The Antaran Codex

Mapped Space #1

by Stephen Renneberg

As mankind nears its goal of galactic citizenship, Sirius Kade, trader and Earth Intelligence Service deep cover agent, learns that wealthy and powerful leaders from across Mapped Space are vying for control of an alien relic they believe is the key to untold riches – unaware they are being deceived.

Sirius soon finds himself entangled in an interstellar plot to make humanity a cosmic outcast, denying it its place as the newest member of the vast and ancient community that has governed the galaxy for eons.

With mankind’s fate in the balance, Sirius must overcome ruthless alien adversaries and deadly human rivals as he seeks to discover the secret of The Antaran Codex and safeguard man’s future among the stars.

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Fiction

334 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 2014

Reviews

[Buzz H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel despite a few quibbles. Mr. Renneberg's prose is pretty good as are his characterization skills. His pacing was fast and enjoyable. The copy editing had a few problems with homonyms and the odd case error. The world building was not always deeply thought through, but it is an interesting universe even so.

[Geoffrey D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable, stereotype heavy, careless on science

"Snake heads are only distantly related to reptiles". No, they are not even remotely related to reptiles.
Perhaps morphologically similar but not related as they evolved on another planet. That sort of thing is distracting which pulls me out of the story.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Already one of my favorite sci fi books, and one of the best books I've read in years.

The plot is great, the flow of the book is pitch perfect, the characters are a lot of fun, and the details are extremely well thought out.

Can't wait for book 2!

[Chant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and fast paced.

[Metamorphose Literary · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first few pages, I was hooked. Being a fan of galactic stories like Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Firefly, “The Antaran Codex” was a natural and easy fit to my tastes. The deeper I read into the novel, the more I spotted correlations to Firefly—space traders who act a bit like cowboys at times, but also have a soft spot for women and doing the right thing; smuggling and entering headfirst into situations others would avoid. The cast in this book is a brilliant and simple mix of brains, brawn, and bravery.

“The Antaran Codex” is a fast-paced story with intricately developed worlds, plots, and subplots. Renneberg skillfully creates entire planets, alien races, and intergalactic conflict you can see. Sirius Kade is a hero you can relate to. By the end of the book, you just want to follow him along on his adventures through Mapped Space.

I’m looking forward to reading Sirius’ next adventure!

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book from Stephen Renneberg but it won't be the last. The book starts off slowly taking time to build both the characters and the universe they live in. I'll admit I struggled with the first third because the pace was plodding at best.

If you can work through the first portion they payoff is worth all the effort and more. The characters are interesting; being both exceptional and flawed at the same time. The universe and humanities low standing in it add some interesting twists and depth.

It is a well crafted story that gets better with each paged turned.

[Starr Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Antaran Codex” is a fast-paced story with intricately developed worlds, plots, and subplots. Renneberg skillfully creates entire planets, alien races, and intergalactic conflict you can see. Sirius Kade is a hero you can relate to. By the end of the book, you just want to follow him along on his adventures through Mapped Space.

I’m looking forward to reading Sirius’ next adventure!

Read a full review here: https://www.metamorphoselit.com/the-a...

[Mark Zodda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written story with enjoyable characters and a plot that kept my interest. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The incredible adventures of the amazing Izin told from the point of view of his sidekick. Jokes aside i loved the book, read trough it in a snap.

[Linda Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Fast paced and funny

[Markus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Mikael Viklund · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great Serie but stay away from it if you use kindle

I love this serie, but book from book 4 it's only paper no kindle, so don't bother with it if you use kindle.

[Henry Lazarus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephen Renneberg captures the same fun as Guardians of the Galaxy with the tale of Sirius Kade, free trader with his own ship, and former spy for the Earth Intelligence Service. Earth was cut off from galactic civilization for a thousand years when fanatics blew up their ship on a galactic world. With only fifty years left of the current five century probation period, Earth is eager to prevent other incidents. So Syrius is reactivated when something is heard of a potential incident. The trail leads to the Mcguffin of the tale, The Antaran Codex (ebook from Amazon Digital Services, Inc which I bought) which is up for bid. But the aliens who where hurt with the first incident, the Matarons have an evil plan that involves the Codex and one of the buyers. Sirius has to risk his ship and his crew, first stealing the Codex, then restealing it, then stopping the final crew from destroying a low-tech world. The action is fast and furious and the background shear fun. I hope there’s a sequel.Review Published by Philadelphia Weekly Press

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of a galaxy-wide government with rules that benefit all types of civilizations across the light years. I also enjoy reading about a time in which long distance travel (really long distance, like light years) is possible. The story centers on the Antaran Codex, which is being auctioned off to a select few. This codex is supposed to bring untold riches to the owner, but it turns out to be a trap for the owner in which our earth's place in the galaxy could be doomed.
So, great premise for a Sci Fi novel. But, once again, this author gets caught up in describing each and every skirmish and battle in such minute detail that by the end of the book all those incidents ran together in my mind and I lost the basic thread of the story.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Largely action-packed and straightforward, it reads almost like a Doctor Who plot but without the twists and turns (sadly). A fast read, I thought that the various alien species created were interesting and there were even some funny parts. I can't help but wish for greater depth though, as someone who has always loved crime novels. Nonetheless I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys a fast sci-fi novel and loves reading about the hero escaping just barely from dangerous situations. Oh and I really enjoyed the descriptions of technology, especially with the bioengineering!

Disclaimer: I was fortunate enough to obtain a copy through the First Reads program. (Thank you.)

[Lukas Lovas · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was surprisingly good. I was expecting something much cheaper and more...rip-off-ish (is that even a word?), but I found myself enjoying the book. It was fun, the story was cool...the main character was mostly fun, though some of the other characters seemed to be...a bit simple. I got irritated by his girlfriend for being an idiot who complicated the whole plot a lot. I'd say, if she wasn't involved, it might be more believable. This romance seemed flat. The rest however was fun, fast, and filled with possibilities, as many open-world sci-fi books are.

[Cameron Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

nefarious aliens and a woefully outclassed human civilization. I liked the backdrop for this story more than the story. The characters were flat, and I did not really care about any of them. The universe that Renneberg has created is the most interesting part of this book.

I love the idea of a scrappy human race just barely holding on against all the odds. That said, I would like to care a little about some of the characters.

[M. Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Antaran Codex.......

The Antaran Codex.......

A lot of fun.....exciting action, handwritten characters who have a basic decency, wise as well as despicable aliens, interstellar as well as personal action......what more could anyone want?
ENJOY! Great Entertainment.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is in my top5 of Space Operas. It's fast paced story, without a dull moment. Crafted around MacGuffin, which turns out to be a Red Haring, Before Deus ex Machina (or is it Alien ex Machina)ends the story. But man is it well crafted.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing first novel.

Somewhat reminiscent of a Banks Culture novel in terms of the Universe being created, but a little grittier. Looking forward to the second book to see how the author develops the themes established in the opening novel.

[Peter Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too bad

[Jeff Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best sci-fi/space opera /humans trying to find their way in a galaxy of way more powerful/ancient races, not all of which have our best interests in mind.

[Jason Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a video game in many places (especially at the beginning with the game tutorial-ish data dumps) but very fun with a lot of very interesting places to take the universe.

[Pelle Stene · Rating 4 out of 5]

An addicting action packed story. A bit simple in story but who cares since it's a nice reading.

[Vikram Duggal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable space thriller

[Robert Giudice · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a solid space adventure with great sci-fi.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read.

[Elizabeth Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

incredibly imaginative but in need of copyediting

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

VERY GOOD space adventure! Read 2nd time, not as good. The beginning and end were good, the middle got a little tiresome.