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Allies and Enemies #2
Rogues
The adventure continues with the highly anticipated second book in this action-packed space opera series, Allies and Enemies.
For renegade soldier Sela Tyron and her former captain, Jon Veradin, the Reaches were a chance at a fresh start and freedom from the Regime. But what should be easy is never easy. In this savage, hardscrabble region, ruled by the ruthless Guilds, the pair quickly find themselves in the crosshairs of scheming gangsters and their muscle-bound henchmen.
Meanwhile, Jon’s sister Erelah Veradin was supposed to be dead. That was her plan, anyway, when she sought to destroy the relentless Tristic. Miraculously alive, she’s now a captive of Zenti pirates led by the enigmatic Asher Korbyn—a man with his own secret agenda. Unsure of whom to trust, Erelah must face a new host of dangers on her quest to reunite with her brother as an even greater threat looms on the horizon and an old, familiar evil gathers strength in the darkness.
With a vivid cast of characters—from kick-ass heroines to gnarly space pirates— and set among alien worlds filled with undiscovered dangers, fans of Firefly and Farscape alike are sure to enjoy this fast-paced adventure with flavors of military science fiction and just a dash of romance. Allies and Enemies: Rogues is a follow up title to Allies and Enemies: Fallen.
For renegade soldier Sela Tyron and her former captain, Jon Veradin, the Reaches were a chance at a fresh start and freedom from the Regime. But what should be easy is never easy. In this savage, hardscrabble region, ruled by the ruthless Guilds, the pair quickly find themselves in the crosshairs of scheming gangsters and their muscle-bound henchmen.
Meanwhile, Jon’s sister Erelah Veradin was supposed to be dead. That was her plan, anyway, when she sought to destroy the relentless Tristic. Miraculously alive, she’s now a captive of Zenti pirates led by the enigmatic Asher Korbyn—a man with his own secret agenda. Unsure of whom to trust, Erelah must face a new host of dangers on her quest to reunite with her brother as an even greater threat looms on the horizon and an old, familiar evil gathers strength in the darkness.
With a vivid cast of characters—from kick-ass heroines to gnarly space pirates— and set among alien worlds filled with undiscovered dangers, fans of Firefly and Farscape alike are sure to enjoy this fast-paced adventure with flavors of military science fiction and just a dash of romance. Allies and Enemies: Rogues is a follow up title to Allies and Enemies: Fallen.
- GenresScience Fiction
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2016
63 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Amy J. Murphy
11 books51 followersAmy J. Murphy is not a Jedi. (Although she’s married to this Scottish guy that claims to be one.) Nor is she a powerful mutant with adamantium claws and super-fast healing, or leader of the human resistance battling to overthrow cyborg overlords.
But, she is a fantastic liar.
She discovered this power at an early age and chose to wield it for good instead of evil (even though the evil part remains highly tempting.) With this power, Amy writes books about space opera featuring kickass heroines. These books are sometimes confused for military science fiction which is an easy mistake to make. She’s ok with this as her debut novel, Allies and Enemies: Fallen, was a finalist for the 2016 Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel. At some point, she infiltrated the ranks of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) and refuses to return the cool membership card they sent her when they figured things out.
When not geeking out at science fiction conventions, she’s hunkered down in an isolated farmhouse in the maple syrup guzzling state of Vermont with the aforementioned Scotsman/Jedi and two canines that possess the ability to speak. She gives away free books if you write her a nice message via her website www.amyjmurphy.com.
But, she is a fantastic liar.
She discovered this power at an early age and chose to wield it for good instead of evil (even though the evil part remains highly tempting.) With this power, Amy writes books about space opera featuring kickass heroines. These books are sometimes confused for military science fiction which is an easy mistake to make. She’s ok with this as her debut novel, Allies and Enemies: Fallen, was a finalist for the 2016 Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel. At some point, she infiltrated the ranks of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) and refuses to return the cool membership card they sent her when they figured things out.
When not geeking out at science fiction conventions, she’s hunkered down in an isolated farmhouse in the maple syrup guzzling state of Vermont with the aforementioned Scotsman/Jedi and two canines that possess the ability to speak. She gives away free books if you write her a nice message via her website www.amyjmurphy.com.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 1, 2019
“Allies and Enemies: Rogues: Allies and Enemies Series, Book 2” picks up two years after the dramatic events of Book 1.
Sela and Jon are now eking out a life together in “the reaches”, but at least they are together.
Unknown to them, Erelah survived her suicide attack against Tristic! Book 2 focuses more on Erelah and the spy/criminal/helper Asher Korbyn than on Sela and Jon. A new character is introduced: the intelligent, curious and flippant human Dr. Rachel (she’s lesbian, with a partner she desperately wants to get word to!).
The story of the Eugenis, the Skiloids and the Humans gets much more fleshed out, and the small and larger political issues, and the sci-fi aspects, both mental and mechanical come more into play.
I wish I could say more, because this is a fantastically entertaining book that is wonderfully narrated, but there are so many twists and turns that any comments would fall into spoilers territory, and it’d be much more fun for you to listen to this book than read a longer review!
Easily a 5* book, and I’m even excited by the cliffhanger, as Sela asks Asher: “how would you like to start a war?” Yes! Please oh please don’t delay with Book #3 as an audiobook!!!!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.
Sela and Jon are now eking out a life together in “the reaches”, but at least they are together.
Unknown to them, Erelah survived her suicide attack against Tristic! Book 2 focuses more on Erelah and the spy/criminal/helper Asher Korbyn than on Sela and Jon. A new character is introduced: the intelligent, curious and flippant human Dr. Rachel (she’s lesbian, with a partner she desperately wants to get word to!).
The story of the Eugenis, the Skiloids and the Humans gets much more fleshed out, and the small and larger political issues, and the sci-fi aspects, both mental and mechanical come more into play.
I wish I could say more, because this is a fantastically entertaining book that is wonderfully narrated, but there are so many twists and turns that any comments would fall into spoilers territory, and it’d be much more fun for you to listen to this book than read a longer review!
Easily a 5* book, and I’m even excited by the cliffhanger, as Sela asks Asher: “how would you like to start a war?” Yes! Please oh please don’t delay with Book #3 as an audiobook!!!!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.
January 19, 2019
Amy J. Murphy’s Allies and Enemies: Rogues is an outstanding follow-up to the first book of the series, which I thought was a fun sci-fi space opera with interesting characters, a plot that steered clear of clichés and a setting with great potential for future stories. My expectations were more than met in the second entry, as the author expands not only the reader’s knowledge of this cast of characters, but also their universe.
Although it is my practice to avoid being unfair to future readers by revealing too much of the plot, this review does contain an unavoidable spoiler.
As Allies and Enemies: Rogues opens, ex-military officers Sela Tyron and Jon Veradin have taken their unapproved love affair on the run from the repressive and socially stratified Regime, finding refuge in a corner of space known as the Reaches. Their escape at the end of the first book came with what seemed to be a high price: Jon’s sister Erelah’s suicide mission to destroy a Regime ship using the j-drive, her own invention and a new form of rapid long-distance space travel.
Jon believes his sister is still alive, which hard-nosed bred-for-battle Sela sees as wishful thinking. They’re scraping by taking dangerous jobs of questionable legality, effectively stuck on the planet and the Reaches by not having enough to pay for either fuel or the toll to use a long-distance flex point. Three guilds control the Reaches in a power standoff: one guild controls the flex points, one has the largest army and the third the largest fleet of ships. No one guild is powerful enough to dominate, but there is such animosity and distrust among them that any two forming an alliance is out of the question.
While Sela tries to convince Jon to accept his sister’s death and move on, a woman regains consciousness in the medical bay of a pirate ship in another part of the Reaches. It’s Erelah, who not only survived destroying the Regime vessel but somehow also moved forward in time. Before she can figure out how that happened, she must free herself and in doing so using her psychic ‘sight’ she forms a strange and debilitating link to the pirate’s captain. Together they flee the pirates and the book chronicles in turn the adventures of the two fugitive couples as they search for each other and larger answers.
As with the first book, background information is often provided in bits and pieces, from characters talking to each other or themselves. I personally like this approach over getting a data-dump, but it can be a bit confusing at times. Still, it feels more natural and really drew me into the story, which — unlike the first entry — ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I don’t mind because I was already looking forward to what happens next in this fun, exciting series.
Although it is my practice to avoid being unfair to future readers by revealing too much of the plot, this review does contain an unavoidable spoiler.
As Allies and Enemies: Rogues opens, ex-military officers Sela Tyron and Jon Veradin have taken their unapproved love affair on the run from the repressive and socially stratified Regime, finding refuge in a corner of space known as the Reaches. Their escape at the end of the first book came with what seemed to be a high price: Jon’s sister Erelah’s suicide mission to destroy a Regime ship using the j-drive, her own invention and a new form of rapid long-distance space travel.
Jon believes his sister is still alive, which hard-nosed bred-for-battle Sela sees as wishful thinking. They’re scraping by taking dangerous jobs of questionable legality, effectively stuck on the planet and the Reaches by not having enough to pay for either fuel or the toll to use a long-distance flex point. Three guilds control the Reaches in a power standoff: one guild controls the flex points, one has the largest army and the third the largest fleet of ships. No one guild is powerful enough to dominate, but there is such animosity and distrust among them that any two forming an alliance is out of the question.
While Sela tries to convince Jon to accept his sister’s death and move on, a woman regains consciousness in the medical bay of a pirate ship in another part of the Reaches. It’s Erelah, who not only survived destroying the Regime vessel but somehow also moved forward in time. Before she can figure out how that happened, she must free herself and in doing so using her psychic ‘sight’ she forms a strange and debilitating link to the pirate’s captain. Together they flee the pirates and the book chronicles in turn the adventures of the two fugitive couples as they search for each other and larger answers.
As with the first book, background information is often provided in bits and pieces, from characters talking to each other or themselves. I personally like this approach over getting a data-dump, but it can be a bit confusing at times. Still, it feels more natural and really drew me into the story, which — unlike the first entry — ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I don’t mind because I was already looking forward to what happens next in this fun, exciting series.
February 3, 2021
My rating doesn't completely reflect how I felt about the story or it's characters. I enjoyed the book. It is a great second volume and I will definitely be continuing the series. I still recommend the series to anyone who likes adventure, slightly militaristic, sci-fi.
At first, I wasn't too sure I liked the characters very much (it delves into two characters not fully explained/developed in the first book) but as their personalities, back stories, and motivations became more clear, I started to like them, and even sympathize with them, very much. That my relationship with a fictional character changed like that is a mark of good storytelling.
So, why only three stars? There were a few instances of obvious editing issues in sentence structure, including words left over from quicker edits, that could be fixed. (I recognized them because I've made those kinds of mistakes countless times, myself.) Not too many, and not enough to make we want to stop reading by any means. What really did it for me was that, as the book progressed, it felt rushed and like pieces of the story were missing.
Let me explain. There is a literary device used where the next sequence of events is set up and alluded to, but then the reader is rushed forward to the aftermath of those events. This is often employed when a main character of the book would not have witnessed the events, first hand and can create a certain amount of anxiety about what "actually happened." What you don't show is often as powerful, or more powerful, that what you do. Used judiciously, this can be a very effective way of telling a story. But this book is an ensemble piece. As the book started moving towards the end, it started happening more and more, often yanking me out of the flow of the story. I wanted the chance to read about the details of these events, as they were happening, because they were happening directly to central characters, characters I had grown to care about. Not being able to made me feel a bit cheated.
So, again, let me remind you, dear readers, I did enjoy the book. Amy Murphy is a great storyteller and I look forward to the rest of the series, and other book of hers. This entry just left me a little wanting.
At first, I wasn't too sure I liked the characters very much (it delves into two characters not fully explained/developed in the first book) but as their personalities, back stories, and motivations became more clear, I started to like them, and even sympathize with them, very much. That my relationship with a fictional character changed like that is a mark of good storytelling.
So, why only three stars? There were a few instances of obvious editing issues in sentence structure, including words left over from quicker edits, that could be fixed. (I recognized them because I've made those kinds of mistakes countless times, myself.) Not too many, and not enough to make we want to stop reading by any means. What really did it for me was that, as the book progressed, it felt rushed and like pieces of the story were missing.
Let me explain. There is a literary device used where the next sequence of events is set up and alluded to, but then the reader is rushed forward to the aftermath of those events. This is often employed when a main character of the book would not have witnessed the events, first hand and can create a certain amount of anxiety about what "actually happened." What you don't show is often as powerful, or more powerful, that what you do. Used judiciously, this can be a very effective way of telling a story. But this book is an ensemble piece. As the book started moving towards the end, it started happening more and more, often yanking me out of the flow of the story. I wanted the chance to read about the details of these events, as they were happening, because they were happening directly to central characters, characters I had grown to care about. Not being able to made me feel a bit cheated.
So, again, let me remind you, dear readers, I did enjoy the book. Amy Murphy is a great storyteller and I look forward to the rest of the series, and other book of hers. This entry just left me a little wanting.
July 2, 2018
As we start the second Allies and Enemies book, the action is following Erelah Veradin as she wakes up, surprised to be alive, and finds she is the captive of pirates led by Asher Korbyn, in the lawless Reaches. As the two become uneasy allies, they go from one adventure to another, all while Erelah hopes to find a way to reunite with her brother Jon and his partner/lover Sela Tyron. Her nemesis, Tristic, has managed to establish herself among the humans and uses them to search for “the one that got away,” which is Erelah. Meanwhile, it has been two years since Erelah disappeared and Jon and Sela believe her to be dead, although Jon still has some hope in his heart for his sister’s survival. They run into their own troubles, as they try to stay one step ahead of the Guilds and gangsters in the dangerous, unruly Reaches, far away from the law and order they’re used to. Of course nothing comes easy, and there will be more trouble for them all before their hopes are realized. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this great series, so I’m off to read the next book, Exiles.
March 25, 2017
In all actuality, you will want to begin reading the next book in the tumultuous "Allies and Enemies" series immediately after you catch your breath from book one! Amy J. Murphy continues to raise the bar in insightful colorful development of the main characters: Sela Tyron former Regime Commander, engineered for tactical mayhem: but tempered by her love and protective devotion of for now fellow outlaw and fugitive Jon Veradin ,her former Regime Captain. They are forced to retreat to the far flung Reaches to escape their death sentences imposed wrongfully by the Regime. In the no man's land of the Reaches enters the new daily challenges to survive worlds with barely breathable atmospheres, horrid weather conditions, populations of pirates, gangsters, swindlers, and bounty hunters, most all sociopaths using brutality and killing as entertainment.
Regal Erelah Veradin reeling from the impact of genetic and psychological damage inflicted by a monster, teeters between sanity vs. collapse into a vegetative state. Then events unfold that threaten Erelah's very life.
Wow, what a ride...........
Regal Erelah Veradin reeling from the impact of genetic and psychological damage inflicted by a monster, teeters between sanity vs. collapse into a vegetative state. Then events unfold that threaten Erelah's very life.
Wow, what a ride...........
September 6, 2020
Title: Allies and Enemies: Rogue
Author: Amy J. Murphy
Format: audio
Narrator: Erin Bateman
Genre: SciFi, space opera, military, action, adventure, suspense
Standalone: nope
Part of a Series: Book 2 of the Allies and Enemies series
POV: Multiple
Steam Level: some innuendo but nothing explicit
5/5
Allies and Enemies: Rogue is book 2 in the Allies and Enemies series. While reading the first book would be preferable, it’s not really necessary- you could easily follow along without being too lost. However, the cliffhanger at the end of Rogue is insane!!!! Told from multiple POVs the story converges and explodes. The action and adventure throughout keeps you guessing and gripping onto the edge of your seat. Amy J, Murphy has created an epic world where everything and nothing is as it seems. You dint know who to trust and who will turn on you. Fantastic story!
I received this audiobook for free from StoryOrigin. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Author: Amy J. Murphy
Format: audio
Narrator: Erin Bateman
Genre: SciFi, space opera, military, action, adventure, suspense
Standalone: nope
Part of a Series: Book 2 of the Allies and Enemies series
POV: Multiple
Steam Level: some innuendo but nothing explicit
5/5
Allies and Enemies: Rogue is book 2 in the Allies and Enemies series. While reading the first book would be preferable, it’s not really necessary- you could easily follow along without being too lost. However, the cliffhanger at the end of Rogue is insane!!!! Told from multiple POVs the story converges and explodes. The action and adventure throughout keeps you guessing and gripping onto the edge of your seat. Amy J, Murphy has created an epic world where everything and nothing is as it seems. You dint know who to trust and who will turn on you. Fantastic story!
I received this audiobook for free from StoryOrigin. This is my honest and voluntary review.
August 15, 2020
Another good listen. I enjoyed the story very much it was written well and followed a logical line. These poor folks can’t seem to catch a break but among the chaos they still find love. This is by no means a romance book it just barely touches on it. The characters are running all over space trying to find each other and pick up friends on the way. Some they are still trying to figure out if they can trust. I am sure everything will come right in the end. The narrator did a better job on this book you could feel the emotion in her voice and that is what I like. She seemed knowledgeable of the topics she was narrating so she took the time to become familiar before recording. I am looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from StoryOrigin for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from StoryOrigin for an honest review.
August 14, 2020
This Erelah heavy novel takes place two years after the end of the first novel.
It has more hard science then the first one and the author’s research is apparent. Humans feature much more prominently. Readers/Listeners are given more backstory and Murphy does a wonderful job world building.
The author does a good job filling the reader what happened in the two years, though it seems like no other characters developed any in the interim, except Erelah. I secretly hoped her powers would have grown more than they did.
A number of new characters are introduced, and I was saddened Broomhilda didn’t stick around as a friendly.
One thing that was confusing is the multiple names each character had.
It has more hard science then the first one and the author’s research is apparent. Humans feature much more prominently. Readers/Listeners are given more backstory and Murphy does a wonderful job world building.
The author does a good job filling the reader what happened in the two years, though it seems like no other characters developed any in the interim, except Erelah. I secretly hoped her powers would have grown more than they did.
A number of new characters are introduced, and I was saddened Broomhilda didn’t stick around as a friendly.
One thing that was confusing is the multiple names each character had.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2021
Good start, but story moved nowhere and ended with zero resolution
Decent worldbuilding, some good characters, unusual story elements, but full of reverse stereotypes. All the men are untrustworthy, or clueless, gullible, violent,failures, or think with their glands. The women are all smart, disciplined, and competent, even the bad girls and children, alien women are "more" than their male counterparts, and the deities are all feminine. Even with those faults I would have moved on to the third book, but the stereotypes became more glaring, the story made far less progress than the first while the price of the third book went up considerably. I'll pass. Book two added so little to the story you could skip from 1 to 3 and barely notice anything missing.
Decent worldbuilding, some good characters, unusual story elements, but full of reverse stereotypes. All the men are untrustworthy, or clueless, gullible, violent,failures, or think with their glands. The women are all smart, disciplined, and competent, even the bad girls and children, alien women are "more" than their male counterparts, and the deities are all feminine. Even with those faults I would have moved on to the third book, but the stereotypes became more glaring, the story made far less progress than the first while the price of the third book went up considerably. I'll pass. Book two added so little to the story you could skip from 1 to 3 and barely notice anything missing.
August 13, 2019
Nothing good happens
The author continues to have rich descriptions or surroundings and emotions of the main characters. I recognize this is just the second book in a series, but it wears a person out there isn't a ray of sunshine somewhere in the book. The ending of this points to more drudgery and the next one.
The author continues to have rich descriptions or surroundings and emotions of the main characters. I recognize this is just the second book in a series, but it wears a person out there isn't a ray of sunshine somewhere in the book. The ending of this points to more drudgery and the next one.
August 6, 2017
A very good sequel to Fallen with Erelah Veradin the center of attention.
September 3, 2016
I remember reading one of Amy J. Murphy's tweets in which she quite casually mentioned she had written 6,000 words on that particular day. It's not surprising, then, that the sequel to 'Allies and Enemies: Fallen' comes less than a year after the first book. Murphy's ability to put down vast amounts of words in one day by no means lessens the quality of her writing, however.
'Rogues' has been sitting on my reader for a while. I'm a busy person, with a hundred things going on at any one time, but I was having a peek at this book whenever the opportunity arose. Eventually, though, the story pulled me in and I found myself putting everything else on hold just so that I could sit and read it.
This space opera expands the universe Murphy created with the first book. As a writer, I know how difficult it is creating a dystopian world for your readers to immerse themselves in, there's so much to think about, from history to religion, but Murphy does this with ease. Roll on book three.
'Rogues' has been sitting on my reader for a while. I'm a busy person, with a hundred things going on at any one time, but I was having a peek at this book whenever the opportunity arose. Eventually, though, the story pulled me in and I found myself putting everything else on hold just so that I could sit and read it.
This space opera expands the universe Murphy created with the first book. As a writer, I know how difficult it is creating a dystopian world for your readers to immerse themselves in, there's so much to think about, from history to religion, but Murphy does this with ease. Roll on book three.
July 19, 2016
Rogues follows Erelah, Jon's sister, with just brief glimpses of Jon and Sela. There are some new and interesting characters as well as Erelah's old enemy in a new form. This one is really a middle book as it does not resolve anything. It does set up the action in the next book. I like the story line. Jon and Sela are great characters and Erelah adds another interesting character to keep the story going. There is the hint of a romance for Erelah. The relationship between Jon and Sela is still my favorite part of the books. Start with book one in the Allies and Enemies series for the most reading enjoyment.
May 2, 2016
After an exciting start to Allies and Enemies (Fallen), I was apprehensive about seeing the second volume. Making a splash as a debut author is one thing, evolving a complex story with characters the reader can continue to care about is quite another. Ms. Murphy has handled the sophomore jinx with grace and talent. Rogues keeps the action going, but it does so much more. We come to know Erelah to a depth we haven't seen anywhere else in the story so far. The richness and subtlety of her development is a real pleasure to read. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
May 25, 2016
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and so I was initially a little disappointed that this book didn't have a lot of Jon and Ty in it as I really wanted to find out more about their characters and see how things were going to develop from where the first book left off. Having said that, however, I think there is a more intricate plot unfolding and in this book we get introduced to a few new characters and get a better feel for the larger picture. I'm really looking forward to the next book. I'm interested to see where this story goes!
May 14, 2016
Fun read!
Not as much action in this as the first but more character development. I enjoyed this quite a bit and it was easier to get into than the first. The first introduced a new vocabulary that was like trying to translate a teenagers text speak and that was a little annoying but overall this series is very enjoyable. Looking forward to the next one.
Not as much action in this as the first but more character development. I enjoyed this quite a bit and it was easier to get into than the first. The first introduced a new vocabulary that was like trying to translate a teenagers text speak and that was a little annoying but overall this series is very enjoyable. Looking forward to the next one.
December 17, 2016
Book 3 Must Be 3x As Good As Was Book 2
Took somewhat longer to get through than the first Book, but was never boring. Found the ʻReachesʻ of Space an attractive story-feature in our ever crowded-yet-fast-and eventually-constipated planet.
Took somewhat longer to get through than the first Book, but was never boring. Found the ʻReachesʻ of Space an attractive story-feature in our ever crowded-yet-fast-and eventually-constipated planet.
March 25, 2017
Space opera with military space action. I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews