What do you think?


Fallen Empire #1.5
Saranth Three
A quick stop to drop off some refugees before heading to Perun turns into far more of an adventure than Alisa and her crew planned...
If you sign up for the author's Fallen Empire newsletter, you will receive “Saranth Three” for free.
If you sign up for the author's Fallen Empire newsletter, you will receive “Saranth Three” for free.
47 pages, ebook
First published May 27, 2016
About the author
Lindsay Buroker
204 books6,481 followersI'm a full-time indie fantasy and science fiction author. When I'm not writing, I'm ferrying my dogs to hiking trails for adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 2, 2016
covering the action between book 1 and 2; the storyline of the series works better at novel length though
January 31, 2018
Exactly what I expected, but not any boring because of that. Although I wished for an easy and relaxed story involving little to no action, I did get gunfire and fighting, which wasn't unwelcome and, let's be honest, it made things more interesting.
It's a short piece meant for fans of the saga rather than standalone reading, so go read Star Nomad first.
I'll admit there was an instance that disappointed me, but it's out of personal preference. The ships, you understand.
It's a short piece meant for fans of the saga rather than standalone reading, so go read Star Nomad first.
I'll admit there was an instance that disappointed me, but it's out of personal preference. The ships, you understand.
August 22, 2021
Didn't care much for this, it added nothing to the series. Shame.
June 20, 2016
For a short story, we got a decidedly nuanced look at how sometimes doing the thing we believe to be right isn't the path that's best for everyone. Alisa is getting an up-close look at how the fall of the Empire has caused ripples in the very fabric of society. The Star Nomad's stopover at the space station drives home that the system from before might have been flawed, but it did maintain order that has since been abandoned.
I do enjoy Leonidas and Alisa working together. In my head, despite the grim situation they found aboard the space station, he's starting to enjoy her inappropriate quips and the way she snarks at him the same way she snarks at the rest of her crew.
Book 2 is looking mighty appealing right now.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
I do enjoy Leonidas and Alisa working together. In my head, despite the grim situation they found aboard the space station, he's starting to enjoy her inappropriate quips and the way she snarks at him the same way she snarks at the rest of her crew.
Book 2 is looking mighty appealing right now.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
January 15, 2018
Alisa is finally getting those rose tinted glasses off.
April 28, 2018
An imperfect ruse
promising people chickens
I'd be pissed off too.
promising people chickens
I'd be pissed off too.
June 8, 2016
Yay for free stuff! Following the events of Star Nomad, Alisa and her crew have arrived at the space station Saranth Three where she intends to drop of the group of miners they freed from imprisonment by pirates. Of course, things never go as smoothly as planned and our heroes are promptly greeted by being shot at...
Fun, action and another look at just how much things have fallen apart in this universe following the defeat of the Empire - a great quick read leaving me even more excited to get started on book two.
Fun, action and another look at just how much things have fallen apart in this universe following the defeat of the Empire - a great quick read leaving me even more excited to get started on book two.
April 8, 2018
I thought book two picked up immediately after book one but I missed this gem of a short story. You’ll need to sign up to the author’s email list for the series and you get to enjoy some short stories set in the series. Neat idea! Good short story too.
August 25, 2018
another terrific series by Lindsay Buroker!
this one will rank as number 2 in my love of her series and characters.
buy the books! read the books! love the books!
the main characters, Alisa and Leonidas, remind me sooooooooooooo very much of Armanthe and Sicarious from The Emperor's Edge Collection
first the women
both women's name start with an A (wish they didn't. since they are so similar, it's a lil confusing.)
both women are tall and can fight and are the leaders of their ragtag bunch
both are witty but Alisa is funnier. she has made me LOL so very many times (and i am on book 6)
both women are attracted to men who are lethal killing machines and none of the crew or eveyday folks they meet gets why that is
both wore uniforms- Alisa- military, Armanthe - local law enforcement
both come up with crazy schemes to get out of hairy situations or to fulfill their missions
both prefer not to kill on their missions or in self defense but will do so when necessary
both have staff that they are paying with hopes & dreams and sometimes money.
the men are similar as well
both are extraordinary and not like normal men
both have lethal fighting and killing skills that the average man cannot defend against
both don't express feelings very well
both are hated and feared by the majority of the population because of what they did by order of their king/emperor
both have looks that make them stand out in a crowd
both are very smart as well in other areas not just fighting, combat, killing, and war strategy.
both soften up and trade barbs with the women and come to care about them
both have this honorable streak to do whatever is necessary to help their kingdom, empire and the young boy emperor/king
both train the rest of the team
similarities in the plots
both have a government that is in turmoil and restarting
both have magicians/psychics with powers like telepathy and telekinesis, that are feared/hated by the mundane folks (she calls them mundanes in both worlds. also it a lil confusing at times)
both keep getting into trouble with all members of the various factions fighting for control of the government even though they don't mean to
both have a team of folks with various skillz that are need for their adventures
both have folks on their team wanted by gang/mafia
both have folks on their team that can cook really well
both have folks wanted by local governments
both never really get a rest from the fighting, scheming, or running away from folks trying to kill them
both make jokes even when they are in the midst of battle
both have favor with the enemy and are let go when they should be arrested or captured or killed
both are VERY lucky and escape many times by the skin of their teeth thanks to some other event that happens at the same time
both have a young heir to the throne
both remind me very much of some of my favorite tv shows which just so happen to be someof lindsay's favorite tv shows like macgyver, stargate sg-1, a-team, BSG, star trek NG, star wars, Firefly (esp firefly cuz space and old ship and rebels and war and snotty doctor and well like so much) etc.
both convinced me to buy more books.
i mean, i didn't even use my gift card to buy the anthologies (Beyond the Stars: New Worlds, New Suns: A Space Opera Anthology andYou Are Here - Tales of Cartographic Wonders) with short stories related to this series or the trilogy that continues this series with the kids as the MC's (The Rogue Prince,Angle of Truth,Stolen Legacy)!!!!
this series also reminds me of the chains of honor series in that both have some things that are in the plot that make me roll my eyes. either a character's inner monologue is way too immature and doesn't match up with how they have acted previously. or characters do something stupid when they have been brilliant in the rest of the story. or they don't fully utilize their lethal men and magician/psychic which would help them avoid major trouble. but like with chains of honor the rest of the story and characters are enjoyable enough to over look these things and continue on reading. cuz they are FUN!
buy the books! read the books! love the books!
this one will rank as number 2 in my love of her series and characters.
buy the books! read the books! love the books!
the main characters, Alisa and Leonidas, remind me sooooooooooooo very much of Armanthe and Sicarious from The Emperor's Edge Collection
first the women
both women's name start with an A (wish they didn't. since they are so similar, it's a lil confusing.)
both women are tall and can fight and are the leaders of their ragtag bunch
both are witty but Alisa is funnier. she has made me LOL so very many times (and i am on book 6)
both women are attracted to men who are lethal killing machines and none of the crew or eveyday folks they meet gets why that is
both wore uniforms- Alisa- military, Armanthe - local law enforcement
both come up with crazy schemes to get out of hairy situations or to fulfill their missions
both prefer not to kill on their missions or in self defense but will do so when necessary
both have staff that they are paying with hopes & dreams and sometimes money.
the men are similar as well
both are extraordinary and not like normal men
both have lethal fighting and killing skills that the average man cannot defend against
both don't express feelings very well
both are hated and feared by the majority of the population because of what they did by order of their king/emperor
both have looks that make them stand out in a crowd
both are very smart as well in other areas not just fighting, combat, killing, and war strategy.
both soften up and trade barbs with the women and come to care about them
both have this honorable streak to do whatever is necessary to help their kingdom, empire and the young boy emperor/king
both train the rest of the team
similarities in the plots
both have a government that is in turmoil and restarting
both have magicians/psychics with powers like telepathy and telekinesis, that are feared/hated by the mundane folks (she calls them mundanes in both worlds. also it a lil confusing at times)
both keep getting into trouble with all members of the various factions fighting for control of the government even though they don't mean to
both have a team of folks with various skillz that are need for their adventures
both have folks on their team wanted by gang/mafia
both have folks on their team that can cook really well
both have folks wanted by local governments
both never really get a rest from the fighting, scheming, or running away from folks trying to kill them
both make jokes even when they are in the midst of battle
both have favor with the enemy and are let go when they should be arrested or captured or killed
both are VERY lucky and escape many times by the skin of their teeth thanks to some other event that happens at the same time
both have a young heir to the throne
both remind me very much of some of my favorite tv shows which just so happen to be someof lindsay's favorite tv shows like macgyver, stargate sg-1, a-team, BSG, star trek NG, star wars, Firefly (esp firefly cuz space and old ship and rebels and war and snotty doctor and well like so much) etc.
both convinced me to buy more books.
i mean, i didn't even use my gift card to buy the anthologies (Beyond the Stars: New Worlds, New Suns: A Space Opera Anthology andYou Are Here - Tales of Cartographic Wonders) with short stories related to this series or the trilogy that continues this series with the kids as the MC's (The Rogue Prince,Angle of Truth,Stolen Legacy)!!!!
this series also reminds me of the chains of honor series in that both have some things that are in the plot that make me roll my eyes. either a character's inner monologue is way too immature and doesn't match up with how they have acted previously. or characters do something stupid when they have been brilliant in the rest of the story. or they don't fully utilize their lethal men and magician/psychic which would help them avoid major trouble. but like with chains of honor the rest of the story and characters are enjoyable enough to over look these things and continue on reading. cuz they are FUN!
buy the books! read the books! love the books!
November 9, 2023
Great story.
The ship Star Nomad is coming in for resupply and to drop off refugees, but the response they get from space station Saranth Three seems odd. They refuse to allow them to dock... a temporary emergency. But with supplies running low and too many people onboard, Star Nomad must at least resupply with water, so Saranth Three agrees to give them water in exchange for 200 chickens. Star Nomad has only 10 chickens, but they really need the water. As they board the space station, they find there is more wrong than they thought.
Any problems with this story? It feels more like a chapter from a longer novel, but enough background is provided so that it is reasonably complete.
Any modesty issues? I know that the previous novel "Star Nomad" used the S-word and F-word occasionally, but I don't recall them being used in this audiobook. I could be mistaken.
The ending was just a stop to the story. It wasn't really a short story ending which usually wraps things up quickly with a flourish.
Overall, I really liked this story. I liked the characters and hoped they could make it through the universe of chaos they found themselves in.
I'd like to read this short story again some day.
The ship Star Nomad is coming in for resupply and to drop off refugees, but the response they get from space station Saranth Three seems odd. They refuse to allow them to dock... a temporary emergency. But with supplies running low and too many people onboard, Star Nomad must at least resupply with water, so Saranth Three agrees to give them water in exchange for 200 chickens. Star Nomad has only 10 chickens, but they really need the water. As they board the space station, they find there is more wrong than they thought.
Any problems with this story? It feels more like a chapter from a longer novel, but enough background is provided so that it is reasonably complete.
Any modesty issues? I know that the previous novel "Star Nomad" used the S-word and F-word occasionally, but I don't recall them being used in this audiobook. I could be mistaken.
The ending was just a stop to the story. It wasn't really a short story ending which usually wraps things up quickly with a flourish.
Overall, I really liked this story. I liked the characters and hoped they could make it through the universe of chaos they found themselves in.
I'd like to read this short story again some day.
January 29, 2022
3.5 stars.
A short story on Alisa and her gang getting more than they bargain for when trying to stop off at the Saranth Three space station to offload her refugees and get some much needed water.
I'm starting to get the impression that Alisa is going to be one of those characters that seems to always attract trouble and then tries to finagle her way out à la Han Solo with the help of our Cyborg hero Leonidas.
A short story on Alisa and her gang getting more than they bargain for when trying to stop off at the Saranth Three space station to offload her refugees and get some much needed water.
I'm starting to get the impression that Alisa is going to be one of those characters that seems to always attract trouble and then tries to finagle her way out à la Han Solo with the help of our Cyborg hero Leonidas.
October 1, 2018
I should have read this when I first finished Star Nomad, but I just got it now after reading Relic of Sorrows. It's hard to go back to the armed truce situation between Leonidas and Alisa, when they are further along in their friendship now. Still, it's a nice bit of extra story between books 1 and 2.
July 8, 2023
It’s ok. The captain (Alicia) seems a little ridiculous in this short story…basically making decisions that the colonel would have to implement. Add in that she doesn’t seem to focus on a plan…and runs off wily nilly I’m beginning to worry about her intelligence
Doesn’t have a value add to the series so can be skipped which is what I recommend
Doesn’t have a value add to the series so can be skipped which is what I recommend
January 15, 2021
As captain, Alisa wants to get rid of the refugees on her starship and so she stops at a spacestation. It seems that ordinary rule doesn't apply.
Can she drop off the people even though something appears wrong?
Can she drop off the people even though something appears wrong?
June 8, 2017
great short story that makes me want to grab and read the next book in the series
It had an interesting set-up for sure.
It had an interesting set-up for sure.
August 17, 2017
Very good short story.
September 18, 2017
Alisa gets a close-up of how the fall of the Empire looks to others.
December 22, 2017
What does it take to make me love this series? Well, that would be listening to Kate Reading breath life into the characters...
April 25, 2018
This one is a nice, quick adventure where the rag-tag crew and passengers of the Nomad come up against their first challenge. 4/5 on Goodreads.
April 10, 2019
Once again I have found a good book in this story. I found it hard to put it down until the end. I can not wait to see what happens next. copy.
December 5, 2019
I love, love this series and I love, love, love Alisa and Leonidas together. This is a series I will return to over and over.
March 19, 2020
Well written and it's free?
Sign me up!!!
Sign me up!!!
June 15, 2020
A very good follow up in the Fallen Empire series. The characters continue as originally developed. There is action, adventure and new places to visit.
Still have the chickens, which seems nice.
Still have the chickens, which seems nice.
June 4, 2022
Had trouble remaining engaged with this one. It read a bit like an action outtake from one of the books. Something that maybe got trimmed for word count.
June 26, 2022
A novella covering what happens when Captain Marchenko tries to help prisoners find a place to go after escaping the mining ship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2022
Short tale. Dropping off the refugee miners and getting supplies should have been a short stop … should have been.
October 15, 2022
Nice development of characters. Part mystery, but mostly adventure.
November 26, 2022
33. Did just what it was intended to do. I am eagerly looking for the books in the same world. I especially liked the cyborg. Recommended to the normal crew.
February 8, 2023
OK story, Wish I had read it in the order but I'm not sure what if added anything to it anyway. Only now able to go back and catch up on the missing books in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews























