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Fractured Space #0.5
Harper's Ten
What happens when technology fails and nature bares its teeth?
Lieutenant Callum Harper knows that his team are as tough as they come: nine highly trained men and women and one battle robot who’s eleven feet of pure, cybernetic muscle. But as they drop through the atmosphere of the uncharted planet Capsun 23, Cal can’t shake the feeling that something is off about this mission. Three data drones have previously touched down but quickly went dark. And now, all communication with a group of civilian researchers has been lost.
Intel suspects scavengers are to blame—or at worst pirates. But Cal’s instincts are telling him otherwise. All that’s known about Capsun 23 is that the gravity is within acceptable limits, the air is breathable, and water is abundant. Three things to encourage life…but what kind of life?
Cal has never been one to back away from a potential fight, but if his instincts are right, a lone team simply won’t cut it. Not by a long shot.
"Fast paced and gripping sci fi. If you liked Aliens you'll love this." Amazon reviewer
'Harper's Ten' is the prequel to the Fractured Space series.
Lieutenant Callum Harper knows that his team are as tough as they come: nine highly trained men and women and one battle robot who’s eleven feet of pure, cybernetic muscle. But as they drop through the atmosphere of the uncharted planet Capsun 23, Cal can’t shake the feeling that something is off about this mission. Three data drones have previously touched down but quickly went dark. And now, all communication with a group of civilian researchers has been lost.
Intel suspects scavengers are to blame—or at worst pirates. But Cal’s instincts are telling him otherwise. All that’s known about Capsun 23 is that the gravity is within acceptable limits, the air is breathable, and water is abundant. Three things to encourage life…but what kind of life?
Cal has never been one to back away from a potential fight, but if his instincts are right, a lone team simply won’t cut it. Not by a long shot.
"Fast paced and gripping sci fi. If you liked Aliens you'll love this." Amazon reviewer
'Harper's Ten' is the prequel to the Fractured Space series.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2015
61 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
J.G. Cressey
8 books36 followersBorn in 1976, I grew up on the south coast of England and enjoyed an active childhood involving swing ropes, tree houses and homemade go-carts. In my teens the interests became scuba diving, rock climbing and martial arts. At the end of my teens a spanner was thrown in the works in the form of a car crash in which I managed to break my neck (Yes, it kinda hurt). Deciding that University was too dangerous for a young man in a wheelchair, I decided to travel the world for a decade or so. I took in some of Africa, Brazil, Cambodia, Australia, lived in New York and San Diego for a bit, basically had a fun time of it. But no matter where I went I always looked forward to heading back home to England. Despite the weather, it’s a rather nice place to live.
I guess I have Roald Dahl to thank for sparking my interest in books and writing. I loved his books as a boy and I remember seeing a documentary that showed footage of Mr Dahl sitting in a little shed in his garden sharpening pencils and scribbling away. The idea of it struck me as a good life and a couple of decades later the notion finally took hold. I don’t have a shed, but I do have a great library where I live in the South West of England. I visit it most days with my trusty little apple laptop and tap away.
Soon after Roald Dahl, it was Star Wars that began to influence my imagination — the combination of science fiction and fantasy really floated my boat, so to speak. I spent a few years dabbling with stories, but the big inspirational kick up the butt came when I first viewed the wonderful, but tragically short lived TV show, Firefly created by that force of nature Mr Joss Whedon. His balance of light hearted humour, sometimes dark, emotional drama and kick ass action really hit home and the idea for my first book ‘Star Splinter’ began to take shape. Star Splinter is the first in the Fractured Space series involving a group of characters who already seem to be doing the story telling for me! The prequel novella titled ‘Harper’s Ten’ is now also out and more are on the way!
I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.
I guess I have Roald Dahl to thank for sparking my interest in books and writing. I loved his books as a boy and I remember seeing a documentary that showed footage of Mr Dahl sitting in a little shed in his garden sharpening pencils and scribbling away. The idea of it struck me as a good life and a couple of decades later the notion finally took hold. I don’t have a shed, but I do have a great library where I live in the South West of England. I visit it most days with my trusty little apple laptop and tap away.
Soon after Roald Dahl, it was Star Wars that began to influence my imagination — the combination of science fiction and fantasy really floated my boat, so to speak. I spent a few years dabbling with stories, but the big inspirational kick up the butt came when I first viewed the wonderful, but tragically short lived TV show, Firefly created by that force of nature Mr Joss Whedon. His balance of light hearted humour, sometimes dark, emotional drama and kick ass action really hit home and the idea for my first book ‘Star Splinter’ began to take shape. Star Splinter is the first in the Fractured Space series involving a group of characters who already seem to be doing the story telling for me! The prequel novella titled ‘Harper’s Ten’ is now also out and more are on the way!
I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 18, 2021
Notes:
Currently on Audible +
Not for me.
The first book of the series is on the latest Audible sale. I figured I should try out the prequel book & see if I want to spend money on #1. The narrator was okay, but the story did not translate well to audio, and I was bored from the get go. While the concepts had potential, the writing came across as rough and stilted.
Currently on Audible +
Not for me.
The first book of the series is on the latest Audible sale. I figured I should try out the prequel book & see if I want to spend money on #1. The narrator was okay, but the story did not translate well to audio, and I was bored from the get go. While the concepts had potential, the writing came across as rough and stilted.
January 1, 2018
The mutant snakes were a little too much for me but if you can overlook that, the series is really good.
February 16, 2023
Pitch Black meets Snakes on a Plane meets the Lost World
November 3, 2017
Excellent Beginning to Series
This is a great prequel. I read Book One first and sometimes the prequel isn't as good as the first in series. This book is an exception and I encourage you to read it before Book One. It gives a great background to the first book and makes a few things a lot clearer.
This author is new to me but with with these first two books, I am hooked.
I Highly Recommend the book and series. They are great.
This is a great prequel. I read Book One first and sometimes the prequel isn't as good as the first in series. This book is an exception and I encourage you to read it before Book One. It gives a great background to the first book and makes a few things a lot clearer.
This author is new to me but with with these first two books, I am hooked.
I Highly Recommend the book and series. They are great.
August 17, 2019
Good beginning
Great story your characters were very believable and interesting.
Glad to read the prequel first for my introduction to your characters.
Will now start reading more about them and their exploits.
I recommend this book to others who enjoy a great story.
Great story your characters were very believable and interesting.
Glad to read the prequel first for my introduction to your characters.
Will now start reading more about them and their exploits.
I recommend this book to others who enjoy a great story.
December 17, 2021
Characters
The characters are very believable. The end scene where the captain sent him back to earth without torturing him was a little less so.
I read the other books in the series first so this prequel made things come together.
The characters are very believable. The end scene where the captain sent him back to earth without torturing him was a little less so.
I read the other books in the series first so this prequel made things come together.
July 30, 2022
A paradise world like no other conceals dangers untold. After thier ship goes down while on a rescue mission a young Lt has to decide what's more important his orders or human life. But the planet is a paradise and his troops know better then to disobey orders from higher. What could go wrong?
February 27, 2018
I didn't care much for this story... mostly because one too many of Harper's men died... and goofy, giant, alien snakes... really! We had to go there?
November 27, 2021
Hard military SF. Does what it says on the tin and could be called 'Man-lit'.
December 25, 2024
Apart from the choice of adversary it wasn´t too bad, I rather enjoyed it in a tongue-in-cheek type of way.
April 27, 2016
This review can also be read at The Review Court
Disclaimer: I received this book as a gift from the author for reviewing the first book in the Fractured Space Series. He did not request a review.
My Thoughts:
I really liked the first book I read from Cressey and so when he gave me this book as a gift, I knew I had to read it. You can read my review of that book here.
It thought me something about the author, .
In this book Cal is on one of his first missions as a new Lieutenant. It's the first time that he's really responsible for so many people's lives. That is, his team of 10 and possibly the research team that landed before them on Capsun 23. Unfortunately, his orders are to secure 2 expensive drones and then move on to the humans. Cal finds himself struggling between following those orders and following his gut which is telling him that something is amiss on the planet.
I gotta admit, I like Cal's character but I struggled with some of the decisions he made in this one. Of course, this is before he turned into the confident leader he is in the follow-up book. Here's he still green and makes some decisions that will cost him dearly.
Overall the book was very well written. The pace was just right with action just where it needed to be. One thing I have to say is that although the main character is a man, there are strong female supporting characters.
Having the setting on an alien planet basically throws all that you know about plants and animals out the window. It gave Cressey the opportunity to create his own idea of life for his planet. I really wish that we had encountered more of the planet's wildlife or perhaps gotten a more descriptive idea of them,
I'm looking forward to the second book in the series to get more of the thorough bad ass Cal that I know, but this was a good "back story", so to speak.
Unfortunately, I can't give it 5 stars because I am so upset about . I really didn't think at that point that it was a necessary move just to
The Verdict: 4 Stars
Disclaimer: I received this book as a gift from the author for reviewing the first book in the Fractured Space Series. He did not request a review.
My Thoughts:
I really liked the first book I read from Cressey and so when he gave me this book as a gift, I knew I had to read it. You can read my review of that book here.
It thought me something about the author, .
In this book Cal is on one of his first missions as a new Lieutenant. It's the first time that he's really responsible for so many people's lives. That is, his team of 10 and possibly the research team that landed before them on Capsun 23. Unfortunately, his orders are to secure 2 expensive drones and then move on to the humans. Cal finds himself struggling between following those orders and following his gut which is telling him that something is amiss on the planet.
I gotta admit, I like Cal's character but I struggled with some of the decisions he made in this one. Of course, this is before he turned into the confident leader he is in the follow-up book. Here's he still green and makes some decisions that will cost him dearly.
Overall the book was very well written. The pace was just right with action just where it needed to be. One thing I have to say is that although the main character is a man, there are strong female supporting characters.
Having the setting on an alien planet basically throws all that you know about plants and animals out the window. It gave Cressey the opportunity to create his own idea of life for his planet. I really wish that we had encountered more of the planet's wildlife or perhaps gotten a more descriptive idea of them,
I'm looking forward to the second book in the series to get more of the thorough bad ass Cal that I know, but this was a good "back story", so to speak.
Unfortunately, I can't give it 5 stars because I am so upset about . I really didn't think at that point that it was a necessary move just to
The Verdict: 4 Stars
November 30, 2015
The setting is Capsun 23, an uncharted planet that by first glance is almost an Eden-esq environment with crystal clear lakes and clean skies. Too bad there are stranded scientists, malfunctioning search drones, and lack of comms. It is a discovery and rescue mission with a small team in an unknown environment....what could possibly go wrong?
Just like the series launch, Harper's 10 introduces a full cast of characters, and through a great deal of action, you get a feel for each player as you see how the adventure unfolds. It is character driven, but also action driven, which any good Space Opera needs to keep readers engaged.
At this point in Callum's life, he isn't the Reluctant Hero which is so formulaic in this genre. He is simply a soldier, a leader with conflicting human emotions. He does the right thing, eventually, and works hard to keep his team and others inline and alive.
I truly enjoyed Star Splinter Fractured Space Series Book One so I happily read a prequel to the series. Most prequels often come out after a series is established, but having enjoyed the character, Callum Harper, it was fun to get his back-story. And boy do you get it. Harper's 10 takes you on Harper's mission right before he returns to have a chat with his CO, Captain Decker.
Solid action and characters with a couple percentage points knocked off for the chosen antagonist (I agree with Indiana Jones, so there is the ONLY hint of a non-spoiler).
4.6 for me. I stayed up two long nights and flew through this prequel. The author was nice enough to send a copy for review
Just like the series launch, Harper's 10 introduces a full cast of characters, and through a great deal of action, you get a feel for each player as you see how the adventure unfolds. It is character driven, but also action driven, which any good Space Opera needs to keep readers engaged.
At this point in Callum's life, he isn't the Reluctant Hero which is so formulaic in this genre. He is simply a soldier, a leader with conflicting human emotions. He does the right thing, eventually, and works hard to keep his team and others inline and alive.
I truly enjoyed Star Splinter Fractured Space Series Book One so I happily read a prequel to the series. Most prequels often come out after a series is established, but having enjoyed the character, Callum Harper, it was fun to get his back-story. And boy do you get it. Harper's 10 takes you on Harper's mission right before he returns to have a chat with his CO, Captain Decker.
Solid action and characters with a couple percentage points knocked off for the chosen antagonist (I agree with Indiana Jones, so there is the ONLY hint of a non-spoiler).
4.6 for me. I stayed up two long nights and flew through this prequel. The author was nice enough to send a copy for review
January 18, 2016
Lost in the horror
To be assigned to retrieve lost colonists, with orders from a daddy's boy, and then land and lose all your electronic equipment; then the situation worsens.
I'm definitely ready to read the next in this series. Rapid character development, hectic action and stunning threats make this a story you have to finish. And then ask for more.
To be assigned to retrieve lost colonists, with orders from a daddy's boy, and then land and lose all your electronic equipment; then the situation worsens.
I'm definitely ready to read the next in this series. Rapid character development, hectic action and stunning threats make this a story you have to finish. And then ask for more.
May 26, 2016
A great read
I recommend this book to anyone that likes science fiction books. This book was just as good as the first fractured space series book. I can't wait until the next book comes out in the fractured space series. I could see this book becoming a sci-fi movie. If you like sci-fi movies you will like this book.
I recommend this book to anyone that likes science fiction books. This book was just as good as the first fractured space series book. I can't wait until the next book comes out in the fractured space series. I could see this book becoming a sci-fi movie. If you like sci-fi movies you will like this book.
January 26, 2016
Really enjoyed this prequel, well written, great pace and setting. And as with the main book all the tech and future stuff felt real and well described. Made me want to crack out halo 1! Looking forward to the next :)
February 28, 2016
Good read
This was a good read . I think it was well written and full of action the characters are well developed and I think it was as good as the first book in the series.
This was a good read . I think it was well written and full of action the characters are well developed and I think it was as good as the first book in the series.
January 1, 2016
Interesting
Enjoyed the story. Interesting backdrop on unexplored planet.
Really wanted a better layout maybe even some additional exploration along the way.
Enjoyed the story. Interesting backdrop on unexplored planet.
Really wanted a better layout maybe even some additional exploration along the way.
December 8, 2015
Great book
Looking forward the next book. I joyed the story. Good to know what happen to Harper before he went to Mars.
Looking forward the next book. I joyed the story. Good to know what happen to Harper before he went to Mars.
January 28, 2016
Fun romp
Fun military romp around a planet that's trying to kill them. Reminded me of Pitch Black, and was as exciting too.
Fun military romp around a planet that's trying to kill them. Reminded me of Pitch Black, and was as exciting too.
February 24, 2016
Action packed
It is a action packed military with future weapons but with the trouble that all military men have to deal with stupid commanders.
It is a action packed military with future weapons but with the trouble that all military men have to deal with stupid commanders.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews