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Twenty Sectors (Arcturus 5) #1
Two Souls
Something dark is on the horizon and humanity is unprepared.
Admiral Drake Lokenmran is a hero having led the human fleet to victory against the Shani, but today’s hero can quickly become tomorrow’s scapegoat. When three freighters vanish in the Null Zone, the blame falls squarely on Drake’s shoulders. He must discover who’s responsible and stop them before more ships are lost. Are the Shani retaliating for the loss of their colonies? Is it pirates paid to target human ships? Or could it be something far more sinister?
Admiral Drake Lokenmran is a hero having led the human fleet to victory against the Shani, but today’s hero can quickly become tomorrow’s scapegoat. When three freighters vanish in the Null Zone, the blame falls squarely on Drake’s shoulders. He must discover who’s responsible and stop them before more ships are lost. Are the Shani retaliating for the loss of their colonies? Is it pirates paid to target human ships? Or could it be something far more sinister?
- GenresScience Fiction
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2016
7 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
D.L. Dunbar
4 books2 followersDL Dunbar (writing fantasy as Debra Dunbar) grew up reading sci-fi and watching Logan’s Run, Battlestar Galactica, Alien, and Blade Runner. As a kid, she and her friends would act out Star Trek episodes in the basement where Captain Jennifer T. Kirk saved the day (sorry William Shatner). She lives in a little house in the woods, and every now and then slaps on a Kansas vinyl LP, stares up at the night sky, and wonders what’s out there.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 9, 2016
Those who know me, or have read my reviews, know that I tend to give Debra Dunbar's novels high scores. Really high scores. For some reason though, this book sat on my the shelf a long time. Truth be told, I didn't even finish the prequel novella that was released earlier this year in an an anthology called Star Rebels. (I'm off to read it as soon as I wrap up this review.) As for Two Souls; I attempted to read it twice, and DNF'ed it twice. There was something about the overly complicated human titles that threw me.
Well, shame on me!
Once I got past the first 10-15 % percent, I found myself totally immersed in the story of Earth's distant - and extremely dystopian - future. Debra says she's a fan of Star Trek; a very idealized future. Well, this Earth is no such thing. It's run-down, unable to support its own population and has therefore established colonies in sectors 19-20. Oh, and did I mention that the population is created in Nurseries? That's right, family units are a thing of he past. Prospective (single) parents order children and receive donated DNA to create their offspring. If you're high enough in the pecking order, you can even decide the genetic traits you want your children to inherit.
As the third son of Sol, essentially the imperial heir's spare's spare, prince Drake's DNA was hand picked to fit the role of an admiral, though he feels just as home with the people of his best friend Gyan, who are Harmonists (terra formers/farmers.) However, being tasked with the defense of Earth and its colonies is not and easy task, given that their military resources are completely depleted. Luckily, their rivals, the Shani are not much better off.
When attacks suddenly threaten both Shani and human freighters and settlements, and a Graha-Es diplomat is called in, events are really set into motion.
The Graha-Es are perhaps the most interesting addition to this story universe. Wasp-like, extremely long lived and technologically superior, their race is run by a matriarchal Mother. Almost like a queen bee, she runs her empire through her daughters, the Tovanaressa and male foot soldiers. Their race also happens to strive for a two souled existence. In adulthood, the Tovanaressa are joined with a second being who then merge into one. All except for their grand diplomat, Xella who is still one souled at the embarrassingly ripe old age of 9000.
Needless to say, I'm not going to spoil this intriguing storyline of full of deceit and revenge, but I foresee great things from both the Tovaneressa, admiral Drake, Gyan and the street smart (space smart?) half human/half Shani slave girl with dreams far above her current station in life.
While this story doesn't rival my beloved Imp series, it certainly deserves the full 5 stars. I just love finding new series and I'll certainly be on the edge of my seat until I hold the second installment of the Twenty Sectors series in my greedy little hands.
Fortunately, Debra is a fast writer. It's almost a shame she's got so many great series going on, since it makes the wait longer for this one. But hey, all three series are really good, so you can't go wrong if you pick up a Dunbar novel:-)
Well, shame on me!
Once I got past the first 10-15 % percent, I found myself totally immersed in the story of Earth's distant - and extremely dystopian - future. Debra says she's a fan of Star Trek; a very idealized future. Well, this Earth is no such thing. It's run-down, unable to support its own population and has therefore established colonies in sectors 19-20. Oh, and did I mention that the population is created in Nurseries? That's right, family units are a thing of he past. Prospective (single) parents order children and receive donated DNA to create their offspring. If you're high enough in the pecking order, you can even decide the genetic traits you want your children to inherit.
As the third son of Sol, essentially the imperial heir's spare's spare, prince Drake's DNA was hand picked to fit the role of an admiral, though he feels just as home with the people of his best friend Gyan, who are Harmonists (terra formers/farmers.) However, being tasked with the defense of Earth and its colonies is not and easy task, given that their military resources are completely depleted. Luckily, their rivals, the Shani are not much better off.
When attacks suddenly threaten both Shani and human freighters and settlements, and a Graha-Es diplomat is called in, events are really set into motion.
The Graha-Es are perhaps the most interesting addition to this story universe. Wasp-like, extremely long lived and technologically superior, their race is run by a matriarchal Mother. Almost like a queen bee, she runs her empire through her daughters, the Tovanaressa and male foot soldiers. Their race also happens to strive for a two souled existence. In adulthood, the Tovanaressa are joined with a second being who then merge into one. All except for their grand diplomat, Xella who is still one souled at the embarrassingly ripe old age of 9000.
Needless to say, I'm not going to spoil this intriguing storyline of full of deceit and revenge, but I foresee great things from both the Tovaneressa, admiral Drake, Gyan and the street smart (space smart?) half human/half Shani slave girl with dreams far above her current station in life.
While this story doesn't rival my beloved Imp series, it certainly deserves the full 5 stars. I just love finding new series and I'll certainly be on the edge of my seat until I hold the second installment of the Twenty Sectors series in my greedy little hands.
Fortunately, Debra is a fast writer. It's almost a shame she's got so many great series going on, since it makes the wait longer for this one. But hey, all three series are really good, so you can't go wrong if you pick up a Dunbar novel:-)
October 18, 2017
Very slow until the midway point. The first half of the book is about introducing characters, defining the world, and setting up a series of conspiracies. If you're looking for a fast-paced space opera, this book isn't it. However, once you get halfway through the book, the pace picks up quite a bit.
Some issues I had with the story, mild spoilers:
1) Gyan overcame his hate for the Shani WAAAAY too quickly. He falls for the half-Shani as an almost love-at-first-sight.
2) Earth suddenly has no military corporations? The main character is scrapping by for funding and equipment. Where are the local resources?
3) Humans are bred for a purpose. Their genetics are crafted so the person will excel at a per-determined career. If that's the case, then why is there overpopulation? If food is scarce, then why not build arcologies to grow food within the same buildings housing people and businesses?
Some issues I had with the story, mild spoilers:
1) Gyan overcame his hate for the Shani WAAAAY too quickly. He falls for the half-Shani as an almost love-at-first-sight.
2) Earth suddenly has no military corporations? The main character is scrapping by for funding and equipment. Where are the local resources?
3) Humans are bred for a purpose. Their genetics are crafted so the person will excel at a per-determined career. If that's the case, then why is there overpopulation? If food is scarce, then why not build arcologies to grow food within the same buildings housing people and businesses?
October 29, 2016
So Good!
If you're looking for another one of DL Dunbar's excellent Imp books, you are not looking in the right place. However, if you are looking for the first book in a new series of fun, imaginative and expansive space opera, then you are where you need to be! Like everything else this author puts out, this book is a great read. Gulp it all down immediately like I did, or savor it slowly. This is a book that will stand up to multiple readings, so you get all the subtleties. I really can't recommend this enough.
If you're looking for another one of DL Dunbar's excellent Imp books, you are not looking in the right place. However, if you are looking for the first book in a new series of fun, imaginative and expansive space opera, then you are where you need to be! Like everything else this author puts out, this book is a great read. Gulp it all down immediately like I did, or savor it slowly. This is a book that will stand up to multiple readings, so you get all the subtleties. I really can't recommend this enough.
April 19, 2018
Excellent
I love Debra Dunbar's fantasy series, and didnt realize this was a sci fi of hers until i got to the credits. A full story with resolution of parts of the storyline, but enough questions left that i cant wait to read the next book in the series. Excellent storyline with interesting characters.
I love Debra Dunbar's fantasy series, and didnt realize this was a sci fi of hers until i got to the credits. A full story with resolution of parts of the storyline, but enough questions left that i cant wait to read the next book in the series. Excellent storyline with interesting characters.
September 7, 2018
Love this book but there should be a law against authors starting a new series and then dropping it! Book 2 was supposed to come out in 2017 but she has sidebared it to focus on her fantasy novels. Why can't authors just write one series at a time? I like to binge read. I can't handle the stress of waiting for the next book, particularly when I don't know how long it will be.
March 19, 2025
Wow..where's book 2?
I love sci-fi, especially if it has a twist this one sure does. I sincerely hope there's another book in this series.
I love sci-fi, especially if it has a twist this one sure does. I sincerely hope there's another book in this series.
April 16, 2017
I really enjoyed the Imp series by Debra Dunbar so I was a bit disappointed with this book. It wasn't particularly funny and felt slow going (it felt more like a prequel in places, we spent so long being introduced to the new world and the story only really picked up at the end.) Perhaps I'm being unfair, this is written under a different name (DL Dunbar instead of Debra Dunbar) but I really really love the Imp series and was really hoping for more of the insane hilarity that I always get there and this just didn't live up to my expectations and I didn't enjoy it as much.
December 26, 2016
Ending is better
Had real trouble getting into this one. It's a complicated world, ensemble cast, so a lot of time with introductions and world building. I want characters, so this was hard for me. I hung on because I love her imp series - and now that i have met everyone, i do want more.
Had real trouble getting into this one. It's a complicated world, ensemble cast, so a lot of time with introductions and world building. I want characters, so this was hard for me. I hung on because I love her imp series - and now that i have met everyone, i do want more.
October 19, 2016
Awesome
Great new series by this author. Wishing that the rest of the series was already out as the ending felt very drop off.
Great new series by this author. Wishing that the rest of the series was already out as the ending felt very drop off.
October 24, 2016
A fun bit of space opera, but it loses points for inconsistent pacing, lack of plausibility on a number of world-building items, and a very rushed, abrupt ending.
October 28, 2016
Great start to a new series.
Nice slice of space opera with the added bonus of Dunbar's famously inventive sense of irony as an added bonus.
Nice slice of space opera with the added bonus of Dunbar's famously inventive sense of irony as an added bonus.
November 2, 2016
Amazing!!
OMG!! An absolutely wonderful book. I am on pins and needles waiting on the next one and I just finished this one. Way to go D.L.
OMG!! An absolutely wonderful book. I am on pins and needles waiting on the next one and I just finished this one. Way to go D.L.
November 14, 2016
Great
I live this story . It had such imagination and I am glad the women got their men tho I don't think I would want to ever be that close to anyone .lol
I live this story . It had such imagination and I am glad the women got their men tho I don't think I would want to ever be that close to anyone .lol
November 6, 2016
Looking Forward To More of This Series
Sci-fi fans will love this exciting new series from Debra Dunbar! This exciting space tale is full of intrigue, and twists, with strange alien races, and mid space fights. Well written as always, with unique and interesting characters, this is a great start to a new series. Read and enjoy!
Sci-fi fans will love this exciting new series from Debra Dunbar! This exciting space tale is full of intrigue, and twists, with strange alien races, and mid space fights. Well written as always, with unique and interesting characters, this is a great start to a new series. Read and enjoy!
April 8, 2017
Best Ive read in years!!
Truly awesome book! Kept me up at nite! I really hope there will be a sequel soon hopefully this year
Truly awesome book! Kept me up at nite! I really hope there will be a sequel soon hopefully this year
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews