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Echoes of Sol #1
Trust and Treachery
A priceless cargo. A crew on the verge of self-destruction. And a slave girl causing problems in the trousers. Will they make it to Mars alive?Bit has never known safety—few indentured servants have—but what little security she has is gambled away in a game of poker. Suddenly she’s the property of a devilish freighter captain and surrounded by impassioned men each one vying for her heart in their own way. Bit will have to face the demons of her past before her heart succumbs to one of the men. As they travel to Mars, marauders intercept, eager to steal their priceless cargo. Without the cargo, Bit’s new way of life will be at risk yet again. With the tension and danger running high, Bit begins to will she survive the pirates… and the men?Jack has a schedule to keep. He has employees to care for and cargo to transport. When he isn’t yelling at his crew, he’s crunching the numbers and wondering how he’s going to keep his family business afloat. The last thing he needs is a bump in the road, but that’s exactly what his brother brings him—a bump in the shape of an indentured servant. A young woman with a laundry list of emotional damage. Jack took one glance at her and knew he’d do whatever was needed to wipe away the look of fear on her features—damn his crew, damn his family business. She was the only thing that mattered.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2015
144 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Charissa Dufour
35 books132 followersMy journey to become a writer began in 8th grade, when I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and pulled from school to recover. During this time, I was left alone for hours on end and it was then that I discovered new friends within the pages of books. I also learned the blessing of creating my own friends by writing down the stories that plagued my lonely mind—as demented as that sounds. Therefore at the ripe age of fourteen, I wrote my first novel. It sucked! But I kept going and now I am finalizing my first indie novel, with sequels to come, and two other series along with a fiction based blog. I never imagined that first horrible novel about a man who crash landed on his long lost home world would turn into a lifelong passion.
I now live in the
I now live in the
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
March 14, 2022
3.5
I'm liking the beginning of the RH space opera with and interesting mission, pirates, and personal growth.
So in this story our h, Bit, has grown up an indentured servant and has had to deal with being seen and not heard around some of the scummiest specimens life has to offer. That is until her life is changed by a single hand of poker. Her debt is put up as collateral- and from one second to the next she is the newest (and only) female member of a space faring crew.
With precious cargo needing to be delivered safely, and a crew full of strange men watching her every move- Bit has to find her place amongst them as well as prepare for the harsh realities of space.
Spoilery stuff:
So... I'm still really unclear on who could be in the harem...lots of options going on and some of them kind of pushy considering all that Bit has going on.
Sometimes it seems like a race to get with Bit first amongst the guys, but the story isn't just based around who Bit is going to end up with- but how she is dealing with her past and present as an indentured servant, and how she will deal with becoming part of the ships crew and grow into her own.
I'm liking the beginning of the RH space opera with and interesting mission, pirates, and personal growth.
So in this story our h, Bit, has grown up an indentured servant and has had to deal with being seen and not heard around some of the scummiest specimens life has to offer. That is until her life is changed by a single hand of poker. Her debt is put up as collateral- and from one second to the next she is the newest (and only) female member of a space faring crew.
With precious cargo needing to be delivered safely, and a crew full of strange men watching her every move- Bit has to find her place amongst them as well as prepare for the harsh realities of space.
Spoilery stuff:
So... I'm still really unclear on who could be in the harem...lots of options going on and some of them kind of pushy considering all that Bit has going on.
Sometimes it seems like a race to get with Bit first amongst the guys, but the story isn't just based around who Bit is going to end up with- but how she is dealing with her past and present as an indentured servant, and how she will deal with becoming part of the ships crew and grow into her own.
September 4, 2021
Was this pulpy and campy? Yes. Did I stay up way too late reading it? Also yes. Am I gonna read the next book? Absolutely.
What can I say? It was fun. I was invested. Nothing much even really happens, it's just a short little novella, but I was addicted and couldn't stop reading. The characters are fun. Bit's a great heroine and the crew is full of lots of over protective brothers (okay, so they all are romantically interested in Bit, but they're gonna give up eventually and be over protective brothers, I just know it xD)
I thought from the synopsis I knew how the romance was gonna go, so was a little surprised by the direction it took. Not necessarily disappointed but also not entirely convinced it's gonna stick
All in all, I enjoyed it 🤷♀️
What can I say? It was fun. I was invested. Nothing much even really happens, it's just a short little novella, but I was addicted and couldn't stop reading. The characters are fun. Bit's a great heroine and the crew is full of lots of over protective brothers (okay, so they all are romantically interested in Bit, but they're gonna give up eventually and be over protective brothers, I just know it xD)
I thought from the synopsis I knew how the romance was gonna go, so was a little surprised by the direction it took. Not necessarily disappointed but also not entirely convinced it's gonna stick
All in all, I enjoyed it 🤷♀️
May 22, 2016
The first book in The Echoes of Sol series by Charissa DuFour. "Bit" is an indentured servant that gets thrown into the pot by her master during a card game. Calen Macleef wins the hand and Bit is taken to his ship. With great reluctance, Calen's brother, Jack agrees to keep her. But they have to get under way for a delivery to Mars.
I was lead to believe this is a romance but it is not. There are a few romantic elements but not a romance! This caused me to nearly give this 2 or 3 stars but after I thought about it I realized I actually enjoyed the book and immediately grabbed the next. There isn't a cliffhanger exactly but the book does end unfinished. Like a serial, I guess. The story is mainly about the girl, Bit, and her fears and concerns now that she is away from her abusive master. But we are introduced to the crew and get a peek into their lives aboard the freighter. There are a lot of errors in the editing but I still enjoyed it.
I was lead to believe this is a romance but it is not. There are a few romantic elements but not a romance! This caused me to nearly give this 2 or 3 stars but after I thought about it I realized I actually enjoyed the book and immediately grabbed the next. There isn't a cliffhanger exactly but the book does end unfinished. Like a serial, I guess. The story is mainly about the girl, Bit, and her fears and concerns now that she is away from her abusive master. But we are introduced to the crew and get a peek into their lives aboard the freighter. There are a lot of errors in the editing but I still enjoyed it.
Want to read
November 29, 2017💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/29/2017)! 💝
July 8, 2017
I really enjoyed this a lot, is far from deep or good litterature, but it was fun and entertaining. Quite a few typos and strange phrases, but it didn't take too much away from it.
March 24, 2019
Review can be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/
**3.5 Stars**
After spending her life in indentured servitude for her father's debts, being gambled away during a card game is just another day for Bit. But what she did not expect, was that her new Master would be nothing like her previous ones and that her new life would give her the opportunity to be herself and gain skills that she could never dream of as part of the crew on a spaceship transport vessel.
Trust & Treachery is not listed as such, but this 100% feels like a slow burn science fiction reverse harem. We have this one very timid girl who spent her lifetime being abused and sold off by men, and then we have a space ship filled with potentially eligible bachelors who are vying for the spot of her love (or at least some quality sexy time). There was no sex in this book, it was pretty PG overall with the actions (backstory was not PG, but not detailed) and right near the end there was one brief kiss. But there are at least five guys who are romantically and sexually attracted to the man character- I guess I will just have to read the next book to see where the romance will go (if it even goes anywhere- keep in mind, this is just my speculation).
My one complaint with the overall audiobook experience was that it kept switching between character perspectives randomly in the narration, I was never really certain who was the current narrator. Maybe it would have been easier to tell if I had been reading the book instead of listening, but since the narrator used the same voice for almost all the characters I was really confused. There was at least five character points of view in the book so you can see my confusion when it was suddenly a new view point in the middle of a chapter/scene with no warning. At times it would switch after a couple of sentences, so I was always second guessing what I was reading.
The ending was very abrupt, with almost nothing resolved, more like this book set up the world and a later book would continue the journey/plot. So that means I need to snag the rest of the books in the series. The audiobook was roughly five hours making this more like a novella or maybe a serial to be read back to back, with all the individual pieces fitting together to create an entire story. This is my second read/audiobook written by Charissa, both from different series and her ability to craft complicated, detailed worlds is very impressive. I recommend for sure picking up one of her series to read.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Charissa Dufour. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
**3.5 Stars**
After spending her life in indentured servitude for her father's debts, being gambled away during a card game is just another day for Bit. But what she did not expect, was that her new Master would be nothing like her previous ones and that her new life would give her the opportunity to be herself and gain skills that she could never dream of as part of the crew on a spaceship transport vessel.
Trust & Treachery is not listed as such, but this 100% feels like a slow burn science fiction reverse harem. We have this one very timid girl who spent her lifetime being abused and sold off by men, and then we have a space ship filled with potentially eligible bachelors who are vying for the spot of her love (or at least some quality sexy time). There was no sex in this book, it was pretty PG overall with the actions (backstory was not PG, but not detailed) and right near the end there was one brief kiss. But there are at least five guys who are romantically and sexually attracted to the man character- I guess I will just have to read the next book to see where the romance will go (if it even goes anywhere- keep in mind, this is just my speculation).
My one complaint with the overall audiobook experience was that it kept switching between character perspectives randomly in the narration, I was never really certain who was the current narrator. Maybe it would have been easier to tell if I had been reading the book instead of listening, but since the narrator used the same voice for almost all the characters I was really confused. There was at least five character points of view in the book so you can see my confusion when it was suddenly a new view point in the middle of a chapter/scene with no warning. At times it would switch after a couple of sentences, so I was always second guessing what I was reading.
The ending was very abrupt, with almost nothing resolved, more like this book set up the world and a later book would continue the journey/plot. So that means I need to snag the rest of the books in the series. The audiobook was roughly five hours making this more like a novella or maybe a serial to be read back to back, with all the individual pieces fitting together to create an entire story. This is my second read/audiobook written by Charissa, both from different series and her ability to craft complicated, detailed worlds is very impressive. I recommend for sure picking up one of her series to read.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Charissa Dufour. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
March 17, 2021
Indentured slave Bit finds herself gambled in a card game by the latest of many cruel owners, ending up won by the brother of a spaceship captain. Thus she becomes the sole woman on a cargo vessel heaving with men and they may not be her biggest problem.
Although set in space, the narrative has a distinctly old fashioned feel that reminded me a little of flamboyant old movies set at sea where everyone growls 'argh', but behaves like their mother's good boy. For a slave with multiple vicious employers, Bit has been beaten and starved, but somehow remained blessedly free from sexual assault.
Alright, so here's the thing. I flat out really enjoyed this quick read. If you want protracted high art, grab something off the college reading list. If you want riproaring fun, men with big chests making dewy eyes and pirate attack, this is for you. Loved it.
4 glossy stars for huge clean fun.
Although set in space, the narrative has a distinctly old fashioned feel that reminded me a little of flamboyant old movies set at sea where everyone growls 'argh', but behaves like their mother's good boy. For a slave with multiple vicious employers, Bit has been beaten and starved, but somehow remained blessedly free from sexual assault.
Alright, so here's the thing. I flat out really enjoyed this quick read. If you want protracted high art, grab something off the college reading list. If you want riproaring fun, men with big chests making dewy eyes and pirate attack, this is for you. Loved it.
4 glossy stars for huge clean fun.
March 20, 2019
Reviewed on http://bookaddict.live,
This is book one in a new series set in the future, when space travel is an everyday experience. Unfortunately for Bit an indentured servant life has been horrendous with all her previous owners, and now she has been won in a card by a young man Galen.
Suddenly she is on her way to a freighter spaceship filled with men. Fortunately Galen’s brother Jack is the captain and he can see how frightened she is. Bit is taken back when her room is found for her with a lock on the inside.
This is centered around Bit and how she reacts to only kindness that is shown to her. This is an interesting start to a new series in which there a battle and many insights to the members of the crew. A short listen at only 3hours 57mins but with plenty fitted in giving me a taste to look forward to book two.
This is book one in a new series set in the future, when space travel is an everyday experience. Unfortunately for Bit an indentured servant life has been horrendous with all her previous owners, and now she has been won in a card by a young man Galen.
Suddenly she is on her way to a freighter spaceship filled with men. Fortunately Galen’s brother Jack is the captain and he can see how frightened she is. Bit is taken back when her room is found for her with a lock on the inside.
This is centered around Bit and how she reacts to only kindness that is shown to her. This is an interesting start to a new series in which there a battle and many insights to the members of the crew. A short listen at only 3hours 57mins but with plenty fitted in giving me a taste to look forward to book two.
April 23, 2017
Bit is at the center of Trust and Treachery. She is an indentured servant who is won in a poker game. Her new home is a freighter crewed by a group of rowdy, ungentlemanly merchant marines. She has suffered abuse in the past and has to work hard to make a place for herself in this world of men. I loved her character. There is much more to her than meets the eye. In a trip filled with danger she manages to contribute to the fight with pirates. There is tension and danger as well as great scenes as Bit learns to interact with the crew. This is book one in the Echoes of Sol. It was free on Amazon and I liked it enough to buy the next book in the series. Free books do pay off.
March 8, 2016
I liked this quick read and think the author did a great job with the characters, especially Larissa, better known as Bit. The story is really based around Bit.She was a servant until she was won in a card game by Calen. As she is taken aboard a space ship where Calens' brother Jack is the captain, Lucky for Bit, in a ship full of men, most are willing to treat her with respect. This first book in the series has some action and fights as the team on the ship try to take animal embryos to Mars. I think the journey is going to get more interesting. Good job.
November 4, 2016
Good, I like it
A good beginning. Hope the next book wraps things up, but what I've read so far would make a good series. A tiny bit of sexual tension from having a woman on a ship full of men, but so far, just a good rousing SF novel, replete with merchanters (yeah, spell check is telling me that's not a word) and pirates after their cargo. Love it so far. A few more grammaticals (another not-word) than I like but not as prolific as in some e-books.
A good beginning. Hope the next book wraps things up, but what I've read so far would make a good series. A tiny bit of sexual tension from having a woman on a ship full of men, but so far, just a good rousing SF novel, replete with merchanters (yeah, spell check is telling me that's not a word) and pirates after their cargo. Love it so far. A few more grammaticals (another not-word) than I like but not as prolific as in some e-books.
June 5, 2017
Rating : 2 stars
My friend gave it to me a few weeks ago and the cover scared me so much I didn't know what to make of it.
But it was actually pretty good, yet too short. Bit is a really loveable character, and I can't wait to see her grow up!
My friend gave it to me a few weeks ago and the cover scared me so much I didn't know what to make of it.
But it was actually pretty good, yet too short. Bit is a really loveable character, and I can't wait to see her grow up!
November 26, 2020
Not much science in this scifi romance
2 stars because I finished it and it had the germ of a good idea, but the execution was ... lacking.
**Slight spoilers ahead**
SCIENCE ISSUE: We've got a space ship crew that uses projectile weapons in their ship, makes bombs and disguises them as "trash" to drop against pirates and this is a brilliant idea by our MC (because obviously nobody would *ever* think of something so complex), and refers to distances between ships in space as "miles". If none of this seems like a problem to you, then this might be an okay book to you.
CHARACTERIZATION PROBLEMS: Our MC has supposedly been an indentured servant/slave for the last 15 years or so (since she was 5) and she's described as quite pretty, but somehow she's still "untouched" ... riiiight. She's also got experience with movies, no cooking ability, and no apparent skills of any kind. No real physical scars are talked about or described on her, but yet she's terrified of everybody around her and constantly talks about vague "things" that her former owners have done to her, which apparently doesn't include rape, beatings, or making her work at anything but a toaster factory (yes, really), we're just left with no information other than "men are bad because my sister died after having a baby". She seems to get over it pretty easily in less than 2 weeks of skipped time (seriously, there's just a "two weeks later" line and *boom!* our timid MC is now shooting like a pro and flirting with 4 different guys). The 4 "love interests" (and I hesitate to even call them that) have no real defining personality characteristics and are interchangeable cardboard cutouts that don't even have the grace to get whittled down in this book.
I will say that the writing itself is fairly decent with the occasional "hammy downs" instead of "hand me downs" (maybe it's a regional thing?)
If none of these things have scared you off, then hey give it a try! Otherwise, I'd recommend Linnea Sinclair or Michelle Diener for something with a little more character and substance.
2 stars because I finished it and it had the germ of a good idea, but the execution was ... lacking.
**Slight spoilers ahead**
SCIENCE ISSUE: We've got a space ship crew that uses projectile weapons in their ship, makes bombs and disguises them as "trash" to drop against pirates and this is a brilliant idea by our MC (because obviously nobody would *ever* think of something so complex), and refers to distances between ships in space as "miles". If none of this seems like a problem to you, then this might be an okay book to you.
CHARACTERIZATION PROBLEMS: Our MC has supposedly been an indentured servant/slave for the last 15 years or so (since she was 5) and she's described as quite pretty, but somehow she's still "untouched" ... riiiight. She's also got experience with movies, no cooking ability, and no apparent skills of any kind. No real physical scars are talked about or described on her, but yet she's terrified of everybody around her and constantly talks about vague "things" that her former owners have done to her, which apparently doesn't include rape, beatings, or making her work at anything but a toaster factory (yes, really), we're just left with no information other than "men are bad because my sister died after having a baby". She seems to get over it pretty easily in less than 2 weeks of skipped time (seriously, there's just a "two weeks later" line and *boom!* our timid MC is now shooting like a pro and flirting with 4 different guys). The 4 "love interests" (and I hesitate to even call them that) have no real defining personality characteristics and are interchangeable cardboard cutouts that don't even have the grace to get whittled down in this book.
I will say that the writing itself is fairly decent with the occasional "hammy downs" instead of "hand me downs" (maybe it's a regional thing?)
If none of these things have scared you off, then hey give it a try! Otherwise, I'd recommend Linnea Sinclair or Michelle Diener for something with a little more character and substance.
September 25, 2021
CW: Sexual assault, mentioned and attempted on page
Trust & Treachery is an exciting space opera adventure with a strong female main character. It’s sure to keep you enthralled from page one. Bit is an indentured servant with an abusive past. Her current owner loses her in a poker match, and she’s suddenly thrown into an entirely new world. The man who now owns her contract is a pilot on an interplanetary freighter carrying important cargo to Mars.
I did pick it up because, at the place I found it, it was marked as a sci-fi romance, but it is not a genre romance, which I think is important for readers to clearly know going in. Also of note is that this is book one in a series about the same characters, so the ending still leaves many questions. It’s not quite a cliffhanger, but there’s not a HEA either. These aren’t marks against the story, which I enjoyed, it’s just good to know going in so that reader expectations are managed.
Bit is a wonderful character. She’s suffered so much but is still strong. The first acts of kindness towards her make her cry, but her unbroken spirit soon rises enough for her to move from tears to insisting she’s treated like she deserves. It’s a wonderful progression, and I rooted for her the whole time.
As the all-male freighter is introduced to her, many of the men find themselves interested in her. In this first book, Bit is undecided as to who she’s really interested in, but she appreciates a handful of the men back. There’s a variety of viewpoints, and I enjoyed getting to meet and learn about the crew along with Bit. I don’t have a clear favorite, maybe Blaine because he’s a natural caretaker.
I really was surprised who she ended up kissing ;-)
This book really shone in its climactic action scene. It kept me flipping pages to know the outcome. There’s a final twist that will leave your heart in your throat.
With its intriguing plot and fun characters, this story will please science fiction fans, and leave them wanting more. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Trust & Treachery is an exciting space opera adventure with a strong female main character. It’s sure to keep you enthralled from page one. Bit is an indentured servant with an abusive past. Her current owner loses her in a poker match, and she’s suddenly thrown into an entirely new world. The man who now owns her contract is a pilot on an interplanetary freighter carrying important cargo to Mars.
I did pick it up because, at the place I found it, it was marked as a sci-fi romance, but it is not a genre romance, which I think is important for readers to clearly know going in. Also of note is that this is book one in a series about the same characters, so the ending still leaves many questions. It’s not quite a cliffhanger, but there’s not a HEA either. These aren’t marks against the story, which I enjoyed, it’s just good to know going in so that reader expectations are managed.
Bit is a wonderful character. She’s suffered so much but is still strong. The first acts of kindness towards her make her cry, but her unbroken spirit soon rises enough for her to move from tears to insisting she’s treated like she deserves. It’s a wonderful progression, and I rooted for her the whole time.
As the all-male freighter is introduced to her, many of the men find themselves interested in her. In this first book, Bit is undecided as to who she’s really interested in, but she appreciates a handful of the men back. There’s a variety of viewpoints, and I enjoyed getting to meet and learn about the crew along with Bit. I don’t have a clear favorite, maybe Blaine because he’s a natural caretaker.
I really was surprised who she ended up kissing ;-)
This book really shone in its climactic action scene. It kept me flipping pages to know the outcome. There’s a final twist that will leave your heart in your throat.
With its intriguing plot and fun characters, this story will please science fiction fans, and leave them wanting more. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
February 3, 2018
For more reviews, or to see my favourite quotes from this book, check out my log at http://mlsparrow.wix.com/mlsparrow
2.5
This is a hard book for me to reviews, since I really enjoyed the story, however, I did have a few issues. My main issue is that this book really needs a thorough edit. Hopefully another round of edits by the author would get rid of the errors, like words in the wrong place and meaning the wrong thing and his instead or hers, but I personally feel like it also needs a second professional edit to help with the pacing and unnecessary sentencing that just slowed the story down. That was my main issue, which is a shame because, like I said, I really enjoyed the story but kept getting distracted by errors and things that should have been caught whilst editing.
My second issue is that I felt Bit recovered from her past trauma too quickly. Character development is a good thing, however, this is a really short book (I read it in the first two hours of a long-haul flight) and there are five other books in this series, therefore, there was no need to rush her recovery and the fact that she's standing up to people and has changed so drastically within a few days of being with the crew just seems unrealistic.
My finally issue is that there's no set love interest, instead there are many. Personally, I like Blaine, but I can't help but wonder (and cringe at the thought), that the other books may find Bit floating indecisively between guys, which I really dislike.
From my little rant, your probably thinking that I didn't actually like this book, but you actually couldn't be more wrong. I really enjoyed this book, in fact, I practically devoured it. I liked the characters, the story and the writing, despite the numerous errors, which is why I'm upset about the issues because I feel like this book could have been amazing, but when you take into account the issues I've named, it was just average...
All in all, I'll probably read the rest of this series at some point, but I do hope the author gets a professional editor.
2.5
This is a hard book for me to reviews, since I really enjoyed the story, however, I did have a few issues. My main issue is that this book really needs a thorough edit. Hopefully another round of edits by the author would get rid of the errors, like words in the wrong place and meaning the wrong thing and his instead or hers, but I personally feel like it also needs a second professional edit to help with the pacing and unnecessary sentencing that just slowed the story down. That was my main issue, which is a shame because, like I said, I really enjoyed the story but kept getting distracted by errors and things that should have been caught whilst editing.
My second issue is that I felt Bit recovered from her past trauma too quickly. Character development is a good thing, however, this is a really short book (I read it in the first two hours of a long-haul flight) and there are five other books in this series, therefore, there was no need to rush her recovery and the fact that she's standing up to people and has changed so drastically within a few days of being with the crew just seems unrealistic.
My finally issue is that there's no set love interest, instead there are many. Personally, I like Blaine, but I can't help but wonder (and cringe at the thought), that the other books may find Bit floating indecisively between guys, which I really dislike.
From my little rant, your probably thinking that I didn't actually like this book, but you actually couldn't be more wrong. I really enjoyed this book, in fact, I practically devoured it. I liked the characters, the story and the writing, despite the numerous errors, which is why I'm upset about the issues because I feel like this book could have been amazing, but when you take into account the issues I've named, it was just average...
All in all, I'll probably read the rest of this series at some point, but I do hope the author gets a professional editor.
April 10, 2019
It was fun but too short. I liked Bit but her character developed really, really quickly and became a bit unbelievable. If the story had been twice as long, Bit could have unfolded slower and been more relatable. I also liked Captain Jack and his brother Calen, as well as Odin (because who doesn’t love a baby-faced guy with lots of piercings?).
The action is all great. Never a dull moment. The story certainly keeps the plot moving along. The opening really grabbed me because Bit is essentially won in a poker game, but not treated like a sex object by Calen and Odin. She doesn’t know what’s in store for her on board the freighter ship, and that unknown kept me interested in the book.
While Bit is 21 or 22, she’s small and looks closer to 15 or 16, so some of the guys treat her like a kid sister (which is great) but most of them of interested in her sexually. So it kinda became a reverse harem situation. I’m on the fence about that. Bit is the only female character in the book and on board the ship. Yet this is scifi and we can do whatever we want with the gender balance and gender roles, so I wanted more ladies and I wanted to see them competently doing things. Alas, that wasn’t this story.
There’s pirates! yay! Who doesn’t like a good pirate fight, right? And Bit does get assertive, and the guys are all for training her up. Over all, it was fun and light. 3.5/5 stars.
The Narration: Ian McEuen was great. I loved his voice for all the characters. He doesn’t a pretty good young Bit as well as keeping all the guys’s voices distinct. His pacing is perfect. There were no technical issues with this recording. 5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Charissa Dufour. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
The action is all great. Never a dull moment. The story certainly keeps the plot moving along. The opening really grabbed me because Bit is essentially won in a poker game, but not treated like a sex object by Calen and Odin. She doesn’t know what’s in store for her on board the freighter ship, and that unknown kept me interested in the book.
While Bit is 21 or 22, she’s small and looks closer to 15 or 16, so some of the guys treat her like a kid sister (which is great) but most of them of interested in her sexually. So it kinda became a reverse harem situation. I’m on the fence about that. Bit is the only female character in the book and on board the ship. Yet this is scifi and we can do whatever we want with the gender balance and gender roles, so I wanted more ladies and I wanted to see them competently doing things. Alas, that wasn’t this story.
There’s pirates! yay! Who doesn’t like a good pirate fight, right? And Bit does get assertive, and the guys are all for training her up. Over all, it was fun and light. 3.5/5 stars.
The Narration: Ian McEuen was great. I loved his voice for all the characters. He doesn’t a pretty good young Bit as well as keeping all the guys’s voices distinct. His pacing is perfect. There were no technical issues with this recording. 5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Charissa Dufour. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
December 3, 2019
Ok, short, with enough action to last for many more pages the author gives us an interesting story about how a servant girl manages to survive a ship full of men.
After being won at a poker game (yup, you heard that right), Bit learns that not every guy is a bad guy. Having to deal with all the guys on the ship, receiving their attention, not in an offending way, leaves our main character quite surprised and impressed. Her life has not been easy and she has had to deal with quite a lot. I will not get into the details now. Suffice to say there is a lot to uncover and a lot to read about.
The plot is very entertaining, there are plenty of things happening and for almost 150 pages, there are many things happening and there is not one moment of boredom. I loved every page and I would have wanted to read more.
The narration was amazing! Ian McEuen did a great job keeping the story and the characters alive. The quality of the audiobook was great as well and I would love to hear his voice on the next books in the series.
All in all, this book was great. I would have wanted much more from our main character and her issues, but this is something that probably will be explored later on. 4 stars and I do hope you’ll give it a try J
After being won at a poker game (yup, you heard that right), Bit learns that not every guy is a bad guy. Having to deal with all the guys on the ship, receiving their attention, not in an offending way, leaves our main character quite surprised and impressed. Her life has not been easy and she has had to deal with quite a lot. I will not get into the details now. Suffice to say there is a lot to uncover and a lot to read about.
The plot is very entertaining, there are plenty of things happening and for almost 150 pages, there are many things happening and there is not one moment of boredom. I loved every page and I would have wanted to read more.
The narration was amazing! Ian McEuen did a great job keeping the story and the characters alive. The quality of the audiobook was great as well and I would love to hear his voice on the next books in the series.
All in all, this book was great. I would have wanted much more from our main character and her issues, but this is something that probably will be explored later on. 4 stars and I do hope you’ll give it a try J
April 14, 2023
The story begins with an indentured servant named Bit being offered up in a game of poker by her employer James Asseltine. With very little description of the location, the reader can be forgiven for thinking the story is set in the 1800s in America, however it is then mentioned that the poker game is taking place in the slums of Johannesburg. Her employer loses the poker hand and twenty-two-year old bit is given over to her new owner, Calen. She is taken from all she has known for the past eight years, just a short walk away, and enters a glass elevator which takes her skyward. This is when the reader is again unsure of the time period in which the story is set. She is taken to a waiting ship – a space ship – and they are soon on their way to Mars. Bit is the only woman on board with a large crew of men. This is a concern, but for the most part, they behave honourably. This story offers very little background information, and skims along the surface without delving into any kind of explanation or reason for the action taking place. The characters are interesting but need development. The action takes place in a middle without a satisfying beginning or end. The writing is of a good standard, but the story needs to be fleshed out more.
October 11, 2022
This one had me nervous from the get-go as poor little Bit, who’s an indentured servant and has had a hard enough life to begin with, is handed over to another man and a whole new way of life after a mere hand in a poker game. Bit’s owner lost the hand, and away she went.
Soon after, Bit finds herself on some new-fangled ship in the air (that sounds kind of mechanically scary) and zooms off into a whole new and dangerous ship on the water, where every man wants her. The question is, which one will make the move, and what kind of guy will he be?
Author Charissa Dufour has a quickness to her writing that keeps the plot in this novella moving. Along with the prevailing tenseness are sometimes touching moments, such as when Blaine helps her learn how to use a gun. Bit can handle herself, but for some reason I was always nervous for her while reading this book.
I agree with a few other reviewers who have said there is a retro feel to the space environment in Trust & Treachery. Some of the characters, ships, and gadgets reminded me of Star Wars, in fact.
Trust & Treachery is not my favorite-ever dystopian read, but it’s an interesting and creative tale.
Soon after, Bit finds herself on some new-fangled ship in the air (that sounds kind of mechanically scary) and zooms off into a whole new and dangerous ship on the water, where every man wants her. The question is, which one will make the move, and what kind of guy will he be?
Author Charissa Dufour has a quickness to her writing that keeps the plot in this novella moving. Along with the prevailing tenseness are sometimes touching moments, such as when Blaine helps her learn how to use a gun. Bit can handle herself, but for some reason I was always nervous for her while reading this book.
I agree with a few other reviewers who have said there is a retro feel to the space environment in Trust & Treachery. Some of the characters, ships, and gadgets reminded me of Star Wars, in fact.
Trust & Treachery is not my favorite-ever dystopian read, but it’s an interesting and creative tale.
September 24, 2017
Been a while since I read a sci-fi book.
Didn't take too long to read book 1.
The younger brother wins Bit (an indentured woman) while gambling while down on Earth. Bit has a lot of issues what with being indentured since the age of 5 due to her fathers debts, and has never left Earth and probably hadn't been far from Johannesburg in her entire life.
This book basically covers how Bit ends up on a freighter heading to Mars, and how she deals with being trapped in an all male environment. As well as how the Captain (the older brother) deals with Bit, the crew, and other events that happen during the journey.
It's an interesting read, few grammar/typo/literary issues, not edge of the seat reading but still its readable and makes you want to find out more.
I would recommend buying the 3 books together in a box set because book one is rather short, and sorta ends up in the air, with you thinking and??
Didn't take too long to read book 1.
The younger brother wins Bit (an indentured woman) while gambling while down on Earth. Bit has a lot of issues what with being indentured since the age of 5 due to her fathers debts, and has never left Earth and probably hadn't been far from Johannesburg in her entire life.
This book basically covers how Bit ends up on a freighter heading to Mars, and how she deals with being trapped in an all male environment. As well as how the Captain (the older brother) deals with Bit, the crew, and other events that happen during the journey.
It's an interesting read, few grammar/typo/literary issues, not edge of the seat reading but still its readable and makes you want to find out more.
I would recommend buying the 3 books together in a box set because book one is rather short, and sorta ends up in the air, with you thinking and??
October 3, 2018
I definitely decided to leave my comfort zone when I decided to read this novel. I don't usually pick up this genre--kind of a Sci-Fi, Space Travel and futuristic all in one. What ever the genre is I'm glad I did. It definitely kept my attention. Enough so that I just picked up the second book in this 7 book series.
Try to imagine living in a time where you as a five year old could be indentured as a slave to pay off your father's debt--it makes me cringe. Little Bit, or Bit, as she prefers to be called watched herself be bartered in a poker game--and could say nothing about it! But then she really hadn't had much to say about what her life was like.
Reading how she came into her own-somewhat-amidst a bunch of rough men aboard her new owners spaceship was intriguing.
It ends with them getting to Mars, pirates attempting to board them and all else that occurred. --and I want to read what the new owner's Mom has to say about all this!!
Try to imagine living in a time where you as a five year old could be indentured as a slave to pay off your father's debt--it makes me cringe. Little Bit, or Bit, as she prefers to be called watched herself be bartered in a poker game--and could say nothing about it! But then she really hadn't had much to say about what her life was like.
Reading how she came into her own-somewhat-amidst a bunch of rough men aboard her new owners spaceship was intriguing.
It ends with them getting to Mars, pirates attempting to board them and all else that occurred. --and I want to read what the new owner's Mom has to say about all this!!
January 30, 2019
This story follows a young woman who has been shoved into the lowest levels of society through no fault of her own. She gets a moment of luck that opens a chance to climb out of that hole. But it's not as easy as you might hope. She is now in an environment where she is no longer a slave, but that doesn't mean its safe or comfortable. She has to fight to survive both physically and emotionally.
This is fast paced adventure science fiction. The setting and the science are not so far from what we know to be challenging. It is more a story about people, and you will quickly find yourself invested in these characters and wanting them to succeed. The themes and language are suitable for YA readers, and the story will grab readers of any age.
This is fast paced adventure science fiction. The setting and the science are not so far from what we know to be challenging. It is more a story about people, and you will quickly find yourself invested in these characters and wanting them to succeed. The themes and language are suitable for YA readers, and the story will grab readers of any age.
April 26, 2022
Calen Macleef accidentally wins Larissa “Bit” Earnest in a lucky hand of poker.She is an indentured servant and has to pay off her father's debt of over ! million dollars. Calen works onboard a space freighter with his brother Jack as the Captain. Bit has been abused by each of those that have "owned" her and is fearful of men and is now onboard a starship filled with men. In this all too short, very action packed tale she is trained in the use of weapons and is included as a part of crew. The men are interested in her but both brothers are protective of her and the crew gradually accept her as a part of the crew. Attacked by space pirates but will not tell what happens there except to say I want to read more books by the author. Kept me at the edge of my seat!
May 27, 2019
lost souls found friends
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
Bit was a lost young soul that had been bound since childhood. She was now someone free. She was from under the thumb of one life and tossed in to another. She finds a new journey. This was a very quick read/listen and it was a bit, no pun intended, pacing adjusting. Found interesting character, space life, comradery, and a possible friendship. The audio narration allowed for this story to move by quick and make some dots connected without the barrier of trying to read it on paper.
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
Bit was a lost young soul that had been bound since childhood. She was now someone free. She was from under the thumb of one life and tossed in to another. She finds a new journey. This was a very quick read/listen and it was a bit, no pun intended, pacing adjusting. Found interesting character, space life, comradery, and a possible friendship. The audio narration allowed for this story to move by quick and make some dots connected without the barrier of trying to read it on paper.
May 19, 2018
Not bad
Parts of this book are wonderful. But it just doesn't flow smoothly. Characters do and say things because the author wants them to, and not because it would result from the experience of the characters. That wasn't said very well but there's a reason I'm a reader and not an author. One often hears authors saying that they just set things up and the characters take over. It's abundantly clear that didn't happen here. But there is something endearing this cast that makes you want to know more. So I'm getting the next installment.
Parts of this book are wonderful. But it just doesn't flow smoothly. Characters do and say things because the author wants them to, and not because it would result from the experience of the characters. That wasn't said very well but there's a reason I'm a reader and not an author. One often hears authors saying that they just set things up and the characters take over. It's abundantly clear that didn't happen here. But there is something endearing this cast that makes you want to know more. So I'm getting the next installment.
December 30, 2018
Sci-fi adventure coupled with romance...
Trust and Treachery is a fun, short read. Packed with action, suspense, and matters of the heart, there is a bit of something for everyone. Well written and structurally succinct, I would recommend it to anyone, but definitely to people who enjoy a futuristic story with a bit of romance. Great start to the Echoes of Sol series, I look forward to continuing...
Trust and Treachery is a fun, short read. Packed with action, suspense, and matters of the heart, there is a bit of something for everyone. Well written and structurally succinct, I would recommend it to anyone, but definitely to people who enjoy a futuristic story with a bit of romance. Great start to the Echoes of Sol series, I look forward to continuing...
May 17, 2018
Good start
I enjoyed this book. It is obvious that it is a start to a series, but it still has a fairly complete story on its own. It was good. I am not sure if I will pick up the next one, but this book was pretty good. It was probably 3.5 stars, but not quite 4 for me. I think Jack was my favorite character. He tries to take care of everybody.
I enjoyed this book. It is obvious that it is a start to a series, but it still has a fairly complete story on its own. It was good. I am not sure if I will pick up the next one, but this book was pretty good. It was probably 3.5 stars, but not quite 4 for me. I think Jack was my favorite character. He tries to take care of everybody.
September 27, 2020
Bit
Awesome plot, lots of suspense, surprises, and action! The adventures started before their ship left dock and continued throughout their journey. Throw in a woman on an all male crew and disaster is bound to happen. Then betrayal causes a tragedy that nearly destroyed the ship and the crew.
Awesome plot, lots of suspense, surprises, and action! The adventures started before their ship left dock and continued throughout their journey. Throw in a woman on an all male crew and disaster is bound to happen. Then betrayal causes a tragedy that nearly destroyed the ship and the crew.
May 22, 2017
Wow! It was great!
Fantastic story with fragile yet resilient heroine thrown in the unfamiliar situation. Bit is trying to find her own identity while struggling with PTSD and her relationship with the crew vying her attention.
Fantastic story with fragile yet resilient heroine thrown in the unfamiliar situation. Bit is trying to find her own identity while struggling with PTSD and her relationship with the crew vying her attention.
September 20, 2017
Nice read
This was a nice read and a great series starter. I only have one observation about it, there was a reference to miles in space I find that odd. Other than that it was was a great book.
This was a nice read and a great series starter. I only have one observation about it, there was a reference to miles in space I find that odd. Other than that it was was a great book.
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