What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lancer: A Novelette
In a not-so-distant future, humanity is divided.
The wealthy elite live in luxury inside Avalon Protectorate, a fortified megacity ruled by a network of the most powerful corporations in the world. Outside Avalon, the majority of the population struggles to survive in massive, polluted slums, where resistance against the Protectorate means sacrificing their very humanity.
Mal was once an insurgent, now ostracized from the movement and scraping by as a battle-worn mercenary. When he is hired by a militant faction to transport a mysterious young boy across the war-torn outer districts, Mal finds himself caught up in a deadly plot that will turn allies into enemies and shake the very foundation of the resistance.
The wealthy elite live in luxury inside Avalon Protectorate, a fortified megacity ruled by a network of the most powerful corporations in the world. Outside Avalon, the majority of the population struggles to survive in massive, polluted slums, where resistance against the Protectorate means sacrificing their very humanity.
Mal was once an insurgent, now ostracized from the movement and scraping by as a battle-worn mercenary. When he is hired by a militant faction to transport a mysterious young boy across the war-torn outer districts, Mal finds himself caught up in a deadly plot that will turn allies into enemies and shake the very foundation of the resistance.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2025
6 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 6, 2025
Mal, a former insurgent, spends his days doing odd jobs and trying to escape the legacy of his burner father, who was famous for sacrificing him in an attack for the insurgents. When he's tasked with transporting a young boy, Mal seeks assistance from old allies who might be new foes.
This is a fun, effective short story. It's pretty straightforward with the action and subterfuge. While this story isn't something I haven't seen before, Anthony builds a character in Mal that you want to root for. I would definitely be interested in reading more with these characters.
One nit pick, the slang took some getting used to. It slowed down the beginning of the story for me, but I eventually got used to it.
This short story releases 6/11/25!
This is a fun, effective short story. It's pretty straightforward with the action and subterfuge. While this story isn't something I haven't seen before, Anthony builds a character in Mal that you want to root for. I would definitely be interested in reading more with these characters.
One nit pick, the slang took some getting used to. It slowed down the beginning of the story for me, but I eventually got used to it.
This short story releases 6/11/25!
June 18, 2025
Wish this wasn't a short story
A quick short read. But I wish this was a full length novel. Well written, to the point, exciting. I liked how thru the story, there's a peak into the characters back story, explaining their loyalty to one another. I like the main character and how he's still struggling with the past and loss and then sees himself in the kid. I love that there's also a song female character. They're all rough around the edges, but stand up people.
A quick short read. But I wish this was a full length novel. Well written, to the point, exciting. I liked how thru the story, there's a peak into the characters back story, explaining their loyalty to one another. I like the main character and how he's still struggling with the past and loss and then sees himself in the kid. I love that there's also a song female character. They're all rough around the edges, but stand up people.
July 10, 2025
This is an exciting introduction to (hopefully) a bigger world / saga. There are a lot of cool science fiction elements, adrenaline-packed action, and likable characters. The pacing is well-done. We get to learn a lot about the world and the characters as the main plot unfolds. Would recommend!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews