What do you think?
Rate this book
Koban Universe #2
Have Genes, Will Travel
This book can be read as a standalone novel because how the Kobani human variant came to exist is explained on one page. A prologue then propels you into this action filled, often funny Sci-Fi Cowboy in Space story. For over a hundred years Chisholm, a Rim World colony, has produced beef for most of Human Space, raising vast herds of a breed of giant longhorns. Things are changing, as land reform is demanded by small ranchers and farmers, placing restrictions on the existing open range policy. The wealthy large ranchers will stop this by any means, to preserve their profits. Passions are high and the opposing sides have turned violent and deadly. Ethan, a gene-modified Kobani, travels to Chisholm with his sassy sister, Kit, seeking a high-risk employment opportunity in the growing Range War, where raids and murders have wiped out entire families. Gunmen and killers are in demand by both sides, with premiums paid for greater lethality. Using their direct contact telepathic ability, Ethan and his unusual sister Kit, chose a side. They’ll face a hundred hired guns, the outcome deciding who will control the future of Chisholm. Powerful men are determined to block reforms by driving off or killing those opposed to the status quo, and adamant reformers will meet violence with violence. Hired by one side in the conflict, an unexpected betrayal strikes down Ethan, and he vanishes. Kit goes on a rampage, terrorizing anyone with knowledge, to discover what happened to him, and mangled bodies accumulate as she searches for her brother. Knowing telepathically exactly what evil an individual has committed isn’t admissible in courts there, or heeded by corrupt sheriffs. However, possessing the truth is ample motivation for ignoring the law to Kit, and she summons help. In a final bloody confrontation, with deaths on both sides, a solution that only those from Koban could produce is achieved.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2016
27 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Stephen W. Bennett
11 books271 followersI was born in 1942, so I'm an autumn rather than a spring chicken. I live outside of Tampa, Florida with my fabulous wife Anita, and one son in college, Montana. I have three older boys, Mark, Gary, and Anthony, all of whom have married and presented us with terrific grandchildren.
My education gravitated to science, starting out as a physics major and my depression era folks told me I'd never make a living as a theoretical physicist (probably right, and Cosmology wasn't a career field then), so I moved to Electronics Engineering. I devoted (was drafted into) service for the US Army, and caring not a whit for my electronics background, they offered this draftee a job as an Air Traffic Controller. Cool new career field. Retired, I now work as a consultant for the FAA, supporting software I helped create.
I decided to try my hand at writing what I loved to read, Science Fiction. The Koban Series has established my unusually successful entry into SciFi as an indie author. 11 books at last count, and at least two more in my mind.
My education gravitated to science, starting out as a physics major and my depression era folks told me I'd never make a living as a theoretical physicist (probably right, and Cosmology wasn't a career field then), so I moved to Electronics Engineering. I devoted (was drafted into) service for the US Army, and caring not a whit for my electronics background, they offered this draftee a job as an Air Traffic Controller. Cool new career field. Retired, I now work as a consultant for the FAA, supporting software I helped create.
I decided to try my hand at writing what I loved to read, Science Fiction. The Koban Series has established my unusually successful entry into SciFi as an indie author. 11 books at last count, and at least two more in my mind.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 1, 2016
I wrote this so I'm a tad unqualified to rate it, but I did anyway, because I want it to show up on goodreads.
Merged review:
I wrote the book and I don't see another way to list it with my other books on my goodreads page.
Merged review:
I wrote the book and I don't see another way to list it with my other books on my goodreads page.
February 24, 2019
Looks like I forgot to leave a review after reading this book on Amazon Kindle, but overall the series is five stars!
The author worked in the air force or something like that before, and it shows in his writing. The fighting is very visceral, aliens and humans well developed, cultures well fleshed out, and space battles done with flair.
I'm sad the author is getting old. Looks like he won't be writing any more of the Koban series after these seven books in the Koban story and two books in the spin-offs.
This series rivals Orson Scott Card's "Ender" series. I would say it's even better than that, even though technology has advanced a lot since then and the authors probably have different backgrounds in work experience. Science fiction is at its best when it awes you with vivid descriptions of the cunning involved in conducting large scale operations.
Military science fiction is indeed not only about spaceships, but about the people themselves.
The author worked in the air force or something like that before, and it shows in his writing. The fighting is very visceral, aliens and humans well developed, cultures well fleshed out, and space battles done with flair.
I'm sad the author is getting old. Looks like he won't be writing any more of the Koban series after these seven books in the Koban story and two books in the spin-offs.
This series rivals Orson Scott Card's "Ender" series. I would say it's even better than that, even though technology has advanced a lot since then and the authors probably have different backgrounds in work experience. Science fiction is at its best when it awes you with vivid descriptions of the cunning involved in conducting large scale operations.
Military science fiction is indeed not only about spaceships, but about the people themselves.
February 4, 2022
Fun, there need to be 20 or so sequels.
A great cowboy range war story, with genetically modified humans and teal tigers working for the good guy farmers against the bad guy wealthy ranchers. Not much subtlety to the plot.
A great cowboy range war story, with genetically modified humans and teal tigers working for the good guy farmers against the bad guy wealthy ranchers. Not much subtlety to the plot.
December 24, 2017
Love this series!
I hate to be a complainer but I wish these books could be written faster. This is one of the best series I've read in the past few years.
In this story, Kobani modified human Ethan and his Kobani Ripper adopted sister Kit, take on an off-world contract with a beleaguered group of cattle ranchers. These small family farm ranchers are being squashed, murdered, hanged, burnt and generally persecuted by a large conglomerate of big scale cattle ranchers. Half this story read like an old Lone Ranger story from the 19th century - early 20th century. Except it features Ethan and Kit instead of the Ranger and Tonto.
Looking forward to more in the Kobani universe.
I hate to be a complainer but I wish these books could be written faster. This is one of the best series I've read in the past few years.
In this story, Kobani modified human Ethan and his Kobani Ripper adopted sister Kit, take on an off-world contract with a beleaguered group of cattle ranchers. These small family farm ranchers are being squashed, murdered, hanged, burnt and generally persecuted by a large conglomerate of big scale cattle ranchers. Half this story read like an old Lone Ranger story from the 19th century - early 20th century. Except it features Ethan and Kit instead of the Ranger and Tonto.
Looking forward to more in the Kobani universe.
December 3, 2016
I finished book 6 of the primary Koban series and this book is a better example of why enjoy Bennet's Koban books. Ethan and Kit take a job on a rim world that is right out of the old west...only with space ships and some of the other futuristic conveniences in this verse we are used to. Picture Clint Eastwood riding into town to stick up for the oppressed. Now take away Clint and put in his place the "super man" (kobani) Ethan and a huge teal tiger and let that play out. Fun stuff!
February 3, 2016
My author alarm reached my email in the morning. I quickly downloaded the book and started reading, finishing it that same afternoon. The Koban books are among my very favorite and I can't say enough about how well the books are written and enjoyed. Mr Bennett has created a universe for unlimited story lines and I look forward to all he creates.
February 3, 2016
Great story
I liked the book. There were couple nearly sleepless nights when reading it isn't easy to put the book down. It was nice "wild western" story with the koban university twist.
I liked the book. There were couple nearly sleepless nights when reading it isn't easy to put the book down. It was nice "wild western" story with the koban university twist.
November 10, 2019
Fantastic
I can’t wait for Steven to
Finish the next book. I have read them all as txt appeals to me more than audible. The Koban universe is one of thee best space operas I have ever read. Well done Steven. I hope all is well with you and yours.
I can’t wait for Steven to
Finish the next book. I have read them all as txt appeals to me more than audible. The Koban universe is one of thee best space operas I have ever read. Well done Steven. I hope all is well with you and yours.
February 3, 2016
Another winner from Mr. Bennett. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
March 3, 2016
Loved it!!!
Another great add on to the Koban universe! thank you Stephen Bennett for your writing I really enjoy reading it.
Another great add on to the Koban universe! thank you Stephen Bennett for your writing I really enjoy reading it.
May 15, 2016
Finished the current book in two days now I have to wait again for the next in the series
But once again a brilliant read especially when you know the characters from the very beginning
But once again a brilliant read especially when you know the characters from the very beginning
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews