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Iconoclast #1
Mistrust and Treason
"The thing you have to ask yourself is who is going to stop these people if we don't, Grim?"
In the criminal jungle that is his turf, Grim is the apex predator. Now the Coalition Security Force is assigning him to the most lethal hunt he has yet faced. On this hunt, the predator may become the prey…
Mistrust and Treason marks the beginning of the end for Fortune's Fools. The first volume in the last trilogy, Iconoclast, lifts the curtain on the final devastating act of the series.
In the criminal jungle that is his turf, Grim is the apex predator. Now the Coalition Security Force is assigning him to the most lethal hunt he has yet faced. On this hunt, the predator may become the prey…
Mistrust and Treason marks the beginning of the end for Fortune's Fools. The first volume in the last trilogy, Iconoclast, lifts the curtain on the final devastating act of the series.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2018
2 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Swift-Hook
49 books204 followersE.M. Swift-Hook is the author of the Fortune's Fools dark space opera series and co-author of the alternate history whodunits the Dai and Julia Mysteries.
In the words that Robert Heinlein put into the mouth of Lazarus Long: 'Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.'
Having tried a number of different careers, before settling in the North-East of England with family, three dogs, cats and a small flock of rescued chickens, she now spends a lot of time in private and has very clean hands.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 25, 2018
Book seven of nine sees us hurtling towards some kind of cataclysmic event.
But what? Why is the whole series called Fortune’s Fools? Am I going to like the ending?
Probably not, but I know I won’t be able to stop myself reading...
Highly recommended to those who want their emotions hung out to dry.
Read it.
PS And I now like two people in this series. Jaz and Grim.
But what? Why is the whole series called Fortune’s Fools? Am I going to like the ending?
Probably not, but I know I won’t be able to stop myself reading...
Highly recommended to those who want their emotions hung out to dry.
Read it.
PS And I now like two people in this series. Jaz and Grim.
September 29, 2018
The first volume in Swift-Hook’s Iconoclast trilogy takes place approximately three years following the last trilogy of her Fortune’s Fools series. The Coalition realizes that Kahina Sarava, the evil mastermind, along with her ‘Future Data’ project may have been more accurate than they believed. They choose two unlikely investigators to find and eliminate the two people who could still put the entire Universe in jeopardy – Jaz Baldrick and Durban Chola. The well-paced action alternates between the hunters – Grim and Ty and the hunted – Jaz and Durban. While this is happening Avilon is attempting to find her place back in the Legacy – but first she must somehow prove she is who she claims to be and that is anything but easy. What she discovers is the Legacy has become nearly as tyrannical as the Coalition it was designed to fight against.
Jaz and Durban decide to go after Avilon, believing she may be in some danger, not knowing that they are the ones being hunted. Jaz, the strong, competent defender is on the brink of an emotional breakdown. For years he has buried all his hurt and pain along with the horrendous memories, but now they seem to demand some attention and he has no time to deal with them. All the characters including the secondary ones are believable and amazingly well-drawn. Though I have been following the series from the first book, I believe this story could easily be enjoyed without having read the others. The author gives enough backstory without bogging down the narrative. This is a fantastic world, one with infinite possibilities for future tales. Mistrust is a given in this world and treason is unavoidable in one form or another. Love the storyline, love the characters and absolutely love the fact that I have little idea of where we’ll end up! All I know is that I can’t wait for the next installment. Highly Recommended!
Jaz and Durban decide to go after Avilon, believing she may be in some danger, not knowing that they are the ones being hunted. Jaz, the strong, competent defender is on the brink of an emotional breakdown. For years he has buried all his hurt and pain along with the horrendous memories, but now they seem to demand some attention and he has no time to deal with them. All the characters including the secondary ones are believable and amazingly well-drawn. Though I have been following the series from the first book, I believe this story could easily be enjoyed without having read the others. The author gives enough backstory without bogging down the narrative. This is a fantastic world, one with infinite possibilities for future tales. Mistrust is a given in this world and treason is unavoidable in one form or another. Love the storyline, love the characters and absolutely love the fact that I have little idea of where we’ll end up! All I know is that I can’t wait for the next installment. Highly Recommended!
November 1, 2018
Oh my GOSH!! They are back! If you haven’t read the previous trilogy, don’t despair. You can jump in on this one and be fine. But why would you? You’d miss the entire adventure of my boys, Jaz and Durban Chola and the whole sorted mess that became Avalon. But I digress.
In this book, we see a new side to Durban. He and his posy are still underestimated by the Coalition, but the mega-government is starting to figure out that there’s more to the dynamic duo/trio than brains and brawn. And the Coalition wants them dead(ish). Fortunately, Durban is on the case and Jaz isn’t into being dead as he might say.
This author is a worldbulding genius and she has created characters that are both dynamic and worth your emotional investment, even the ones you want drop (another Jazism). You will be sucked into the world that is rich in both culture and concept and when you look up several hours later, you’ll wonder why you aren’t in a spaceport. This is a must-read series!
In this book, we see a new side to Durban. He and his posy are still underestimated by the Coalition, but the mega-government is starting to figure out that there’s more to the dynamic duo/trio than brains and brawn. And the Coalition wants them dead(ish). Fortunately, Durban is on the case and Jaz isn’t into being dead as he might say.
This author is a worldbulding genius and she has created characters that are both dynamic and worth your emotional investment, even the ones you want drop (another Jazism). You will be sucked into the world that is rich in both culture and concept and when you look up several hours later, you’ll wonder why you aren’t in a spaceport. This is a must-read series!
December 6, 2019
Halkom Dugsdall (Grim) of the Coalition Security Force is given his most difficult task yet, track down the criminals Durban Chola and Jaz Baldrik. Durban is the mastermind that formerly ran one of the most powerful and financially successful syndicates in the Coalition. Jaz, Durban's friend, is a strongman who survived a military service so challenging it kills most of its members eventually. Grim will have his hands full finding them, but his quarry are experts at surviving on the fringes. Will Grim even survive the encounter if he finds them?
What strikes me about this book from the word go, is the depth of the people. You get to know both sides of this hunt intimately and they are very real and believable. These are not cardboard cutout characters; they will convince you that they are very nearly historical figures, drawn from a detailed police file. But the time the book is done you will have a compassionate and intimate knowledge of all the characters that may rival what you know of your own siblings. The characters are that deep and substantial in your mind.
Another great thing about the book is that, like in reality, the lines between good and bad within characters are blurred, such that even when considering the terrorist Avilon, the characters are drawn with such expertise and compassion that you cannot help but feel sympathetic to them all.
In Mistrust and Treason, Swifthook offers a master's class in how to write strong, believable characters. There's great action too and the author knows to ratchet up the tension in just the right way at just the right time to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy powerful writing, get this book.
What strikes me about this book from the word go, is the depth of the people. You get to know both sides of this hunt intimately and they are very real and believable. These are not cardboard cutout characters; they will convince you that they are very nearly historical figures, drawn from a detailed police file. But the time the book is done you will have a compassionate and intimate knowledge of all the characters that may rival what you know of your own siblings. The characters are that deep and substantial in your mind.
Another great thing about the book is that, like in reality, the lines between good and bad within characters are blurred, such that even when considering the terrorist Avilon, the characters are drawn with such expertise and compassion that you cannot help but feel sympathetic to them all.
In Mistrust and Treason, Swifthook offers a master's class in how to write strong, believable characters. There's great action too and the author knows to ratchet up the tension in just the right way at just the right time to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy powerful writing, get this book.
September 26, 2018
Review to follow!
November 30, 2019
This is a wonderful beginning to Avilon's new life. Not only Avilon, but Durban as well. The author does a fantastic job detailing her characters' changes while still staying true to who they are.
I loved the development of Grim's character and his reactions as he learns more about Jaz and Durban. I look forward to the next book!
I loved the development of Grim's character and his reactions as he learns more about Jaz and Durban. I look forward to the next book!
May 15, 2020
I have enjoyed all of E M's books. In fact, some of them I have read and reread. She builds complex believable characters, sets up conflicts that are more subtle than the usual good guys versus bad guys and creates alternative worlds that feel authentic. The writing is smooth and solid. All in all, books that can really hook you in and keep your interest.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews