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DarkTrench Saga #3
Freeheads
Having escaped the storms of Betelgeuse and the schemes of Jannah's inhabitants, Sandfly and HardCandy make their way back to Earth. They have a message to deliver. A society to free. And A~A3 is with them. Their mission is simple, and just. What could possibly go wrong?
Unexpectedly, DarkTrench drops into normal space. He is malfunctioning, wounded, and the only people who can fix him are still hundreds of light years away. Sand and Hard scramble for a solution while catastrophe hurtles blindly toward them.
They reach Earth to find a different world, an unexpected domain. One they can no longer connect with.
They are stranded, hopelessly separated beneath a wasteland of death and a planet of rules. Debuggers amidst a cloistered community.
Ultimately, Sandfly is alone, and Earth's freedom relies on him and his newfound faith. But does his mission even matter anymore?
He's a misfit, and a throwback. A symbol for all that's evil.
Perhaps he's the last freehead?
Unexpectedly, DarkTrench drops into normal space. He is malfunctioning, wounded, and the only people who can fix him are still hundreds of light years away. Sand and Hard scramble for a solution while catastrophe hurtles blindly toward them.
They reach Earth to find a different world, an unexpected domain. One they can no longer connect with.
They are stranded, hopelessly separated beneath a wasteland of death and a planet of rules. Debuggers amidst a cloistered community.
Ultimately, Sandfly is alone, and Earth's freedom relies on him and his newfound faith. But does his mission even matter anymore?
He's a misfit, and a throwback. A symbol for all that's evil.
Perhaps he's the last freehead?
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2011
10 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Nietz
37 books176 followersKerry Nietz is an award-winning science fiction author. He has over a half dozen speculative novels in print, along with a novella, a couple short stories, and a non-fiction book, FoxTales.
Kerry’s novel A Star Curiously Singing won the Readers Favorite Gold Medal Award for Christian Science Fiction and is notable for its dystopian, cyberpunk vibe in a world under sharia law. It has over a hundred 5-star reviews on Amazon and is often mentioned on “Best of” lists.
Among his writings, Kerry's most talked about is the genre-bending Amish Vampires in Space. AViS was mentioned on the Tonight Show and in the Washington Post, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Newsweek called it “a welcome departure from the typical Amish fare.”
Kerry is a refugee of the software industry. He spent more than a decade of his life flipping bits, first as one of the principal developers of the database product FoxPro for the now mythical Fox Software, and then as one of Bill Gates's minions at Microsoft. He is a husband, a father, a technophile and a movie buff.
Kerry’s novel A Star Curiously Singing won the Readers Favorite Gold Medal Award for Christian Science Fiction and is notable for its dystopian, cyberpunk vibe in a world under sharia law. It has over a hundred 5-star reviews on Amazon and is often mentioned on “Best of” lists.
Among his writings, Kerry's most talked about is the genre-bending Amish Vampires in Space. AViS was mentioned on the Tonight Show and in the Washington Post, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Newsweek called it “a welcome departure from the typical Amish fare.”
Kerry is a refugee of the software industry. He spent more than a decade of his life flipping bits, first as one of the principal developers of the database product FoxPro for the now mythical Fox Software, and then as one of Bill Gates's minions at Microsoft. He is a husband, a father, a technophile and a movie buff.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 13, 2016
I read the trilogy back to back. What a ride. I'll miss these characters!
May 18, 2012
This book sealed the deal for me - I'm officially a Kerry Nietz fangirl. When I was first introduced to A Star Curiously Singing for the 2010 INSPY awards I was .. concerned. I'd never been a big science fiction (hard core sci-fi that is) fan, but I gave it a chance and was thoroughly hooked by this original, fantastic story.
Then came The Superlative Stream, and once again I was dragged into HardCandy, DarkTrench, and Sandfly's world. And once again, I had to face disappointment and the book came to an end. So when I got a chance to read Freeheads I was giddy. However, school made huge demands on me.
So I put it aside and I read it over spring break - no, actually.. I devoured it over spring break. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning reading Freeheads and loved every single moment of it. There was so much character development that happened over the span of the previous books and everything just came together well in this finale. Plus... I love returning home moments, and I think, considering how he wrote this book, Kerry Nietz might just share that love.
This is a great trilogy, and it's so hard to just review one book without talking about the other two. I've talked them up to my friends and highly recommend you give them a shot. Just remember - it's speculative fiction, and what else is more fun than reading a "what if"?
Then came The Superlative Stream, and once again I was dragged into HardCandy, DarkTrench, and Sandfly's world. And once again, I had to face disappointment and the book came to an end. So when I got a chance to read Freeheads I was giddy. However, school made huge demands on me.
So I put it aside and I read it over spring break - no, actually.. I devoured it over spring break. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning reading Freeheads and loved every single moment of it. There was so much character development that happened over the span of the previous books and everything just came together well in this finale. Plus... I love returning home moments, and I think, considering how he wrote this book, Kerry Nietz might just share that love.
This is a great trilogy, and it's so hard to just review one book without talking about the other two. I've talked them up to my friends and highly recommend you give them a shot. Just remember - it's speculative fiction, and what else is more fun than reading a "what if"?
August 24, 2012
In this last installment of the DarkTrench Saga, Sandfly finds himself back among the society he left 3 weeks ago. However, due to espionage by the Beetle society, he and HardCandy are now on an Earth where almost 40 years have passed, and where life as they once knew it has long gone.
Mostly, it is divided into two worlds: once where the outcasts live, and try to overtake the ruling class, and the ruling class, where the grand leader is actually a teacher of implants who rules his subjects with an iron hand: they are all implants, and must follow his rules, or suffer extreme physical punishment.
How will Sandfly be able to minister the message of hope, love and salvation in a world rules by a selfish despot who wants nothing but ultimate control and power?
I will not give this away, but Nietz deftly teaches us a lesson in faith, where when there seems to be no way, we find that He will make a way.
I couldn't stop turning the pages; the author keeps just enough suspense and conflict going to keep you wanting to know what happens next. Well written in a language that reflects a different culture but captures humanity very well.
Mostly, it is divided into two worlds: once where the outcasts live, and try to overtake the ruling class, and the ruling class, where the grand leader is actually a teacher of implants who rules his subjects with an iron hand: they are all implants, and must follow his rules, or suffer extreme physical punishment.
How will Sandfly be able to minister the message of hope, love and salvation in a world rules by a selfish despot who wants nothing but ultimate control and power?
I will not give this away, but Nietz deftly teaches us a lesson in faith, where when there seems to be no way, we find that He will make a way.
I couldn't stop turning the pages; the author keeps just enough suspense and conflict going to keep you wanting to know what happens next. Well written in a language that reflects a different culture but captures humanity very well.
October 3, 2012
On the title page written in pen I see "Jacob, one of the things I've enjoyed with these novels is being able to include real science in them. Freeheads probably has the most of the lot, but it also has some of the coolest spec stuff I could think of. Hope you agree. Kerry Nietz."
Yes, Kerry I do agree. Freeheads is by far the best book in the series. It is easy to see his maturity as a writer from book 1 to book 3. I really enjoyed this series. Freeheads is an appropriate finale to the Dark Trench Saga. They way Nietz uses beliefs of one people group and mixes them with another and yet retains the truth throughout the entire series is exceptional. The ending to Freeheads is...
I wish there was a 4th book.
Recently, I came across a techno/dance song, Amanda by Afrojack that reminds of this book. There is a pulsating squeeling noise that makes me think of a star spinning quickly sending out a signal in all directions for the world to hear. I think this should be the theme song to the Dark Trench Saga.
Yes, Kerry I do agree. Freeheads is by far the best book in the series. It is easy to see his maturity as a writer from book 1 to book 3. I really enjoyed this series. Freeheads is an appropriate finale to the Dark Trench Saga. They way Nietz uses beliefs of one people group and mixes them with another and yet retains the truth throughout the entire series is exceptional. The ending to Freeheads is...
I wish there was a 4th book.
Recently, I came across a techno/dance song, Amanda by Afrojack that reminds of this book. There is a pulsating squeeling noise that makes me think of a star spinning quickly sending out a signal in all directions for the world to hear. I think this should be the theme song to the Dark Trench Saga.
May 8, 2017
A fantastic end to a wonderful sci-fi series, Freeheads brought us more of the great things we've come to expect from Kerry Nietz: witty characters, rich worldbuilding, and a deep exploration of theology. I'd recommend this series to teens and up who are sci-fi fans and enjoy a strong Christian message.
(Like Christian sci-fi and fantasy? Check out thebookhoundchristianspecfic.blogspot.com for full length reviews, author interviews, and more!)
(Like Christian sci-fi and fantasy? Check out thebookhoundchristianspecfic.blogspot.com for full length reviews, author interviews, and more!)
March 28, 2016
Some twists and turns in this fun conclusion to Sandfly's interstellar adventure.
June 26, 2017
Happy sigh. Lots of emotion.
October 29, 2025
Another inventive book by Kerry Nietz
I appreciate Kerry's books as both great stories and as a reminder of God's care for us. The exploration of humanity and its nature is another theme. People will refuse to accept freedom and choose captivity. It is often easier to be a captive; freedom comes with responsibility and as Sandfly states can often be dangerous. I can't help but think on these principles during the times I must take a break from reading. I hope these thoughts will continue to steer me towards and help me grow in appreciation and desire for the true God of this story.
I appreciate Kerry's books as both great stories and as a reminder of God's care for us. The exploration of humanity and its nature is another theme. People will refuse to accept freedom and choose captivity. It is often easier to be a captive; freedom comes with responsibility and as Sandfly states can often be dangerous. I can't help but think on these principles during the times I must take a break from reading. I hope these thoughts will continue to steer me towards and help me grow in appreciation and desire for the true God of this story.
August 27, 2023
A satisfying, slow-burn, finish to a strong sci-fi trilogy. With themes of free will vs. determinism, Nietz pulls readers once more into the world of Sandfly and Hard Candy and shows the life changing impact of voluntarily submitting to the One who stooped.
June 3, 2023
Nice Finish
I enjoyed the whole series and this was a nice finish. Characters were nicely developed and the plot kept the story interesting. I would definitely recommend.
I enjoyed the whole series and this was a nice finish. Characters were nicely developed and the plot kept the story interesting. I would definitely recommend.
May 9, 2012
When I got this book to read, I didn’t realize it was actually the last book in a trilogy. The author did a great job of filling in enough detail that I never felt lost or had a hard time picking up with the story. I do, however, recommend reading the books in order since that’s how the author intended the story to be told.
But WOW! What can I say? I read a lot. I find a lot of books I enjoy, and I’m not stingy with my five star reviews, but books like this make me consider that maybe I need to be, because books such as this really belong in a different category all together. From the beginning of the story I was enthralled with Kerry Nietz vision of the future. Sometimes I was a little terrified. So many of the issues -- faith vs indoctrination, freedom vs control, truth vs deceit -- are utterly relevant for today, and even serve as a warning when we consider where our future may lead. While the setting was a little different, it was easy to envision how technology, such as iPhones and the global network, could evolve into the ability to directly stream information via a chip implanted within the brain.
This story is both captivating and thought provoking, with characters who gripped me from beginning to end. The action is fast-paced and the plot is wrought with tension; yet there are tender moments that allow the reader to experience new emotions, new lines of reasoning and discovery right along with Sandfly. Amongst the turmoil and chaos of Sandfly’s world, we find beauty. I could gush for another couple of pages but I think you get the point. I absolutely loved this book and am loving the series as I read it now. I’ve been enthusiastically recommending it and will continue to do so. I even bought the series for my mom! Freeheads , and the entire Dark Trench trilogy is a definite must read. The story will stay with you in unexpected ways long after you’ve put the book down.
But WOW! What can I say? I read a lot. I find a lot of books I enjoy, and I’m not stingy with my five star reviews, but books like this make me consider that maybe I need to be, because books such as this really belong in a different category all together. From the beginning of the story I was enthralled with Kerry Nietz vision of the future. Sometimes I was a little terrified. So many of the issues -- faith vs indoctrination, freedom vs control, truth vs deceit -- are utterly relevant for today, and even serve as a warning when we consider where our future may lead. While the setting was a little different, it was easy to envision how technology, such as iPhones and the global network, could evolve into the ability to directly stream information via a chip implanted within the brain.
This story is both captivating and thought provoking, with characters who gripped me from beginning to end. The action is fast-paced and the plot is wrought with tension; yet there are tender moments that allow the reader to experience new emotions, new lines of reasoning and discovery right along with Sandfly. Amongst the turmoil and chaos of Sandfly’s world, we find beauty. I could gush for another couple of pages but I think you get the point. I absolutely loved this book and am loving the series as I read it now. I’ve been enthusiastically recommending it and will continue to do so. I even bought the series for my mom! Freeheads , and the entire Dark Trench trilogy is a definite must read. The story will stay with you in unexpected ways long after you’ve put the book down.
June 5, 2012
I'm always wary of sequels to books I love as much as the first two in the Dark Trench saga, afraid I'm going to be let down after expecting so much. But I was not let down. Neitz continues with complete mastery of the first person point of view. Everything is filtered through the main character, Sandfly, and not once did I ever feel pulled out of his head.
The voice of these novels is actually enough to carry me through, but it doesn't have to on its own--all the other elements are strong as well: plot, character, description, pacing, dialog...
This is a series I highly recommend!
The voice of these novels is actually enough to carry me through, but it doesn't have to on its own--all the other elements are strong as well: plot, character, description, pacing, dialog...
This is a series I highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews