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Mindspace #1
Infiltration
Prevent a stellar civil war... or die trying.
When Captain Kira Elsar comes face-to-face with a military assault mech inside a civilian research lab, it’s abundantly clear that MTech is up to no good.
Illegal alien nanotech experimentation. Clandestine political dealings. Disappearances. Connections all trace back to MTech’s newest research lab on Kira’s homeworld.
As the Tararian Guard's sole telepath, Kira goes undercover to get to the bottom of the mystery. Hints point to a brewing stellar civil war, but she needs to gather proof. Except, the mysterious forces behind the conflict already have their own plans for Kira that will change her life forever.
Set in the internationally bestselling Cadicle space opera universe, the standalone Mindspace series is perfect for fans of sci-fi with superhuman abilities, political intrigue, military action, and devious aliens.
When Captain Kira Elsar comes face-to-face with a military assault mech inside a civilian research lab, it’s abundantly clear that MTech is up to no good.
Illegal alien nanotech experimentation. Clandestine political dealings. Disappearances. Connections all trace back to MTech’s newest research lab on Kira’s homeworld.
As the Tararian Guard's sole telepath, Kira goes undercover to get to the bottom of the mystery. Hints point to a brewing stellar civil war, but she needs to gather proof. Except, the mysterious forces behind the conflict already have their own plans for Kira that will change her life forever.
Set in the internationally bestselling Cadicle space opera universe, the standalone Mindspace series is perfect for fans of sci-fi with superhuman abilities, political intrigue, military action, and devious aliens.
259 pages, ebook
Published January 4, 2019
207 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
A.K. DuBoff
80 books117 followersA.K. (Amy) DuBoff has always loved science fiction in all its forms, including books, movies, shows, and games. If it involves outer space, even better!
She is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling indie author specializing in space-based science fiction and fantasy. Dubbed the modern “Queen of Space Opera” by her readers, she is most known for her acclaimed Cadicle Universe. Amy’s short fiction has been published by NewCon Press, Seventh Seal Press, and in numerous indie publications.
When she's not writing, she enjoys travel, wine tasting, binge-watching TV series, and playing epic strategy board games.
She is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling indie author specializing in space-based science fiction and fantasy. Dubbed the modern “Queen of Space Opera” by her readers, she is most known for her acclaimed Cadicle Universe. Amy’s short fiction has been published by NewCon Press, Seventh Seal Press, and in numerous indie publications.
When she's not writing, she enjoys travel, wine tasting, binge-watching TV series, and playing epic strategy board games.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 13, 2020
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Unfortunately the characters lacked some depth but this may improve as the series moves on.
The story line left me feeling that not only the goodies but the baddies were inept with all the action being very gungho and very little thought.
Still it flowed well and was an easy read.
Unfortunately the characters lacked some depth but this may improve as the series moves on.
The story line left me feeling that not only the goodies but the baddies were inept with all the action being very gungho and very little thought.
Still it flowed well and was an easy read.
November 30, 2021
2021 grade B
The short review = A fun, Grade B, SciFi, government agent adventure. (In other words, a female Bond in space.)
This takes place in the Cadicle universe after the Fractured Empire series ends. Although I have not yet finished that series, I wanted to read a DuBoff with a female protagonist. That part works well! The story was a bit standard and predictable, even the end. But it was still quite enjoyable and kept me reading. Parts of it were exciting enough that I did not want to stop reading. Some of the alternate points of view are weak and tended to take me out of the story. I speed read many of them and I think most of the villain POVs could just be skipped. I am not sure if I will read book 2.
Recommended with reservations.
The short review = A fun, Grade B, SciFi, government agent adventure. (In other words, a female Bond in space.)
This takes place in the Cadicle universe after the Fractured Empire series ends. Although I have not yet finished that series, I wanted to read a DuBoff with a female protagonist. That part works well! The story was a bit standard and predictable, even the end. But it was still quite enjoyable and kept me reading. Parts of it were exciting enough that I did not want to stop reading. Some of the alternate points of view are weak and tended to take me out of the story. I speed read many of them and I think most of the villain POVs could just be skipped. I am not sure if I will read book 2.
Recommended with reservations.
January 21, 2019
Last year I read the full Cadicle series and really fell in love with it so I was extremely excited to dive into this series knowing that we would be revisiting that universe. This time around we meet new characters and the story centers around the Tararian Guard, more specifically Capt Kira Elsar...the Guards's only Telepath. The book thrusts into action immediately and we get to meet Kira, and her spec ops team, in their element. Stories that contain groups (or teams) of characters, the first thing I look for is the banter between them. How they interact and what kind of relationships they have. Right away I was happy with Kira's personality and her team...Ari, Nia and Kyle. They were fun to "watch" in action and to hang out with after. It's a good way to get me invested in the characters and at this point, early on....I was invested.
Now the gist of the story is the Guard are checking into illegal experiments by a company called MTech and stumble upon a much bigger conspiracy as they realize the company is trying to create a hybrid type super soldier. Part of the investigation takes Kira back to her home-world (where leaving to be part of the Guard was a sore subject) and she's reunited with her old love Leon..who she left behind to join the Guard. I really enjoyed their interaction and could feel their chemistry.
Leon works for MTech (not knowing they are the bad guys) and he's Kira's way to get in to their new facility on Valta and investigate Monica...the big bad of this book.
There is a lot of great action and intrigue in this book with some really cool characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and getting to know these new characters. If there is a downside it would be the fact that while they do mention the TSS and the Bakzen War it just doesn't feel as connected to the Cadicle series as I'd hoped. No mention of the Sietinen's and the Guard here felt very different from how the Guard was portrayed in the Cadicle series. No this doesn't take away from the book but I feel those things could add a little something for those who read the previous series.
Now the gist of the story is the Guard are checking into illegal experiments by a company called MTech and stumble upon a much bigger conspiracy as they realize the company is trying to create a hybrid type super soldier. Part of the investigation takes Kira back to her home-world (where leaving to be part of the Guard was a sore subject) and she's reunited with her old love Leon..who she left behind to join the Guard. I really enjoyed their interaction and could feel their chemistry.
Leon works for MTech (not knowing they are the bad guys) and he's Kira's way to get in to their new facility on Valta and investigate Monica...the big bad of this book.
There is a lot of great action and intrigue in this book with some really cool characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and getting to know these new characters. If there is a downside it would be the fact that while they do mention the TSS and the Bakzen War it just doesn't feel as connected to the Cadicle series as I'd hoped. No mention of the Sietinen's and the Guard here felt very different from how the Guard was portrayed in the Cadicle series. No this doesn't take away from the book but I feel those things could add a little something for those who read the previous series.
January 3, 2019
I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The premise sounded like I would find the book interesting and fun, but it definitely exceeded my expectations.
We meet Kira, the main character, who is a member of a military organisation called the Tararian Guard, right in the middle of an unexpected fight during a supposedly simple assignment to investigate an abandoned lab. As a result, Kira is sent to investigate another lab from the same corporation.
The story is told from multiple points of view, but Kira's perspective is by far the main one, with the main secondary point of view being her antagonist's. These multiple perspectives, that give the reader a broader image of the situation than Kira has, maintain or even raise the tension through the whole story.
I enjoyed reading this book very much, and am looking forward to the rest of the Mindspace series, as well as reading the Cadicle series.
The premise sounded like I would find the book interesting and fun, but it definitely exceeded my expectations.
We meet Kira, the main character, who is a member of a military organisation called the Tararian Guard, right in the middle of an unexpected fight during a supposedly simple assignment to investigate an abandoned lab. As a result, Kira is sent to investigate another lab from the same corporation.
The story is told from multiple points of view, but Kira's perspective is by far the main one, with the main secondary point of view being her antagonist's. These multiple perspectives, that give the reader a broader image of the situation than Kira has, maintain or even raise the tension through the whole story.
I enjoyed reading this book very much, and am looking forward to the rest of the Mindspace series, as well as reading the Cadicle series.
January 5, 2019
Infiltration is a very well written book. Each of the characters are interesting and have certain unique personality traits. I loved Captain Kira Elsar. She has it all together and does a very good job carrying the story. It starts with a dangerous raid and builds from there. The main problem is solved so the story would be complete if the last scene were cut. That scene sets the stage for the next book. There were times when I would have liked a little more world building and back story. If I had read the previous series that would not have been a problem. Even so this works well standing on its own. I am looking forward to the reading the rest of the series.
I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.
March 28, 2019
This book didn't have as much action as I was hoping for but having said that, it was a good first book in the series and the author took care to provide a bit of background. The book ends with a strong indication that things are just getting started and so I'm hopeful that the next book will have more going on. I enjoyed the characters and am looking forward to knowing a bit more about the secondary characters. I'm also looking forward to seeing what skills the main character and the rest of the Guard have. Things seemed to go quick and easy in this first book. Hopefully we'll see some more action, and consequences of action in the next book.
October 19, 2022
Enjoyed it!
While I tend to steer clear of superpower stories, the author was a known quantity so I took a shot. In fact one rating rule of thumb is that such stories receive a maximum “maybe” rating but I am making an exception here and giving this a solid “more” rating. A bit of a cliffhanger ending with some telegraphing but the team dialogue was fun and book one was nicely self contained. I think some of the political aspects could have been more developed but perhaps that has been reserved for later in the series.
While I tend to steer clear of superpower stories, the author was a known quantity so I took a shot. In fact one rating rule of thumb is that such stories receive a maximum “maybe” rating but I am making an exception here and giving this a solid “more” rating. A bit of a cliffhanger ending with some telegraphing but the team dialogue was fun and book one was nicely self contained. I think some of the political aspects could have been more developed but perhaps that has been reserved for later in the series.
January 30, 2024
I really struggled to get into the story and in the end I just didn’t care enough to continue. I’m not sure if I’m alone in this opinion, but in a new series, I think the main character needs to be well established in the readers minds before you add multiple other POVs from characters in different situations or worlds. I had no idea what was going on, the story jumping from one person to another, but not staying in one place enough to get to know or care what is happening. It was too much. I felt zero connection and simply didn’t care.
January 10, 2019
Infiltration is an enjoyable easy read with believable characters and great humor. It jumps immediately into the action to grab the readers attention. I found it a bit busy at the start due to the number of characters and understanding the interrelationships between the different pieces of the story but this was cleared up as I read on. I found myself laughing out loud a few times. Great cliffhanger, can’t wait for the next one!
April 19, 2019
This story plunges the reader into high action and doesn't let go. Kira leads a group of warriors into what's supposed to be an empty lab. So why does it have an assault mech? What are those people up to? Those questions and more kept me turning the pages. Kira and the villain are well-developed. I wanted to know more about the rest of Kira's team, but that's a minor issue. Looks like the beginning of another great series.
January 7, 2019
A little different
This is different to the original Candice series, whilst set in the same universe. We see new characters, a new threat, and new determination to protect everyday people so they can live their lives in peace.
It’s an interesting concept, and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
This is different to the original Candice series, whilst set in the same universe. We see new characters, a new threat, and new determination to protect everyday people so they can live their lives in peace.
It’s an interesting concept, and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
March 30, 2019
Good series
Although it has more tactics and fighting than I !ike, this book starts the series off well. The characters are well written and the planet Valta is intriguing. I'm looking forward to seeing more about the citizens and their unique gifts. I like the way the book is starting to tie into the Tararan Empire, after the fall of the priesthood. Now on to the next book!
Although it has more tactics and fighting than I !ike, this book starts the series off well. The characters are well written and the planet Valta is intriguing. I'm looking forward to seeing more about the citizens and their unique gifts. I like the way the book is starting to tie into the Tararan Empire, after the fall of the priesthood. Now on to the next book!
March 30, 2019
Too predictable
Premise had potential but never shined. Think B movie...dialog and plotting. For a high level soldier in the Guard, Kira's operated too often on bravado rather than what an elite in an intelligence branch would do. No real anticipation of potential trouble. Won't continue the series.
Premise had potential but never shined. Think B movie...dialog and plotting. For a high level soldier in the Guard, Kira's operated too often on bravado rather than what an elite in an intelligence branch would do. No real anticipation of potential trouble. Won't continue the series.
December 15, 2021
Long introduction to a new series.
Long drawn out introduction to the characters and build-up to what the series will probably be about. Woman joined the military not making the folks happy at minimum and on assignment has to return to home planet to find out what an evil company is up to... What evil hides behind the evil company. Pulling their strings.
Long drawn out introduction to the characters and build-up to what the series will probably be about. Woman joined the military not making the folks happy at minimum and on assignment has to return to home planet to find out what an evil company is up to... What evil hides behind the evil company. Pulling their strings.
January 9, 2019
I absolutely loved this book! I'm a big fan of Amy and the Cadicle universe! This new series is a great addition to it! Incredibly well written, hilarious, and action-packed! I highly recommend checking it out! Read the main Cadicle series for background on this one. It's worth it!
February 10, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book! It has action, conspiracy, and romance. Kira the main character was my favorite, she is strong, smart, and a good leader through she can be impetuous at time.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
January 20, 2021
Good sci fi adventure
The world building is great, the "good" characters are likeable, and the story is engrossing. Luckily, book 2 is already available in KU, because Infiltration ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.
The world building is great, the "good" characters are likeable, and the story is engrossing. Luckily, book 2 is already available in KU, because Infiltration ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.
May 2, 2021
Well done A.K.!
Convincing characterizations. You also kept the pressure on without much contrivance. Bad bad-guys with the spice of the unknown and out-there influence lurking. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Convincing characterizations. You also kept the pressure on without much contrivance. Bad bad-guys with the spice of the unknown and out-there influence lurking. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
June 16, 2021
A sci-fi feast
Not having yet read the Cadicle series, this feels like a good introduction. Plenty of fast paced action, evil machinations afoot and I suspect a twist or three.
Keen to continue this series.
Not having yet read the Cadicle series, this feels like a good introduction. Plenty of fast paced action, evil machinations afoot and I suspect a twist or three.
Keen to continue this series.
April 12, 2022
Book 1 in the series
Kira leads a four person very special ops team. They are usually covert but this time what was supposed to be a simple data recovery mission goes bad and leads to more trouble. A great story.
Kira leads a four person very special ops team. They are usually covert but this time what was supposed to be a simple data recovery mission goes bad and leads to more trouble. A great story.
December 21, 2025
It was a struggle to finish this book. The writing is not great, the characters remain flat and the story is silly. I only finished it because it's short. I don't think I will read other books from the author.
January 23, 2019
I enjoyed this
Quick story with everything flowing quickly through the book. An easy light read between my core reading list. I might try the second book.
Quick story with everything flowing quickly through the book. An easy light read between my core reading list. I might try the second book.
February 8, 2019
This looks promising!
I am surely going to read #2 in this series.
Thank You Ms DuBoff
Ken
I am surely going to read #2 in this series.
Thank You Ms DuBoff
Ken
April 5, 2019
Hooked
Yup....soon as I can afford it I will be buying more of this series. Good characterization, and it fits with the rest of this universe.
Yup....soon as I can afford it I will be buying more of this series. Good characterization, and it fits with the rest of this universe.
March 31, 2020
Good read!
Could have had a little more elaboration in some areas. But overall a good, intriguing read. Especially for being a stand-alone in midst of a series.
Could have had a little more elaboration in some areas. But overall a good, intriguing read. Especially for being a stand-alone in midst of a series.
October 26, 2020
Good introduction to a new series and universe
This was a fun book to start a series. I enjoyed the characters and the introduction to the universe. I recommend this book.
This was a fun book to start a series. I enjoyed the characters and the introduction to the universe. I recommend this book.
February 21, 2021
A very interesting start to the series.
Looking forward to the next book.
This one kept me engaged the whole way through.
I can thoroughly recommend as a must read for any sci-fi fans.
Looking forward to the next book.
This one kept me engaged the whole way through.
I can thoroughly recommend as a must read for any sci-fi fans.
November 16, 2019
"Infiltration" eBook was published in 2019 and was written by Amy Duboff (https://www.amyduboff.com). She has published more than 15 novels. This is the first in her "Mindspace" series.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence, Mature Situations, and Mature Language. The story is set in the far future. The primary character is Tararian Guard Captain Kira Elsar.
Elsar is one of the few full telepaths. After she comes face-to-face with a military assault mech inside a civilian research lab she knows something is amiss. She goes undercover to discover who is behind the illegal alien nanotech experimentation, clandestine political dealings, and disappearances. It all leads back to her homeworld. Will she be able to stop what she thinks is a developing stellar civil war?
I thoroughly enjoyed the 5.6 hours I spent reading this 259-page science fiction novel. I am fond of 'space operas' like this and this one did not disappoint. I look forward to future novels in this series and will be looking for other novels by Duboff. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence, Mature Situations, and Mature Language. The story is set in the far future. The primary character is Tararian Guard Captain Kira Elsar.
Elsar is one of the few full telepaths. After she comes face-to-face with a military assault mech inside a civilian research lab she knows something is amiss. She goes undercover to discover who is behind the illegal alien nanotech experimentation, clandestine political dealings, and disappearances. It all leads back to her homeworld. Will she be able to stop what she thinks is a developing stellar civil war?
I thoroughly enjoyed the 5.6 hours I spent reading this 259-page science fiction novel. I am fond of 'space operas' like this and this one did not disappoint. I look forward to future novels in this series and will be looking for other novels by Duboff. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
January 21, 2019
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first time reading this novel. I did not have the advantage of reading the previous series that this novel is based on but the author does a good job in providing enough background to orient the reader. Although very sci-fi I felt the author made an effort to keep the story and structure comprehensive and easy to follow.
I like Kira, she's down to earth and kick ass. She brings life to the story and her interactions with Leon and other characters are entertaining. The story has intrigue, adventure and sass. Great read.
This is my first time reading this novel. I did not have the advantage of reading the previous series that this novel is based on but the author does a good job in providing enough background to orient the reader. Although very sci-fi I felt the author made an effort to keep the story and structure comprehensive and easy to follow.
I like Kira, she's down to earth and kick ass. She brings life to the story and her interactions with Leon and other characters are entertaining. The story has intrigue, adventure and sass. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews