Valor's Calling: A Young Adult Military Space Opera Novel

Children of Valor #2

by Kal Spriggs

The past calls you back.

Jiden made the decision to join the Century Military Academy after her attempt at a normal school ended in disaster. She's embraced this new chapter in her life and she's ready to do her best.

But this new start isn't all that she expected. Her relationships with her friends have changed since she's been away, her classes are harder than she expected, and things aren't quite what they seem. Jiden learns that she made enemies when she chose to return to the Academy, and those enemies will settle for nothing less than her death.

Jiden is going to have to dig deep, she's going to have to fight with everything she has, not just to succeed, but to stay alive. Jiden isn't afraid of the challenge, because the military life isn't just a simple decision, it's her calling in life.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Military Fiction

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2017

About the author

Kal Spriggs started reading science fiction and fantasy in elementary school. Eventually he was the only eight year old with permission from the local public library to check out books from the adult section because he'd read everything else. He's written ever since he started running out of 'good' stuff to read when he was twelve, although he likes to think his writing has improved, if only slightly.

Spriggs is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy with an engineering degree. He followed in his parents' footsteps and joined the US Army after graduation and currently serves as an active duty Engineer captain. As well as earning a masters degree in environmental engineering, he's been deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq.

His website with free fiction, details on upcoming books, and other information can be found at
kalspriggs.com

Reviews

[TSN ☮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really feels like the junior edition of Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein.

[Hilton mather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting

A little bit of a rehash of the first book, the main protagonist seems a bit clueless about military life but through a good bit of luck and determination, survives even life threatening situations.

[MKenfield21 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to see how someone as apathetic, and really just clueless, as Jiden (who seems to have regressed a bit since book 1) could succeed, let alone excel, at a military academy.

Nevertheless, she's somehow at the top of her class even though she's constantly oblivious to things that substantially all of her classmates know about and are prepared for.

It seems like the author uses this as an expository device (Jiden: "Wait, what are you talking about?" Ash: "You mean you haven't already done that a month ago? Here's how it works..."). This happens repeatedly, and I guess it's an effective way to convey information to the reader, but it does so at the expense of any lingering respect one might have for the protagonist.

I also can't say I approve of how forgiving this book is of a certain character's conduct. Serial betrayal and attempted murder should not be excused because someone was "under pressure."

[Jermel Purse · Rating 5 out of 5]

bigger better more fun

My title suggests this is simply a bigger better story. Not at the last story was bad it was great this is just more greatness. You see the main character grow you see more conflict come in to play and the mystery does deep in. There’s a lot of mystery here if you have been paying attention if not don’t worry you’ll get some things to look at now no spoilers for me.

One thing I do like about this book as you do see a lot of time advancement particularly in the later portion of the book the author has no problem saying several weeks have passed. Sometimes you don’t see this in some books when the author needs to speed it along and get to the next plot point. I’m glad to see the author didn’t try and stretch things out too much here and when things needed to be sped along we zipped forward. Another excellent book in the series diving right into the third.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm kind of skeptical when I read young adult science fiction. Some is great and some tends to have an unnaturally immature feel to it. Perhaps the target audience is the big difference. This series falls into the former for me. I like the way the characters are written despite the main character having the odd "I'm just a kid" moment and then complaining about being treated like a child the next moment. Given that the characters are around 17 to 20 earth years old I think they'd be more likely to identify as an adult.

I really enjoy the training and schooling aspects of the story. Of course the action and mystery is a draw and I particularly like the family politics. Definitely an entertaining read and I look forward to reading the next one.

[Volpot · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Good sequel.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent continuation!

Really liking this mc and the progression of this story. Also liking the depth of details of the academy experience.

[Su · Rating 2 out of 5]

To me this series have so much promise. However instead of building on this character the author have seem to regress a bit. To me the character just seem so wishy washy and clueless. I skimmed through much of this book as the plot just seem to plod along slowly and boringly. Would I recommend this? I don’t know, what I find boring someone may find entertaining. I’ll just say read it for yourself and find out because I am still kind of on the fence about this book.