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Stealing the Sun #1
Starflight
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence
Everguard’s Establish a multidimensional gate inside Alpha Centauri A for Interstellar Command to fuel their new faster-than-light spaceships.
Lieutenant Commander Torrance Black, career is already on shaky grounds, finds himself facing questions.
Did they just contact sentient life in the Centauri system?
Will humankind sacrifice an entire alien species in their quest for the stars?
Starflight, the first book of Stealing the Sun, a space based Science Fiction series from frequent Analog contributor and bestselling Amazon Dark Fantasy author Ron Collins.
“Ron Collins is one of our best hard science fiction writers—a novel from him is a major event. Enjoy!”
Robert J. Sawyer
Hugo Award-Winning Author of Quantum Night
Everguard’s Establish a multidimensional gate inside Alpha Centauri A for Interstellar Command to fuel their new faster-than-light spaceships.
Lieutenant Commander Torrance Black, career is already on shaky grounds, finds himself facing questions.
Did they just contact sentient life in the Centauri system?
Will humankind sacrifice an entire alien species in their quest for the stars?
Starflight, the first book of Stealing the Sun, a space based Science Fiction series from frequent Analog contributor and bestselling Amazon Dark Fantasy author Ron Collins.
“Ron Collins is one of our best hard science fiction writers—a novel from him is a major event. Enjoy!”
Robert J. Sawyer
Hugo Award-Winning Author of Quantum Night
- GenresScience FictionFiction
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2016
92 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 30, 2017
This is really more a setting stakes and introducing characters exercise than a standalone novel. That's fine if you're looking for another series to get locked into, but I can't imagine you'll find this book satisfying on its own.
Torrance Black is a complex character capable of surprising you, and Collins does a great job of allowing him to drive the action. There are a few bits where he's ascribed skills that don't fit his established skills and attitudes though. Complex and surprising is definitely in danger of tipping over into anything-the-scene-requires-dom.
At the center of the story is a big ethical issue, but by the end of the book we don't even know if the issue is real. And the timeline we're given for the issue seems to indicate that if it existed it will resolve itself because of Black's actions. His obsession is understandable, and fairly well imagined, but fruitlessly shuffling data around doesn't provide us with much to latch onto after a point. Presumably there will be some terribly clever technospeak solution to the whole deal, but I'm not convinced by this first entry that it will be a satisfying payoff.
I did admire Collins' adherence to hard sci-fi concepts like the ridiculous amount of time it takes to travel between stars without FTL travel, but it also means a fairly short novel is stretched over years. While it creates some good dramatic tension with communication lag and so on, it also means that those years feel a bit empty. Some of the scientific conceptualizing gets choppy, too. The central technology feels very much like the underpants gnome's plot for profit. There's a big ol' question mark in the middle. Nor does it really make sense that some errant radio activity should interfere with the launch of probes that are meant to plunge into a star.
By the end of series I suppose I might be a happy reader, but I'm not convinced by this that I should carry on.
Torrance Black is a complex character capable of surprising you, and Collins does a great job of allowing him to drive the action. There are a few bits where he's ascribed skills that don't fit his established skills and attitudes though. Complex and surprising is definitely in danger of tipping over into anything-the-scene-requires-dom.
At the center of the story is a big ethical issue, but by the end of the book we don't even know if the issue is real. And the timeline we're given for the issue seems to indicate that if it existed it will resolve itself because of Black's actions. His obsession is understandable, and fairly well imagined, but fruitlessly shuffling data around doesn't provide us with much to latch onto after a point. Presumably there will be some terribly clever technospeak solution to the whole deal, but I'm not convinced by this first entry that it will be a satisfying payoff.
I did admire Collins' adherence to hard sci-fi concepts like the ridiculous amount of time it takes to travel between stars without FTL travel, but it also means a fairly short novel is stretched over years. While it creates some good dramatic tension with communication lag and so on, it also means that those years feel a bit empty. Some of the scientific conceptualizing gets choppy, too. The central technology feels very much like the underpants gnome's plot for profit. There's a big ol' question mark in the middle. Nor does it really make sense that some errant radio activity should interfere with the launch of probes that are meant to plunge into a star.
By the end of series I suppose I might be a happy reader, but I'm not convinced by this that I should carry on.
February 11, 2017
2.5 Un récit avec des longueurs sans être inintéressant Malheureusement, pour un amateur de Space opéra ou de Military SF il ne se passe pratiquement rien sinon tout à la fin
Je n'ai pas non plus cru un seul instant au personnage principal, Torrance Black, qui, à travers un soi-disant manque d'ambitions (c'est très américain comme sentiment, en France on se contente d'être passionné par son boulot ou son hobby) , m'a tapé sur les nerfs L'inévitable histoire d'amour ne rajoute absolument rien tombant comme un cheveu sur la soupe
Et forcément, cela se termine en cliffhanger avec des questions sans réponse
Il faudra donc tester le 2e tome pour voir si l'auteur arrive à élargir l'horizon de ce monde futur et à donner un peu plus d'épaisseur et de crédibilité à ses personnages
je pourrai recommander le livre à des lecteurs qui démarrent dans le genre parce que l'écriture reste très correcte et, si on fait abstraction des leçons de morale, on sent tout un univers qui ne demande qu'à germer
Je n'ai pas non plus cru un seul instant au personnage principal, Torrance Black, qui, à travers un soi-disant manque d'ambitions (c'est très américain comme sentiment, en France on se contente d'être passionné par son boulot ou son hobby) , m'a tapé sur les nerfs L'inévitable histoire d'amour ne rajoute absolument rien tombant comme un cheveu sur la soupe
Et forcément, cela se termine en cliffhanger avec des questions sans réponse
Il faudra donc tester le 2e tome pour voir si l'auteur arrive à élargir l'horizon de ce monde futur et à donner un peu plus d'épaisseur et de crédibilité à ses personnages
je pourrai recommander le livre à des lecteurs qui démarrent dans le genre parce que l'écriture reste très correcte et, si on fait abstraction des leçons de morale, on sent tout un univers qui ne demande qu'à germer
March 9, 2018
A great read, introduction to the main character and his flaws was done in an excellent way as was they way he developed throughout the story. The story is fairly fast paced with fairly short chapters making you want to move on to the next one to see what will happen next.
Though this was developed from a short story, it isn't one that I had read. This aside, it wasn't necessary as the whole story was well planned out and finished well leaving things wrapped up comfortably while leaving an opening for another book.
A great read for anybody who loves a good sci-fi story that has a comfortable pace but none of the overly complicated technical jargon that can often be used.
Though this was developed from a short story, it isn't one that I had read. This aside, it wasn't necessary as the whole story was well planned out and finished well leaving things wrapped up comfortably while leaving an opening for another book.
A great read for anybody who loves a good sci-fi story that has a comfortable pace but none of the overly complicated technical jargon that can often be used.
February 19, 2023
Collins, Ron. Starflight. Skyfox, 2016. Stealing the Sun 1.
Starflight’s hero, Lt. Cmdr. Torrance Black, is an officer on a ship that will establish humanity’s first efficient FTL system. But saboteurs onboard object to corporate control of the technology, and some of his fellow officers have motives less than honorable. Then, there are signals from interstellar space that may be from an alien civilization, but his bosses want to cover them up. All this intrigue puts his career in jeopardy, threatens his love life, and sets a bad example for his young engineering protégé. Author Ron Collins is a journeyman author who developed this novel from a story originally published in Analog. Before his writing career took off, Collins worked as an aeronautical engineer. Sadly, believable engineering is largely absent here. One would like to know more than one does about how this mission plans to extract large amounts of material from Alpha Centauri A to build its star drive. 3.5 stars.
Starflight’s hero, Lt. Cmdr. Torrance Black, is an officer on a ship that will establish humanity’s first efficient FTL system. But saboteurs onboard object to corporate control of the technology, and some of his fellow officers have motives less than honorable. Then, there are signals from interstellar space that may be from an alien civilization, but his bosses want to cover them up. All this intrigue puts his career in jeopardy, threatens his love life, and sets a bad example for his young engineering protégé. Author Ron Collins is a journeyman author who developed this novel from a story originally published in Analog. Before his writing career took off, Collins worked as an aeronautical engineer. Sadly, believable engineering is largely absent here. One would like to know more than one does about how this mission plans to extract large amounts of material from Alpha Centauri A to build its star drive. 3.5 stars.
May 20, 2023
I'm a big fan of science fiction and I understand you need a certain amount of technical writing to make your story sound realistic, no matter what time, planet or society provides the setting.
Unfortunately this book had way too much technical jargon that really didn't seem to serve any purpose, other than to show us how good at his job the mc was. It was just a lot of words and numbers that didn't have any meaning to the reader.
I couldn't connect to the mc at all, nor to any of the other very secondary characters either.
The big 'sentient life' question is never answered and the possible 'communication' from the possible sentients is never solved.
The book is just a set up for the series but it didn't interest me enough to make me want to read any further.
I did read books 2 and 3 simply because I purchased them as a set.
Unfortunately this book had way too much technical jargon that really didn't seem to serve any purpose, other than to show us how good at his job the mc was. It was just a lot of words and numbers that didn't have any meaning to the reader.
I couldn't connect to the mc at all, nor to any of the other very secondary characters either.
The big 'sentient life' question is never answered and the possible 'communication' from the possible sentients is never solved.
The book is just a set up for the series but it didn't interest me enough to make me want to read any further.
I did read books 2 and 3 simply because I purchased them as a set.
January 29, 2023
What I found very interesting with this book was that there were three protagonists (and they carry on throughout the 9-volume series). The story's conflict was rapidly established and I was pulled in to the story line pretty easily. I enjoy a story where the protagonists have their faults, but ultimately make the correct decision and do the right thing which is beyond the "meeee" mentality. I think that is a really important message, but dished out so you don't stick on it. The book was an exceptionally fast read leaving me with wanting to read the next instalment.
If you enjoy space opera/hard sci-fi, I highly recommend Ron Collins' "Stealing the Sun.)
If you enjoy space opera/hard sci-fi, I highly recommend Ron Collins' "Stealing the Sun.)
July 22, 2017
The first book in a series can be great, or it can be just a setup for the rest of the series. I feel like this is just a setup book. There are many times where something starts to develop only for the story to skip ahead and you realize that thing wasn't important. Of course the final time this happens it's the start of the long arc story line so there is no resolution. As as standalone book I think this is a bit of a fail, but as a prelude to a longer story I think it works. At least it makes me want to read more.
January 25, 2018
A good read in the sci-fi space travel formula. I admit, other than Star Wars and Star Trek, I've never been too much of a space junkie fan. But this book is a good read in the genre.
The book does start off slow. It took me some time to get my head around some of the jargon, but then once the pace picked up and I could see where the main character was heading and what he was up against, I found it enjoyable. This book is a good start to the series and Collins is a good writer with a good handle on character description, dialogue, and pace.
The book does start off slow. It took me some time to get my head around some of the jargon, but then once the pace picked up and I could see where the main character was heading and what he was up against, I found it enjoyable. This book is a good start to the series and Collins is a good writer with a good handle on character description, dialogue, and pace.
June 2, 2018
This is the first in the Stealing the Sun series and I am anxious to read more. The book sets the scene through the eyes of the main character who needs to work through a moral crisis. In the meantime, outside the setting of the story, the rest of the universe is going through political conflict. The story takes a few interesting twists and closes one chapter, while setting up the next storyline. Well written, although it can be a bit on the wordy technical side, but overall does a fantastic job on the characters and setting. 5 out of 5 on Goodreads.
January 6, 2026
Sluggish
It takes a while to get going, spends a lot of time on narrow time frames, then jumps months/years and repeats
In the end I wanted it to end, so I could move on to something different. It wasn't bad, just not good enough for me to want to take it further
The main character is interesting, but those around him less so. The kid he befriends has massive potential and the data files are obviously the main thread to the whole series. However I will stop here, too many better books out there to get to
It takes a while to get going, spends a lot of time on narrow time frames, then jumps months/years and repeats
In the end I wanted it to end, so I could move on to something different. It wasn't bad, just not good enough for me to want to take it further
The main character is interesting, but those around him less so. The kid he befriends has massive potential and the data files are obviously the main thread to the whole series. However I will stop here, too many better books out there to get to
May 22, 2024
Pretty standard science fiction. Told from the point of view of one officer, you meet the case of characters and delve into the mystery. Is there life on other planets? Is Earth expanding into the universe, good or bad? Just when you think the story is over, there is an incident that changes everything, who you trust, and what you will do with the rest of your life.
All in all, a good read. I'll be adding the next book to my wish list.
All in all, a good read. I'll be adding the next book to my wish list.
February 12, 2017
Good old-fashioned Sci-fi that reminds me of the Classic serials. The pace is a little slow early in the novel, but the story picks up by halfway and finishes quite nicely. I've read some of his fantasy books, but the author's Sci-fi writing is definitely worth a look. The action sequences at the end were like watching a movie. Looking forward to the sequel.
March 22, 2018
The writing and storyline we're quite good and managed to grip me quite intensively. One of the biggest issues I have with this book is the lack of representation. I mean, we are talking about a globally united human civilization a few hundred years in the future and still PoCs and women don't have any leading roles.
April 15, 2022
Great script
Thoroughly enjoyed this story, although it was fairly obvious that this was the pilot for a series and felt that this book did drag it's heels a bit, however this does not detract from what in my opinion is going to be a belter of a series. Looking forward to the next adventure in the series.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story, although it was fairly obvious that this was the pilot for a series and felt that this book did drag it's heels a bit, however this does not detract from what in my opinion is going to be a belter of a series. Looking forward to the next adventure in the series.
January 17, 2023
A great read. Onto the next one in the series!
I really got caught up in the book. Looking forward to the next one. Very easy to follow while still being very interesting and full of thoughtful ideas
I really got caught up in the book. Looking forward to the next one. Very easy to follow while still being very interesting and full of thoughtful ideas
May 31, 2023
Excellent complex expansion of Humanity into space including first contact and immersive technological development. I purchased 1st set of three books. Purchased this set of three books on May 28, 2023, from Amazon for $1.06 with tax.
July 12, 2017
Enjoyable. I'll be reading the next one.
January 7, 2018
Good and entertaining
Good plot kept me engaged all the way through. I want to read more from this first class author please.
Good plot kept me engaged all the way through. I want to read more from this first class author please.
January 9, 2018
Great read.
Brilliant beginning to a new and exciting space saga.
I am looking forward to more of the same from Ron Collins.
Brilliant beginning to a new and exciting space saga.
I am looking forward to more of the same from Ron Collins.
January 21, 2018
Electric Read
First read from this Author, really enjoyed it from start to finish, does make you wonder if there is any life out there.
First read from this Author, really enjoyed it from start to finish, does make you wonder if there is any life out there.
March 23, 2018
Pure page turner
I only get to read during my lunch breaks at work. I've nearly been late back 3 times because this book is just so easy to get engrossed in.
I only get to read during my lunch breaks at work. I've nearly been late back 3 times because this book is just so easy to get engrossed in.
July 26, 2018
Brilliant book, good story, well written, believable and made you care about the characters. Heartily recommend this book.
November 25, 2018
The destructive nature of humankind is well illustrated. Relationships well handled. An entertaining read. Some nice twists and not too predictable.
September 6, 2023
I really got caught up in the book. Looking forward to the next one. Very easy to follow while still being very interesting and full of thoughtful ideas
May 22, 2024
A really interesting premise and engaging characters - kept me reading through vols 1-3.
March 21, 2017
Excellent book (and series so far) -- Highly recommended.
July 4, 2019
This was a very good book. Good characters. Good world building. The story was fast paced, with a little bit of a mystery and thriller too. I may check into the rest of the series. I recommend this book.
February 6, 2017
One of the best pieces of science fiction that I've read in years
I've read a lot of stuff by Ron Collins over the years, and I've co-authored a few tales with him as well (you might want to check out our Five Days in May: The Greatest Spectacle in Science Fiction anthology), so I'm pretty familiar with his work. That sometimes makes it hard to be "just" a reader, but I have to say that when I started reading STARFLIGHT, I found that I quickly forgot I was reading something written by a friend as the story sucked me in completely. I thoroughly enjoyed Ron's recent Saga Of The God-Touched Mage series, and Ron surely has a great handle on how to tell a good fantasy tale, but to be honest, I've always felt like Ron's best work has been in the sci-fi realm, and STARFLIGHT just helped to reconfirm that for me.
This is truly GOOD stuff if you're a fan of old-school science fiction; it's like stumbling on some undiscovered Larry Niven, or something from Andre Norton, or Orson Scott Card, or even Asimov himself . . . it's that good, IMO. Seriously. Ron has created a VERY compelling world, and populated it with compelling characters, a great premise, some KILLER technology, and a plot twist that literally threw me for a loop.
This one is going to REALLY put Ron on the map, I think. I can't glow enough about this, seriously. The only thing I can say that really sums it up is this: WANT. MOAR.
Eagerly awaiting the arrival of Book Two.
I've read a lot of stuff by Ron Collins over the years, and I've co-authored a few tales with him as well (you might want to check out our Five Days in May: The Greatest Spectacle in Science Fiction anthology), so I'm pretty familiar with his work. That sometimes makes it hard to be "just" a reader, but I have to say that when I started reading STARFLIGHT, I found that I quickly forgot I was reading something written by a friend as the story sucked me in completely. I thoroughly enjoyed Ron's recent Saga Of The God-Touched Mage series, and Ron surely has a great handle on how to tell a good fantasy tale, but to be honest, I've always felt like Ron's best work has been in the sci-fi realm, and STARFLIGHT just helped to reconfirm that for me.
This is truly GOOD stuff if you're a fan of old-school science fiction; it's like stumbling on some undiscovered Larry Niven, or something from Andre Norton, or Orson Scott Card, or even Asimov himself . . . it's that good, IMO. Seriously. Ron has created a VERY compelling world, and populated it with compelling characters, a great premise, some KILLER technology, and a plot twist that literally threw me for a loop.
This one is going to REALLY put Ron on the map, I think. I can't glow enough about this, seriously. The only thing I can say that really sums it up is this: WANT. MOAR.
Eagerly awaiting the arrival of Book Two.
January 27, 2018
I was surprised with just how much I enjoyed this! I've only recently started reading these kind of books, so my opinion on the genre doesn't count for much I guess, but I was quickly drawn into the internal struggles of LC Torrence Black.
It was definitely a slow start, and I agree with some of the other reviews, that the jargon takes a little bit of effort to understand what is happening at the beginning.
Despite this, it was worth it to keep reading. It is a short book, and there are some significant time gaps in between scenes, but this did not detract from the story in any way. I thought the character development and the relationships between them was very well fleshed out, serving to make the story easily believable, and the people endearing.
So glad to find a great new series to sink my teeth into and look forward to reading the future installments.
It was definitely a slow start, and I agree with some of the other reviews, that the jargon takes a little bit of effort to understand what is happening at the beginning.
Despite this, it was worth it to keep reading. It is a short book, and there are some significant time gaps in between scenes, but this did not detract from the story in any way. I thought the character development and the relationships between them was very well fleshed out, serving to make the story easily believable, and the people endearing.
So glad to find a great new series to sink my teeth into and look forward to reading the future installments.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews