Mercury Blade

Valyien #1

by James David Victor

On the run with a stolen alien artifact that could ultimately destroy humanity. Chased by the most powerful military force in the galaxy and the most notorious criminal overlord in the sector. No problem for the fastest ship in the known universe.
A new space adventure from #1 Best Selling author James David Victor

Eliard Martin is captain of the Mercury Blade, the fastest ship in the galaxy. With his small crew, he travels the stars looking for adventure and profit. When he tries to pull one over on a dangerous criminal overlord, he soon finds himself on a mission that will lead to more danger than he has ever faced before. With the help of a mysterious stranger, who is clearly more than she appears, they will fight to stay one step ahead of the most powerful forces in the galaxy. Can the crew of the Mercury Blade fly their way to freedom or will they be crushed by the opposing forces seeking their demise?

Mercury Blade is the first book in the exciting Valyien series. If you like fast paced space adventure, the lovable rogues of the Mercury Blade will keep you entertained for hours.

Download Mercury Blade and get started on your next space adventure today!

Always FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2018

About the author

James David Victor is the pen name used by science fiction and fantasy author David J. VanBergen Jr. for co-authored projects. It is his way of sharing more stories with you than he could write by himself.

If you would like to check out all of his books, under both pen names, and get a free short story, be sure to sign up for his Science Fiction newsletter by visiting:
fairfieldpublishing.com/sci-fi-newsle...

Reviews

[Louise H's Book Thoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant and entertaining read with some nice world-building, interesting characters and plenty of intrigues. Reads more like a prequel to draw the reader into the series and leaves you with more questions than answers.

[Kanyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not going to lie; it took me a couple chapters to get into reading this book. However, once I did, the story really took off. I enjoyed getting to meet a new set of characters and following their adventure from running blindly behind their captain, to finding a darker secret that has them on a quest to destroy it. If they can figure out how! Really great writing as I’ve come to love from the author and overall great story if you stick with it. I will be reading the sequel once it comes out.

Mercury Blade is the first book in the Valyien series.

Final Rating: 4.5 Stars

[Carol Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written story about El Martin, and his crew aboard the Mercury Blade. He reminds me of Han Solo. After trying to scam the foremost trader in the Trader’s Belt, Martin has to come up with 20,000 credits fast. He hears about an archaeological expedition to a planet to recover some Valyien tech. They are a vanished race which died out thousands of years before humanity reached the stars. If he can also get some of the tech, his crew will be rich. In the process an archaeologist helps him ... or is she what she seems? Now the military is after him ...Rollicking adventure!

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great start to a new series it has ancient alien technology, noble houses who run the galaxy and a military trying to us the artifacts for there own ends.
Plus Eliard Martin captain of the Mercury Blade with his crew of 2 go searching for ancient technology to make a fast buck. Great adventure and a twist at the end.

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Eliard and crew are rogue traders/smugglers who seem to make enemies everywhere they go. They take on an archeologist who turns out to be an agent of a noble house who has a stolen piece of ancient Valyien tech. Now the galactic space navy Armcore is after them and there’s no refuge in sight!
Lots of excitement, wonderful dialogue, and characters I want to know better!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

While I finished the book with strong feelings, they were mostly ambivalence about the main character. I am not sure I am willing to follow a series led by con men. However I am intrigued by the AI, so will probably give the next book a chance.

[Donald Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the book well enough to continue the series. The book doesn't end. So, I wouldn't recommend it if you're not up for reading the series.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good start to a new series!

This book was about a spaceship crew who were in debt and were trying to find a way to repay it. They hear
about an archeological dig and figure out there must be something to steal since these sorts of digs don't usually. Mclude
Include very many people; well they were wrong. I will definitely order the next book in the series.

[Janet Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining, fast reading space adventure. Eliard Martin is the captain of the Mercury Blade. He owes money to a dangerous man and tries to find a way to make some money. He picks up an artifact that is worth a lot of money, but also ends up not only with a passenger but being chased by numerous ships. Thus starts the series. Very enjoyable. Highly recommended.

[Darel Krieger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sci Fi is really not my genre bot I tool a chance on this book. I am certainly glad I did. Good adventure and some wacky characters mad for a good (short) read. This is a series and it's the first book of, but it didn't really leave you with a cliffhanger ending. which I was glad for.

[Phil Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

A little bit of Space Lord, throw in some Han Solo then add some Malcolm Reynolds and you have El.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good start to the series.

[Scott Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

The best space opera that I Have read in a long time. Fast paced with surprises and intrigue all along the way.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

On to book 2

Enjoyable book! Great group of characters and the interaction between them keeps the pages turning. Already bought book number two

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book. A crew of smugglers get stuck with a large debt. Will they repay the debt or have their spaceship confiscated? Lots of secrets

[Brian Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun in a new universe

So now it is a crew of 4 and maybe Alpha to boot. Did they piss off everyone? Can they go home, maybe can be forgiven since stranded armcore!

[Timothy M Fyock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reading .

The story started a little slow but became very interesting quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed it by the end, but thought it ended too early.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun light read

Rough in the opening chapters but it gets better. Lots of action, last-minute escapes, betrayal and new alliances formed. Quick read

[David Durrant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast and itchy!!

For sci-fi fans who like action at a pace. Interesting and attractive characters in non-routine settings with a good storyline.

[Flewts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short, more novella than novel

[Robert Swank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercury Blade

Fast paced, exciting read. The characters are very easy to like and identify with. Great beginning to what promises to be a fun saga.

[Kandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another new series by this author, with a lot of very interesting characters. It will be a nice adventurous trip through space with this crew.