Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Tyche Origins #1

Tyche's First

Rate this book
Nathan Chevell has four hours before his arm, leg, and Emperor are lost to him.

As Captain of the Emperor's Black, it's Nate's job to protect his Emperor - by dying, if need be. The discovery of an assassin close to the Emperor sidelines the Black. Intelligencers, new agents who can read and control minds, are deemed better for the Emperor's safety.

When terrorists strike the Palace, Nate is without backup. He must discover the threat against the Emperor of Humanity before the throne falls. If he doesn't, the Empire will crumble, and all he holds dear will be lost.

Tyche's First is the first novella in Richard Parry's gripping Tyche Origins pentalogy. If you like page-turning space opera with great dialogue and heart-pumping action, get your copy today!

109 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2018

12 people are currently reading
22 people want to read

About the author

Richard Parry

47 books309 followers
Richard Parry has worked as a senior marketing manager in one of the world’s top tech companies, but it wasn't all cocaine parties. His debut novel Night’s Favor and its sequel Night’s Fall have been shortlisted for the Sir Julius Vogel Award “Best Novel” category.

His ever-growing list of novels spans urban fantasy, cyberpunk, and space opera, featuring flawed heroes, sharp dialogue, and a healthy dose of action. His Night’s Champion trilogy follows an alcoholic-turned-werewolf saving the world, while Future Forfeit explores a neon-drenched cyberpunk future where hacking the system is just the start. Meanwhile, Ezeroc Wars throws readers into the deep end of an interstellar war against a swarm species that doesn’t take no for an answer. Across over 20 novels (and counting), Richard delivers stories packed with heart, explosions, and the occasional bad decision.

Richard lives in Wellington with the love of his life, Rae. They have cats, who chase birds. The birds, who have the power of flight, don’t seem to mind.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
27 (67%)
4 stars
8 (20%)
3 stars
3 (7%)
2 stars
1 (2%)
1 star
1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
179 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2018
Nate's Story.

First in a series of book's about the lives of the crew, before coming together in Tyche's Flight.
It was wonderful reading some of Nate's back story & am very much looking forward to Tyche's Chosen, El's story.
Mr Parry is fast becoming one of my favourite author's.
Even if you've already read the Tyche's series, this is well worth the read & a marvelous bonus to a great series.

Profile Image for Tony Hisgett.
3,036 reviews36 followers
June 4, 2020
I had a recommendation for Tyche's Flight, but when I came to read the book I discovered the author had written a sort of prequel. I have had some bad experiences with prequels not really matching up with the original novel, but in this case it was even worse, because there were six of them. In the end I reluctantly decided to read the 'Origins' novellas first.
Fortunately I really enjoyed this book and thought Chevell was a great character.
Just a warning for anybody starting this book, it is described as a novella, but it was really two short stories linked together and although there is a sort of an ending, it really is only the first few chapters of a much bigger story. So if you like this story you are really committing to four more novellas.

Added after reading all the Origins novellas and Tyche's Flight
In retrospect it was a mistake reading these Origin novellas first. The author has definitely written them for people who have already read the main novels. Also these stories don't quite match with some of the details in the main novels.
372 reviews3 followers
February 24, 2018
Technically, Tyche’s First provides the earliest story of the eight book Tyche series, but it is the fourth book written.
Richard Parry started off with the Tyche’s Journey novels – Tyche’s Flight / Deceit / Crown. These were awesome stories with characters you will remember for a long time, action, the unexpected, more action, and hilarious dialog. It was obvious that Richard Parry had the three books fully charted out from the start. The three stories moved relentlessly forward, and at the same time provided tidbits of backstory hints that added some tasty mystery to “the time before” those novels took place.
Equally obvious, Richard Parry had created an equally well worked out plot that allowed the reader to now experience the story and characters that took place first.
To me, it seemed that the logical thing to do was issue the five book Tyche’s Origins stories (with Tyche’s First being the starting point) and then get to the start of the timeline for the Tyche’s Journey novels. But having pre-ordered the five novels in the “Origins set” (with the first two now available) – on the basis of the superb “Journey” trilogy, I now think that I like this better.
Just knowing there had to be a back story to the “Journey trilogy actually gave them additional depth and anticipation - the perfect build up to the “Origins” books. This was kind of like starting the Star Wars series with Episode IV, moving forward to VI, and then back to the “stuff that happened previously”.
Why only four stars? The “Origins” series books, while priced almost dirt cheap, are short. Tyche’s First delivers a very good story, from which the next book – Tyche’s Chosen – takes flight. It just was not long enough to develop the characters and stories the way Parry wrote the Journey” trilogy. So you get much more than you paid for, but I suspect that each one will feel like Tyche Lite.
112 reviews2 followers
January 18, 2019
Verified Purchase
“Tyche’s First” is the background story of Nate, the owner captain of the ship of the same name, “Tyche”, meaning “Goddess of Luck”, and Nate and his future crew will need plenty of that.
I thoroughly enjoyed Nate’s story after having already read all of the Tyche’s series to date.
This look back at the series has awesome action, great background characters and a different environment then what the series has had prior. It all makes for a great read.
It also gives the reader a bit of the emperor’s background as well, which is an important plot point.
This is a refreshing take on an already awesome sci-fi tale.
This is book one of the main character’s stories. One down and four more crew to go.
I’m really looking forward to “Tyche’s Chosen”, book two, about the helm crew mate.
It’s going to be hard waiting for February 19th to get here.
Richard, you’ve written another winner!

Merged review:

Verified Purchase
“Tyche’s First” is the background story of Nate, the owner captain of the ship of the same name, “Tyche”, meaning “Goddess of Luck”, and Nate and his future crew will need plenty of that.
I thoroughly enjoyed Nate’s story after having already read all of the Tyche’s series to date.
This look back at the series has awesome action, great background characters and a different environment then what the series has had prior. It all makes for a great read.
It also gives the reader a bit of the emperor’s background as well, which is an important plot point.
This is a refreshing take on an already awesome sci-fi tale.
This is book one of the main character’s stories. One down and four more crew to go.
I’m really looking forward to “Tyche’s Chosen”, book two, about the helm crew mate.
It’s going to be hard waiting for February 19th to get here.
Richard, you’ve written another winner!
754 reviews13 followers
February 5, 2018
Tyche’s First is a short prequel to the Ezeroc Wars series and first in a series of character introductions. There will be one for each of the crew. In this one we meet Captain Nathan Chevell and learn how he ‘acquired’ the heavy lifter, Tyche. Nate is down and out till he gets his ‘girl’ and the fun starts. If you loved Firefly, you should definitely try this series. It has great characters and snappy dialogue with sharp twists and turns. I received an ARC for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
7,445 reviews142 followers
September 10, 2018
Tyche's first by Richard parry.
Nathan Chevell has four hours to stop the fall of an empire.

As Captain of the Emperor’s Black, it’s Nate’s job to protect the Ruler of all Humanity. But the discovery of an assassin close to the throne means Intelligencers, new agents who can read and control minds, are deemed better for the Emperor’s safety.

With the Black ordered to stand down, terrorists strike the Palace. Nate believes his job is to protect the Emperor, even if it means dying. He must discover the threat against the Emperor before it’s too late. If he doesn’t, the Empire will crumble.

This was a very enjoyable read. Nathan was my favourite character. Full of action too. Onto book 2. 4*.
1,420 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2018
Nice prequel

Not a bad prequel, especially since the backgrounds were pretty much explained by the novels. This does fill in some nice detail which I think you'll appreciate.

The writing is just as good as the first novels. This is a novella but other than its length is very cool. I'm definitely reading the others.
78 reviews
May 22, 2018
How Nate lost his arm and leg, his Emperor and job but found a new reason for living. Not sure I would like stories about each individual but as usual Richard has excelled himself and this was a great read.
Profile Image for Peter.
93 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2019
A chance to find out more about Nathan Chavelle - surely one of the great space opera heroes four time. Fast paced and readable - I am looking forward to catching up with the rest of Tyche"s crew.
881 reviews10 followers
December 3, 2018
I had read Tyche’s Chosen, Hope, Fury & Grace as ARC’s first and really bonded with Captain Nathan/Nate and the crew and I wanted to learn about Nathan and what made him tick so I went bought Tyche’s First to find out his story.

Nate was always a protector it’s how he’s wired. When the family he gave everything to including bits of himself was lost to him he went out to find another family to protect, he just needed a home. When Nate and Tyche met it was like a home coming to both. Nate had found a home capable of protecting those he loved and the ship had found a family worthy of it’s protection.

In Tyche’s First you get begin to see the connection that the ship and Nate share with each other as they go out looking for those in need of a family to fill it and make it a formidable weapon.

It’s a quick read with loads of wise cracks and in true Richard Parry fashion lots of explosions and body parts a great story to get you on board with this unique crew.
Profile Image for Meenaz Lodhi.
1,028 reviews87 followers
February 25, 2018
“She’ll choose her own helm”.

A first in the Tyche’s Origins series, an insight and fantastic background of the Tyche’s crew in the Ezeroc Wars series. A personalized story of each crew member, the beginnings of a great adventure with the acquisition of the heavy cargo ship and it’s baptism with Nate and his wise guy attitude. The whys and how’s he got to where he is now is an interesting and intrepid story! I was actually waiting in anticipation to get to know the crew better. I think this series is a wonderful way to live and appreciate them more, all written with the unique and outstanding writing style of Richard Parry: action, adventure, intrigue, humour, sarcasm, emotions running wild sometimes, I’m truly amazed how he puts all the ingredients in the mixer and comes out with this explosive cocktail!
6,029 reviews41 followers
December 29, 2018
This is the first book in the series which gives the backgrounds for the crew of the Tyche, in this case Captain Nathan.

As a background story published after the main story, you have to wonder if you should read it first or not. And the answer is maybe. Each origin story is a complete standalone and they are not necessary for your enjoyment of the main series, so the order is up to you.

Now, whenever you do get around to reading this one, be prepared for an excellent high action story. You get a little more character development here as that is the entire purpose of the origin story, but you still get a well written story with lots of action and intrigue to boot. Best of both worlds.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
Profile Image for Scott.
1,496 reviews12 followers
February 22, 2018
Great Origin Story

Dor those who have read the Tyche's Trilogy then this is a great additional read as we finally get to find out our favourite crews stories before they came together.
Nate is very well written and the reader soons finds themself caught up in his emotional rollarcoaster. For those who start with thjs then this is a handy introduction but think it worls better after the trilogy myself
145 reviews
February 5, 2019
This is book one of the Tyches origins series and Nate’s story. Nate is captain of the emperors black, and is responsible for keeping the emperor safe. With the black tasked to stand down, as far as Nate is concerned his job is to protect the emperor with his life. Not my usual but an interesting series all the same. Enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
16.9k reviews164 followers
January 25, 2019
He has just four hours to save humanity from destruction. he need to keep the ruler safe but when an assassin is found and others do a better job. What will happen? Will they escape with their lives? See what will happen

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nadea Croix.
992 reviews6 followers
December 30, 2018
I love this story and the ups and downs tbat happens as you fall in love with the characters. The plot was interesting and all the twist and turns were unexpected.

Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.