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Voidstalker #1
Voidstalker
What glitters is gold, but beneath it is rot.
Humanity has a sprawling interstellar empire. Advances in science and the resources of countless frontier worlds have brought untold prosperity to its citizens. But how much of this wealth comes from dangerous experiments with alien technology?
As an elite intelligence operative, that question plagues Gabriel Thorn constantly. When contact is lost with a mysterious research facility, he is sent to investigate. But he finds a web of secrecy and lies which extends through the corridors of power and industry, and finds himself unprepared to confront the ancient evil buried deep within.
Humanity has a sprawling interstellar empire. Advances in science and the resources of countless frontier worlds have brought untold prosperity to its citizens. But how much of this wealth comes from dangerous experiments with alien technology?
As an elite intelligence operative, that question plagues Gabriel Thorn constantly. When contact is lost with a mysterious research facility, he is sent to investigate. But he finds a web of secrecy and lies which extends through the corridors of power and industry, and finds himself unprepared to confront the ancient evil buried deep within.
255 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2017
116 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 30, 2017
Well into the future, humans have colonized space, and Gabriel, an enhanced agent for DNI (a sort of super military police force) is sent with a squad to investigate the possibility that JE Corporation is acquiring alien technology in some sort of laboratory on the moon Loki. Asther, Gabriel's wife, happens to work for JE Corporation, and there is a suspicion they have a mole. The world building is very good, and there are connections with excessive behaviour in modern society, for example Jezebel, Gabriel's mother, is a vulture capitalist. The writing style is clear and it holds the reader, and the characters are reasonably drawn, bearing in mind that Gabriel has been modified and trained to be unemotional. The plot is clever, and has surprises and some subtlety.
For me, however, there were drawbacks. The most obvious one, and for spoiling reasons I cannot give examples, is the asymmetry in the prolonged action scenes. Gabriel and his squad are heavily armoured and consequently when they meet opposition, the opposition really can't do much about them, so we see them shoot up huge numbers. This means no real tension, which is a pity because Graham eventually comes up with an antagonist that really should generate tension. However, it has only a few pages of cameo appearance. To summarise, here there is someone who has a genuinely good imagination and can write. What he needs is to give a little more thought to balance and tension. I would also like to see a little more made of the connections with modern society. Graham can see them, so perhaps just bring them a little more to the front? Well worth the read, though. Get the balance right and it is easily five stars.
For me, however, there were drawbacks. The most obvious one, and for spoiling reasons I cannot give examples, is the asymmetry in the prolonged action scenes. Gabriel and his squad are heavily armoured and consequently when they meet opposition, the opposition really can't do much about them, so we see them shoot up huge numbers. This means no real tension, which is a pity because Graham eventually comes up with an antagonist that really should generate tension. However, it has only a few pages of cameo appearance. To summarise, here there is someone who has a genuinely good imagination and can write. What he needs is to give a little more thought to balance and tension. I would also like to see a little more made of the connections with modern society. Graham can see them, so perhaps just bring them a little more to the front? Well worth the read, though. Get the balance right and it is easily five stars.
January 30, 2018
“You always get a message from work before disappearing.”
Author John Graham makes a significant writing debut with the publication of his novel – VOIDSTALKER – a science fiction tale that is far more than the sum of the usual components. John is willing to take on contemporary philosophy, genetic engineering, and space manipulation and blend this with a truly terrifying glimpse at corruption of the highest level.
An example of the facility with which John writes is evident in this short passage – ‘“Robots lack the capacity to second-guess their superiors,” The first voice remarked. “They also lack something much more crucial,” Red-eye replied. “Which is?” “The spark of Humanity,” Red-eye explained, “The voidstalker programme has long-term purposes which transcend its immediate utility as a tool of deep-space intelligence operations. They hinge on the long-term survival of Humanity as a whole, and it is therefore vital that the voidstalkers actually be Human, anger and all.”
To set the tone of the book John opens with a palpable atmosphere - ‘Real nightmares are rooted in memory, and this nightmare was no different. The door to the depressurized chamber opened and he felt a spike of adrenaline pierce his heart as he was ejected into the cold and lonely void. Twisting and spinning through space with his sense of direction thrown into confusion, he felt like he was suffocating as he hyperventilated from sheer panic. He had to force himself to slow his breathing, taking shallower and shallower gulps of air until his pulse had settled and he was no longer panicking; then he extended his limbs and relaxed. Without an EVA jetpack, there was nothing else he could do, and by the time he had calmed down, the vessel that had carried him there was already gone. The darkness that surrounded him was so thick he could almost touch it. Save for the countless tiny points of light that dotted the background, the distance between himself and the stars was a never-ending expanse of pure emptiness, extending in all directions. The sheer immensity of space made him feel like a grain of sand in a vast ocean, or a speck of dust floating in a planetary atmosphere. Worse still was the sheer nothingness of it all. At least in the ocean or the atmosphere, you could feel the currents making their presence known and their power felt, buffeting you back and forth, reminding you constantly that it surrounded you. In the vacuum of space, there truly was nothing, not even gravity. The eternal abyss exerted no push or pull, no awesome reminder of its infinite power, because there was nothing there to exert such power. To be trapped in space was to be just another particle drifting forever. But perhaps worst of all was the total loss of orientation.’
But sharing excerpts of this startlingly fine book may be addictive but the plot line is very important – ‘What glitters is gold, but beneath it is rot. Humanity has a sprawling interstellar empire. Advances in science and the resources of countless frontier worlds have brought untold prosperity to its citizens. But how much of this wealth comes from dangerous experiments with alien technology? As an elite intelligence operative, that question plagues Gabriel Thorn constantly. When contact is lost with a mysterious research facility, he is sent to investigate. But he finds a web of secrecy and lies which extends through the corridors of power and industry, and finds himself unprepared to confront the ancient evil buried deep within.’
Well-written, finely composed plotline, and a well-crafted arc and dénouement assures us that John Graham’s hobby of science fiction has found a solid home in writing.
Author John Graham makes a significant writing debut with the publication of his novel – VOIDSTALKER – a science fiction tale that is far more than the sum of the usual components. John is willing to take on contemporary philosophy, genetic engineering, and space manipulation and blend this with a truly terrifying glimpse at corruption of the highest level.
An example of the facility with which John writes is evident in this short passage – ‘“Robots lack the capacity to second-guess their superiors,” The first voice remarked. “They also lack something much more crucial,” Red-eye replied. “Which is?” “The spark of Humanity,” Red-eye explained, “The voidstalker programme has long-term purposes which transcend its immediate utility as a tool of deep-space intelligence operations. They hinge on the long-term survival of Humanity as a whole, and it is therefore vital that the voidstalkers actually be Human, anger and all.”
To set the tone of the book John opens with a palpable atmosphere - ‘Real nightmares are rooted in memory, and this nightmare was no different. The door to the depressurized chamber opened and he felt a spike of adrenaline pierce his heart as he was ejected into the cold and lonely void. Twisting and spinning through space with his sense of direction thrown into confusion, he felt like he was suffocating as he hyperventilated from sheer panic. He had to force himself to slow his breathing, taking shallower and shallower gulps of air until his pulse had settled and he was no longer panicking; then he extended his limbs and relaxed. Without an EVA jetpack, there was nothing else he could do, and by the time he had calmed down, the vessel that had carried him there was already gone. The darkness that surrounded him was so thick he could almost touch it. Save for the countless tiny points of light that dotted the background, the distance between himself and the stars was a never-ending expanse of pure emptiness, extending in all directions. The sheer immensity of space made him feel like a grain of sand in a vast ocean, or a speck of dust floating in a planetary atmosphere. Worse still was the sheer nothingness of it all. At least in the ocean or the atmosphere, you could feel the currents making their presence known and their power felt, buffeting you back and forth, reminding you constantly that it surrounded you. In the vacuum of space, there truly was nothing, not even gravity. The eternal abyss exerted no push or pull, no awesome reminder of its infinite power, because there was nothing there to exert such power. To be trapped in space was to be just another particle drifting forever. But perhaps worst of all was the total loss of orientation.’
But sharing excerpts of this startlingly fine book may be addictive but the plot line is very important – ‘What glitters is gold, but beneath it is rot. Humanity has a sprawling interstellar empire. Advances in science and the resources of countless frontier worlds have brought untold prosperity to its citizens. But how much of this wealth comes from dangerous experiments with alien technology? As an elite intelligence operative, that question plagues Gabriel Thorn constantly. When contact is lost with a mysterious research facility, he is sent to investigate. But he finds a web of secrecy and lies which extends through the corridors of power and industry, and finds himself unprepared to confront the ancient evil buried deep within.’
Well-written, finely composed plotline, and a well-crafted arc and dénouement assures us that John Graham’s hobby of science fiction has found a solid home in writing.
February 19, 2018
I must confess, the introductory scene had a score of things that didn’t give me high hopes for the rest of the book. Still, I read on, and I’m glad I did.
It’s a little cliché to call a book “a gripping page-turner”, but this was that. Many mysteries beset our main characters, and we switch between fields of action (chiefly, those of the two main characters) often enough to keep us turning pages to find out what happens in this one and the other too, but not so often as to turn it into choppy micro-chapters, something some authors do to increase the feel of pace, but that I personally don’t appreciate. Instead, there was no sacrificing of pace or depth, and a great balance struck.
I enjoyed that the character who initially looked like angsty 20-something white male lone-wolf wannabe fantasy fodder turned out to have intelligence and maturity and solve his problems in a professional fashion.
I also enjoyed that the character who initially looked like a whiny WAG who needs to learn about boundaries also got fleshed out a little more and actually had a major role in the story other than her relationship to the eponymous Voidstalker.
I further enjoyed that what initially looked like “Oh, reptilian aliens being gunned down. This is Space Invaders.” very quickly developed into a thoughtful and multi-faceted (four-way? five-way? more? Depends how you want to count sides) conflict where it’s not overly clear who, if anyone, are the good guys.
In short, the book has its weak points, but is certainly recommendable for its broader strengths, and will appeal to fans of well-considered sci-fi.
It’s a little cliché to call a book “a gripping page-turner”, but this was that. Many mysteries beset our main characters, and we switch between fields of action (chiefly, those of the two main characters) often enough to keep us turning pages to find out what happens in this one and the other too, but not so often as to turn it into choppy micro-chapters, something some authors do to increase the feel of pace, but that I personally don’t appreciate. Instead, there was no sacrificing of pace or depth, and a great balance struck.
I enjoyed that the character who initially looked like angsty 20-something white male lone-wolf wannabe fantasy fodder turned out to have intelligence and maturity and solve his problems in a professional fashion.
I also enjoyed that the character who initially looked like a whiny WAG who needs to learn about boundaries also got fleshed out a little more and actually had a major role in the story other than her relationship to the eponymous Voidstalker.
I further enjoyed that what initially looked like “Oh, reptilian aliens being gunned down. This is Space Invaders.” very quickly developed into a thoughtful and multi-faceted (four-way? five-way? more? Depends how you want to count sides) conflict where it’s not overly clear who, if anyone, are the good guys.
In short, the book has its weak points, but is certainly recommendable for its broader strengths, and will appeal to fans of well-considered sci-fi.
October 20, 2021
Voidstalker by John Graham is a futuristic thriller featuring Gabriel, a voidstalker. He is something like a "six-million dollar man," except his value is far higher and he is not wholly human. He is sent to a site and is assigned a squad of men. Although he doesn't appreciate the help, he is not going to disobey orders.
Not all of them make it back.
This book has lots of factions that will keep your head spinning: DNI (the Department of Naval Intelligence), the corporations, the manufacturers, the miners, aliens, and .... others. The action is a little gory but appropriate for this genre.
The author speaks British English, so you will have to deal with occasional odd word choices, weird quotation marks, and different spelling (like "utilise" for "utilize," etc.). There are a few mistakes (like "laying" for "lying"). Overall, however, as an American reader, I was not put off by the differences. What did bother me was the use of a variety of euphemisms for the "f-bomb," as well as the f-bomb itself.
I appreciated that the author wrote female characters' points of view fairly well, except for sex scenes. There he turned to the old cliché where a man roughs a woman up and that's supposed to turn her on. Too many men actually believe this is how sex is supposed to be. I'd like to not see it anymore.
All in all, I highly recommend this book and plan to read the next books in the series.
Not all of them make it back.
This book has lots of factions that will keep your head spinning: DNI (the Department of Naval Intelligence), the corporations, the manufacturers, the miners, aliens, and .... others. The action is a little gory but appropriate for this genre.
The author speaks British English, so you will have to deal with occasional odd word choices, weird quotation marks, and different spelling (like "utilise" for "utilize," etc.). There are a few mistakes (like "laying" for "lying"). Overall, however, as an American reader, I was not put off by the differences. What did bother me was the use of a variety of euphemisms for the "f-bomb," as well as the f-bomb itself.
I appreciated that the author wrote female characters' points of view fairly well, except for sex scenes. There he turned to the old cliché where a man roughs a woman up and that's supposed to turn her on. Too many men actually believe this is how sex is supposed to be. I'd like to not see it anymore.
All in all, I highly recommend this book and plan to read the next books in the series.
February 2, 2018
John Graham continues to amaze me with his creative mind and the strong grip on any plot. The story is an exciting science fiction centered around an imaginary world. While the story is interesting, what I liked was the presentation of different characters. The author spends considerable time in character development while maintaining the flow of the story. For example the hero has a military mind set, but is sincere and knows his shortcoming. He feels irritated when surrounded by his kids while going on a mission for he is punctual and does not like to be late, but realizes that his eldest son and two daughters want to spend some time with their dad before he goes off on a mission. His wife is loving, and caring, but feels frustrated that she couldn't join in much of her husband's life. The mother is conniving and scheming and makes her fortune by deceiving others. All these characterization makes us feel connected to the people in the story and feel the events as if they are happening in our own lives.
The world is shown as a mercenary place where people build their riches on others. Recruits are left into void to test their mental capacity without offering any help. There is much secrecy surrounding some new technology that people are not allowed to discuss.
The novel was great and I felt myself soaked in this new world with so much innovation and excitement.
The world is shown as a mercenary place where people build their riches on others. Recruits are left into void to test their mental capacity without offering any help. There is much secrecy surrounding some new technology that people are not allowed to discuss.
The novel was great and I felt myself soaked in this new world with so much innovation and excitement.
January 31, 2018
Voidstalkers were trained and equipped to operate a mission without support for a long period of time as a lone wolf. They entered the most hostile of areas and completed what they set out to do as assigned. What troubled Gabriel was the reason he was assigned a squad of operatives to complete a mission when he rarely work with others. To him, there was no need for comradeship; the mission was more important than the lives of his team.
Gabriel may be a lone wolf at work, but he enjoyed his wife and four children. His wife also worked at a “need-to-know” job, which kept a degree of annoying secrecy in their relationship. His relationship with his loan shark mother was always on the rocks, but his wife did not tolerate her as much as her husband. Little did both of the women in his life know how closely they were related to the suicide mission he was sent on to retrieve Intel related to an alien testing facility.
I love the bio-metrics against alien enhanced warfare this novel engages on a distant planet. Cut off the warriors are slowing losing their men, or they were being conformed to the technology that changed the aliens into grotesque creatures. Even destroying the prophet of The Voice, Gabriel found that was only a prick in a larger problem.
Gabriel may be a lone wolf at work, but he enjoyed his wife and four children. His wife also worked at a “need-to-know” job, which kept a degree of annoying secrecy in their relationship. His relationship with his loan shark mother was always on the rocks, but his wife did not tolerate her as much as her husband. Little did both of the women in his life know how closely they were related to the suicide mission he was sent on to retrieve Intel related to an alien testing facility.
I love the bio-metrics against alien enhanced warfare this novel engages on a distant planet. Cut off the warriors are slowing losing their men, or they were being conformed to the technology that changed the aliens into grotesque creatures. Even destroying the prophet of The Voice, Gabriel found that was only a prick in a larger problem.
October 26, 2017
What could possibly go wrong if, for example human race gets their hand on an unknown alien technology and starts using it for their “own benefit?’’ Well, there are many things that can go wrong, starting from the fact that the technology does not belong to us, and that whoever it belongs to will want it back.
Voidstalker reminds me of a good horror movie or a videogame in which its main protagonist needs to uncover the big secret (secrets are always big anyway) and to put an end to everything that could endanger the mission of exploration of space. This is exactly what our protagonist, special intelligence operative Gabriel Thorn needs to do. He was sent to investigate what exactly caused loss of communication between a research base and Earth. Things become even grimmer when he sets foot inside the base and realizes that the base is not abandoned as he previously thought it was.
My opinion is that the author of this novel did pretty good job with it.
I mean sure, there are many alien/evil based novels, films and such media. However, there is always place for more. The only thing that one needs to have is an idea. I like it.
Voidstalker reminds me of a good horror movie or a videogame in which its main protagonist needs to uncover the big secret (secrets are always big anyway) and to put an end to everything that could endanger the mission of exploration of space. This is exactly what our protagonist, special intelligence operative Gabriel Thorn needs to do. He was sent to investigate what exactly caused loss of communication between a research base and Earth. Things become even grimmer when he sets foot inside the base and realizes that the base is not abandoned as he previously thought it was.
My opinion is that the author of this novel did pretty good job with it.
I mean sure, there are many alien/evil based novels, films and such media. However, there is always place for more. The only thing that one needs to have is an idea. I like it.
November 6, 2022
This novel is essentially a description of a first-person shooter video game in space.
The protagonist, an elite intelligence operative known as a void stalker, is a one dimensional cut out of what the author perceives an elite military type to be: dark, brooding, doesn’t say much and enjoys roughing up his missus.
He and a team of marines (all officers for some reason) are deployed to a secret facility built by an evil corporation in some planet because contact with the facility has been lost. Weirdly, they are forced to call their loved ones immediately before stepping off for the job.
Once they get there, they discover that the facility staff have been turned into blood thirsty maniacs by some alien space dust, and from there follows a Doom-style slaughter show as the troopers fight their way through hordes of different enemies. One of the soldiers even says something like “There’s our boss fight” in the midst of the final battle when a boss-level character enters the fray.
There is a side story involving corporate espionage and murder where you will get your fill of being told “corporations bad”.
Hats off to the author for writing a novel, but not my cup of tea.
The protagonist, an elite intelligence operative known as a void stalker, is a one dimensional cut out of what the author perceives an elite military type to be: dark, brooding, doesn’t say much and enjoys roughing up his missus.
He and a team of marines (all officers for some reason) are deployed to a secret facility built by an evil corporation in some planet because contact with the facility has been lost. Weirdly, they are forced to call their loved ones immediately before stepping off for the job.
Once they get there, they discover that the facility staff have been turned into blood thirsty maniacs by some alien space dust, and from there follows a Doom-style slaughter show as the troopers fight their way through hordes of different enemies. One of the soldiers even says something like “There’s our boss fight” in the midst of the final battle when a boss-level character enters the fray.
There is a side story involving corporate espionage and murder where you will get your fill of being told “corporations bad”.
Hats off to the author for writing a novel, but not my cup of tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2018
This novel strikes a really good balance between sci-fi and classic thriller, near to perfect for me. The setting for the plot is drawn from sci-fi, it is the future, mankind is powerful and successful, but, of course, there is something underneath all of that that isn't so great and shiny. The sci-fi part is perfectly fine and does what it is supposed to do, but I like the thriller side of the story even more. In that world of future we have a plot that seems like it is plucked right out of some cool spy novel, the main difference are the aliens and space traveling we have here. Web of secrets, danger, shady business, everything is in here. The author does a really good job with connecting that and making it a part of the future world he built and it works very well. I must say I am not blown away with writing style or characters, some of them seem like they are not fully fleshed out. But, despite that, I enjoyed the book, it is mainly plot driven and it pushes you to read more and more and more. Really good one, give it a go.
October 24, 2018
The darkness that surrounds him was so thick that he could almost touch it
This novel by John Graham begins with a dream of a space expedition. A man in a space suit is ejected into the expanse of space before his senses could adjust to the new environment or rather, nothingness, the ship that dropped him off had gone. This event got my heart raging with imaginations, who is this man and what must have gone wrong? Graham has found a way to keep me glued to this book.
I began to imagine what the feelings would be like to be let out in space to float endlessly into nothingness. There were no sense of direction or even a guide to where you’re heading to. Well, it was a good thing that it was just a dream. But then along the line, we begin to see how the dreams connect. This book centers around Gabriel and his work. With every bit of findings we get, this book keeps you glued asking for more.
For those who are a huge fan of the dystopian future like myself, this book is definitely one to add to your collections. This novel is well articulated in steady and flowing language.
This novel by John Graham begins with a dream of a space expedition. A man in a space suit is ejected into the expanse of space before his senses could adjust to the new environment or rather, nothingness, the ship that dropped him off had gone. This event got my heart raging with imaginations, who is this man and what must have gone wrong? Graham has found a way to keep me glued to this book.
I began to imagine what the feelings would be like to be let out in space to float endlessly into nothingness. There were no sense of direction or even a guide to where you’re heading to. Well, it was a good thing that it was just a dream. But then along the line, we begin to see how the dreams connect. This book centers around Gabriel and his work. With every bit of findings we get, this book keeps you glued asking for more.
For those who are a huge fan of the dystopian future like myself, this book is definitely one to add to your collections. This novel is well articulated in steady and flowing language.
September 23, 2021
The story opens with a setting reminiscent of Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis,” then throws in a little “Blade Runner.” Our protagonist is an enhanced special agent who usually works alone, but is now given a team. The story explores conflicts of loyalty in both personal and professional arenas.
Some characters are obviously good while other are just as obviously bad. But there is a whole spectrum of characters in between, and that is where the story excels. It pokes at the rational of doing bad things for good reasons.
There is a lot of action as the team is sent to find out why an illegal research facility has gone dark. We have plenty of foreshadowing that there will be an alien presence, but I was still surprised at the way some of it played out.
The narrative switches back and forth between the agent’s struggles at the research lab and his wife’s problems at her work. I personally found it a bit distracting, but was still able to follow and enjoy the story. It was well worth the time and effort to read.
Some characters are obviously good while other are just as obviously bad. But there is a whole spectrum of characters in between, and that is where the story excels. It pokes at the rational of doing bad things for good reasons.
There is a lot of action as the team is sent to find out why an illegal research facility has gone dark. We have plenty of foreshadowing that there will be an alien presence, but I was still surprised at the way some of it played out.
The narrative switches back and forth between the agent’s struggles at the research lab and his wife’s problems at her work. I personally found it a bit distracting, but was still able to follow and enjoy the story. It was well worth the time and effort to read.
October 29, 2017
This novel by John Graham tells the story of Gabriel Thorn. Thorn is currently working on secret science experiments when he comes across some puzzling situations. He tries to find the answer to these problems while also preventing the dangerous science experiments he’s conducting from getting out of hand. Along the way, Thorn finds numerous secrets that might end up endangering his life.
If you enjoy reading science fiction novels, this is one you’ll definitely want to check out. It’s about 269 pages long and filled with interesting characters and a unique setting. Graham also opens the book in an intriguing way which will instantly capture the reader’s attention. The titles of the chapters are creatively titled to help give you an idea of what each section will be about. This novel is mysterious and full of suspense and is perfect for those looking for a new read or for those who want to dive into a fantastic science fiction thriller.
If you enjoy reading science fiction novels, this is one you’ll definitely want to check out. It’s about 269 pages long and filled with interesting characters and a unique setting. Graham also opens the book in an intriguing way which will instantly capture the reader’s attention. The titles of the chapters are creatively titled to help give you an idea of what each section will be about. This novel is mysterious and full of suspense and is perfect for those looking for a new read or for those who want to dive into a fantastic science fiction thriller.
April 10, 2018
No matter how far or how fictional the story can get, it can be only being connected through relatable characters, and that’s what really shines here!
A creative new world that takes us out in space, where human kind have expanded their territory, a military whose life needs to be balanced, his work takes more and more demanding time from him, while his family expects him at home, hopeful to reconnect with him one day.
The premise and the creative approach take in this new world is outstanding, I love how the author presents everything within the character’s point of view, they serves as links and bridges to all of us readers to really connect with this world, the characters are developed really well, and the fact that the plot progress through the characters is amazing as well. The meaningful thing is, no matter how much have our society can advance, our heart can only be filled with the warm of the family.
A creative new world that takes us out in space, where human kind have expanded their territory, a military whose life needs to be balanced, his work takes more and more demanding time from him, while his family expects him at home, hopeful to reconnect with him one day.
The premise and the creative approach take in this new world is outstanding, I love how the author presents everything within the character’s point of view, they serves as links and bridges to all of us readers to really connect with this world, the characters are developed really well, and the fact that the plot progress through the characters is amazing as well. The meaningful thing is, no matter how much have our society can advance, our heart can only be filled with the warm of the family.
January 16, 2019
Voidstalker is a science fiction thriller by John Graham. Here, humans have gained access to alien technology which has advanced the exploration and even settlement of interstellar worlds. How we managed to get our hands on this technology and how many unsavory deeds are committed for and with it along the way are questions for our hero, Gabriel Thorn. Thorn is sent to investigate when a distant research facility goes radio silent.
This novel is typical in the vein of 'humans have once again taken something benign and twisted it to justify doing terrible things to one another'. In this case though, Graham goes even further and shows us spreading our greed and horror across the whole of space. A proud moment, indeed. Upping the ante on evil to be fought truly makes Voidstalker a science fiction novel for science fiction fanatics and will not disappoint them in the least.
This novel is typical in the vein of 'humans have once again taken something benign and twisted it to justify doing terrible things to one another'. In this case though, Graham goes even further and shows us spreading our greed and horror across the whole of space. A proud moment, indeed. Upping the ante on evil to be fought truly makes Voidstalker a science fiction novel for science fiction fanatics and will not disappoint them in the least.
November 8, 2017
I really enjoyed this book because it tapped into what we are all wondering about aliens! The story main characters Gabriel Thorn and Aster appear to be somewhat of a power couple. Aster works for an Engineering Company and Gabriel is in the military. Throughout the story Gabriel comes across some secrets that may have some moral implications in the future.
The story seems to be at an interesting intersection between sci-fi thriller and drama. The discovery of aliens and their technology, while uncovering secrets hidden at different organizations.
I did have trouble following the book now and again. I found myself having to reread certain sections to try and understand what the author was saying. It did not take away too much from the story but I felt it could have been improved with a bit of experience editing.
The story seems to be at an interesting intersection between sci-fi thriller and drama. The discovery of aliens and their technology, while uncovering secrets hidden at different organizations.
I did have trouble following the book now and again. I found myself having to reread certain sections to try and understand what the author was saying. It did not take away too much from the story but I felt it could have been improved with a bit of experience editing.
February 8, 2018
Highly evocative, descriptive writing features prominently in Voidstalker by John Graham. From the opening pages, you are drawn in as a reader and the tension and excitement is palpable. It's all about alien technology and it's effect on humankind. In the distant future, man has colonized space. JE Corporation is getting alien technology. Gabriel and his wife Aster are thrust into the middle of controversy which could signal the end of life as they know it. When Gabriel is sent to investigate the very company that his wife works for, JE Corporation, he doesn't know what he will find. This is a finely wrought science fiction novel with good suspense, a lot of one-sided action scenes, an intriguing plot line and fast pace that keeps you guessing all the way until the end. Voidstalker is a solid endeavor that is worth exploring.
September 22, 2021
Voidstalker by John Graham is a well-put-together science fiction novel that feels quite real. From the characters to the intricate settings, you get a deep dive into the world the author has created. Gabriel Thorn is the lead character, married to Aster, the mother of their four children. The family dynamic works well and is entirely believable. Between them, they have highly complicated and nuanced jobs; this sets the tone nicely for the various difficulties that come to pass. While done exceptionally well, the science-fiction element works cohesively here with a seeming similarity to modern-day life and society as we know it now. The story is eminently readable and relatable. You get immersed in the action and the plausible plot quickly while engaging with the characters—a great read and recommended one.
September 28, 2021
This quintessential sci-fi loaded with tons of twists and turns took me on a nail-biting journey throughout the book. The nuances and subtleties with which the author, John Graham, has described the characters and the advanced technological world glued my eyes to the book until completed. Right from the beginning, the book succeeded in holding my attention and maintained the suspense till the end. The story takes us to the future where humans have expanded their territory in space and the unseen dangers behold to destroy it.
The relatable characters and perfectly designed sci-fi world did everything to satiate my love for thrillers. The author John Graham has done a commendable job in setting up the whole story and gave no chance to pick out even a single plot hole. This book provided a complete package for a sci-fi lover like me.
The relatable characters and perfectly designed sci-fi world did everything to satiate my love for thrillers. The author John Graham has done a commendable job in setting up the whole story and gave no chance to pick out even a single plot hole. This book provided a complete package for a sci-fi lover like me.
September 29, 2021
This book is a great combination of futuristic sci-fi, mystery and suspense. The reading experience is enhanced by Graham’s writing style and the magnetic characters. Gabriel is shown to be a smart and swift intelligence operative who ends up unravelling a corrupt and powerful hierarchy in this dystopian set-up. The author makes this dystopian plot relatable through human relationships and the strengths and weaknesses of Gabriel as the main protagonist. The readers will experience a few jolts due to suspenseful foreshadows of aliens throughout the book. Graham perfectly weaves the plot together and gradually walks the reader through a journey of truth and darkness. If you enjoy mysterious sci-fi books that deconstruct hierarchies in dystopian worlds, then this might be the perfect book for your weekend.
September 30, 2021
Quality fiction
I started reading the first book of the series called “Voidstalker” by John Graham because I heard it was a good fiction to pass the time.
I agree with this statement since as I passed the pages, I encountered a good quality plot with well-developed characters. This story is, in my personal and deep opinion, about humans’ thirst. The book tells the story of our species playing with weapons and technology obtained thanks to other species’ superior intelligence. As you may imagine, no good can come as a result of that.
I won't give out any more details in order not to spoil the rest of the reader, but I must say I had a good time reading this first book. I sometimes got lost with the characters and I felt the reader is unnecessarily long, but I will keep on reading the following parts because I believe it is entertaining.
I started reading the first book of the series called “Voidstalker” by John Graham because I heard it was a good fiction to pass the time.
I agree with this statement since as I passed the pages, I encountered a good quality plot with well-developed characters. This story is, in my personal and deep opinion, about humans’ thirst. The book tells the story of our species playing with weapons and technology obtained thanks to other species’ superior intelligence. As you may imagine, no good can come as a result of that.
I won't give out any more details in order not to spoil the rest of the reader, but I must say I had a good time reading this first book. I sometimes got lost with the characters and I felt the reader is unnecessarily long, but I will keep on reading the following parts because I believe it is entertaining.
February 10, 2018
It doesn’t take long to find yourself lost in this Sci-Fi book. The author does a fantastic job of really making the main characters feel real and easy to relate too. The details provided in this futuristic book really bring the authors vision to life and make for a difficult book to put down. John Graham’s telling of this story left me sitting on the edge of my seat telling the kids to wait a little longer while I read to the next chapter. This was very difficult for me to put down and I just had to find out what was going to happen next. This is a well thought out and written Sci-Fi book that really makes one look at our future and really entertains the reader. It’s a great look at our effect in space and our future as a human race.
September 28, 2021
A Sci-Fi detective on the hunt!
I love what is essentially a detective story. It is always interesting when it is in the Sci-Fi genre. Gabriel Thorn is an intelligence operative in the pursuit of some answers when contact is lost with a research facility with mysterious origins. The way the story is written certainly kept me hooked. I loved the characters. They were very relatable and felt almost real. The world, while being futuristic, it still feels like a place I could visit. Fast-paced, this story kept me on my toes because whenever I thought I had a grasp on the situation, it would take me in another direction. An excellent story and one I would recommend to anyone, especially for the reader who loves mysteries.
I love what is essentially a detective story. It is always interesting when it is in the Sci-Fi genre. Gabriel Thorn is an intelligence operative in the pursuit of some answers when contact is lost with a research facility with mysterious origins. The way the story is written certainly kept me hooked. I loved the characters. They were very relatable and felt almost real. The world, while being futuristic, it still feels like a place I could visit. Fast-paced, this story kept me on my toes because whenever I thought I had a grasp on the situation, it would take me in another direction. An excellent story and one I would recommend to anyone, especially for the reader who loves mysteries.
September 28, 2021
JJohn Graham is the author of several science fiction books that takes inspiration in Halo, Dawn of War, Start Treck and Mass Effect and others. Voidstalker is his latest book and it takes us into the story of Gabriel Thorn, an elite intelligence operative; so, when something goes down with a mysterious research facility, he is sent to investigate, and what he finds is very interesting and a web of secrecy and lies.
This book is right under my ally, filled with action and mystery and with a great hero like Gabriel that is ready to do everything to be honest and confront the troubles along the way. The story is very easy to follow, and the author has a great imagination and makes the reading believable! I recommend this to any geek seeking for a good sci-fi mystery!
This book is right under my ally, filled with action and mystery and with a great hero like Gabriel that is ready to do everything to be honest and confront the troubles along the way. The story is very easy to follow, and the author has a great imagination and makes the reading believable! I recommend this to any geek seeking for a good sci-fi mystery!
January 31, 2018
A sci-fi action thriller set a lifetime in the future
This is a fun read with good characters and a developed story from the first page. Our main charachter, Gabriel, is a man who has a secret life. On one side he is a loving father and husband while on the other side he is a secret government agent sworn to protect society against the evil found throughout the galaxy. Set at a good pace, you will be drawn deeper into the journey with every page as you try yo figure out what will happen next and who the real bad guys are. A good read that will allow you to escape the stress of everyday life and lose yourself in this futuristic space cowboy thriller.
This is a fun read with good characters and a developed story from the first page. Our main charachter, Gabriel, is a man who has a secret life. On one side he is a loving father and husband while on the other side he is a secret government agent sworn to protect society against the evil found throughout the galaxy. Set at a good pace, you will be drawn deeper into the journey with every page as you try yo figure out what will happen next and who the real bad guys are. A good read that will allow you to escape the stress of everyday life and lose yourself in this futuristic space cowboy thriller.
December 24, 2018
This was...different.
In a very good way. To me this would have been fine as a one-off self-contained story albeit with some questions unanswered.
The story progresses very nicely from start to finish with alternating situations playing out simultaneously. There's a relatively small core of characters which is not always a bad thing, character development is sufficient for the reader to either like or dislike them. The world is built fairly well, leaves you in awe with many questions. It's a lovely sci-fi book, quite the quick read, with some great themes underlying the whole sci-fi aspect. I look forward to the next book.
In a very good way. To me this would have been fine as a one-off self-contained story albeit with some questions unanswered.
The story progresses very nicely from start to finish with alternating situations playing out simultaneously. There's a relatively small core of characters which is not always a bad thing, character development is sufficient for the reader to either like or dislike them. The world is built fairly well, leaves you in awe with many questions. It's a lovely sci-fi book, quite the quick read, with some great themes underlying the whole sci-fi aspect. I look forward to the next book.
September 29, 2021
Voidstalker is a book penned by John Graham. It has a great story concept but I admit that I had a bit of a difficult time getting into it. I found the writing style a little difficult to connect and at times, I feel lost to what was going on. I do appreciate the idea of alien military technology however, because alien fiction isn't explored that much when it comes to books.
The characters in Voidstalker have traits in them that are interesting. I love the dialogues and how they interacted. I noticed that they have strong characterizations and I think that is the positive thing I found in this book.
The characters in Voidstalker have traits in them that are interesting. I love the dialogues and how they interacted. I noticed that they have strong characterizations and I think that is the positive thing I found in this book.
October 1, 2021
Though science fiction in genre, Voidstalker seems like a real story with only some sci-fi elements in it.
This tale is genius, written with exquisite vocabulary and vivid and rich descriptions which make each chapter more interesting and catchier than the last one. It is loaded with futuristic elements and technology and packed with action perfectly interwoven with mystery and suspense.
Sci-fi fans will definitely love it and those who are not so much into this genre would also love it since the storyline is one that we can believe is possible to take place if we let our imagination flow. I can predict this book would keep many up for a lot of nights! Loved it.
This tale is genius, written with exquisite vocabulary and vivid and rich descriptions which make each chapter more interesting and catchier than the last one. It is loaded with futuristic elements and technology and packed with action perfectly interwoven with mystery and suspense.
Sci-fi fans will definitely love it and those who are not so much into this genre would also love it since the storyline is one that we can believe is possible to take place if we let our imagination flow. I can predict this book would keep many up for a lot of nights! Loved it.
October 1, 2021
A compelling novel
“Voidstalker” is a sci-fi and captivating novel penned by John Graham. When I started reading it, I thought about how far the technological advances will get. Well, in this story there are lots of things that might happen. It is Gabriel Thorn´s job to discover some mysteries surrounding some experiments, related to alien technology.
It is a page turning book with several turns and twists that made me feel nervous all the time. Thanks to the simple but very descriptive author´s writing style, I was able to imagine every single scene from it. I liked the plot´s originality and the characters´ dynamism. I definitely recommend it to sci-fi lovers.
“Voidstalker” is a sci-fi and captivating novel penned by John Graham. When I started reading it, I thought about how far the technological advances will get. Well, in this story there are lots of things that might happen. It is Gabriel Thorn´s job to discover some mysteries surrounding some experiments, related to alien technology.
It is a page turning book with several turns and twists that made me feel nervous all the time. Thanks to the simple but very descriptive author´s writing style, I was able to imagine every single scene from it. I liked the plot´s originality and the characters´ dynamism. I definitely recommend it to sci-fi lovers.
November 2, 2017
I'm not a huge science fiction reader but this book was fantastic! Sci-fi readers will thoroughly enjoy this book. I found myself immersed in the world and with the main character Gabriel Thorn as he tries to find out why a research facility has gone radio silent. The facility is a ways off due to the alien technology the humans have acquired and used to expand their settlement of far-off worlds. Gabriel discovers secrecy, evil, and lies and has to solve the problem in order to save the world. A great, exciting read that sci-fiers will love!
December 15, 2018
Dark and tense
The background universe is awesome. Human space and its relationship to aliens is clearly laid out. The reasoning behind the masters of humanity is also spelled out clearly. I didn't understand all the tech but it's consistent and logical which matters most to me.
The crazy, unregulated capitalism explains the social context (extreme poverty of the race vs the absurd wealth concentrated in the upper one or two percent, I'm guessing) and all the characters introduced seem to fit in perfectly. The control of research into alien tech by humanity's military authorities slides on top of the rest of the background like a glove.
It's dark and the MC is stiffly emotional because of his conditioning not bad writing. His marriage seems to rest on angry sex (maybe not healthy, but definitely fits the story).
It's a great adventure and more books are following. There may not be much to admire in any of the characters but the story will get and hold your attention.
The background universe is awesome. Human space and its relationship to aliens is clearly laid out. The reasoning behind the masters of humanity is also spelled out clearly. I didn't understand all the tech but it's consistent and logical which matters most to me.
The crazy, unregulated capitalism explains the social context (extreme poverty of the race vs the absurd wealth concentrated in the upper one or two percent, I'm guessing) and all the characters introduced seem to fit in perfectly. The control of research into alien tech by humanity's military authorities slides on top of the rest of the background like a glove.
It's dark and the MC is stiffly emotional because of his conditioning not bad writing. His marriage seems to rest on angry sex (maybe not healthy, but definitely fits the story).
It's a great adventure and more books are following. There may not be much to admire in any of the characters but the story will get and hold your attention.
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