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Necrospace #4
Ghost Faction
During an apocalyptic battle against murderous machines and hardened soldiers a lone salvage marine turns the tide with a devastating counter attack. Having revealed herself as a consummate warrior, Jada Sek is welcomed into the ranks of the Dire Swords, an elite fighting force loyal only to the contract.
As the other marines return to their salvage duties Jada and her new comrades, each as haunted by the ghosts of their past as she is, plunge yet further into necrospace. They are repeatedly deployed to disrupt and destroy the endeavors of corporate competitors, and along the way discover that the enigma of the machine race is more sinister and complex than any imagined.
Surrounded by the specters of an ancient holocaust and forced to face her inner conflict, Jada must make a choice. When the money ceases to matter, when surviving loses its significance, and the thrill of taking the fight right into the teeth of the enemy seems like the only truth left in this scrapyard of a universe, it is time to let the marine die so that the mercenary can be born.
As the other marines return to their salvage duties Jada and her new comrades, each as haunted by the ghosts of their past as she is, plunge yet further into necrospace. They are repeatedly deployed to disrupt and destroy the endeavors of corporate competitors, and along the way discover that the enigma of the machine race is more sinister and complex than any imagined.
Surrounded by the specters of an ancient holocaust and forced to face her inner conflict, Jada must make a choice. When the money ceases to matter, when surviving loses its significance, and the thrill of taking the fight right into the teeth of the enemy seems like the only truth left in this scrapyard of a universe, it is time to let the marine die so that the mercenary can be born.
- GenresScience Fiction
149 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2016
54 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Sean-Michael Argo
65 books43 followersSean-Michael Argo is an author and independent film producer from the backwood swamps of Arkansas. He writes the kinds of books he likes to read and makes the kinds of movies he likes to watch, so his expanding body of work is a testament to his love of gritty urban fantasy, epic tales of swords & sorcery, horror movies, and the post-apocalyptic wasteland. His films are available on Amazon and presented by Dark Roast Releasing. He spends his time traveling the country for work, making art, and raising his son.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 27, 2018
('Format : Audiobook )
"We fight as though dead."
Having proved herself an exceptional fighter, Jada Sec is offered the chance to win the elite Dire Swords, better paid then the Reapers and loyal only to each other and the contract. But first she would have to survive the transformation, facing fears and unknowable pain which will never go away. If she makes it through, she will be bigger and stronger, living only for endless battle.
Not having read the previous books set in the terrible future world of Necrospace, where Corporations and the elites hold almost everyone in life debtsn, a form of slavery, and initially I struggled to make sense of the story: it is definitely advisable to be familiar with the situation to become fully involved. However, once settled in, this novella of non stop.action, moving from location to new fighting location, developed a fascinating appeal combined with a deep desire to see the new team member of the Dire Swords survive against all the odds.
This transition was aided enormously by the narration of Stephanie Rose. The action is fast and so is the reading, the pleasant sounding voice suffused with excitement and emotion to match the text, the characters individually voiced.
Definitely a book to please action addicts. My thanks to the rights holder for gifting me a complimentary copy of Ghost Faction, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. But read the other books first...
"We fight as though dead."
Having proved herself an exceptional fighter, Jada Sec is offered the chance to win the elite Dire Swords, better paid then the Reapers and loyal only to each other and the contract. But first she would have to survive the transformation, facing fears and unknowable pain which will never go away. If she makes it through, she will be bigger and stronger, living only for endless battle.
Not having read the previous books set in the terrible future world of Necrospace, where Corporations and the elites hold almost everyone in life debtsn, a form of slavery, and initially I struggled to make sense of the story: it is definitely advisable to be familiar with the situation to become fully involved. However, once settled in, this novella of non stop.action, moving from location to new fighting location, developed a fascinating appeal combined with a deep desire to see the new team member of the Dire Swords survive against all the odds.
This transition was aided enormously by the narration of Stephanie Rose. The action is fast and so is the reading, the pleasant sounding voice suffused with excitement and emotion to match the text, the characters individually voiced.
Definitely a book to please action addicts. My thanks to the rights holder for gifting me a complimentary copy of Ghost Faction, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. But read the other books first...
April 27, 2017
Jada Sek is a Reaper who is a breed apart from the others in Tango or any other squad she served in. As a Reaper she is tasked with fighting and securing/processing salvage for her corporation. What Jada Sek excels in is beating the odds and making the mission succeed. She if fearless, nearly unkillable and is a machine.
It is good that she is a machine because the alien intelligences that run the machine creatures her fellows and her come across are hard fighting kills indeed. Jada does so well that she is asked to join the Dire Swords, and elite mercenary unit, fighting for the highest coin and making much more money than a Reaper does, though as with all things, the cost for acceptance and the surgeries, gene therapies and augmentation she goes through are super expensive. What the result is begins with a new Jada Sek, trying out a new body, a weapon itself. She is larger, stronger and faster. She is trained in a new kind of warfare and takes to it like a fish to water. There are mistakes made and situations cause problems, but Jada Sek is able and ready to deal with all these things. She is indeed a hammer where it is needed.
This is the fourth book in the Necrospace series and it details a character pulled from the other books. The Reapers are mentioned little here and this is the story of one who moves on to become an elite amongst warriors.
I like that this is a book featuring a strong female hero. She is awesome and this book really goes into detail, bringing the world Mr. Argo has detailed to the readers, to the fore. The more he writes and opens up aspects about Necrospace and the worlds, life debts and desperation of the common man in a time of greedy corporations, and the small victories that humanity can still achieve, the more i like it. My only problem is that I have caught up with what he has written and now I am left with but one other of his books to read. I think I will collect Space Marine Ajax slowly and hope that Mr. Argo gets the fifth Necrospace book done soon!
These are indeed Goodreads!
Danny
It is good that she is a machine because the alien intelligences that run the machine creatures her fellows and her come across are hard fighting kills indeed. Jada does so well that she is asked to join the Dire Swords, and elite mercenary unit, fighting for the highest coin and making much more money than a Reaper does, though as with all things, the cost for acceptance and the surgeries, gene therapies and augmentation she goes through are super expensive. What the result is begins with a new Jada Sek, trying out a new body, a weapon itself. She is larger, stronger and faster. She is trained in a new kind of warfare and takes to it like a fish to water. There are mistakes made and situations cause problems, but Jada Sek is able and ready to deal with all these things. She is indeed a hammer where it is needed.
This is the fourth book in the Necrospace series and it details a character pulled from the other books. The Reapers are mentioned little here and this is the story of one who moves on to become an elite amongst warriors.
I like that this is a book featuring a strong female hero. She is awesome and this book really goes into detail, bringing the world Mr. Argo has detailed to the readers, to the fore. The more he writes and opens up aspects about Necrospace and the worlds, life debts and desperation of the common man in a time of greedy corporations, and the small victories that humanity can still achieve, the more i like it. My only problem is that I have caught up with what he has written and now I am left with but one other of his books to read. I think I will collect Space Marine Ajax slowly and hope that Mr. Argo gets the fifth Necrospace book done soon!
These are indeed Goodreads!
Danny
February 9, 2017
Sloppy, Poorly Written Novella
Mr. Sean-Michael Argo, the author of "Ghost Faction," apparently has taken back stories and/or story concepts from his "Necrospace" series, and ineptly hobbled them together in a sloppy, poorly written novella. The initial potential entertainment value of Books 1 and 2, has fully disappeared in Book 3 and this novella, Book 4.
The author does not edit or proofread his writing, leading to numerous flaws and failures. The novella is filled with needless repetition, annoying use of certain words ("thankfully," "but," "though," "yet," are just a few), and grandiose prose. The story takes place far in the future, highly technologically advanced, and Mr. Argo has "rpg's," and "bullets," as central core elements. It is not just badly written, exhibiting a lack of basic writing skill and talent, it is just plain dumb.
"Ghost Faction," is not recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
Mr. Sean-Michael Argo, the author of "Ghost Faction," apparently has taken back stories and/or story concepts from his "Necrospace" series, and ineptly hobbled them together in a sloppy, poorly written novella. The initial potential entertainment value of Books 1 and 2, has fully disappeared in Book 3 and this novella, Book 4.
The author does not edit or proofread his writing, leading to numerous flaws and failures. The novella is filled with needless repetition, annoying use of certain words ("thankfully," "but," "though," "yet," are just a few), and grandiose prose. The story takes place far in the future, highly technologically advanced, and Mr. Argo has "rpg's," and "bullets," as central core elements. It is not just badly written, exhibiting a lack of basic writing skill and talent, it is just plain dumb.
"Ghost Faction," is not recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
October 23, 2025
This is a short book and I’m not sure I will be finishing this series. The stories are good, but it appears that each book might be just the story of single individual raised in the corporate universe. This one does continue with Jada Sek, a former combat veteran of Tango Platoon and the Reapers. She has separated herself from the Reapers and now is joining the Merchants Militant.
While she fought alongside the Merchants Militant before, she was always in awe of their absolute power and command of the battlefield. Now she was set to join the Dire Swords and become one of them no matter what it takes. She is very fit by Reaper standards. She knows the business of fighting but she’s always had to put up with poor equipment and the dual mission of being a salvage marine once the fighting was over. That’s all about to change.
Joining the Dire Swords isn’t just a matter of showing up and asking to join. No you have to have been recognized by one of the Dire Swords in battle from which they would issue you a coin. That coin came with it the opportunity to someday join them, because one of them had thought you might have what it takes to be a Dire Sword. But now Jada is finding out way these Merchants Militants are always so tremendously larger than normal humans. They undergo an injection that transforms their body into fighting machines.
She does find out that taking the serum comes with a cost. It’s going to be painful, oh, so painful that most do not make it through alive! Her body will literally be torn apart and rebuilt into a mass of muscles and super strong bones. Her mind will also be tested since the serum will bring back her worst nightmares. Those currently involve her time on Vorhold and in the depths of the dark pits where she lost her love, George Tuck. The Stalker had taken her captive and George had come to rescue her which he did but at the cost of his own life. Now she had to live through all that terror again and again until the serum she had taken to become a Dire Sword worked its magic.
And eventually it does. She has been strapped down and fed a year’s worth of nutrients and calories to make the rapid increase in body mass possible. This gene therapy is expensive so the Dire Swords don’t just give it to anyone. No you have to have already proven that you are of strong body and mind though previous battles alongside the Dire Swords or other Merchants Militant (mercenaries). Jada believes she’s been on the “rack”, strapped down for a year when it’s only taken one night so far and now she was looking at spending another six weeks going through a torturous process that ninety-six percent don’t live through.
Then she was done with the rack. Now her real training began. She had a new, rebuilt body that she needed to learn how to control. What used to come naturally to her was now going to be something different. She was vastly stronger and faster than before. She was also seven-foot tall and a mountain of muscles that were still going to be growing as she began her training. Yet, Jada already felt that nothing could possibly hurt her now. She was going to be the best Dire Sword there ever was and she would prove it to all the others in battle.
She also learned that she was going to be paid much, much more than she ever had been as a Reaper. Yet, the money she made didn’t have a purpose. Everything she needed was provided by the Merchants Militant and there was nothing she wanted to do be go on the next mission. And that was to become the focus of her new life. The next mission. All that mattered was when and where the next mission was to take them and when it was done, they would be paid. They had no loyalty to any corporation, no life-debt, and no need to worry about anything other than the next mission.
So, this is Jada Sek’s story. She has to bury a lot of cumbersome baggage she brings with her from the Reapers, but this is her new life and that’s how she wants it. The next book in this series, “Carrion Duty”, will probably be about someone else under the corporate thumb. I might continue reading, but I’m not sure right now.
==[Note: As of 12/03/2023, this will not be published on Amazon since I have been banned from posting reviews for some unknown reason. Once the ban is lifted, assuming it does get lifted, I’ll go back and post this to Amazon.]==
While she fought alongside the Merchants Militant before, she was always in awe of their absolute power and command of the battlefield. Now she was set to join the Dire Swords and become one of them no matter what it takes. She is very fit by Reaper standards. She knows the business of fighting but she’s always had to put up with poor equipment and the dual mission of being a salvage marine once the fighting was over. That’s all about to change.
Joining the Dire Swords isn’t just a matter of showing up and asking to join. No you have to have been recognized by one of the Dire Swords in battle from which they would issue you a coin. That coin came with it the opportunity to someday join them, because one of them had thought you might have what it takes to be a Dire Sword. But now Jada is finding out way these Merchants Militants are always so tremendously larger than normal humans. They undergo an injection that transforms their body into fighting machines.
She does find out that taking the serum comes with a cost. It’s going to be painful, oh, so painful that most do not make it through alive! Her body will literally be torn apart and rebuilt into a mass of muscles and super strong bones. Her mind will also be tested since the serum will bring back her worst nightmares. Those currently involve her time on Vorhold and in the depths of the dark pits where she lost her love, George Tuck. The Stalker had taken her captive and George had come to rescue her which he did but at the cost of his own life. Now she had to live through all that terror again and again until the serum she had taken to become a Dire Sword worked its magic.
And eventually it does. She has been strapped down and fed a year’s worth of nutrients and calories to make the rapid increase in body mass possible. This gene therapy is expensive so the Dire Swords don’t just give it to anyone. No you have to have already proven that you are of strong body and mind though previous battles alongside the Dire Swords or other Merchants Militant (mercenaries). Jada believes she’s been on the “rack”, strapped down for a year when it’s only taken one night so far and now she was looking at spending another six weeks going through a torturous process that ninety-six percent don’t live through.
Then she was done with the rack. Now her real training began. She had a new, rebuilt body that she needed to learn how to control. What used to come naturally to her was now going to be something different. She was vastly stronger and faster than before. She was also seven-foot tall and a mountain of muscles that were still going to be growing as she began her training. Yet, Jada already felt that nothing could possibly hurt her now. She was going to be the best Dire Sword there ever was and she would prove it to all the others in battle.
She also learned that she was going to be paid much, much more than she ever had been as a Reaper. Yet, the money she made didn’t have a purpose. Everything she needed was provided by the Merchants Militant and there was nothing she wanted to do be go on the next mission. And that was to become the focus of her new life. The next mission. All that mattered was when and where the next mission was to take them and when it was done, they would be paid. They had no loyalty to any corporation, no life-debt, and no need to worry about anything other than the next mission.
So, this is Jada Sek’s story. She has to bury a lot of cumbersome baggage she brings with her from the Reapers, but this is her new life and that’s how she wants it. The next book in this series, “Carrion Duty”, will probably be about someone else under the corporate thumb. I might continue reading, but I’m not sure right now.
==[Note: As of 12/03/2023, this will not be published on Amazon since I have been banned from posting reviews for some unknown reason. Once the ban is lifted, assuming it does get lifted, I’ll go back and post this to Amazon.]==
March 25, 2021
First of all, let me just say that this was so close to a four star rating but I just couldn't give it for one reason - which will be discussed at the end.
Jada Sek, ex-Salvage Marine and now full time Dire Sword takes centre stage in this book based in the Necrospace universe, but not directly following on from the previous three books.
Saying that because the focus is one of our old friends from the Salvage Marines, there are echoes of the first three stories that effect Jada's thoughts and actions. She has earned enough coins and respect to leave the Salvage Marines and go through the painful(both physical and mental) transformation into a Dire Sword.
She is joined by a new team, Womack, the Leader, Poe, Jada's battle buddy, Berg, Ranec, Strega and Mors. A whole new set of meat for the Necrospace grinder.
The story continues with the Dire Swords being paid to disrupt Helion influence in that sector and also on the Tomb Worlds and leads us in the same way the Salvage Marines did, but with bigger muscles, guns and foes.
As always, it is a fast paced, violent military ride. Enjoyable as you follow the characters from one raid to the next.
It fell down for me, right at the end. Jada, still haunted by the events on Vorhold, which are always hinted at but never gone into the true nastiness(which I'm pretty thankful for to be honest), returns to set her ghosts to rest (SPOILERS - STOP READING!).
But, does s@d all, except leave a ring and her hair behind. Symbolic it may be but out of step with the rest of the book, it certainly is. Let, the poor marine, go down into the underworld and kick some serious behind at least!
Jada Sek, ex-Salvage Marine and now full time Dire Sword takes centre stage in this book based in the Necrospace universe, but not directly following on from the previous three books.
Saying that because the focus is one of our old friends from the Salvage Marines, there are echoes of the first three stories that effect Jada's thoughts and actions. She has earned enough coins and respect to leave the Salvage Marines and go through the painful(both physical and mental) transformation into a Dire Sword.
She is joined by a new team, Womack, the Leader, Poe, Jada's battle buddy, Berg, Ranec, Strega and Mors. A whole new set of meat for the Necrospace grinder.
The story continues with the Dire Swords being paid to disrupt Helion influence in that sector and also on the Tomb Worlds and leads us in the same way the Salvage Marines did, but with bigger muscles, guns and foes.
As always, it is a fast paced, violent military ride. Enjoyable as you follow the characters from one raid to the next.
It fell down for me, right at the end. Jada, still haunted by the events on Vorhold, which are always hinted at but never gone into the true nastiness(which I'm pretty thankful for to be honest), returns to set her ghosts to rest (SPOILERS - STOP READING!).
But, does s@d all, except leave a ring and her hair behind. Symbolic it may be but out of step with the rest of the book, it certainly is. Let, the poor marine, go down into the underworld and kick some serious behind at least!
October 18, 2018
Good. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Until I started it, I had forgotten that I was interested in the merchants militant angle. It's good that we got to see that, even if we had to switch protagonists because it didn't make sense for the direction of the original story. I wonder how much time has passed for her since she's been enhanced. It seems that this story was written from her perspective in a sort of continuous present, somewhat like one of the books in the Culture Series with the eternal warrior.
Read
December 4, 2021I listened to the audiobook, listed to the first few chapters, then just stop once it concentrates on the female reaper joining the guild.
It has some bonus sex scene cringe built into it. It's just terrible, wish I would have stopped at book 3. I'm afraid to even give book 5 a try this was so bad.
It has some bonus sex scene cringe built into it. It's just terrible, wish I would have stopped at book 3. I'm afraid to even give book 5 a try this was so bad.
July 21, 2025
Unfortunately not as good as the previous three books that had Sam Hyst as MC; this one was just a long chaotic shoot-em-up with some repetitive existential musings of Jade rammed in between the action. Hope the next one’s better
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews