Defenders of the Rim: Beginnings

A Far Future SciFi Thriller #1

by Randal Sloan

The Galactic Empire is in grave danger and apparently unaware of what’s coming. Our young heroes must discover the evil plot, warn the galaxy, and still somehow survive!

Young Lieutenant Jarra Carsean, newly graduated from the Rim Patrol Officer Candidate School, is given a small ship and a crew of misfits, straight out of District Specialist Training. Can their young team come together and survive their first mission, a mission that becomes a much more difficult and risky endeavor than anyone suspects it will be? What they discover has huge ramifications for the whole galaxy and they will have to use every skill their team has to survive.

Jarra carries with her a big secret that might well jeopardize her team or it may save them all and the Galactic Empire too.

>>The first in the Far Future Sci-Fi Thriller series, Defenders of the Rim: Beginnings is a far future sci-fi thriller in a world that combines science that just might be possible many years in the future with a Galactic Empire, rebels and aliens.

Sign up for my Reader's List at http://randalsloan.com/farfuture/

Genres: Science Fiction, Amazon

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2017

About the author

I am the author of a near future Sci-Fi thriller book series that speculates at just what might be possible in a few years. Years ago when I started university studies, I was in a physics program, ready to split the atom and study the wonders of our awesome universe. But alas, I wound up in engineering for more practical reasons, paying the bills. From there I moved on to computers and software development, but I have always tried to keep up with scientific developments and space exploration. Some of those ideas that just may be possible led to the books you are seeing.

I have over the last few years tried a number of interesting things, such as writing an iPhone app, trading stock options, and building a therapy pool at my home, but now I have returned to my first love - writing, something I started in the fourth grade of elementary school. Although that book never made it past my handwritten pages, due to the power of self-publishing suddenly it's possible to share some of my joy of writing with you.

So far I have two books in my Near Future Series and more books currently in the works in the same near future. I have other possible futures envisioned I think you might like. So join in with me as I envision the future. I hope you have as much fun with it as I do!!

To keep up with all that is going on with the Near Future series, sign up for the Reader's List at http://randalsloan.com/nearfuture/ (just copy and paste into your browser). You'll get a newsletter to keep you up to date and more, including free stuff that hopefully will keep you wanting more.

Reviews

[Jānis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ļoti viegla speis opera... Es pat teiktu, ka bērnišķīga, tāpēc laikam arī ātri lasījās.

Grāmata par tālo nākotni, kad ir Galaktiskā impērija un, protams, ir cilvēki, kas grib to impēriju gāzt. Vēl ir arī citplanētieši, bet tie ir tā pastarpus... Vienvārdsakot, Jarra ir tā meitene, kura ir vislabākā un kurai viss izdodas, nemaz nerunājot par dīvaiņu komandu, kas ir vislabākie savās jomās.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful fantasy reading 📚

Due to eye issues Alexa reads to me, a will written fantasy Sci-Fi thriller novel, book one in the series. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story line is futuristic, fast moving, complicated, and violent racing to the unexpected conclusion leading to the next novel in the series. I would recommend this novel to readers of Sci-Fi fantasy. Enjoy reading 🔰 2021 👑👠😀

[Jefrois · Rating 1 out of 5]

OMG! I WISH I WERE A WOMAN !!!!

“…Jarra was a tall, blond-haired beauty who carried herself with authority and grace. She knew she had gotten her looks from her mother. But right now, her looks weren’t the main thing that mattered to her. It was what awaited her at her destination. Jarra thought back to all that had happened to bring her to this point. Yes, she had graduated with highest honors from the Rim Patrol Officer Candidate School and earned her pilot’s license while doing so. All at the very young age of eighteen; most of her classmates had been in their twenties….”

“… Before that she had completed an Imperial Marine training course meant to force even the toughest Marine into having second thoughts; the difficulty of the course hadn’t been the reason she wasn’t a Marine, but the knowledge she had gained in that course had helped push her in the direction of the Rim Patrol. It was here that Jarra felt as an officer she could make the most difference. She knew she was driven to be the best, which was why she was headed to the Rim Patrol District Capitol for her assignment.…”

“… She had finished at the top in her class in marksmanship, again finding the challenge ridiculously easy. Marines were expected to compete in grueling conditions while dodging simulated return fire; in OCS she simply stood and aimed at a target. Her grades in the physical defense training were even more out of line over her classmates….”

“… When the man foolishly launched a surprise attack at her, even though to her it was pathetically simple, in her surprise she responded not only with full force, but also with deadly intent, putting the man in the hospital.…”

“… she had stood out so far ahead of her classmates, he suspected she would have aced the Naval OCS as well if she had chosen to take it.…”

“… Jarra had been grounded for two weeks after, but it had been worth it. It had been even sweeter when she had overheard some of the fighter pilots talking about her flight and about how it had taken the whole squadron…”

“… usually had to pull her off the bullies, for their sake, not hers. Jarra has always been driven to be the best, as I’m guessing you’ve already seen, and she always takes the side of the downtrodden or those being harmed by others….”

“… I’ll always be a Princess, but it doesn’t define who I am….”

YOU MUST BE KIDDING !!! THEN WHO THE FOK DOES IT DEFINE????????????????

This novel is forced BLLSHT.

This went on wayyy —yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy…


Too LONG!!!!!!!

Etc, etc. — It also seems to be a rule — a law — that “the girl” is also gorgeous and usually has blond hair.

I got tired of reading the same crappe over and over and just quit reading about 63% of the way through.
.
.

[Red Tide]

Would Not Finish. Rating: minus 5

This is an example of the silly military adventure written from the sole military exposure being to console games. It still is not as detailed or grounded as Starcraft or HALO. The world building is so thin that there is no surprise that no research was done on current or historical military/naval practice and structure.

Before going further, please read my review of either "Dark Horse" a fine story by Diener or Powers of the Earth (another ridiculous book) and comments from a US patriot Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710 (also a self-identified NeoNazi).

Don't be a numpty, be a smarty. Come and join the Communist Party.

GLORY TO UKRAINE !!!

Welcome fellow socialist, communist or non-Nazi. You would be surprised at the number of middle aged thugs and bitter incels of american origins infest the site. With them successfully dismissed, let's talk books.

I was fortunate in being able to see other reviews on this book, which is no longer possible with perhaps a third of the books that I have read. It was nice to be able to on occasion, compare other views of a book. I saw details and aspects that I had missed and even when not agreeing, learned in some cases how a book might appeal to others. This book was worse than I thought.

There are at least two one star reviews that you should read. Was the writer trying to create a YA, Tween or Teen adventure that could be enjoyed by adults? Harry Potter works, this book did not.

The major characters are eighteen to twenty? That is old enough to in this universe complete technical or officer training and take up department head duties on a warship. Interesting (not). This is insane.

A sixteen year old can complete marine training by eighteen or begin it and switch to a naval academy command track, complete it and be assigned command of a starship at eighteen? Even if that ship is a frigate, I find that interesting. You really think that eighteen year olds command 500 million dollar surface ships? But a space traveling warship is what an adult writer assumes makes sense.

A frigate in this navy needs a crew of only four?, three including the commander aged eighteen to twenty, directly from training. The smallest crew for a tiny corvette in a surface fleet carries a crew of forty or so, if I remember correctly. It's probably higher and no warship commander is eighteen in any navy. Most eighteen year olds are barely trustworthy enough to safely drive a small car. The "frigate" has an AI inferior to the new commander's wrist comp? Why not just run the warship from a wrist comp? Why would you even think it is possible to operate any ship from something that fits on your wrist? It's science fiction, you know! It really isn't. The ship is a high tech prototype or early production run stealth ship, in a navy composed of old and even older ships. Commanded by an eighteen year old?

A frigate is a small warship but the idea that a frigate has a four person crew with just enough space for four beds is ridiculous. Apparently, the writer does not think that life support, supplies, weapons or the machinery to keep the ship functioning is needed. I would suggest that the reader research the origin of the term, the class, its functions and crew size in the age of sail. Then a quick look at current class size, functions and crew size for a wet water navy. If the writer would not invest three hours or so on YouTube naval, space or military channels for basic research, it is fairly obvious what he thinks of the reader. If this book seems to you in line with a sane approximation of what the space warship might be, forget that I mentioned it.

Not dwelling on a sixteen year old stealing a fighter for a joyride with no consequences, being awarded a medal for valor before eighteen and being the best in her academy class of twenty year olds, the other reviewers mentioned superpowers or magic or the like introduced to the story.

This writer is definitely what I would label a No Effort science fiction writer, of whom the genre has many. No understanding of military training, equipment or even an appropriate military age and lifespans for a civilization millennia in the future is about standard. It can be enjoyable to readers lacking same but it benefits no one. As one of my favorite history tubers warned "War is not cool. It is interesting and should be studied but it is not COOL.".

Between this book and my adventures with Amazon, you are not surprised that I moved away from Amazon/Goodreads for bookish things. Amazon's selection of military/naval science fiction probably consists of 85 to 95% of this type of No Effort book.

I actually watch most of my science fiction now because the films and TV writing is generally better than most current print. Netflix has the largest selection but the other services all offer some science fiction. I admit that while Amazon did put on some interesting series, I do not watch Prime Video anymore.

I stumbled upon Curiosity Stream/Nebula about a year ago and have been happily watching science, history, archeology, philosophy educational videos since. These are full length documentaries and series. At $15 USD for a year's subscription is an awfully good price.

I accidentally discovered the book channels on YouTube. If Goodreads is as skeevy to you as it is to me, I urge you to visit YouTube's book tubers for normal reader communities, book recommendations, reviews and general book matters. I have listed some below, as well as my other interests. Some of my favorite channels are.

UA Courage, Ship Happens, Tara Mooknee, Munecat, Tom Nicholas, Eleanor Morton, Novara Media, Some More News, Philosophy Tube, Karolina Zebrowska, Luciana Zogbi, GK Reads, Lady of the Library, Emmie Between the Wars, The Great War, The Narrowboat Girl, Kalaripayattu, Cruising the Cut, Camper Vibe, Novara Media, The Juice Media, Odyssey, Sarah Z, Noah Sampson, France 24, Alize, Alice Cappelle, Jessica Gagnon, Double Down News, Tulia, Sabine Hossenfelder, History Hit, Swell Entertainment, AstronautX, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, Chloe Stafler, Invicta, Ben and Emily, Dr Becky, Snake Charmer, Alt Shift X, Celtica, Cari can Read, Books and Lala, Elliot Brooks, Lily Alexander, Task and Purpose, With Olivia, Autumn's Boutique, Told in Stone, Casual Navigation, The Narrowboat Pirate, Natasha's Adventures, 2 Steps from Hell, Weir on the move, Katie Colson, Noelle Gallagher, Abbie Emmons, Beautifully Bookish Bethany, Three Arrows, Patrick is a Navajo, Real Engineering, Zoe Baker, Dakota Warren, Savage Daughter, Caucasian Sword Dance, Eleanor Morton, Austin McConnell, A Cup of Nicole, The Shades of Orange, Sir Ivan Rogers, The Templin Institute, Jenny Nicholson, Jessie Gender, The Paranormal Scholar, Prime of Midlife, St. Petersburg Me, Linguoer-Mechanic, Epimetheus, Nikolay Kutuzov, Neringa Rekaslute, World of Antiquity, Spacedock, The Gravel Institute, Quinn's Ideas, Lilly's expat life, Practical Engineering, A Clockwork Reader, The Irish Reader, Adult Wednesday Addams, Cruising Alba, Traveling K, Euronews, Crux, Storyworldling, Hello Future Me, IzzzYzzz, Joe Scott, Jill Bearup, Tibees, What Vivi did next, Book Odyssey, Mala Armia Janosika, Dark Docs, Armoured Archives, Cone of Arc, MWG Studios, Brittany the Bibliophile, Writing with Jenna Moreci, Zoe Baker, Maggie May Fish, Yanis Varoufakis, Venom Geek Media, Renegade Cut, Make Better Media, Knowing Better, Tulia, Kathy's Flog in France, Overly Sarcastic Productions, Ozilla News, Artificial Intelligence Universe.

I wish you a sunny morning, an exhilarating afternoon, a superb evening and a perfect night.

Hope is only extinguished at death.
Principles, Thirteenth Route Trade Fleet

[Leslie Baptiste · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you want to read about a main character, who is a Mary Sue, kicks butt and takes names you will enjoy this book’s

Yes, the main character is Mary Sue. And sometimes we need a Mary Sue especially when we’re reading literature that is supposed to be escapist. we like Mary Sue’s sometimes, just look at Michael anderle’s kgu series, he started his publishing company behind a Mary Sue. Same type of character. I don’t know how the MC will progress during later books, but we shall see. The story is fast paced snappy, it is not that long, so maybe that’s why it moves along briskly. Like the world, world building and if you have not read it do so. most of the time I read books where the MC is scratching their head trying to figure out what to do next. Most of us readers instinctually know what should be done. So why should the character in the book instinctually not know what to do next. authors should stop. writing their characters as if they don’t have any common sense. if you like a no nonsense, hero, or MC, who knows how to conduct themselves during problems, then you would like this book she is not an idiot and that’s what I enjoyed about this book. Now she may do things wrong in the next book or other books in the series, I do not know, but I am giving this five stars, because of the emcees pragmatism and intelligence. I will read the next book because this one started off great as far as I am concerned.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I was planning on giving 3.5 Stars rounded up to 4, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.)
I have liked other books from this author and appreciate the author's strong female leads. This book read more like a first book. The characters were pretty 2 dimensional and the author had to "tell" more than "show". Several times I caught myself thinking: "This isn't bad for a first book, they can get better."; but I would remember this isn't their first book. The story was entertaining. The science was light - the book read like a WW2 story revamped for space. In fact the author makes direct reference to WW2 submarine warfare. In the last chapter I checked twice to see how much more I had to read to finish the book. At least, in the wrap up and setup for the next book, the author didn't leave it as a cliff hanger.

[Agris Taurins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good space opera

A good little start to an apparent space opera trilogy or series.

Everything's pretty standard, royals in control of space empire, a space navy with marines, and so on.

My biggest gripe is that the protagonists are a little too perfect. Their flaws mostly revolve around trying to be humble enough while everyone fawns over them. Combine that with villains that you could easily picture twirling their moustache.

But still, I'll continue on to the second book and see if there's any real character development in the offing.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough story

A space story aimed at a younger audience. .

A young lieutenant is given an experimental ship and is assigned a crew of misfits to help her defend the "rim" of the galaxy.

There are times the crew are in danger but you know that they will make it through.

There are some action scenes but they could go into more detail.

The writing is ok but a lot of the information is reapeated constantly such as the main character being described as a "near sister" even though she is a cousin. This is brought up any time the two characters are near each other.

[Cheryl Medley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, l settled on 3 stars

I liked the storyline very much, but felt the writing kind of let it down. It wasn't bad, but the characters just didn't seem to have much depth. Just a little too pollyannaish for me, but not so much so that I wouldn't read the next in the series. Seems to have been written more for the 10 to 13 year age group. Having said all that I'm still looking forward to reading the next in the series.

[JV Findlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit rushed

A coming of age military science fiction story that kinda skips the character development of most of the main characters, all except for the obnoxious pain in the hiney duelist who has a crazy change of heart after trying to seriously hurt the MC... Didn't really gel.

Story was predictable, not well developed and had a few holes in the action that bugged me.

OK read but wouldn't continue the series.

[Robert Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read I'd say

A simple tale, enough room to allow the imagination to fill in the details, who would imagine a monarchy to be so sweet and kind.
I have to admit I felt I was back in highschool.
In the minority this series finished the plot without dangling threads prompting the next series, it exists on it's own merit, thank you.

[Wanda binz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

This is a good story and it’s setting up for an entire series of defenders of the rim so it drags a little at times. It’s a great story and I’ll definitely be reading more of this authors books.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Space Opera

Other than the fact that it takes itself too seriously, this is a good storyline. They get a bit carried away with the royalty aspects, but the story moves along well, has plenty of excitement in the battle scenes and the intrigue is decently done.

[gloria marquardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it.

The crew of a small experimental ship were all misfits all coming out of the academy. They were all chosen for their advanced abilities. They all learned how to work and mesh with each other under the command of a special lieutenant. Where they are allowed to excel.

[Kenneth Kotmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immersed

The reader is totally pulled in to the ongoing story. One can actually feel the tension as the events unfold. This is a great and exciting adventure.

[Mike Goodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

This was a entertaining fast pace action packed story that I enjoyed reading. The bad thing of this story is it goes from Adult to Kid to teenage levels.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well paced with engaging characters

Character driven science fiction. Lacking in the alien creatures and tech department. Engaging story that moves along at a good pace.

[Stefanos Kouzof · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series started good enough, but turned to include fantasy elements vital to the plot. Sorry, but didn't want to read fantasy.

[Marvin J Althoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read

It was very easy to fall in love with the main character.. Can't wait to start on book # 2.

[Rob Vliegendhart · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow bad

How manu clichés can one put in one story? And what about timeline. Absolute horror. Won't be reading anymore of this author.

[Evelyn Goughnour · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book! I loved this book and the characters! I’m looking forward to more!

[Jane Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the storytelling by Randal. Can't wait to start the next book.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dialogue is a little cheesy but I overlooked that due to the plots in all 3 books.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the writing felt immature. I don't think the author actually know want a nebula is.