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The Nova Chronicles #1
Survivor
New Release - Special Price $0.99
Action Packed Science Fiction with a Female Hero
When everyone runs, who will stand?
Nova is a new recruit to the Jagged Maw: an elite bounty hunter guild.
During a routine collection, she finds herself dragged into the middle of an alien uprising.
The Ancients, merciless beings set on reclaiming the universe, have only one person left to stop them: Nova.
She must battle the Ancients, time, and her sanity, in order to stop the annihilation of the human race.
Fear the hero who has nothing left to lose.
Buy now to join the fight!
Action Packed Science Fiction with a Female Hero
When everyone runs, who will stand?
Nova is a new recruit to the Jagged Maw: an elite bounty hunter guild.
During a routine collection, she finds herself dragged into the middle of an alien uprising.
The Ancients, merciless beings set on reclaiming the universe, have only one person left to stop them: Nova.
She must battle the Ancients, time, and her sanity, in order to stop the annihilation of the human race.
Fear the hero who has nothing left to lose.
Buy now to join the fight!
238 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2014
89 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Saff
10 books11 followersSaff also writes under the name Saffron Bryant: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Saffron is a young Australian author who loves everything about books and is especially interested in the fantasy and science fiction genres.
The Nova Chronicles can be described as 'Tomb Raider in Space' and are the result of Saffron's desire to see more female action heroes.
Saffron is always keen to talk to fellow readers, so say hello!
Saffron is a young Australian author who loves everything about books and is especially interested in the fantasy and science fiction genres.
The Nova Chronicles can be described as 'Tomb Raider in Space' and are the result of Saffron's desire to see more female action heroes.
Saffron is always keen to talk to fellow readers, so say hello!
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 3, 2015
Survivor is a short, punchy, science fiction story with a twist.
We begin just as Nova is screwed over by the guy who gave her the job. You get the feeling it's not the first time it's happened!
From there, things go from bad to worse. She ends up on a planet being excavated by the mysterious Confederacy, the evil group that seem to own half the galaxy. But it turns out they aren't the ones she really needs to worry about. The excavation unearths something far worse and it falls to Nova to deal with it.
The plot and premise is simple, but handled beautifully by Saff. The book never slows or gives you time to breathe, which suits me just fine. The action is well conveyed and the threat never forced. The addition of some handy technology also allows for Nova and those around her to suffer royally in the hands of their attackers.
My only gripe might be that I didn't feel that involved with Nova. I got a great insight into where she'd come from, but not so much into who she was now. A little more time at the beginning to get to know her would have added that bit more emotional depth to keep me on the edge of my seat. That is, though, particularly with a series, a minor gripe.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for exciting science fiction featuring a strong female protagonist.
We begin just as Nova is screwed over by the guy who gave her the job. You get the feeling it's not the first time it's happened!
From there, things go from bad to worse. She ends up on a planet being excavated by the mysterious Confederacy, the evil group that seem to own half the galaxy. But it turns out they aren't the ones she really needs to worry about. The excavation unearths something far worse and it falls to Nova to deal with it.
The plot and premise is simple, but handled beautifully by Saff. The book never slows or gives you time to breathe, which suits me just fine. The action is well conveyed and the threat never forced. The addition of some handy technology also allows for Nova and those around her to suffer royally in the hands of their attackers.
My only gripe might be that I didn't feel that involved with Nova. I got a great insight into where she'd come from, but not so much into who she was now. A little more time at the beginning to get to know her would have added that bit more emotional depth to keep me on the edge of my seat. That is, though, particularly with a series, a minor gripe.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for exciting science fiction featuring a strong female protagonist.
September 6, 2017
Very entertaining book with a lot of action and a female protagonist which doesn't happen very often in sci-fi. The story is simple and there's only one plot thread which makes it a really fast page-turner. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
February 19, 2015
Survivor literally starts with a bang as Nova’s ship, Crusader, loses its fuel cells. “Loses” meaning exploded leaving people stranded in space. Nova is a bounty hunter and I’m instantly reminded of Samus Aran from the Metroid series. Like Samus, Nova is a lone wolf flying through space looking to claim reward money by (re)capturing intergalactic criminals. Leaking fuel and having fifteen dollars to her name, she seeks the closest bounty in order to pay for the repairs to her ship. I drew another comparison to Cowboy Bebop that had a recurring theme of perpetually broke bounty hunters struggling to keep their ship together.
As luck would have it, the planet Archalon is within range with two criminals that would bring in enough to pay for Crusader’s repairs. She heads there only to find that a battalion of Confederacy troops is already on the planet. The Confederacy is much like what one would imagine when they think of Confederacy in regards to science fiction – A militant, old-government, heavily armed band of asses. She finds that they are on a mission to excavate what they believe will bring them ultimate power. And as expected, it all goes bad.
Survivor then takes a turn to be almost non-stop action. Not only did it flow well, Bryant also paints amazing imagery in the world Archalon. The details from the feel of the sand to the moons in the sky was well written and detailed without detracting from the solid pace of the action. It could also be quite visceral in regards to the violence, however, it fit with the theme of the book.
I came across Survivor in a review swap where Bryant described her book as a “Tomb Raider in space”. I feel like this actually does Survivor a disservice. Unlike Lara Croft, Nova is more real and vulnerable to what she experiences, a nice show of dimension that debunked my original perception that she'd be some hard-ass, non feeling robot as she blasted her way through hordes of aliens. She’s still a hard-ass though.
As I mentioned, I read this as a review swap, but I enjoyed this story very much and will without a doubt read the sequel, Pilgrim.
As luck would have it, the planet Archalon is within range with two criminals that would bring in enough to pay for Crusader’s repairs. She heads there only to find that a battalion of Confederacy troops is already on the planet. The Confederacy is much like what one would imagine when they think of Confederacy in regards to science fiction – A militant, old-government, heavily armed band of asses. She finds that they are on a mission to excavate what they believe will bring them ultimate power. And as expected, it all goes bad.
Survivor then takes a turn to be almost non-stop action. Not only did it flow well, Bryant also paints amazing imagery in the world Archalon. The details from the feel of the sand to the moons in the sky was well written and detailed without detracting from the solid pace of the action. It could also be quite visceral in regards to the violence, however, it fit with the theme of the book.
I came across Survivor in a review swap where Bryant described her book as a “Tomb Raider in space”. I feel like this actually does Survivor a disservice. Unlike Lara Croft, Nova is more real and vulnerable to what she experiences, a nice show of dimension that debunked my original perception that she'd be some hard-ass, non feeling robot as she blasted her way through hordes of aliens. She’s still a hard-ass though.
As I mentioned, I read this as a review swap, but I enjoyed this story very much and will without a doubt read the sequel, Pilgrim.
January 2, 2015
Survivor is a story which is very dear to me, having worked so closely with Saffron Bryant in her writing of it.
We are presented with a science fiction story, which I would personally describe as "Tomb Raider meets Fifth Element".
Nova is a bounty hunter, accompanied by a robot that I had grown quite fond of: Cal. In fact, Cal is probably my most favourite character in the book. We follow Nova as she finds herself in the middle of an alien awakening, and how she handles dealing with the aftermath.
The story itself is interesting, and in a world where originality is hard to find, this is a very fun ride. It is, however, a ride which ends a little quicker than I would have liked.
Truth be told, and even though I had assisted in editing the book, my actual rating would weigh in at 4.5/5.
The reason the rating is so high, is because Saff has a natural talent for storytelling, which is evident in the story she conveys. There are some really nice action scenes, and you will certainly not be bored when reading it.
There are very few things I can critically say about the book, and it really comes down to its speed. I didn't find myself connecting to the characters as much as I should have, and as a whole, the story could be fleshed out into a novel of a far greater size.
Overall, this is definitely a book that I can recommend, and I hope that Saff gives us far more insight into the rich characters she has created, because there is an amazing series here to be discovered, and it deserves attention.
We are presented with a science fiction story, which I would personally describe as "Tomb Raider meets Fifth Element".
Nova is a bounty hunter, accompanied by a robot that I had grown quite fond of: Cal. In fact, Cal is probably my most favourite character in the book. We follow Nova as she finds herself in the middle of an alien awakening, and how she handles dealing with the aftermath.
The story itself is interesting, and in a world where originality is hard to find, this is a very fun ride. It is, however, a ride which ends a little quicker than I would have liked.
Truth be told, and even though I had assisted in editing the book, my actual rating would weigh in at 4.5/5.
The reason the rating is so high, is because Saff has a natural talent for storytelling, which is evident in the story she conveys. There are some really nice action scenes, and you will certainly not be bored when reading it.
There are very few things I can critically say about the book, and it really comes down to its speed. I didn't find myself connecting to the characters as much as I should have, and as a whole, the story could be fleshed out into a novel of a far greater size.
Overall, this is definitely a book that I can recommend, and I hope that Saff gives us far more insight into the rich characters she has created, because there is an amazing series here to be discovered, and it deserves attention.
March 23, 2015
I liked the exciting action, conflict and struggle for survival in this book. However, I felt that the story could have been longer with a more extensive background and character development. I liked the main character and parts of her story were hinted at but never did quite come to fruition. There's definitely this whole universe out there, with an interesting social and political structure I'm sure,...we just never get to see it. And I truly hope there are actually some people or at least other living entities in Nova's life. I will likely read the next book and I'm really hoping the setting is a little less secluded and there are more characters, and greater world building.
November 24, 2015
Enjoyable read in one sitting
My reviews aren't deep or literary. I just rate by does the story keep my attention? This book was a great and grand adventure from cover to cover. It's a bonus Rio me that this is from a new Australian writer. Excellent editing with very few grammar, syntax, our spelling errors.
My reviews aren't deep or literary. I just rate by does the story keep my attention? This book was a great and grand adventure from cover to cover. It's a bonus Rio me that this is from a new Australian writer. Excellent editing with very few grammar, syntax, our spelling errors.
July 18, 2016
I should have stopped reading when I read "Smashwords" on the copyright page. The company founded on the notion that anyone can smash a bunch of adjectives and adverbs together and come up with something worth reading.
July 12, 2018
A quick read
This is a story that has some psychological twists. Traveling backwards and forwards in a multi-verse of time there’s a different way to look at the future. The young woman who is the heroine of this book, is able to control her ability to time walk, at least to some extent. And interesting novel and one worthwhile to read
This is a story that has some psychological twists. Traveling backwards and forwards in a multi-verse of time there’s a different way to look at the future. The young woman who is the heroine of this book, is able to control her ability to time walk, at least to some extent. And interesting novel and one worthwhile to read
March 20, 2017
Summary: Hectic. Space opera SF, lots of action
Plotline: Not well thought through and a bit silly at times, but plenty of action
Premise: Really doesn't work and generally glossed over
Writing: fast and furious
Ending: lucky escape
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: Not well thought through and a bit silly at times, but plenty of action
Premise: Really doesn't work and generally glossed over
Writing: fast and furious
Ending: lucky escape
Pace: Never a dull moment!
July 19, 2018
Good story
Good story, but still needs proofing. There are numerous substitutions (if for it, for example). The main character is superhuman in her ability to function even while injured.
Good story, but still needs proofing. There are numerous substitutions (if for it, for example). The main character is superhuman in her ability to function even while injured.
July 14, 2018
Great read
This was a great story. The main characters is a fierce female with a robot companion and they save the human race.
This was a great story. The main characters is a fierce female with a robot companion and they save the human race.
August 28, 2018
It's okay
Read half of it just couldn't finish it. Okay story okay characters just something was missing for me. Will give the author another try
Read half of it just couldn't finish it. Okay story okay characters just something was missing for me. Will give the author another try
November 7, 2019
A fun easy to read book. Book 2 here I come
September 16, 2025
Bounty Hunter Nova needs nothing more than a good capture to get her finances back in the black. What she gets instead is an ancient evil back to recapture lost glory.
September 2, 2015
Nova is a bounty hunter, smuggler and all round 'jack of all trades'. When a surprise attack by pirates leaves her stranded and damaged without a cargo, she doesn't sit down and cry, but decides to pick up a bounty on two terrorists in order to pay for the repairs to her ship. She follows them to a desert world and convinces the team of Confederate (Evil space empire) scientists to let her work. Unfortunately this is an archaeological dig for ancient space weapons and bad stuff is about to happen.
I loved the opening of this book. The first 25 percent of this piece of fiction was tense, exciting, with a great female character. I sped through the first quarter and settled in for a great read.
Unfortunately, the moment the book brought out lizard men aliens, was the moment the book lost the plot. I didn't mind the 'ancient weapon' plot.. or even the nasty aliens plot but as a whole the book become a little overcooked and messy. There was absolutely no mention about ancients until bad things started to happen. I didn't understand why that translation was suddenly so scary.. seriously why would you think that ancient beings would come to life like some kind of mummy's curse, several hundred years in the future?
The time vortex segment was confusing and overwrought... the time hopping was worse and I got bored, which was strange as there was so much going on that I shouldn't have been.
Loved the opening for this book but the latter half was poorly judged and weird. I will read the next book in the series but I'm not as eager to do so as I was at the start of the first one.
Great opening spoiled by a rushed and ill conceived second half.
October 4, 2015
REVIEWER: JINXY
3.5 ON THE MASQ SCALE
I had a hard time getting into this book; I could only see Nova, the main character, as just another version of 'Lara, Tomb Raider'. I persevered however, as I had agreed to review the book. It did pick up around Chapter 5, and Nova began to take on her own characteristics. Landing on a virtually abandoned planet currently in the hands of the Confederacy for a retrieval job, as she is a bounty hunter, her troubles really begin and, boom, the book took off.
As she discovers what's really happening on the planet, and begins to find she has unusual things going in within her as well, she begins to doubt her own sanity. With her ship mostly disabled, and Cal, her robot, still with the ship, she finds herself alone in an extremely hostile environment, with a very unlikable character, and, oh, did I mention she's having strange things happening to her that are the cause for believing she's going insane? Yeah, that's when everything gets interesting. Throw a little time travel in the mix (I'd be going insane at this point as well), and it turned the book around for me. She winds up preventing an invasion from an ancient race into the galaxy, and while that's not a spoiler, just knowing how she gets to that point is an interesting ride. I loved Cal by the way, and could certainly use him in my life. I'm giving this book 3-1/2 stars as it was so hard to get to get into, but liked what I read later. That's just me; you might like it from the get-go. Try it and see!
3.5 ON THE MASQ SCALE
I had a hard time getting into this book; I could only see Nova, the main character, as just another version of 'Lara, Tomb Raider'. I persevered however, as I had agreed to review the book. It did pick up around Chapter 5, and Nova began to take on her own characteristics. Landing on a virtually abandoned planet currently in the hands of the Confederacy for a retrieval job, as she is a bounty hunter, her troubles really begin and, boom, the book took off.
As she discovers what's really happening on the planet, and begins to find she has unusual things going in within her as well, she begins to doubt her own sanity. With her ship mostly disabled, and Cal, her robot, still with the ship, she finds herself alone in an extremely hostile environment, with a very unlikable character, and, oh, did I mention she's having strange things happening to her that are the cause for believing she's going insane? Yeah, that's when everything gets interesting. Throw a little time travel in the mix (I'd be going insane at this point as well), and it turned the book around for me. She winds up preventing an invasion from an ancient race into the galaxy, and while that's not a spoiler, just knowing how she gets to that point is an interesting ride. I loved Cal by the way, and could certainly use him in my life. I'm giving this book 3-1/2 stars as it was so hard to get to get into, but liked what I read later. That's just me; you might like it from the get-go. Try it and see!
May 8, 2015
One woman against an ancient menace
This story was destined to be right up my street. Some of my passions include archaeology and science fiction so something that combines the two is in line to either make me very happy or seriously annoy me. Luckily it does the former.
I liked Nova, the lead character, but it is really Cal, her robotic assistant, who steals the show. I want more of his personality and presence; I'm sure it will be there in the rest of the series. I hope that future Confederacy characters are more developed than the ones we have met so far.
The story is indeed action packed. The beginning is great. I particularly liked that an event as simple as a finger cut on something in a drawer could lead to near disaster - we've all had times like that, where things would have been so much easier but for...
Some of the scenes where Nova is hallucinating are confusing but then that accurately portrays her own state of mind at the time and so is effective.
I was a little disappointed by the ending. Partly this was because I'm not entirely sure why certain things happened, partly because I didn't want it to finish. I certainly look forward to reading the next installment.
This story was destined to be right up my street. Some of my passions include archaeology and science fiction so something that combines the two is in line to either make me very happy or seriously annoy me. Luckily it does the former.
I liked Nova, the lead character, but it is really Cal, her robotic assistant, who steals the show. I want more of his personality and presence; I'm sure it will be there in the rest of the series. I hope that future Confederacy characters are more developed than the ones we have met so far.
The story is indeed action packed. The beginning is great. I particularly liked that an event as simple as a finger cut on something in a drawer could lead to near disaster - we've all had times like that, where things would have been so much easier but for...
Some of the scenes where Nova is hallucinating are confusing but then that accurately portrays her own state of mind at the time and so is effective.
I was a little disappointed by the ending. Partly this was because I'm not entirely sure why certain things happened, partly because I didn't want it to finish. I certainly look forward to reading the next installment.
August 3, 2016
I don't normally write reviews for books, but I felt I had to for this one. It's something special. The descriptions and characters are really fantastic. I'm a huge sci-fi nerd, and this has the makings of being an amazing series.
I've been severely spoiled with some insane space opera books in the past, so I've been having trouble catching onto any sci-fi lately. This one really hit the bullseye though.
Definitely pick this up if you enjoy some futuristic sci-fi world-building goodness, complete with great characters, quirky robots and plasma guns. No deep political intrigues - yet - but this is the first book.
The only reason this doesn't have a 5* yet is I have four more books to read in the group I bought, and I prefer to judge a series based on more than the intro.
(Revision) I've updated my rating to 5* now. Why? I'm 4 books deep and I just can't stop reading. This is a STRONG female character, and you will love her. Definitely pick this one up!
I've been severely spoiled with some insane space opera books in the past, so I've been having trouble catching onto any sci-fi lately. This one really hit the bullseye though.
Definitely pick this up if you enjoy some futuristic sci-fi world-building goodness, complete with great characters, quirky robots and plasma guns. No deep political intrigues - yet - but this is the first book.
The only reason this doesn't have a 5* yet is I have four more books to read in the group I bought, and I prefer to judge a series based on more than the intro.
(Revision) I've updated my rating to 5* now. Why? I'm 4 books deep and I just can't stop reading. This is a STRONG female character, and you will love her. Definitely pick this one up!
November 19, 2015
The book hooked me up in a first few paragraphs (the they books are supposed to do). The bad-ass female heroine with no bullshit attitude, the possible back-stories of robot companion and ship. Was happy about a possibility of finding another series I will like.
Unfortunately after the tomb is opened the story starts going downhill. The decisions made are questionable. The aliens are dull. Some chapters feel like they were added to pad the length of book. The ending is unsatisfying and just lazy; building the tension of battle royal and then ending just writing "All the enemies died".
Think that the book had a lot of potential, but it fumbled along the way and dropped the ball.
Unfortunately after the tomb is opened the story starts going downhill. The decisions made are questionable. The aliens are dull. Some chapters feel like they were added to pad the length of book. The ending is unsatisfying and just lazy; building the tension of battle royal and then ending just writing "All the enemies died".
Think that the book had a lot of potential, but it fumbled along the way and dropped the ball.
May 31, 2017
I got the Nova Chronicles set of five books at a discount. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed them and before I knew it I had finished book 10 in the series. The books are a fast read and each book has Nova facing a new adventure or challenge while continuing the theme of her desire to escape The Confederacy with the help of her friends. I will read any additional books that come out in this series and have recommended this series to a few friends.
April 6, 2015
really great book
I loved the book and the characters, including the robot were so funny and smart. Nova is a woman who would be tough to beat anywhere. When I grow up, I want to be her. Lol. Great combination of earth legends and outer space danger. Looking forward to reading the next in this series
I loved the book and the characters, including the robot were so funny and smart. Nova is a woman who would be tough to beat anywhere. When I grow up, I want to be her. Lol. Great combination of earth legends and outer space danger. Looking forward to reading the next in this series
June 21, 2015
Hmm
Staff spent way to much time on Nokia's experience with being shot with the time vortex gun. So you can skip quite a few pages where he rambles on about stuff that has no real purpose in the story. I am a sucker for sequels so I will get the next book. Let me read the next book before you buy this one
Staff spent way to much time on Nokia's experience with being shot with the time vortex gun. So you can skip quite a few pages where he rambles on about stuff that has no real purpose in the story. I am a sucker for sequels so I will get the next book. Let me read the next book before you buy this one
July 20, 2016
Solid shoot up type sci-fi. It is a book one in a series and it does a good job of back-grounding and universe building. Interesting female lead created and written by a woman - those facts make for an interesting spin on the lone wolf overcoming a tough childhood in space trope at the core of the novel. Fun read looking for to continuing the series.
December 18, 2016
Like that old commercial for Lay's Potato Chips - nobody can eat just one!
Once you start in on this series, you just have to keep going. Good pacing, comfortable writing, straight-up sci-fi with no pretensions. The characters are believable and believably flawed.
Go ahead and get the 5-ebook set. You won't want to stop after just one.
Once you start in on this series, you just have to keep going. Good pacing, comfortable writing, straight-up sci-fi with no pretensions. The characters are believable and believably flawed.
Go ahead and get the 5-ebook set. You won't want to stop after just one.
January 25, 2016
A good strong entertaining start to the series.
October 24, 2016
Why wouldn't she use the Confederacy medbot with the other guy disabled before leaving his ship? Seems foolhardy for a survivor not to take advantage of all available resources.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2016
A very enjoyable scifi tale. I found the main character extremely engaging and there was lots to enjoy in this book. A solid piece of scifi and well worth a read.
April 13, 2017
While I enjoy the general idea of the plot, I found the introductory parts to be less believable than I would have liked. Certain assumptions, some which make little sense to me, are made without further due and I'm left feeling that the characters could do with more development, particularly with attention to improving some of their interactions.
The author also has a habit of reusing words in a way that I, as a foreigner who very much enjoys the richness of the English language, somehow associate with not having access to a thesaurus. I don't know if this would bother anyone else, but I find it a little, shall we say, uninspiring. (Interestingly, I caught myself doing the same while writing this very paragraph. The first part initially read: The author has a way of reusing words in a way ... )
The author also has a habit of reusing words in a way that I, as a foreigner who very much enjoys the richness of the English language, somehow associate with not having access to a thesaurus. I don't know if this would bother anyone else, but I find it a little, shall we say, uninspiring. (Interestingly, I caught myself doing the same while writing this very paragraph. The first part initially read: The author has a way of reusing words in a way ... )
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews