying aircraft was the next best thing. She earned her wings in 2001, and has over 2500 hours in the UH-1N and Mi-17 helicopters.
From the time she was a small child, Kacey made up stories to tell to her friends and family. In 2009, while deployed to Iraq, she wrote the military-themed supernatural story “Light”, which was accepted for publication in the Baen Books anthology Citizens. She was asked to consult on John Ringo’s 2015 novel Strands of Sorrow, and wrote the cover story for the Black Tide Rising anthology set in Ringo’s zombie apocalypse universe. That story, “Not in Vain” was selected for inclusion in the “Year’s Best Military SF and Adventure Fiction” anthology produced by Baen Books.
In addition, she’s written a story called “Gilded Cage” for the Four Horsemen Universe anthology A Fistful of Credits, and her story “Family Over Blood” will be included in the upcoming Forged In Blood anthology set in Michael Z. Williamson’s Freehold Universe.
She and Christopher L. Smith are currently collaborating with John Ringo on a new post-apocalyptic steampunk trilogy from Baen.
Kacey writes science fiction, fantasy, horror, noir, romance… etc. fiction. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and two cats.
From the time she was a small child, Kacey made up stories to tell to her friends and family. In 2009, while deployed to Iraq, she wrote the military-themed supernatural story “Light”, which was accepted for publication in the Baen Books anthology Citizens. She was asked to consult on John Ringo’s 2015 novel Strands of Sorrow, and wrote the cover story for the Black Tide Rising anthology set in Ringo’s zombie apocalypse universe. That story, “Not in Vain” was selected for inclusion in the “Year’s Best Military SF and Adventure Fiction” anthology produced by Baen Books.
In addition, she’s written a story called “Gilded Cage” for the Four Horsemen Universe anthology A Fistful of Credits, and her story “Family Over Blood” will be included in the upcoming Forged In Blood anthology set in Michael Z. Williamson’s Freehold Universe.
She and Christopher L. Smith are currently collaborating with John Ringo on a new post-apocalyptic steampunk trilogy from Baen.
Kacey writes science fiction, fantasy, horror, noir, romance… etc. fiction. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 1, 2024
A LONG time ago, we first heard about the Depik. I'm given to understand that some people said "Ooo, a kitty! How cute!" Not me; they scared me! Not as much as cows and Disney movies, but enough that if I thought there was a Depik looking for me, I'd make SURE my affairs were in order.
Now, they aren't a bad race; they are just a deadly race. They had to be, because their home planet makes Australia look like a playground. Their ability to avoid detection and strike anywhere circumstances called for meant that they were too dangerous for the Veetanho, rising galactic manipulators, to tolerate. So, the Veetanho put in place a scheme to commit total genocide, and wipe them off the playing field, and out of existence. It almost worked.
Bad move, Veetanho. Truly, I can't think of a worse move; because a small number of the Depik survived. And they are disturbed, in a matter of speaking. The ocean is damp, in that same manner of speaking.
Rather than exhaust the remaining Hunters in a frontal assault, the wise minds of the ruling Dama, the Mothers of the various surviving factions, decide to use whatever resources are available to them from forming alliances. Those consist largely (but NOT exclusively) of Humans, some of whom are in a pair-bonding with a Hunter. But, the threads forming alliances are significantly tangled that it takes the skills of Ezell and Wolf to describe them.
The action flows across planets, and also across some undetermined number of other storylines. One aspect of this spread is that the book ONLY covers the action directly related to the purpose of the Depik; so, we might get an interaction that only occupies a small place in another story. Don't complain about this! All those stories are available, and it's a lovely task to string all the pieces together, if you are so inclined. It's not necessary to do so in order to appreciate THIS story, though. That is revealed mostly through the activities of two primary characters and their associates, with enough action to satisfy those who demand MOAR EXPLODING SPACESHIPS! There is also a substantial investment in the treatment of LOVE in many of its' aspects, from human pairing, to loyalty, to faithfulness to an idea. I'm not claiming this is a something-for-everybody book, because those typically just depress me with their inanity; it does show that Depik are more than just something that terrifies me, almost as much as cows.
Now, they aren't a bad race; they are just a deadly race. They had to be, because their home planet makes Australia look like a playground. Their ability to avoid detection and strike anywhere circumstances called for meant that they were too dangerous for the Veetanho, rising galactic manipulators, to tolerate. So, the Veetanho put in place a scheme to commit total genocide, and wipe them off the playing field, and out of existence. It almost worked.
Bad move, Veetanho. Truly, I can't think of a worse move; because a small number of the Depik survived. And they are disturbed, in a matter of speaking. The ocean is damp, in that same manner of speaking.
Rather than exhaust the remaining Hunters in a frontal assault, the wise minds of the ruling Dama, the Mothers of the various surviving factions, decide to use whatever resources are available to them from forming alliances. Those consist largely (but NOT exclusively) of Humans, some of whom are in a pair-bonding with a Hunter. But, the threads forming alliances are significantly tangled that it takes the skills of Ezell and Wolf to describe them.
The action flows across planets, and also across some undetermined number of other storylines. One aspect of this spread is that the book ONLY covers the action directly related to the purpose of the Depik; so, we might get an interaction that only occupies a small place in another story. Don't complain about this! All those stories are available, and it's a lovely task to string all the pieces together, if you are so inclined. It's not necessary to do so in order to appreciate THIS story, though. That is revealed mostly through the activities of two primary characters and their associates, with enough action to satisfy those who demand MOAR EXPLODING SPACESHIPS! There is also a substantial investment in the treatment of LOVE in many of its' aspects, from human pairing, to loyalty, to faithfulness to an idea. I'm not claiming this is a something-for-everybody book, because those typically just depress me with their inanity; it does show that Depik are more than just something that terrifies me, almost as much as cows.
December 18, 2021
Remember Khatash ?
The deadly planet home of the Depik?
The Veetanho tried to enslave them, they failed...
Thanks to humanity the Depik are now back in the game, having gathered allies to ensure the future of their race. In particular, they are now immune to the Veetanho weapon against which they were vulnerable!
And the time has come for them to reclaim their beloved planet from the Veetanho and so they go, but not alone! First allies are gathered, plans made and only then, the strike is on...
Which is not to say that their enemy has been idle!
A tale of war full of mayhem and furor, of honor and loyalty, of vengeance and tears...
Allies have each other's back ...
Time to kick some ratt's butt!
The deadly planet home of the Depik?
The Veetanho tried to enslave them, they failed...
Thanks to humanity the Depik are now back in the game, having gathered allies to ensure the future of their race. In particular, they are now immune to the Veetanho weapon against which they were vulnerable!
And the time has come for them to reclaim their beloved planet from the Veetanho and so they go, but not alone! First allies are gathered, plans made and only then, the strike is on...
Which is not to say that their enemy has been idle!
A tale of war full of mayhem and furor, of honor and loyalty, of vengeance and tears...
Allies have each other's back ...
Time to kick some ratt's butt!
November 26, 2022
I can't keep up!
This is the 16th book out of 18 in the four horseman series, but only the 3rd I've read (I think, it's hard to remember, maybe more on KU). Series like this are exciting, but there are too many books out there to binge a single series that long and still have time to write my own or read other genres. That's why I jumped to this one instead of slogging through the rest.
I couldn't resist the allure of learning more about the Hunters and wasn't disappointed. I may/will return to earlier books in the series when time permits, but my TBR list is extensive, and I have my own books to write, so it might be a while.
I wasn't disappointed and as for this offering... five solid stars.
This is the 16th book out of 18 in the four horseman series, but only the 3rd I've read (I think, it's hard to remember, maybe more on KU). Series like this are exciting, but there are too many books out there to binge a single series that long and still have time to write my own or read other genres. That's why I jumped to this one instead of slogging through the rest.
I couldn't resist the allure of learning more about the Hunters and wasn't disappointed. I may/will return to earlier books in the series when time permits, but my TBR list is extensive, and I have my own books to write, so it might be a while.
I wasn't disappointed and as for this offering... five solid stars.
December 19, 2021
A meaningful title
As the Guild Wars comes to a close soon, this book follows our other main characters and probably favourite race for all cat lovers. It centres around the build up and fight for the Depik homeworld and the allegiances built along the way. It is fun, tragic, well-written (if you can get over the 'love's dialogue which I do not like), brings in many familiar faces and is great book overall.
As the Guild Wars comes to a close soon, this book follows our other main characters and probably favourite race for all cat lovers. It centres around the build up and fight for the Depik homeworld and the allegiances built along the way. It is fun, tragic, well-written (if you can get over the 'love's dialogue which I do not like), brings in many familiar faces and is great book overall.
July 18, 2022
Never get involved in a land war on Khatash!
A beautiful climax to the Depik storyline! The intel is gathered, the forces are collected, and the battle is joined! All driving toward the vengeance story we’ve been waiting for!
A beautiful climax to the Depik storyline! The intel is gathered, the forces are collected, and the battle is joined! All driving toward the vengeance story we’ve been waiting for!
December 26, 2021
Nice Kitty…
Nice ending for the arc and many changes for our favorite deadly kitties as they are forced to adapt in order to take back their planet.
Nice ending for the arc and many changes for our favorite deadly kitties as they are forced to adapt in order to take back their planet.
January 5, 2022
Great reading
I love anything about the Depics, fast pase, you can't wait to turn page to see what happens next. Lacey and Marisa 2 of the chest writers in the 4HU. Thinks that
I love anything about the Depics, fast pase, you can't wait to turn page to see what happens next. Lacey and Marisa 2 of the chest writers in the 4HU. Thinks that
January 22, 2022
When Ezell and Wolf put their heads together, it makes for a great read. Depik on the prowl, beware!
March 13, 2022
Love the Depik!!!
Kacey didn't satisfy my desire for more Depik! She just drove it higher, the story rocks and begs to be expanded. Kacey rocks and you will love this book.
Kacey didn't satisfy my desire for more Depik! She just drove it higher, the story rocks and begs to be expanded. Kacey rocks and you will love this book.
April 23, 2022
It was good to read more about the Depik universe. I find that I will miss having that imaginary Hunter on my shoulder.
April 25, 2022
Crazy cat lady
Otherwise quite ok book, but little bit too much cats and cuddling to my liking. Occasionally sounded more like Simpsons crazy cat lady.
Otherwise quite ok book, but little bit too much cats and cuddling to my liking. Occasionally sounded more like Simpsons crazy cat lady.
May 23, 2022
Guild wars
Enjoyable. The Depic , ie assassin cats, get some amount of revenge. I thoroughly enjoy the 4 horseman main threads, ready to get back to the main storyline.
Enjoyable. The Depic , ie assassin cats, get some amount of revenge. I thoroughly enjoy the 4 horseman main threads, ready to get back to the main storyline.
January 18, 2023
Interesting read good ending
This series has been a giant pain to read but the end is near and all these stories and plots will make sense in the end.
This series has been a giant pain to read but the end is near and all these stories and plots will make sense in the end.
March 6, 2023
Glad its over.
Way to long way to many slow blinks. The greatest hunters in the Galaxy can't spot a trap on their own world....
Ughh. Not as bad as swamp people in space
Way to long way to many slow blinks. The greatest hunters in the Galaxy can't spot a trap on their own world....
Ughh. Not as bad as swamp people in space
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews