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Federation Diplomat #1
Retrograde
The cold steel of the assassin's blade bites into her neck, and Kate Stevens, Federation diplomat, freezes. She has cured the king. Is that the problem? Or, does the knife wielder have something against the Federation? She needs allies and she needs them fast. Coups plots are springing up like mushrooms after a rain, and the lord chancellor wants her out of the way or dead. Illustrated. (Elements from my previous book, Buda Praha, have been included.)
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If you like space opera with social and political themes, you'll enjoy the Federation Diplomat series where the fate of planets rests upon the wit of a diplomat and her resourceful and sometimes buccaneering team. This book is the first in the series, but each book stands on its own and is set on a different planet with new problems to solve.
~ ~ ~
If you like space opera with social and political themes, you'll enjoy the Federation Diplomat series where the fate of planets rests upon the wit of a diplomat and her resourceful and sometimes buccaneering team. This book is the first in the series, but each book stands on its own and is set on a different planet with new problems to solve.
- GenresScience Fiction
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2016
11 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Randolph
14 books3 followersScience fiction appeals to me because you can discuss ideas in it, and it has a positive orientation. The genre is premised on a belief in the future and the ability of people to learn and improve.
I like to focus on the troubled period before war starts when it is still possible to avoid violence. If people can identify where things are headed, they can avert war. I invite you to share in this conversation.
Because of the universality of my interest, I can find inspiration in the news and history.
I live in New Mexico – God’s country. Am I little chauvinistic? Maybe. I love the clear air and the vast distances you can see. At the risk of sounding like a travel ad, New Mexico has a great variety of climates. I have lived in the desert, and now I live in the mountains.
I like to focus on the troubled period before war starts when it is still possible to avoid violence. If people can identify where things are headed, they can avert war. I invite you to share in this conversation.
Because of the universality of my interest, I can find inspiration in the news and history.
I live in New Mexico – God’s country. Am I little chauvinistic? Maybe. I love the clear air and the vast distances you can see. At the risk of sounding like a travel ad, New Mexico has a great variety of climates. I have lived in the desert, and now I live in the mountains.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 9, 2017
Borrowed a copy of the paperback edition. Didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the writing and the story-line. Randolph keeps the plot moving in this sci-fi tale of diplomacy made dangerously difficult on an intentionally backwards and backwater planet. Conflicts among various factions keep things challenging. Randolph makes use of a history degree with a focus on diplomatic and military history (according to her profile). Interesting interactions among crew members set up future books about up-and-coming Federation diplomat, Kate Stevens.
October 17, 2017
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Retrograde is set in a future universe that has been carefully conceived. The story includes references to the history and logistics of human space colonization, past conflicts or disasters that prompted some to leave Earth, and an approach to faster-than-light travel that includes possible physiological side affects. The challenges faced by the main character kept my interest, because she had to carefully investigate the complexities of the politics on the planet Buda Praha while a volatile situation was rapidly developing. Court intrigue and action scenes kept the story moving.
I enjoy stories in which the characters approach problems thoughtfully, when the reasoning behind their actions is clear to me. For this reason, I found Retrograde to be an enjoyable, relaxing read.
The book successfully places the reader in the action by carefully describing details like the characters' physical appearance, equipment and weaponry, the arrangement of ships and rooms, and the geographical layout of regions. However, more unique and potentially fascinating details about the universe are lacking. For example, action on Buda Praha is set in a relatively small region of the planet; I'd like to know a lot more about the rest of it. I have other questions about human colonization, and about the background of the protagonist. I expect that some of these may be answered in the next book in the series.
Overall, a promising start for a debut author.
Retrograde is set in a future universe that has been carefully conceived. The story includes references to the history and logistics of human space colonization, past conflicts or disasters that prompted some to leave Earth, and an approach to faster-than-light travel that includes possible physiological side affects. The challenges faced by the main character kept my interest, because she had to carefully investigate the complexities of the politics on the planet Buda Praha while a volatile situation was rapidly developing. Court intrigue and action scenes kept the story moving.
I enjoy stories in which the characters approach problems thoughtfully, when the reasoning behind their actions is clear to me. For this reason, I found Retrograde to be an enjoyable, relaxing read.
The book successfully places the reader in the action by carefully describing details like the characters' physical appearance, equipment and weaponry, the arrangement of ships and rooms, and the geographical layout of regions. However, more unique and potentially fascinating details about the universe are lacking. For example, action on Buda Praha is set in a relatively small region of the planet; I'd like to know a lot more about the rest of it. I have other questions about human colonization, and about the background of the protagonist. I expect that some of these may be answered in the next book in the series.
Overall, a promising start for a debut author.
December 31, 2017
Randolph is a master of world building and building human relationships in her sci-fi-fi novel Retrograde. It is a delight to take front row seat with heroine and Federation diplomat, Kate Stevens, as she tackles a seemingly impossible assignment, to build an embassy on Buda Praha, a planet that has not had outside contact in over 20 years. Upon arrival, Kate discovers that the planet is in the midst of a rebellion and the challenges continue to mount. Randolph maintains a page-turning pace in this action-packed tale with natural dialogue, a quick-witted strong female character, and engaging descriptions: "The King lay prone, his face unnaturally white under a thatch of blond hair, his tall body, or what I could see of it, emaciated" (42). This novel is a standout in the genre because Randolph is so adept at handling a plethora of characters and constructing a setting that is both realistic and otherworldly.
October 28, 2017
When a bucolic agrarian world seems too serene, its people (human colonists) too complacent, there's bound to be trouble. Sent on an apparently simple mission, diplomat Kate is soon fending off attempts on her life and digging into the royal family's intrigues.
I enjoyed exploring the society with Kate and discovering both the good and bad. She's a straightforward person with an admirable team and spaceship to help her. They puzzle out what's happening on this world where the end of trade with other planets means a technological slid backwards. Was the problem bad luck or sabotage? Fun read, something a little different, interesting allusions to history, and the illustrations looked good on my e-reader. I think I'll read another book in this series.
I enjoyed exploring the society with Kate and discovering both the good and bad. She's a straightforward person with an admirable team and spaceship to help her. They puzzle out what's happening on this world where the end of trade with other planets means a technological slid backwards. Was the problem bad luck or sabotage? Fun read, something a little different, interesting allusions to history, and the illustrations looked good on my e-reader. I think I'll read another book in this series.
June 4, 2020
Retrograde is a true space opera with a cast of characters that the reader bonds with quickly and who makes the novel a fun ride. Kate Stevens is on her first diplomatic mission for the Federation. Her job is to reestablish relations with a planet that that isolated itself two decades before. Upon arrival, the planet is in tumult with discontent and revolution, and the attempted murder of the king. Can Kate save her mission and bring a peaceful end to the problems of Buda Praha? Hungarian Goulash, delicious mushrooms, sword play, drones, and intrigue.
May 13, 2021
A very good read
Having read this book I really did enjoy it s lot I can not wait for the next book coming out I felt that I was part of the crew and my hand was in my mouth at the show down with the king
Having read this book I really did enjoy it s lot I can not wait for the next book coming out I felt that I was part of the crew and my hand was in my mouth at the show down with the king
August 18, 2017
This book was fun to write. I hope readers will enjoy it. I included lots of action along with some thought-provoking concepts you won't find elsewhere. Please put it on your to-read shelf.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews