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Vigilante #1
Heart of Vengeance
Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
A pirate attack with only one survivor.... A conspiracy woven across the planets.... A vengeance that will not be denied.
When pirates seize the inter-planetary freighter owned by Brad Mantruso’s family, he is dumped into space. Saved from death by a passing Fleet ship, he is left with nothing but his skills, a gun, and a burning desire for vengeance.
Acquiring a ship, he reinvents himself as the mercenary Captain Brad Madrid. Before he can pursue his enemies, however, he finds himself dragged into an unexpected conflict when his ship's history draws new enemies to him.
Beset by pirates, slavers, and a woman who might be his savior—but definitely is a spy—it will take all of his skill, cunning, and new friends to claim his revenge!
A pirate attack with only one survivor.... A conspiracy woven across the planets.... A vengeance that will not be denied.
When pirates seize the inter-planetary freighter owned by Brad Mantruso’s family, he is dumped into space. Saved from death by a passing Fleet ship, he is left with nothing but his skills, a gun, and a burning desire for vengeance.
Acquiring a ship, he reinvents himself as the mercenary Captain Brad Madrid. Before he can pursue his enemies, however, he finds himself dragged into an unexpected conflict when his ship's history draws new enemies to him.
Beset by pirates, slavers, and a woman who might be his savior—but definitely is a spy—it will take all of his skill, cunning, and new friends to claim his revenge!
Audiobook
First published August 17, 2017
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About the author
Glynn Stewart
116 books1,750 followersGlynn Stewart is the author of over 60 books, including Starship’s Mage, a bestselling science fiction and fantasy series where faster-than-light travel is possible–but only because of magic.
Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.
Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
December 21, 2017
I read this book because I am a great fan of the Hand of Mars series and what could go wrong with pirates in space. But in the end Brad‘s story wasn’t as interesting to me as Damian‘s, despite the fact that the battles on a smaller scale are actually preferable.
Here a brief summary of the plot. Brad is a teenager working for his uncle’s freighter company. He uncle raised him after his parents’ death. After a pirate attack on his uncle‘s ship, he gets thrown into space and picked up by a fleet vessel. Because he wants revenge against the pirate responsible, the Terror, he refuses employment with fleet and becomes a ward of the state, whether due to age or amnesia remains unclear. Brad then flees and books passage on another ship that gets attacked by slavers (at this point I started calling him unsinkable Sam after the WW II cat that survived 3 shipwrecks). He defends that ship and in recompense is awarded a pirate vessel, which he then uses to start his own mercenary company, for which he recruits a bunch of misfits. His quest for revenge can begin.
What bothered me?
1. Brad is a kid. Yes, they never say his age, but teenager implies under 20. Think about any TV show with actual kids in them (not actors in their 20s or 30s pretending to be teens). Especially with boys you can always tell that their not adult. Even if he did have a sensei, it doesn’t explain how became so accomplished at basically everything from fighting to commanding a vessel. And why does everybody treat him as if he were a decorated war veteran of 30?
2. Everything is handed to him on a silver platter. People go out of their way to help him. One of them basically hands him a multimillion credit ship, another gives him an absurd loan, even if he wants something in return, and a worried governor hires his unproven mercenary company to protect her son. And not one of them checks his credentials, because Brad‘s way of establishing a false identity was giving a false name when boarding the second ship. So finding his true age and experience wouldn’t exactly be rocket science. Borderline ridiculous.
3. The crew is put together in a way that is supposed to make them likable. The womanizing pilot, the cantankerous engineer, the outspoken mercenary and the couple in coms and something else. And they would be, if they were given more time. But aside from a few conversations mostly in the second half, the book is so focused in Brad that they barely feature. However, there is some real potential there.
Overall I found the book underwhelming. I would, however, read a second book, because I want to know the answer to the question raised at the end: Why was Brad‘s vessel attacked?
Here a brief summary of the plot. Brad is a teenager working for his uncle’s freighter company. He uncle raised him after his parents’ death. After a pirate attack on his uncle‘s ship, he gets thrown into space and picked up by a fleet vessel. Because he wants revenge against the pirate responsible, the Terror, he refuses employment with fleet and becomes a ward of the state, whether due to age or amnesia remains unclear. Brad then flees and books passage on another ship that gets attacked by slavers (at this point I started calling him unsinkable Sam after the WW II cat that survived 3 shipwrecks). He defends that ship and in recompense is awarded a pirate vessel, which he then uses to start his own mercenary company, for which he recruits a bunch of misfits. His quest for revenge can begin.
What bothered me?
1. Brad is a kid. Yes, they never say his age, but teenager implies under 20. Think about any TV show with actual kids in them (not actors in their 20s or 30s pretending to be teens). Especially with boys you can always tell that their not adult. Even if he did have a sensei, it doesn’t explain how became so accomplished at basically everything from fighting to commanding a vessel. And why does everybody treat him as if he were a decorated war veteran of 30?
2. Everything is handed to him on a silver platter. People go out of their way to help him. One of them basically hands him a multimillion credit ship, another gives him an absurd loan, even if he wants something in return, and a worried governor hires his unproven mercenary company to protect her son. And not one of them checks his credentials, because Brad‘s way of establishing a false identity was giving a false name when boarding the second ship. So finding his true age and experience wouldn’t exactly be rocket science. Borderline ridiculous.
3. The crew is put together in a way that is supposed to make them likable. The womanizing pilot, the cantankerous engineer, the outspoken mercenary and the couple in coms and something else. And they would be, if they were given more time. But aside from a few conversations mostly in the second half, the book is so focused in Brad that they barely feature. However, there is some real potential there.
Overall I found the book underwhelming. I would, however, read a second book, because I want to know the answer to the question raised at the end: Why was Brad‘s vessel attacked?
November 22, 2018
3+
Interesting start. I liked it well enough to jump into the second and see how it goes. There was occasionally a bit more gun porn than I like, but it was fleeting.
I find I like the MC but am not yet feeling attached to him. We'll see how it goes.
Interesting start. I liked it well enough to jump into the second and see how it goes. There was occasionally a bit more gun porn than I like, but it was fleeting.
I find I like the MC but am not yet feeling attached to him. We'll see how it goes.
August 22, 2017
I love stories where the good guys act based on their own beliefs, even when it's not easy or popular, and the unexpected situations and crises just keep coming - and this one did not disappoint! Although my main genre for entertainment reading is urban fantasy, I love everything Glynn Stewart writes. His characters are amazing - they are "normal" people who stick to their convictions, and keep going in spite of adversity. And the action keeps moving, with lots of surprises and twists.
In this book, Brad, our main character, is the sole survivor of a pirate attack on his family's starship. He makes it his mission to avenge the loss of the crew (including his own family) against the most feared pirate in the galaxy. There are characters to love and hate, and unexpected events to manage - what more could you want? I finished this one in a single day, just had to know what was coming next...
Highly recommend! And, this is the first book I've seen co-written by Terry Mixon and Glenn Stewart - here's hoping it's an ongoing collaboration, I'd love to read more of Brad's adventures!
In this book, Brad, our main character, is the sole survivor of a pirate attack on his family's starship. He makes it his mission to avenge the loss of the crew (including his own family) against the most feared pirate in the galaxy. There are characters to love and hate, and unexpected events to manage - what more could you want? I finished this one in a single day, just had to know what was coming next...
Highly recommend! And, this is the first book I've seen co-written by Terry Mixon and Glenn Stewart - here's hoping it's an ongoing collaboration, I'd love to read more of Brad's adventures!
August 28, 2017
Captivating and deep complexity
As good a read as I've had in a couple years. This guy writes complex story lines without confusing me and surprises flow like a river being rerouted which kept me excited and glued to my reader.
I expect to look through all his other work now and sci-fi buffs should take note of this book as a great read.
As good a read as I've had in a couple years. This guy writes complex story lines without confusing me and surprises flow like a river being rerouted which kept me excited and glued to my reader.
I expect to look through all his other work now and sci-fi buffs should take note of this book as a great read.
November 7, 2017
Very action packed, easy to read, entertaining. Rather good characters, good dialogues. Of course, there is a price to pay for such a fast-paced story. Namely, whenever the protagonist hits an obstacle he doesn't have to do much, the solution falls into his lap. He is steered through the plot by events outside of his control. Still, this was an entertaining read
August 31, 2018
I'm a little worried the author is getting too many different book series going simultaneously. This book reminded me a bit too much of a TV series where the writers are just phoning it in to make a pay-day. Nothing special about it. I'd like to see some of the other series wrapped up before starting on yet another one...especially so generic a story.
September 17, 2018
Je classe les livres de SF en deux sections : La première extrapole sur le futur de manière approfondie que ce soit technologique, politique, artistique, exploratrice etc La deuxième est un divertissement qui vous envoie dans l'ailleurs
Heart of Vengeance appartient clairement à la 2e catégorie et annonce une (longue ???) série mettant en avant un jeune ingénieur féru de combat à l'épée (un Luke SkyWalker sans la force ...) dont la motivation - comme le titre du livre l'indique - est la vengeance Il se retrouve rapidement capitaine d'un vaisseau sous l'égide de la Guilde des Mercenaires
J'ai quelques problèmes avec le personnage qui malgré son jeune âge se montre particulièrement doué pour gérer les divers combats et autres pièges qui lui sont tendus Il s'entoure d'une équipe qui l'aide dans sa poursuite mais qui reste très superficiellement décrite à part quelques traits de caractères énoncés mais rarement justifiés
Bref, passons C'est un premier tome et c'est le choix des auteurs de faire de Brad le personnage central
Mon principal grief est l'absence totale de "back stage" d'explications quant à la présence et aux motivations des pirates et esclavagistes (?) dans le système solaire Certes il y a l'appât du gain facile mais cela suffit il à justifier économiquement et politiquement la situation ???
Sur ce thème (conflit commerce/pirate/mercenaire), la série VATTA'S WAR d'Elizabeth MOON m'a paru bien plus fouillée et crédible
Donc Heart of Vengeance en 2e catégorie, se lit agréablement mais sans grande surprise ou inventions de la part des auteurs
Ayant acquis les 3 tomes version Ebook, je lirai les suites pour voir si Brad parviendra à assouvir sa soif de vengeance ...
Heart of Vengeance appartient clairement à la 2e catégorie et annonce une (longue ???) série mettant en avant un jeune ingénieur féru de combat à l'épée (un Luke SkyWalker sans la force ...) dont la motivation - comme le titre du livre l'indique - est la vengeance Il se retrouve rapidement capitaine d'un vaisseau sous l'égide de la Guilde des Mercenaires
J'ai quelques problèmes avec le personnage qui malgré son jeune âge se montre particulièrement doué pour gérer les divers combats et autres pièges qui lui sont tendus Il s'entoure d'une équipe qui l'aide dans sa poursuite mais qui reste très superficiellement décrite à part quelques traits de caractères énoncés mais rarement justifiés
Bref, passons C'est un premier tome et c'est le choix des auteurs de faire de Brad le personnage central
Mon principal grief est l'absence totale de "back stage" d'explications quant à la présence et aux motivations des pirates et esclavagistes (?) dans le système solaire Certes il y a l'appât du gain facile mais cela suffit il à justifier économiquement et politiquement la situation ???
Sur ce thème (conflit commerce/pirate/mercenaire), la série VATTA'S WAR d'Elizabeth MOON m'a paru bien plus fouillée et crédible
Donc Heart of Vengeance en 2e catégorie, se lit agréablement mais sans grande surprise ou inventions de la part des auteurs
Ayant acquis les 3 tomes version Ebook, je lirai les suites pour voir si Brad parviendra à assouvir sa soif de vengeance ...
Read
December 2, 2017Great Classic Military/Pirate Space Opera
This is a fantastic story, (by two of my favorite authors, so I expected that). Piracy and slavers prowl the outer reaches of the solar system. When they steal the family ship and space one of the defenders, they make the wrong enemy.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS BOTH AN INDIVIDUAL BOOK AND AS A SERIES!
This is a fantastic story, (by two of my favorite authors, so I expected that). Piracy and slavers prowl the outer reaches of the solar system. When they steal the family ship and space one of the defenders, they make the wrong enemy.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS BOTH AN INDIVIDUAL BOOK AND AS A SERIES!
March 27, 2018
Pretty good :) There was one thing I kind of didn't buy - the main character was overly competent and confident considering his humble background, and that didn't come off as quite believable. That said, I like strong and competent characters, so overlooking that minor issue, the book was highly enjoyable. After reading Starship's mage, it makes me happy as I feel I can rely on Mr. Glynn Stewart not to be disappointed.
October 2, 2017
Great Science fiction story.
I am never disappointed with sci-fi . It grabs you and carries you on a journey through the universe. That's exactly what this book did to me. Took me into outer space with pirates and slavers. Let me follow the good guys and how they try to beat the bad guys. Enjoyed the story a bunch!
I am never disappointed with sci-fi . It grabs you and carries you on a journey through the universe. That's exactly what this book did to me. Took me into outer space with pirates and slavers. Let me follow the good guys and how they try to beat the bad guys. Enjoyed the story a bunch!
November 2, 2018
3.5. This was sloppy and rushed, but it worked for me I guess. I’ll keep going.
September 14, 2017
Great Space Opera
Very well done and developed story enjoyed it from start to finish. Great story development can't wait till the next comes out.
Very well done and developed story enjoyed it from start to finish. Great story development can't wait till the next comes out.
November 10, 2017
Space adventure Great read - no romance or too much character story, just flat out space battles and intrigues and all that.
It was very enjoyable and I read it nearly in one go.
It was very enjoyable and I read it nearly in one go.
November 1, 2018
Well done
The story has me rooting for mercenaries, which I don't normally do. It's the combination of a well drawn portrait of the Sol system political structures, the impact of its tech on industrial and military practice and most importantly the people at the heart of the story.
The hero loses his entire family to pirates and is left for dead in the first several pages. These aren't cute Johnny Deppe types but the murdering and slaving monsters of history. They don't cause a cry for justice but for vengeance from a varied group of characters.
I'm looking forward to discovering how the main characters manage to tear the pirate spy network apart. Just what are the reasons for the behind the scenes support for the pirates? what is the agenda of the corporate and governmental players?
This book may very well have you shouting in your head "Death to all pirates", if the answers are clear and the writing quality remains the same.
I just reread this book and it was better than I remembered. The action makes so much sense and I forgot how crystal clear the characters are. Each in his or her slot within the story and with personalities fitting action. I appreciated the main character's interior dialogue and even the villains are true to form. Even the dying was written well. I'm going to the next volume.
The story has me rooting for mercenaries, which I don't normally do. It's the combination of a well drawn portrait of the Sol system political structures, the impact of its tech on industrial and military practice and most importantly the people at the heart of the story.
The hero loses his entire family to pirates and is left for dead in the first several pages. These aren't cute Johnny Deppe types but the murdering and slaving monsters of history. They don't cause a cry for justice but for vengeance from a varied group of characters.
I'm looking forward to discovering how the main characters manage to tear the pirate spy network apart. Just what are the reasons for the behind the scenes support for the pirates? what is the agenda of the corporate and governmental players?
This book may very well have you shouting in your head "Death to all pirates", if the answers are clear and the writing quality remains the same.
I just reread this book and it was better than I remembered. The action makes so much sense and I forgot how crystal clear the characters are. Each in his or her slot within the story and with personalities fitting action. I appreciated the main character's interior dialogue and even the villains are true to form. Even the dying was written well. I'm going to the next volume.
November 3, 2017
A good story of you can overlook some things
The story here gets pretty good, but I was bothered again and again by the seemingly military-level skills of the main character who started out as a nobody kid from a cargo vessel. I can get past how he "lucks into" owning his own ship, but the magical acquisition of captaining, combat, and espionage skills is sort of like finding a random trail of raisins in a candy cane. I'm going to give the next book a try. We'll see how that goes.
The story here gets pretty good, but I was bothered again and again by the seemingly military-level skills of the main character who started out as a nobody kid from a cargo vessel. I can get past how he "lucks into" owning his own ship, but the magical acquisition of captaining, combat, and espionage skills is sort of like finding a random trail of raisins in a candy cane. I'm going to give the next book a try. We'll see how that goes.
September 3, 2017
Great story!
Glynn Stewart and Terry Mixon hit a homerun with this new book heart of vengeance. Superb storyline and terrific character development leads one to hope this becomes an ongoing series . I've read all Mr. Mixon and Mr. Stewart's books like the rest this one is a real thriller . Support these authors highly recommend this book as well as all their other works .
Glynn Stewart and Terry Mixon hit a homerun with this new book heart of vengeance. Superb storyline and terrific character development leads one to hope this becomes an ongoing series . I've read all Mr. Mixon and Mr. Stewart's books like the rest this one is a real thriller . Support these authors highly recommend this book as well as all their other works .
December 11, 2019
This book really gets right into it, No slow build up necessary. Right from page one you are in action with a pirate attack, and it doesn't seem to slow down. The main character Brad is recovered on the edge of death, and wakes up with most of his memory lost. From there we learn who he is while he does the same.
I do enjoy how we aren't given any info dumps to wade through. Everything we need to know about the world is given in little bits as the story progresses. Not enough authors do this, Glynn Stewart does a great job. This book really has a western feel to it, and I really enjoy that. Some books are deep and meaningful, more often than not they sacrifice the story to accomplish that. Above anything I just like a good story, this is a good story. Some things are unlikely, but that doesn't matter to me if it is consistent like it is here.
It can get a bit repetitive with Brad "letting a little bit of his anger show", but overall it is nice to have a main character deal with an internal conflict, and use it to their advantage instead of falling victim to it at every turn. It gives him a nice bit of attitude when it is necessary.
Some of the dialog is a bit forced, but other than that this is a nice light military science fiction book. It isn't the best I've read, but I'm always a sucker for stories like this. Someone who loses it all and rebuilds from scratch into something meaningful. More than anything it is a good story without any extra crap forced on the readers. I wish more authors would let their politics and social opinions take a back seat to telling a good story.
I do enjoy how we aren't given any info dumps to wade through. Everything we need to know about the world is given in little bits as the story progresses. Not enough authors do this, Glynn Stewart does a great job. This book really has a western feel to it, and I really enjoy that. Some books are deep and meaningful, more often than not they sacrifice the story to accomplish that. Above anything I just like a good story, this is a good story. Some things are unlikely, but that doesn't matter to me if it is consistent like it is here.
It can get a bit repetitive with Brad "letting a little bit of his anger show", but overall it is nice to have a main character deal with an internal conflict, and use it to their advantage instead of falling victim to it at every turn. It gives him a nice bit of attitude when it is necessary.
Some of the dialog is a bit forced, but other than that this is a nice light military science fiction book. It isn't the best I've read, but I'm always a sucker for stories like this. Someone who loses it all and rebuilds from scratch into something meaningful. More than anything it is a good story without any extra crap forced on the readers. I wish more authors would let their politics and social opinions take a back seat to telling a good story.
December 17, 2019
Reminds me a little of Doc Smith's earliest works. This is thud and blunder space opera set within the confines of a strangely opaque version of the Solar System. I say strangely opaque because huge numbers of space pirates can appear out of nowhere and nobody can figure out where they come from. Guys, it's not that difficult. Just follow them with telescopes.
Our hero had his ship boarded by space pirates. Don't ask how they managed the mechanics of boarding, since apparently spaceships have a maximum speed of about 12 miles per hour. Anyway he wanted to sword fight the lead pirate but the lead pirate chucked him out in to space, where he survived to be rescued in only the first of many improbable breaks he will get in his quest to personally hunt down all the pirates and slavers. He was wearing a spacesuit good for four days in space. I think it's kind of impressive that he managed to be in a spacesuit with that kind of endurance that was still suitable for Errol Flynn's moves.
Also apparently every irritating jerk in space is an agent of the pirates. It's super unsubtle.
Our hero had his ship boarded by space pirates. Don't ask how they managed the mechanics of boarding, since apparently spaceships have a maximum speed of about 12 miles per hour. Anyway he wanted to sword fight the lead pirate but the lead pirate chucked him out in to space, where he survived to be rescued in only the first of many improbable breaks he will get in his quest to personally hunt down all the pirates and slavers. He was wearing a spacesuit good for four days in space. I think it's kind of impressive that he managed to be in a spacesuit with that kind of endurance that was still suitable for Errol Flynn's moves.
Also apparently every irritating jerk in space is an agent of the pirates. It's super unsubtle.
November 29, 2017
A good story but a bit ham handed.
The storey is terrific. The universe Nixon has created seems believable enough and the action is fast paced.
What hurts it is the overly heavy handed description of the characters. They are either good guys or bad guys. No ulterior motives. If the protagonist trusts them they're good guys. If he doesn't they're bad guys. That's it. White hats or black hats.
Moreover, the protagonist is depicted as a young guy, possibly a teenager, with little training. Yet he's a master in hand to hand combat, tactics and strategy. He's also great with team leadership etc.
After he's rescued, literally everything comes up roses for him. He's broke but has enough to buy an expensive sounding flight. He captures a ship, the mercenary guild will cover a chunk of his expenses and loan him more, the doc refitter will do the same. Nobody tries to take advantage.
All plans work out perfectly... It's just a little too gold plated. No hard choices, no learning moments. Perhaps in the next book this can be addressed?
The storey is terrific. The universe Nixon has created seems believable enough and the action is fast paced.
What hurts it is the overly heavy handed description of the characters. They are either good guys or bad guys. No ulterior motives. If the protagonist trusts them they're good guys. If he doesn't they're bad guys. That's it. White hats or black hats.
Moreover, the protagonist is depicted as a young guy, possibly a teenager, with little training. Yet he's a master in hand to hand combat, tactics and strategy. He's also great with team leadership etc.
After he's rescued, literally everything comes up roses for him. He's broke but has enough to buy an expensive sounding flight. He captures a ship, the mercenary guild will cover a chunk of his expenses and loan him more, the doc refitter will do the same. Nobody tries to take advantage.
All plans work out perfectly... It's just a little too gold plated. No hard choices, no learning moments. Perhaps in the next book this can be addressed?
December 2, 2017
A bit rushed in the build up.
I can see how this was a setup to a series rather tha a story meant to standalone.
I feel like I read the secret origins of the character 12 issues after the series had been going anf they needed to stick to existing cannon.
The reader (Audiobook) also needs to answer for some of it.
I'm not sure how to describe it but he spoke every sentence as if it was the pronouncement on the mountain of some high price 90's movie trailer. No emotional inflection. No accent. Just pure: And then he put on his pants. One. At. A. Time! (Dun dun DUUUUUUUUUUn! Not actually in the book but it felt like no one told the reader that.)
I can see how this was a setup to a series rather tha a story meant to standalone.
I feel like I read the secret origins of the character 12 issues after the series had been going anf they needed to stick to existing cannon.
The reader (Audiobook) also needs to answer for some of it.
I'm not sure how to describe it but he spoke every sentence as if it was the pronouncement on the mountain of some high price 90's movie trailer. No emotional inflection. No accent. Just pure: And then he put on his pants. One. At. A. Time! (Dun dun DUUUUUUUUUUn! Not actually in the book but it felt like no one told the reader that.)
December 3, 2017
Paint by the numbers
There's nothing really wrong with this book but it doesn't do anything you don't see coming. That's not necessarily a bad thing; when you pick genre fiction or fiction by a particular writer you have more than an inkling of where the story will end up but what matters is how you get from A to Z.
This is a revenge story lacking in that dimension. In The Princess Bride, Inigo Montoya trained his whole life to find and kill his father's killer; the vengeance of the title is less satisfying because it takes so little time and effort to achieve and none of the characters stand out as memorable or interesting.
There's nothing really wrong with this book but it doesn't do anything you don't see coming. That's not necessarily a bad thing; when you pick genre fiction or fiction by a particular writer you have more than an inkling of where the story will end up but what matters is how you get from A to Z.
This is a revenge story lacking in that dimension. In The Princess Bride, Inigo Montoya trained his whole life to find and kill his father's killer; the vengeance of the title is less satisfying because it takes so little time and effort to achieve and none of the characters stand out as memorable or interesting.
November 6, 2023
It’s a generic story that feels pretty rough and rushed
An okay story but nothing spectacular. Characters are pretty cliched, plot fairly basic and universe felt simplistic and undeveloped. The whole thing felt kind of rushed and rough. Definitely should have been polished and refined several more times before publishing.
I’ve read plenty of other Glynn Stewart books and this really didn’t feel like up to his usual standard.
I know nothing about the other author Terry Mixon and if this is his usual standard or not.
It’s a pretty generic example of a Kindle Unlimited story - good enough for an idle read but not the sort of thing that would ever get published otherwise.
An okay story but nothing spectacular. Characters are pretty cliched, plot fairly basic and universe felt simplistic and undeveloped. The whole thing felt kind of rushed and rough. Definitely should have been polished and refined several more times before publishing.
I’ve read plenty of other Glynn Stewart books and this really didn’t feel like up to his usual standard.
I know nothing about the other author Terry Mixon and if this is his usual standard or not.
It’s a pretty generic example of a Kindle Unlimited story - good enough for an idle read but not the sort of thing that would ever get published otherwise.
November 16, 2017
Solid book, well written with just a few typos scattered throughout. The plot was nothing fancy or new and was fairly predictable but still enjoyable as long as you didn't dwell on it. I can guess where the second book in the duology will go but how it will get there is what really matters.
In the end if you don't enjoy tropey scifi you should probably avoid this one, if you do give it a whirl and enjoy the well trod paths of assumed identities and revenge plots that have been around since at least the Count of Monte Cristo.
In the end if you don't enjoy tropey scifi you should probably avoid this one, if you do give it a whirl and enjoy the well trod paths of assumed identities and revenge plots that have been around since at least the Count of Monte Cristo.
June 24, 2024
Good space opera
Well written story with some good one liners. I loved the excuse the MC gave about his (fictious) fiance's brothers wanting to have a long, painful talk with him. I also appreciated the political aptitude he displayed when the military comander tried to blackmail him. He removed her leverage and slammed her verbally, calling her everything but "a child of god". It was telling how jaded we have become so that it's no surprise that government agencies are riddled with corrupt people who passively enable as well as actively support evil for personal gain.
Well written story with some good one liners. I loved the excuse the MC gave about his (fictious) fiance's brothers wanting to have a long, painful talk with him. I also appreciated the political aptitude he displayed when the military comander tried to blackmail him. He removed her leverage and slammed her verbally, calling her everything but "a child of god". It was telling how jaded we have become so that it's no surprise that government agencies are riddled with corrupt people who passively enable as well as actively support evil for personal gain.
September 2, 2017
An excellent book, hopefully there will be more to come.
An excellent book I enjoyed it immensely, even though there is no faster than light travel no ocular implants, mind mind communication, lasers, or transporters. The story was that good, it took place within the Saul system. A little light on the character development which I hope will improve in the next book but if you like a fast-paced fun action adventure oriented book you will enjoy this one
An excellent book I enjoyed it immensely, even though there is no faster than light travel no ocular implants, mind mind communication, lasers, or transporters. The story was that good, it took place within the Saul system. A little light on the character development which I hope will improve in the next book but if you like a fast-paced fun action adventure oriented book you will enjoy this one
December 8, 2017
Sci fi by the numbers
Objectively this was a very entertaining book and the pages flew by as I read it.
Yet being big fans of both authors I found the world building in this book to be lackluster or at least lacking. There's quite a bit in the book that's just handwaved and I couldn't help but feel frustrated by that, especially given that I wanted to know more.
Hopefully the next books in the series will add more depth to the universe the series takes place in!
Objectively this was a very entertaining book and the pages flew by as I read it.
Yet being big fans of both authors I found the world building in this book to be lackluster or at least lacking. There's quite a bit in the book that's just handwaved and I couldn't help but feel frustrated by that, especially given that I wanted to know more.
Hopefully the next books in the series will add more depth to the universe the series takes place in!
June 17, 2018
Fun Entertaining Read
Brad is left for dead by pirates after they seize his family's space ship. After seeing his sweetheart eviscerated before his eyes, he is left with an almost uncontrollable hunger for vengeance. I like the action and strategy involved in the plot. The story grips me and held me until the end. The characters are compelling and competent. I look forward to the next book.
Brad is left for dead by pirates after they seize his family's space ship. After seeing his sweetheart eviscerated before his eyes, he is left with an almost uncontrollable hunger for vengeance. I like the action and strategy involved in the plot. The story grips me and held me until the end. The characters are compelling and competent. I look forward to the next book.
September 30, 2020
Interesting Beginning
I’m glad I tried this joint effort by Mixon and Stewart. They appear to work well together and this book is a good start for this series. Decent character development and while I think they were a bit heavy handed with Brad’s struggle against his “darkness,“ so far that aspect has not been overplayed. Good resolution for the majority of story threads and a positive lead into the next book.
I’m glad I tried this joint effort by Mixon and Stewart. They appear to work well together and this book is a good start for this series. Decent character development and while I think they were a bit heavy handed with Brad’s struggle against his “darkness,“ so far that aspect has not been overplayed. Good resolution for the majority of story threads and a positive lead into the next book.
February 12, 2022
The Beating Heart of Vengeance thrives
This is my second time reading this book and in all honesty, Glynn and Terry did a great job co-writing this serie.
Brad is practically a rising star among the mercenary guild, but not without prices in blood and soul. If you like aman set on vengance and collecting a group of extraoridnary misfits to run his new ship, the Heart of Vengeance. then you might want to read this one.
This is my second time reading this book and in all honesty, Glynn and Terry did a great job co-writing this serie.
Brad is practically a rising star among the mercenary guild, but not without prices in blood and soul. If you like aman set on vengance and collecting a group of extraoridnary misfits to run his new ship, the Heart of Vengeance. then you might want to read this one.
August 23, 2017
Great action great storyline does not have many slow points
It's the best book that I have read in months. I read at least r. Books a week. The author never disappoints in any of his book series. This book weaves a take of loss and the path to redemption. Once I started reading I was not able to put the book down
It's the best book that I have read in months. I read at least r. Books a week. The author never disappoints in any of his book series. This book weaves a take of loss and the path to redemption. Once I started reading I was not able to put the book down
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