Spacer

Spacer, Smuggler, Pirate, Spy #1

by J.A. Sutherland

Jon Bartlett's path is clear before finish his last year of schooling, then off on the family's ships to learn the intricacies of interstellar trade. But a message of tragedy at home comes for him, and his expected life is flung far out of reach and he's cast into a role he never wanted. A portion of Spacer was previously published as the short story Wronged, by J.A. Sutherland

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

148 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 2, 2018

Reviews

[C.T. Phipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love JA Sutherland's Alexis Carew series and am still waiting on the seventh book in that series. Poor Jon Barlett wanted to do nothing more than be a rebellious young man at his private school but his family is utterly destroyed by a hostile merchant family, leaving him penniless as well as disgraced. Deciding to get revenge on these individuals, he finds himself on the slow but steady route to becoming a pirate. I enjoyed this book and am picking up the sequel to read.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly entertaining prequel to Sutherland's Alexis Carew series, tracing the origins of the man we meet in those books under the name Avrel Dansby. Looking forward to more of these.

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vengeance sweet and cold

Jon Bartlett once had a world of wealth and power in his future, but no more. His family's ships, power and position in the far flung galactic empire of New London was stolen by a rival, Marchant Lines. Those fine criminals have yet to see the error of their ways, but they will Jon will become Avril Dansby and the lying, conniving and dying will begin. Marchant Company will pay for their sins.

This novella is a prequel to the Alexis Cares series and offers background information on the Avril Dansby character therein. It features a couple of memorable characters, some predictable action and not much else. Your enjoyment of the wonderfully addictive, and emotion satisfying Carew novels will not be affected if you eschew "Spacer."

[Enemymind · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not at all about anything suggested

Fair warning, this book isn't about the main character doing anything you would expect. He doesn't smuggle anything. He doesn't trade anything. No piracy. No nothing.

[Noodle The Naughty Night Owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10: Excellent read, well written, fell right into the fictional world created.

“If you’re determined, well, then my best to you, lad. You get them, Jon. You get the bastards that did this to us and make them pay.”

As a backstory to Avrel Dansby from the Alexis Carew series, this spin-off does well.

I'll read the next and hope the author puts out more in due course.

[Palamedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely Done

I've really enjoyed Sutherland's previous stories. The earlier work is certainly based on a age of sail naval stories like the Hornblower stories. This story follows a disowned sailor from a merchant family. Training followed by experience. Now he has a ship and we will have to see where he sails next.

[Dave Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read other work by this author and I don't find this to be her best work. A muddled plot, a seriously contrived sailing motif, and some not-well-defined events in the plotline kept pulling me out of the story.

It's still a good read, quite funny in parts, and certainly a good purchase if you like Ms. Sutherland's work.

[Dave Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fun to go back and read the snake's backstory. Sutherland impresses with his ability to make callbacks to seemingly tiny but vitally relevant details. Not sure it would have been as much fun if I hadn't read all of the mongoose's books first. Looking forward to "Smuggler."

As for length, I like the serial format. Shorter means (I hope) quicker to press, eh, Mr. Sutherland?

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful new series

A new story line from the world of Alexis Carew. A character we've met is fleshed out with a backstory that draws us in and easily carries us to new adventures. I loved it every bit as much as the Alexis Carew stories

[IMHO · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.A. Sutherland's "Spacer" is a great addition to the
"Alexis Carew" Universe!
It tells the story of 'Avrel Dansby's' early life
and the only question it leaves unanswered:

When is the next book going to be ready!

A MUST READ * * * * *FIVE STARS

[Mike Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between a rock and a hard place

Further background on characters in J.A.Sutherlands' series about Alexis Carew which began in "Into the dark". A stand alone book which is much more interesting when read after "lnto the dark"and/or further into the series.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Spacer” was a worthwhile read.

The origins story of Dansby does an entertaining job of filling in the backstory of a key player in the Alex Carew universe. Sutherland is a master of character development. You should enjoy this book.

[JB25 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I enjoyed the book and the MC is overall likeable if a bit naive. Plot is straight forward and the book wraps up with a nice lead into the next story. Looking forward to it.

[David L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Story

As good a story as I have come to expect from the author. I haven't been let down yet and I don't think that I ever will. Looking forward to more reading by Mr Sutherland! I sincerely recommend all of his works for the public's attention!

[Leif Dolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hornblower in Space

This is a nice universe that the writer has made here. I have read some of the other books. It is quite nice to read and meet a new hero.
It is very interesting how the book is written in two worlds, the future and the past. When will there be a treasure map?

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in a new space opera series. When Jon’s family and their company are destroyed by the Marchants. He survives and begins the fight to put it to the Marchants.

[Charles Stenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. It was a very good 'prequel' to the Alexis Carew series. (I can't wait for the next one!).

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done back story.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced!

A lot happens in this fairly short book. The pace is faster than the Carew series. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Ender · Rating 3 out of 5]

neither the characters nor the story drew me in. And at the end it left me feeling dissapointed. Not a fan of conspiracy and guy against the system kind of books.

[Rebecca Raplee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Listen

I listened to this book using my audio setup (British female). Enjoyed the pace and characters. A good ”spacer's ” tale.

[Ray · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible!!!

[caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced

A good story. Combining old school sailing ship conditions with science fiction. Character development needs work. I don’t feel connected to any of the characters.

[Lela Woodard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense

Innocent lost, a page turner you just can’t put down. All the twist and turns just keep coming. A must read,enjoy

[Terry Gero · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like enough to finish. Sorry.

[Richmond T Kingman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have finished and enjoyed both Spacer and Smuggler. It is interesting learning more about Dansby's background and seeing his story.

[Jimmy Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Good words in a row. I read it, was not impressed with the idea, although I did like the other series set in this universe. I will read the next one in the series.

[Chrystine Nehs · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much character development of a character I knew in a whole different way.

[Barry Moraller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, quick romp.

[John Mchale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good prequel/spin off for the Alexis series. Has started a whole new story line that can be exploited. The story goes well within what is a collection of short parts. Hopefully a full story will follow