Torvalin: An Epic Space Opera Adventure

Shepherd Security Services #4

by Robert M. Kerns

Some missions start with a firefight. Others begin with a message that changes everything.

When a private protection team finds themselves cornered and outnumbered, their last call for help gets picked up by Alex Hawke and his team. The message is bleak—cut off from support, no chance of evacuation.

Guardian and her crew have a new prevent a desperate rescue from becoming a tragedy… or worse. And this is one fight Shepherd Security Services won’t back away from.

But just as the smoke clears, another order comes down the line—this one from the top. Alex is to report to Ninhar Confederation Navy Headquarters on Torvalin. Immediately.

For the first time, he’ll step into the beating heart of the Confederation’s power. And whatever awaits him there… wasn’t in the briefing.

Old loyalties. New politics. And a summons that could rewrite everything.
Torvalin is the turning point for Shepherd Security Services—a tale of duty, diplomacy, and the consequences of becoming a symbol.

Genres: Science Fiction

380 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2025

About the author

Robert M. Kerns (or Rob if you ever meet him in person) is a geek, and he claims that label proudly. Most of his geekiness revolves around Information Technology (IT), having over fifteen years in the industry; within IT, he especially prefers Servers and Networks, and he often makes the claim that his residence has a better data infrastructure than some businesses.

Beyond IT, Rob enjoys Science Fiction and Fantasy of (almost) all stripes. He is a voracious reader, with his favorite books too numerous to list.

Rob has been writing for over twenty years, and "Awakening" is his debut novel.

Reviews

[Mike Hanford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the preceding books in this series. The author seems to be a bit thin on this storyline; and instead uses some incidents at variance with the characters and practices from previous books. For example, calling at a major fleet base with a major prisoner, and not using his rank and staus to assemble a Navy escort. Risking his ship and crew going it alone? Someone “slipping” aboard with no guards or monitors on an open ramp? The ship intelligence blind to a spy device being attached? So many authors try to parlay a one or two volume success into multiple dull encores. DNF.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable addition

This was definitely a pleasure and enjoyable reading time. Mr Kerns spins a great reading time in his books. If you have the books before then this is an expansion of storylines and more world building. I would say as well as further building ground for the finding of MC way back to earth. Will be looking for next book and books in this series. Along with other series. I am truly grateful and happy that books come out regularly. Mr Kerns is a true professional writer. I sincerely appreciate his writing professionalism or writing crafting!!!

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the book, even though it had several problems. The most irritating one, was the main story to arrest the ‘Vhol’ of Elionde, it didn’t really make sense from beginning to end. Right from the start the plan was ‘doomed’, how could they not realise just taking away the ‘Vhol’ would create many more problems. Then there were the plans by the new ‘Elionde leader’ to destroy the ’Guardian’, the timings and logistics really didn’t add up. It all made me feel the author hadn’t really thought through this storyline.

[Beach Bum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sum is greater than its parts

Read the first 4 books back to back and from the start it's obvious I was going to enjoy this series
Whilst I gave each book up to this one 4*, the overall rating is higher, because the way the books hang together and the story develops, deserve it
There are a lot of similarities to this series and the Omega force books, just on a grander scale for these.
I rarely give 5*, but his series deserves everyone of them
If you enjoy sci-fi and how a human integrates in an alien culture, you'll love this

[CHARLES WALKER BOWSER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calling this series a furry fever dream would he wrong. While the aliens are all humanoid versions of mostly furry animals, there is no sex or sexual tension or hint at furry on furry action. The main character is still too lich of a superman and the quips fly fast and furious throigh the book.

Still...its a fun series.

It's interesting that fir all this is about combat adventure the McDuffie is a serious satire of President Cheeto.

[Laura Bury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series.

It started with your average earthling abducted by aliens, and continued on with his spaceefaring coming of age. there are a lot of different star systems, which I hope translates into an adventure sequel for each one. :)

[DENIS TODD · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

Very good read.kept me awake reading it n n n n n n n n n n n n n

[2percentright · Rating 1 out of 5]

don't know what happened to the author to change him fun space adventure to an entire novel that's just an anti-trump screed, but here we are