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The SynCorp Saga #3
Hostile Takeover
The enemy of my enemy is my friend…until they’re not.
Cassandra Station is space dust. Anthony Taulke and the Council tighten their grip on Earth’s resources to feed their ever-expanding empire. Inside the Council, jockeying to divide the spoils of corporate conquest has already begun—and so has the backstabbing.
Meanwhile, we the people make our peace with a new normal: nothing is within our control.
But new forces are on the horizon. An unlikely Neo leader emerges, rumors swirl of a rebel military alliance, and General Graves gets sucked into a new impossible mission.
The Expanse meets The Godfather in Hostile Takeover, the third installment in The SynCorp Saga, the dark sci-fi series about the corporate takeover of our solar system.
Experience SynCorp. Experience our future.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2018
About the author
David Bruns
69 books264 followersDavid Bruns (www.davidbruns.com) has served as an officer on a US Navy nuclear-powered submarine and traveled the world as a high-tech corporate itinerant. Today, he writes futuristic speculative fiction, contemporary thrillers, and everything in between.
He is the creator of the sci-fi/fantasy series, The Dream Guild Chronicles, the military sci-fi thriller Invincible, and co-author of The SynCorp Saga corporate sci-fi series. A graduate of the prestigious Clarion West Writer’s Workshop, his short fiction has appeared in more than two dozen spec fic venues, such as Compelling SciFi and Future Chronicles.
In his spare time, he co-writes national security thrillers with retired naval intelligence officer, JR Olson. Their next book, Rules of Engagement, will be released by St. Martin’s Press in June 2019.
He is the creator of the sci-fi/fantasy series, The Dream Guild Chronicles, the military sci-fi thriller Invincible, and co-author of The SynCorp Saga corporate sci-fi series. A graduate of the prestigious Clarion West Writer’s Workshop, his short fiction has appeared in more than two dozen spec fic venues, such as Compelling SciFi and Future Chronicles.
In his spare time, he co-writes national security thrillers with retired naval intelligence officer, JR Olson. Their next book, Rules of Engagement, will be released by St. Martin’s Press in June 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 13, 2018
As always people at the top, fighting to see who’s in control. The rest of us are left to suffer. Too close to the truth. Awesome story.
May 5, 2019
Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.
David Bruns and Chris Pourteau have kept the action nonstop. Surprises are everywhere; people who were portrayed as friends turn out to be the opposite while those whom we considered enemies turn out to be allies. Book Three of the SynCorp Saga continues with the final steps to consolidate the Council’s power.
If you think politics can be cut-throat, watch out for family owned corporations! Family needs to be kept closer than your enemies. In at least two instances, it is a family member who is responsible for the death of a key corporate player. Among all this death and destruction, a birth takes place. To quote Cora, “She’s the one …” Elise’s golden-eyed child Cassandra is believed to be the Savior of Earth. During the power struggle to either control or assassinate the Child, another faction is also forming. Because the Council is so busy with their infighting and one-up-manship, this “little” fact skips their notice.
If you wish to read more about SynCorp, Cassandra and the Sentinels, read Valhalla Station when you are finished reading Hostile Takeover.
David Bruns and Chris Pourteau have kept the action nonstop. Surprises are everywhere; people who were portrayed as friends turn out to be the opposite while those whom we considered enemies turn out to be allies. Book Three of the SynCorp Saga continues with the final steps to consolidate the Council’s power.
If you think politics can be cut-throat, watch out for family owned corporations! Family needs to be kept closer than your enemies. In at least two instances, it is a family member who is responsible for the death of a key corporate player. Among all this death and destruction, a birth takes place. To quote Cora, “She’s the one …” Elise’s golden-eyed child Cassandra is believed to be the Savior of Earth. During the power struggle to either control or assassinate the Child, another faction is also forming. Because the Council is so busy with their infighting and one-up-manship, this “little” fact skips their notice.
If you wish to read more about SynCorp, Cassandra and the Sentinels, read Valhalla Station when you are finished reading Hostile Takeover.
March 5, 2019
Made me thankful I Caught th Flu!
I came down with the flu over the weekend and thank goodness I have gotten to stay home and read! The quality of writing is stellar. The editing has been superb, even managing to correct a small mistake I noticed in "Cassandra's War." The authors continually created word pictures that transported me from my sick-bed to several places throughout the solar system, reminding me of how I reveled in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's ability to do the same the first time I read the Holmes stories. Like Conan Doyle, the authors give us a mystery and don't let us in on the secret until the very end. Excellent work.
I came down with the flu over the weekend and thank goodness I have gotten to stay home and read! The quality of writing is stellar. The editing has been superb, even managing to correct a small mistake I noticed in "Cassandra's War." The authors continually created word pictures that transported me from my sick-bed to several places throughout the solar system, reminding me of how I reveled in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's ability to do the same the first time I read the Holmes stories. Like Conan Doyle, the authors give us a mystery and don't let us in on the secret until the very end. Excellent work.
April 25, 2019
The madness continues
There is so much more craziness associated with the decision makers, still playing at being gods. The scariest part of the story is how realistic the corporate and governmental characters are.
Children with lots of power playing in a sandbox to determine who gets to be #1 and how human history maybe comes to a close, pretty much describes this wild series. It is a roller coaster. Its scary but fun and I hope that climate change policy is created, that is better than the present policy (if it can be said to exist) and this dark very plausible future.
There is so much more craziness associated with the decision makers, still playing at being gods. The scariest part of the story is how realistic the corporate and governmental characters are.
Children with lots of power playing in a sandbox to determine who gets to be #1 and how human history maybe comes to a close, pretty much describes this wild series. It is a roller coaster. Its scary but fun and I hope that climate change policy is created, that is better than the present policy (if it can be said to exist) and this dark very plausible future.
November 8, 2018
Punch and counter punch, people at the top fighting over who will be in control while the rest of the population suffer...what is left of them, anyway.
This story is truly disturbing, after all we're trying to save our planet too. Very insightful and I really like Graves as he becomes a more prominent figure.
This story is truly disturbing, after all we're trying to save our planet too. Very insightful and I really like Graves as he becomes a more prominent figure.
December 22, 2018
Unexpected find
Usually I am more of a zombie apocalypse type reader, and I was not sure about a book with so much political story- BUT this series has been great! It has just the right mix of unexpected turns, political workings, fighting, and hope for humanity. Can’t wait for it to continue
Usually I am more of a zombie apocalypse type reader, and I was not sure about a book with so much political story- BUT this series has been great! It has just the right mix of unexpected turns, political workings, fighting, and hope for humanity. Can’t wait for it to continue
July 25, 2019
Hostile is right!
This is definitely not your average space opera. There is bravery in here. And hope. Amongst the anger, vengeance and back-stabbing. I don't watch soap operas, but this kind of space opera I highly recommend!
It's the continuation of the story about NEOs and businesses; humans and the U.N., with a sidebar of computers/A.I.
This is definitely not your average space opera. There is bravery in here. And hope. Amongst the anger, vengeance and back-stabbing. I don't watch soap operas, but this kind of space opera I highly recommend!
It's the continuation of the story about NEOs and businesses; humans and the U.N., with a sidebar of computers/A.I.
August 7, 2019
Closing the chapter on many stories and hinting of more to come.
As always with stories from Chris and David, intrigue, action, great characters and world building, and reading late into the night not wanting to stop.
As always with stories from Chris and David, intrigue, action, great characters and world building, and reading late into the night not wanting to stop.
November 15, 2018
See my review on Amazon
April 21, 2019
Worlds in turmoil
Enjoyed reading this book.
More of the back story of how SynCorp. Came to be and the evolution of your characters. Looking forward to the next installment.
Enjoyed reading this book.
More of the back story of how SynCorp. Came to be and the evolution of your characters. Looking forward to the next installment.
April 3, 2021
No good deed goes unpunished.
April 14, 2022
Brilliant story, just don't get too fond of the characters!
Wow. I was really looking forward to reading this, and wasn't disappointed! The two previous books (it is best to read them in order) were great, and this followed on brilliantly. The series is an unusual mix of thriller, dystopian scifi, and boardroom action - the latter sounds a bit boring but is actually fascinating - never have such a group of people sat around a boardroom table whilst mostly hating each other and waiting for a stab in the back!
The story is great, with many twists that I can't see coming, and very original. Each chapter is about a different person, but it is clearly stated at the beginning of each chapter and it is really easy to keep track of what is going on. Many collaborative books don't work as well as a single writer, but this series does, and they have produced an amazing world - easy for us to imagine, in the not-to-distant future.
These authors are definitely not worried about killing off a character or two, or three - although you will have to read it yourself to find out who!
Wow. I was really looking forward to reading this, and wasn't disappointed! The two previous books (it is best to read them in order) were great, and this followed on brilliantly. The series is an unusual mix of thriller, dystopian scifi, and boardroom action - the latter sounds a bit boring but is actually fascinating - never have such a group of people sat around a boardroom table whilst mostly hating each other and waiting for a stab in the back!
The story is great, with many twists that I can't see coming, and very original. Each chapter is about a different person, but it is clearly stated at the beginning of each chapter and it is really easy to keep track of what is going on. Many collaborative books don't work as well as a single writer, but this series does, and they have produced an amazing world - easy for us to imagine, in the not-to-distant future.
These authors are definitely not worried about killing off a character or two, or three - although you will have to read it yourself to find out who!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews