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The Stolguard Incident
In the late 21st century, society is more fractured than ever. Billions satisfy their every whim in virtual worlds, leaving those in power free to tighten their grip on the real one.
When a terrorist with strange abilities begins a campaign of violence, military investigator Asim Rahal is thrust into a race against time to find and stop her. But each step of his pursuit reveals the threat to be far worse than he could have imagined, and uncovering it may cost him everything.
Truth has always come with a price. Every hero asks themselves what’s worth dying for. The harder question is: what’s worth killing for?
When a terrorist with strange abilities begins a campaign of violence, military investigator Asim Rahal is thrust into a race against time to find and stop her. But each step of his pursuit reveals the threat to be far worse than he could have imagined, and uncovering it may cost him everything.
Truth has always come with a price. Every hero asks themselves what’s worth dying for. The harder question is: what’s worth killing for?
- GenresFictionScience Fiction
498 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 29, 2026
Some books pull you in from the very first page. This one really didn't, for me. The first couple of chapters had a lot of confusing details of a couple of crime incidents, and I almost felt as if I needed to take notes in case some small detail turned out to be important later. The book didn't really get going until the third chapter. Once it did, though, I found it hard to put down. The book offers a plausible scenario for the relatively-near future. Even the (spoiler!) telekinesis is eventually given a somewhat-plausible scientific explanation.
However, despite the fact that the book was hard to put down, I really can't give it more than 3.5 stars (rounding up to 4 stars). The writing was perfectly competent, but for the most part merely descriptive rather than literary, artistic, or inspirational. The plot had one major thing that I didn't expect, but was in other respects somewhat predictable. And the characters: mostly ok, but the burned-out divorced detective struggling with alcoholism was just slightly stereotypical. I'm a subscriber to Lyn's financial newsletter and I'm aware that she has an engineering background (as I do myself). Maybe that knowledge is biasing me unfairly, but I have to say that it reads (to me at least) as a non-fiction-writer's attempt to write fiction, rather than a work by someone for whom writing of fiction or literature has been a vocation all along. I don't want these minor niggles to make my review overly negative though. I'd probably buy another sci-fi work by the same author.
However, despite the fact that the book was hard to put down, I really can't give it more than 3.5 stars (rounding up to 4 stars). The writing was perfectly competent, but for the most part merely descriptive rather than literary, artistic, or inspirational. The plot had one major thing that I didn't expect, but was in other respects somewhat predictable. And the characters: mostly ok, but the burned-out divorced detective struggling with alcoholism was just slightly stereotypical. I'm a subscriber to Lyn's financial newsletter and I'm aware that she has an engineering background (as I do myself). Maybe that knowledge is biasing me unfairly, but I have to say that it reads (to me at least) as a non-fiction-writer's attempt to write fiction, rather than a work by someone for whom writing of fiction or literature has been a vocation all along. I don't want these minor niggles to make my review overly negative though. I'd probably buy another sci-fi work by the same author.
March 27, 2026
This is well written, but I am struggling to read it. (No spoilers, Im only mentioning things that are known early) This takes place at an unnamed time in the future, where the USA is a dystopic surveillance state, that seems politically to be where we were a few years ago, and typical people spend most of their time in virtual worlds they call "edge realms." The story doesn't focus on that though, it's from the perspective of the genetically engineered human, Jade, and the cop chasing her (I can't remember what agency he works for). There's a few chapters from other characters, but I would consider these to be the main two in the present.
(Mild spoilers here) Sometimes it switches randomly to the past when these engineered kids are growing up, enslaved by the state to become weapons used against pretty much everyone. Some of these chapters are graphic: torture and death of children, assassination missions by the government (after they "graduate" as teenagers), one psychopathic child that hurts the other children. Pretty much all the bad stuff you would expect.
Idk, I should have loved this, but I just can't. Ymmv
(Mild spoilers here) Sometimes it switches randomly to the past when these engineered kids are growing up, enslaved by the state to become weapons used against pretty much everyone. Some of these chapters are graphic: torture and death of children, assassination missions by the government (after they "graduate" as teenagers), one psychopathic child that hurts the other children. Pretty much all the bad stuff you would expect.
Idk, I should have loved this, but I just can't. Ymmv
April 22, 2026
Wow! Could Not Put This Book Down!
Haven’t read a thriller this good in a long time! Takes the controversial technology of today, fast forwards a few decades, adds some national & international political, and military intrigue & corruption, a flawed, but honest investigator, some unusual part-human hero’s, and creates a compelling story that was impossible to put down!. If any of those elements are up your alley, do yourself a favor and get this book. Bravo, Lyn Alden!
Haven’t read a thriller this good in a long time! Takes the controversial technology of today, fast forwards a few decades, adds some national & international political, and military intrigue & corruption, a flawed, but honest investigator, some unusual part-human hero’s, and creates a compelling story that was impossible to put down!. If any of those elements are up your alley, do yourself a favor and get this book. Bravo, Lyn Alden!
April 1, 2026
Fast paced thoughtful thriller
It's challenging to write about near future scifi, but this book did a great job. The story moves along quickly with unexpected, but reasonable, twists. If you enjoy complex analytic themes like ambiguous villains, privacy and AI, but also warmer sub-plots, you should enjoy the book. Once I got into the story, it was hard to put down.
It's challenging to write about near future scifi, but this book did a great job. The story moves along quickly with unexpected, but reasonable, twists. If you enjoy complex analytic themes like ambiguous villains, privacy and AI, but also warmer sub-plots, you should enjoy the book. Once I got into the story, it was hard to put down.
March 28, 2026
Great book with engaging, well developed characters.
I had a great time reading this book. I was already familiar with Lyn from her financial advising side, but was excited to see a totally new additional talent displayed.
I had a great time reading this book. I was already familiar with Lyn from her financial advising side, but was excited to see a totally new additional talent displayed.
April 4, 2026
Good writing, good plot, and good tech.
I had a lot of fun with this SF book. Lyn has a smooth way of developing the characters, but also is brings in plenty of serious action. Hopefully she will treat us to more stories in the future.
I had a lot of fun with this SF book. Lyn has a smooth way of developing the characters, but also is brings in plenty of serious action. Hopefully she will treat us to more stories in the future.
April 16, 2026
강추합니다
제가 좋아하는 린 알덴이 소설도 썼다길래 바로 사서 읽었어요.
솔직히 린의 첫 소설이니까 반신반의 하면서 읽기 시작했는데, 진짜로 처음부터 끝까지 한 순간도 지루한 부분이 없었어요. 모든 챕터가 전부 흥미진진했습니다.
어떻게 처음 소설을 쓰는 사람이 이럴 수 있는지… 언젠가 한국어 번역도 나와서 다른 한국 분들도 읽어볼 수 있게 되면 좋겠네요. 아무튼 망설이시는 분 있다면 꼭 읽어보세요. 강추합니다
제가 좋아하는 린 알덴이 소설도 썼다길래 바로 사서 읽었어요.
솔직히 린의 첫 소설이니까 반신반의 하면서 읽기 시작했는데, 진짜로 처음부터 끝까지 한 순간도 지루한 부분이 없었어요. 모든 챕터가 전부 흥미진진했습니다.
어떻게 처음 소설을 쓰는 사람이 이럴 수 있는지… 언젠가 한국어 번역도 나와서 다른 한국 분들도 읽어볼 수 있게 되면 좋겠네요. 아무튼 망설이시는 분 있다면 꼭 읽어보세요. 강추합니다
April 23, 2026
fun!
Xmen kill bill diplomat all wrapped up in one! Entertaining and fun, while also very well done. Lyn’s intelligence shines through, everything made sense and was logical in a satisfying way.
Xmen kill bill diplomat all wrapped up in one! Entertaining and fun, while also very well done. Lyn’s intelligence shines through, everything made sense and was logical in a satisfying way.
April 12, 2026
Highly engaging, and incredible for a first fiction novel. While it's set in the not too distant future, the seeds of it are clearly visible today. Don't miss this one!
April 18, 2026
Fast-paced and clever, a little on the nose with some bits, interesting and relevant "near sci-fi"
May 11, 2026
Going to be a classic in sfi fi. Cheesy cover but the book is really good, got the same feeling as when I read William Gibson the first time, many years ago. Hope Lyn will write a second book.
May 7, 2026
This feels like our near future.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Relevant and entertaining. A future we can feel is coming yet one that most media has terrified us with.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Relevant and entertaining. A future we can feel is coming yet one that most media has terrified us with.
April 22, 2026
good story, too woke
Didn’t appreciate the heavily woke focus of the story. Lesbians and almost everyone in the story that matters is a woman. Felt forced and took away from a good story. Could have also done without the happily ever after ending. That could just be me.
Didn’t appreciate the heavily woke focus of the story. Lesbians and almost everyone in the story that matters is a woman. Felt forced and took away from a good story. Could have also done without the happily ever after ending. That could just be me.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews