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The Apprentice #6
Nightingale
~ Where duty and passion collide~
With only a season and half left to her bond, Lilian's enemies are becoming desperate, and those who would see her fail seek any infraction, no matter how minor, to deny her bond proof. Haunted by the memory of the Serengeti fallen and her actions in eradicating the Despoilers, Lilian struggles to retain her discipline for the final five months of her apprenticeship. With her actions in the battle of Serengeti proving her valor and loyalty beyond doubt, only the honor proof remains – adherence to the rigid and complex Apprentice Protocol. Although few within Serengeti will challenge her bond proof, throughout the Twelve Systems, those who wagered against her are facing penury and will stop at nothing to keep her from surviving.
With Damocles and Despoilers defeated, Lucius' power with Serengeti and the Third System is uncontested. Determined to advance his ambitions, Lucius lays plans for a triumphant launch of his revolutionary stellar exploration vehicle, the Nightingale. As he prepares to depart for Fortuna, a new threat appears in the form of a charismatic prelate who rouses the populace against Bright Star and Lilian’s role the venture. The prelate will prove but the first among many determined to thwart him through any means, including his notorious apprentice.
When thousands gather on Fortuna for the historical launch of the Nightingale into orbit, Lilian finds herself treading a blade’s edge as she attempts to adhere to the Apprentice Protocol among adversaries who are increasingly desperate and bold. Planned as a celebration of Serengeti achievement, the Fortuna voyage becomes a nightmare where she is faced with deadly opponents intent on her destruction.
With only a season and half left to her bond, Lilian's enemies are becoming desperate, and those who would see her fail seek any infraction, no matter how minor, to deny her bond proof. Haunted by the memory of the Serengeti fallen and her actions in eradicating the Despoilers, Lilian struggles to retain her discipline for the final five months of her apprenticeship. With her actions in the battle of Serengeti proving her valor and loyalty beyond doubt, only the honor proof remains – adherence to the rigid and complex Apprentice Protocol. Although few within Serengeti will challenge her bond proof, throughout the Twelve Systems, those who wagered against her are facing penury and will stop at nothing to keep her from surviving.
With Damocles and Despoilers defeated, Lucius' power with Serengeti and the Third System is uncontested. Determined to advance his ambitions, Lucius lays plans for a triumphant launch of his revolutionary stellar exploration vehicle, the Nightingale. As he prepares to depart for Fortuna, a new threat appears in the form of a charismatic prelate who rouses the populace against Bright Star and Lilian’s role the venture. The prelate will prove but the first among many determined to thwart him through any means, including his notorious apprentice.
When thousands gather on Fortuna for the historical launch of the Nightingale into orbit, Lilian finds herself treading a blade’s edge as she attempts to adhere to the Apprentice Protocol among adversaries who are increasingly desperate and bold. Planned as a celebration of Serengeti achievement, the Fortuna voyage becomes a nightmare where she is faced with deadly opponents intent on her destruction.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2019
7 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
E.G. Manetti
18 books158 followers
I write from the world around me, and the world around me is full of color.
Award-winning author EG Manetti has always enjoyed a vivid imagination and occasional scribbling. Her epic science fiction series, The Twelve Systems Chronicles, blends the intrigue and danger of space opera with the passion and social rigidity of historical romance.
The ten-volume series began in 2012, with The Cartel: The Apprentice, Volume 1, and completed in 2021 with Thorn Bearer: Thornraven, Volume 3. The series has received four Paranormal Guild Reviewers Choice Awards, seven InD’tale RONE (Reward for Novel Excellence) nominations with five volumes award finalist badges. Shield Bearer: Thornraven, Volume 2 received the 2021 RONE for Science Fiction.
Elemental Fire: The Hidden Realms #1, her first venture into fantasy, combines her favorite aspects of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and action/adventure genres.
A former information technology project manager, EG resides in Florida with her beloved (often confounded) husband and their severely OCD Jack Russell Terrier. She writes as often as possible, cooks exceptionally, and gardens adequately.
The Twelve Systems Chronicles are epic science fiction romance that blends elements of space opera with the intrigue and suspense of a political thriller. “With characters that jump off the page, love that is forbidden yet unstoppable mixed with top-notch worlds and technology, sci-fi has never looked so good or become so addictive!” ~ InD'Tale Magazine, February 2018.
Enter The Twelve Systems with a free copy of The Cartel
Like EG Manetti on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
EG Manetti Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/egmanetti/
EG Manetti Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@egmanetti
Award-winning author EG Manetti has always enjoyed a vivid imagination and occasional scribbling. Her epic science fiction series, The Twelve Systems Chronicles, blends the intrigue and danger of space opera with the passion and social rigidity of historical romance.
The ten-volume series began in 2012, with The Cartel: The Apprentice, Volume 1, and completed in 2021 with Thorn Bearer: Thornraven, Volume 3. The series has received four Paranormal Guild Reviewers Choice Awards, seven InD’tale RONE (Reward for Novel Excellence) nominations with five volumes award finalist badges. Shield Bearer: Thornraven, Volume 2 received the 2021 RONE for Science Fiction.
Elemental Fire: The Hidden Realms #1, her first venture into fantasy, combines her favorite aspects of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and action/adventure genres.
A former information technology project manager, EG resides in Florida with her beloved (often confounded) husband and their severely OCD Jack Russell Terrier. She writes as often as possible, cooks exceptionally, and gardens adequately.
The Twelve Systems Chronicles are epic science fiction romance that blends elements of space opera with the intrigue and suspense of a political thriller. “With characters that jump off the page, love that is forbidden yet unstoppable mixed with top-notch worlds and technology, sci-fi has never looked so good or become so addictive!” ~ InD'Tale Magazine, February 2018.
Enter The Twelve Systems with a free copy of The Cartel
Like EG Manetti on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
EG Manetti Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/egmanetti/
EG Manetti Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@egmanetti
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 15, 2019
I was going to take a little break from reading this series, but, for whatever reason I can't seem to give it up! So why fight a good thing? This book is really more like half of a book (as I was kind of warned by my fantastic GR friend TJ) in the sense that despite it being a little over 300 pages long, it has a 'to be continued' type of ending. Also, most of the 'action' (not really much of it) seems to be primarily a setup for the activities that will happen in the next book. So what am I going to do? Obviously read the next one right away. It's an addiction I tell you.
The first book in this series is free if you want to give it a try, fyi. But fair warning, you're going to either find this whole series really different and hate it or really different and love it. Obviously we all know which end of the spectrum I fall on LOL!
The first book in this series is free if you want to give it a try, fyi. But fair warning, you're going to either find this whole series really different and hate it or really different and love it. Obviously we all know which end of the spectrum I fall on LOL!
January 24, 2019
"Lilian and Milord Take a Vacation"
No, that isn't really the subtitle of this sexth [sic] entry into the Twelve Systems Chronicles, but it could be....sorta. This installment picks up very shortly after book five, which featured the tense, thrilling, fantastically scripted Battle of Serengeti. The Battle - and its aftermath - have left apprentice Lilian weary and strained and overworked. This is nothing new for the stalwart ex-warrior diminished by her faithless father's actions and the myriad of opponents seeking her humiliation or death. But here we see Lucius Mercio have a care for his apprentice, knowing that she must be sufficiently recovered and prepared - physically and mentally - for her bond proof, which is due in less than six months time. As dangerous as her three-year apprenticeship has been, the final months will prove an almost eclipsing challenge.
So, in typical "Master" fashion, he maneuvers a respite for Lilian as they journey to the distant planet Fortuna for the launch of the SEV 1 into orbit in preparation for its final construction before leaving to explore the unfathomable nothingness that promises to become a Thirteenth System. His prescription is for Lilian to eat, sleep and have sex, not necessarily in that order. As an aside, my favorite romance books delve heavily into action-adventure, so I love it when the main characters get to take a breather and explore each other. I adore those soft passages that break the tension of high suspense. Huge sections of this book explored those "soft passages," where care and affection - in complete privacy - deepened the connection between Lilian and Lucius. Both need to take care that their regard stays hidden according to cartel strictures. Honestly, I reveled in this time for Lucius and Lilian, because ever in the back of my head is worry for Lilian and what the end of her bond proof will mean to their relationship.
That is not to say that intrigue and danger are dead and gone. Nope, not by a long shot. It just wasn't as consuming, and I was happy for the valley in the sea of tension.
Lilian's consortium - her cast of supporters - continue to fascinate and grow. Their stories evolve, too, so be sure to read the previous novels. Manetti does an excellent job of resettling a familiar reader in the Twelve Systems universe without undue repetition. I continue to be fascinated by the foreshadowing. There are so many possibilities flitting around in my head that I absolutely cannot wait to see where the story goes. I am also LOVING the hints of stories for the future that might possibly involve the generation that we see as youths. It is fascinating to see their personalities as teens and where their tendencies will take them. The care with which the Twelve Systems Chronicles are plotted is a little scary to me. You know, the brain behind that complex maneuvering. Manetti is every bit as intimidating in that regard as Monsignor Lucius.
If you adore a finely crafted fantasy filled with honorable characters, shady decisions, rich culture and surprisingly clever sci-fi elements based on invention, I suggest you get right to reading this series. Every book is crafted with care and detail, and my expectations (and satisfaction) rise with each installment.
No, that isn't really the subtitle of this sexth [sic] entry into the Twelve Systems Chronicles, but it could be....sorta. This installment picks up very shortly after book five, which featured the tense, thrilling, fantastically scripted Battle of Serengeti. The Battle - and its aftermath - have left apprentice Lilian weary and strained and overworked. This is nothing new for the stalwart ex-warrior diminished by her faithless father's actions and the myriad of opponents seeking her humiliation or death. But here we see Lucius Mercio have a care for his apprentice, knowing that she must be sufficiently recovered and prepared - physically and mentally - for her bond proof, which is due in less than six months time. As dangerous as her three-year apprenticeship has been, the final months will prove an almost eclipsing challenge.
So, in typical "Master" fashion, he maneuvers a respite for Lilian as they journey to the distant planet Fortuna for the launch of the SEV 1 into orbit in preparation for its final construction before leaving to explore the unfathomable nothingness that promises to become a Thirteenth System. His prescription is for Lilian to eat, sleep and have sex, not necessarily in that order. As an aside, my favorite romance books delve heavily into action-adventure, so I love it when the main characters get to take a breather and explore each other. I adore those soft passages that break the tension of high suspense. Huge sections of this book explored those "soft passages," where care and affection - in complete privacy - deepened the connection between Lilian and Lucius. Both need to take care that their regard stays hidden according to cartel strictures. Honestly, I reveled in this time for Lucius and Lilian, because ever in the back of my head is worry for Lilian and what the end of her bond proof will mean to their relationship.
That is not to say that intrigue and danger are dead and gone. Nope, not by a long shot. It just wasn't as consuming, and I was happy for the valley in the sea of tension.
Lilian's consortium - her cast of supporters - continue to fascinate and grow. Their stories evolve, too, so be sure to read the previous novels. Manetti does an excellent job of resettling a familiar reader in the Twelve Systems universe without undue repetition. I continue to be fascinated by the foreshadowing. There are so many possibilities flitting around in my head that I absolutely cannot wait to see where the story goes. I am also LOVING the hints of stories for the future that might possibly involve the generation that we see as youths. It is fascinating to see their personalities as teens and where their tendencies will take them. The care with which the Twelve Systems Chronicles are plotted is a little scary to me. You know, the brain behind that complex maneuvering. Manetti is every bit as intimidating in that regard as Monsignor Lucius.
If you adore a finely crafted fantasy filled with honorable characters, shady decisions, rich culture and surprisingly clever sci-fi elements based on invention, I suggest you get right to reading this series. Every book is crafted with care and detail, and my expectations (and satisfaction) rise with each installment.
Read
January 22, 2019An early passage:
“Whore of anarchy’? Impalement?” Milord scrolls through the queue. “Entrails devoured by crevasse-crawlers? Who sent these?”
“I know not, milord. They are anonymous. Do I find aught of a credible threat, I will turn it over to Mr. Stefan.”
“Credible?” He sets aside the slate to capture her wrist. “How many have you received? How many were credible?”
“For the past year, there have been naught but two or three each sevenday.” Lilian searches milord’s expression and finds more concern than anger. “None were credible. Since the battle, they have increased, and several were alarming.”
“Despoilers?” Milord tugs her into his lap. “You feared they came from Despoilers?”
“I dared not risk it,” she says, curling into him. “Most are naught but the hostile works of dark souls with no will or ability to act. But I have not had time to update the filters to seek evidence of Despoilers, so I have reviewed them all. As it happens, some appear to be from Newtonites.”
His arms tighten. “Whore of anarchy. I thought it familiar. What is this of filters?”
“When I entered the cartel, I lacked the bells to review them, but I could not ignore them. I developed filters to identify those with threats specific enough to be credible.”
“Specific how?”
“Sinead’s Keeper added shrine guards to Maman’s escort after one. I transferred Katleen’s race training from the Garden Center to the River Quarter after another.”
Milord strokes her back. “At least now you can refer them to Mr. Stefan. But you should not review them at all. It is no wonder you cannot sleep.”
“I plan to update the filters on Seventh Day. I will add parameters for Newtonites as well as Despoilers. Even if the threat is not credible, Seigneur Trevelyan may wish to trace them to the source.”
“Turn your filters over to Trevelyan and have one of his operatives update them. They can update the filters on the governors’ alerts at the same time. I doubt the Newtonites will be aught but a bad jest in another two sevendays, but any hint of a Despoiler must be investigated.”
Raising her face to his, she nods. “As milord wills.”
His lips are tantalizingly close, a mere fingertip from hers. His hand slides from her back to her hip and lower. His mouth descends and teases along hers in a gentle kiss. Lilian’s eyes drift closed as her hands encircle milord’s neck. The delicate caress becomes insistent, his tongue dancing at the seam. She parts her lips, inviting him in, senses swimming under the sensual onslaught. Milord turns Lilian in his lap, freeing one large hand to roam her from thigh to breast, warming her flesh and firing her blood.
“Whore of anarchy’? Impalement?” Milord scrolls through the queue. “Entrails devoured by crevasse-crawlers? Who sent these?”
“I know not, milord. They are anonymous. Do I find aught of a credible threat, I will turn it over to Mr. Stefan.”
“Credible?” He sets aside the slate to capture her wrist. “How many have you received? How many were credible?”
“For the past year, there have been naught but two or three each sevenday.” Lilian searches milord’s expression and finds more concern than anger. “None were credible. Since the battle, they have increased, and several were alarming.”
“Despoilers?” Milord tugs her into his lap. “You feared they came from Despoilers?”
“I dared not risk it,” she says, curling into him. “Most are naught but the hostile works of dark souls with no will or ability to act. But I have not had time to update the filters to seek evidence of Despoilers, so I have reviewed them all. As it happens, some appear to be from Newtonites.”
His arms tighten. “Whore of anarchy. I thought it familiar. What is this of filters?”
“When I entered the cartel, I lacked the bells to review them, but I could not ignore them. I developed filters to identify those with threats specific enough to be credible.”
“Specific how?”
“Sinead’s Keeper added shrine guards to Maman’s escort after one. I transferred Katleen’s race training from the Garden Center to the River Quarter after another.”
Milord strokes her back. “At least now you can refer them to Mr. Stefan. But you should not review them at all. It is no wonder you cannot sleep.”
“I plan to update the filters on Seventh Day. I will add parameters for Newtonites as well as Despoilers. Even if the threat is not credible, Seigneur Trevelyan may wish to trace them to the source.”
“Turn your filters over to Trevelyan and have one of his operatives update them. They can update the filters on the governors’ alerts at the same time. I doubt the Newtonites will be aught but a bad jest in another two sevendays, but any hint of a Despoiler must be investigated.”
Raising her face to his, she nods. “As milord wills.”
His lips are tantalizingly close, a mere fingertip from hers. His hand slides from her back to her hip and lower. His mouth descends and teases along hers in a gentle kiss. Lilian’s eyes drift closed as her hands encircle milord’s neck. The delicate caress becomes insistent, his tongue dancing at the seam. She parts her lips, inviting him in, senses swimming under the sensual onslaught. Milord turns Lilian in his lap, freeing one large hand to roam her from thigh to breast, warming her flesh and firing her blood.
January 27, 2019
This is a strong 4+ book. This is a transition book between the huge battle in book #5 and the (hopeful) completion of Lilian's bond proof in the next one. Over the first 5 books, so many different threads have been started and left hanging, or even if apparently resolved, they are resurrected here. This takes away from the focus and intensity of some of the earlier books. However, it is clear that we all needed a break from the harrowing events of the recent past.
So Lilian gets to rest a bit, and many people are re-introduced. Pieces are moved around the chessboard, agreements are strengthened and dissolved, dreams and nightmares bring back past memories and hint at future possibilities. Romances flourish, in support of (or despite) politics.
EG sets a high bar, and I fully expect that the next book will be thrilling.
This book ends on a chapter break, but this has been clearly announced, so it doesn't count as a cliff-hanger. The next book is out in a few weeks.
So Lilian gets to rest a bit, and many people are re-introduced. Pieces are moved around the chessboard, agreements are strengthened and dissolved, dreams and nightmares bring back past memories and hint at future possibilities. Romances flourish, in support of (or despite) politics.
EG sets a high bar, and I fully expect that the next book will be thrilling.
This book ends on a chapter break, but this has been clearly announced, so it doesn't count as a cliff-hanger. The next book is out in a few weeks.
December 6, 2022
Gifted by Twirly Twinkle Toes
November 19, 2022 Amazon
November 19, 2022 Amazon
January 3, 2019
I was kindly given an Arc by the author.
This book was just 10000000% awesome. This whole series is one of the best epic tales on the market today. If you havent started it yet you are missing out.
Full review to come (once officially released so as not to give any spoilers)
This book was just 10000000% awesome. This whole series is one of the best epic tales on the market today. If you havent started it yet you are missing out.
Full review to come (once officially released so as not to give any spoilers)
January 26, 2019
Goodness me! I was lulled into a false sense of 'calm' during much of the book. With lovely fruition of commerce decisions and private and public celebrations of such, there was a sense of almost peace, while waiting for the other shoe to drop. I greatly enjoyed excellent descriptions of Lilian's outfits, where I vicariously was both elegant and tall (that identifying with the protagonist thing). And yup, the other shoe drops. Let's just say it's a good thing Master Chin is a rocking good healer. And then you turn some more pages for more drama....and the book ends. Really?!?! I know the next one is due soon, but really?!? I'd just gone for more coffee to enjoy with book and really?!?
Need the next book. Immediately, if not sooner. Or there will definitely be stricture violations.
'Nuff said.
Need the next book. Immediately, if not sooner. Or there will definitely be stricture violations.
'Nuff said.
September 17, 2023
Still good, even if there are lengths, repetitive information ... but the evolution of the relationship between Lilian and Lucius leaves me riveted. I want to know more! The end is very abrupt. It's a good thing that the next book is published tomorrow, but I started to prepare myself to wait for the next after that. It's gonna be tough. :)
Reread april 2023
Reread april 2023
March 20, 2019
In the sixth installment of this highly addictive series, readers follow Lillian through her last year of servitude.
Read full review in the 2019 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2019 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
January 24, 2019
While I know both Lillian and the reader needed a bit of a break after the wild ride in the last installment of this amazing series, I got a bit bored in this one. There really isn’t a story arc that one can follow, it is more the day to day workings of the characters we love and the constant demands of Lucius towards his bond servant, Lillian... Even though it is obvious the points in the plot will be important down the road.
In some ways this book felt a lot like the first book in the series. Lucius doesn’t allow his feelings to come through in anyway so we are left just seeing him demand both Lillian’s intellect and her body every single day whenever he chooses and however he chooses. Although at this point the reader knows Lillian has fallen in love with him, she is still nothing but a slave to his desires and demands so it makes it very hard to enjoy at times.
Because of this, I cannot WAIT for her to fulfill her bond obligation and be on her own and under her own terms... bring on the next installment!!
In some ways this book felt a lot like the first book in the series. Lucius doesn’t allow his feelings to come through in anyway so we are left just seeing him demand both Lillian’s intellect and her body every single day whenever he chooses and however he chooses. Although at this point the reader knows Lillian has fallen in love with him, she is still nothing but a slave to his desires and demands so it makes it very hard to enjoy at times.
Because of this, I cannot WAIT for her to fulfill her bond obligation and be on her own and under her own terms... bring on the next installment!!
May 2, 2019
Great, utterly, absolutely great, a page-turner series !
I was too busy reading book #7 to write this review, but let me tell you :
- great world building (history, sociology, religion, language, etc)
- great characters, including some I didn't think I would come to appreciate at the start
- great plots, with lots of suspense.
What more should I write to make you read this ?!
One more thing that made me laugh : Lilian has her prayer that helps her live through each day until the next, Lucius has his that helps him take control of himself, but Rebecca has her own : she lists in her head all the clothes she's going to buy when her bond is proved !
I was too busy reading book #7 to write this review, but let me tell you :
- great world building (history, sociology, religion, language, etc)
- great characters, including some I didn't think I would come to appreciate at the start
- great plots, with lots of suspense.
What more should I write to make you read this ?!
One more thing that made me laugh : Lilian has her prayer that helps her live through each day until the next, Lucius has his that helps him take control of himself, but Rebecca has her own : she lists in her head all the clothes she's going to buy when her bond is proved !
August 12, 2022
4.0
The relationship is proceeding and the ending of the bonded period approaches. Nevertheless weeks still remain before the bond is proved. Treachery lies in the future. Yet this book will not settle it. Yep, at least one more book!
The relationship is proceeding and the ending of the bonded period approaches. Nevertheless weeks still remain before the bond is proved. Treachery lies in the future. Yet this book will not settle it. Yep, at least one more book!
March 8, 2024
Excellent sci fi thriller
The world building is phenomenal, the characters are fascinating (Pippa is hilarious), and the story is enthralling. The events of Valor are not forgotten, and the characters each deal with the aftermath in their own way. A new pairing made me happy. And there is always Gloribelle.
The world building is phenomenal, the characters are fascinating (Pippa is hilarious), and the story is enthralling. The events of Valor are not forgotten, and the characters each deal with the aftermath in their own way. A new pairing made me happy. And there is always Gloribelle.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews