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Four Horsemen Tales #7
Free Bird Rising
“A noted explorer once asked, ‘Who knows if there are secrets lurking in the unseen corners of hyperspace?’ The answer is simple. There are!” — Colonel Terrance Van Zant, Commanding Officer, Swamp Eagle Security
Taylor Van Zant has a lot on his mind.
Like everyone in Jacksonville, North Florida, the early-twenties bartender from Riverside saw his world upended when his brother, Terry, an interstellar mercenary and local hero, died suddenly in a freak starship accident. Five years later, having been stonewalled for answers, Taylor faced a choice: Honor his mother’s wish that he never go merc or defy it to save her life by resurrecting Terry’s company.
That was thirteen months ago. Now the newly reformed Eagles stand on the verge of a major milestone: owning their own flagship. There’s just one problem. Terry left behind a ship that no one knew about, a rare breed of cruiser with a most peculiar secret.
"Free Bird Rising” is the story of a young man’s quest for justice and to escape his brother’s shadow. The shocking revelations he finds, though, will likely rock the Galactic Union to its core and get him killed.
Taylor Van Zant has a lot on his mind.
Like everyone in Jacksonville, North Florida, the early-twenties bartender from Riverside saw his world upended when his brother, Terry, an interstellar mercenary and local hero, died suddenly in a freak starship accident. Five years later, having been stonewalled for answers, Taylor faced a choice: Honor his mother’s wish that he never go merc or defy it to save her life by resurrecting Terry’s company.
That was thirteen months ago. Now the newly reformed Eagles stand on the verge of a major milestone: owning their own flagship. There’s just one problem. Terry left behind a ship that no one knew about, a rare breed of cruiser with a most peculiar secret.
"Free Bird Rising” is the story of a young man’s quest for justice and to escape his brother’s shadow. The shocking revelations he finds, though, will likely rock the Galactic Union to its core and get him killed.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2019
140 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Ian J. Malone
17 books107 followersAs a graduate of Florida State University, sci-fi author Ian J. Malone has written in a variety of arenas ranging from public health to news and sports. When it comes to his fictional work, however, he’s a firm believer that nothing shapes a person’s writing like experience. That’s why he credits his tenures in radio, law enforcement, and military contracting for much of his inspiration, plus the legion of family and friends who’ve stood with him along the way.
Beyond writing, Malone is an avid fan of audiobooks (he’s legally blind) and the outdoors. It’s also not uncommon to find him at a ballgame, a concert, or somewhere out by a grill.
Malone is an active member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America and a resident of Durham, North Carolina — but he’ll always be a “Florida boy” at heart
Beyond writing, Malone is an avid fan of audiobooks (he’s legally blind) and the outdoors. It’s also not uncommon to find him at a ballgame, a concert, or somewhere out by a grill.
Malone is an active member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America and a resident of Durham, North Carolina — but he’ll always be a “Florida boy” at heart
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 19, 2019
An excellent read
This book gives you a great read, and fills in important background about the galaxy. You hear about the politics that lead to the end of the old galactic government and the early formations of some of the guilds. We learn more about the history of some of the more prominent races and even meet some new ones. We finally learn the mystery that led to the loss of Terry van Zandt, and the Swamp Eagle Mercenaries who returning from a mission. This book has good editing, great world and character building, and serves as an exciting way to remove more fog from the history of the galaxy. I am looking forward to seeing Taylor and Swamp Eagle in future 4HU entries.
This book gives you a great read, and fills in important background about the galaxy. You hear about the politics that lead to the end of the old galactic government and the early formations of some of the guilds. We learn more about the history of some of the more prominent races and even meet some new ones. We finally learn the mystery that led to the loss of Terry van Zandt, and the Swamp Eagle Mercenaries who returning from a mission. This book has good editing, great world and character building, and serves as an exciting way to remove more fog from the history of the galaxy. I am looking forward to seeing Taylor and Swamp Eagle in future 4HU entries.
February 12, 2019
Ok
This is an ok book but the redneck vernacular got old really fast. That made this a4 star book rather than a 5.
The author mentions he is legally blind, which makes it ironic this is one of the best edited self published books out there.
The reason I have this book two stars is because I am done with this series. I understood and even enjoyed 4 books, one for each of the horsemen, but here we are at book 7 and we still haven't moved beyond the timeline at the end of the first book. Talk about milking a series! The rest of the books should have been published along side books actually advancing the universe, not going back in time or sideways.
Greed by the creator of this universe has cost him this reader.
This is an ok book but the redneck vernacular got old really fast. That made this a4 star book rather than a 5.
The author mentions he is legally blind, which makes it ironic this is one of the best edited self published books out there.
The reason I have this book two stars is because I am done with this series. I understood and even enjoyed 4 books, one for each of the horsemen, but here we are at book 7 and we still haven't moved beyond the timeline at the end of the first book. Talk about milking a series! The rest of the books should have been published along side books actually advancing the universe, not going back in time or sideways.
Greed by the creator of this universe has cost him this reader.
January 26, 2019
Well what can I say, another excellent addition to the FHU!
This book was quite the pleasant read, it seems shorter than it actually is and unlike many of the other FHU novels, this keeps you feeling good all throughout.
We're back in the good ol' U.S of A with the guys from Swamp Eagle Security who we were introduced to previously in a short. It's a tale of adventure, redemption, revelation that even though is not (for now, we never how our merc's come into play later on) directly related to the current affairs - ie. the Invasion of Earth (colourised) - this book still reveals information that any avid fan / lore-lover would indeed enjoy.
Just read it. Thanks.
This book was quite the pleasant read, it seems shorter than it actually is and unlike many of the other FHU novels, this keeps you feeling good all throughout.
We're back in the good ol' U.S of A with the guys from Swamp Eagle Security who we were introduced to previously in a short. It's a tale of adventure, redemption, revelation that even though is not (for now, we never how our merc's come into play later on) directly related to the current affairs - ie. the Invasion of Earth (colourised) - this book still reveals information that any avid fan / lore-lover would indeed enjoy.
Just read it. Thanks.
October 26, 2020
This is kind of a stand alone story in the 4HU universe. It has no tie ins with any of the main story line as far as I can tell, and no-one from the main Merc companies makes a guest appearance in it.
While I read it for completeness, unless some of the discoveries made by the Mercs turns up in the main storyline, I can't see a reason to read this for any other reason.
The writing is ok, and the characters are interesting, without too much back-story to overwhelm you, but it needs something more.
While I read it for completeness, unless some of the discoveries made by the Mercs turns up in the main storyline, I can't see a reason to read this for any other reason.
The writing is ok, and the characters are interesting, without too much back-story to overwhelm you, but it needs something more.
January 18, 2019
A different take on the 4h universe
I enjoyed this book. The last few releases in this series have focused on the Omega Wars so this was a nice change of pace while remaining in the same universe. I was concerned when I read another reviewer complain about the heavy accents. As a "yankee" I had no problem with the cadence and did not have a problem with it.
I enjoyed this book. The last few releases in this series have focused on the Omega Wars so this was a nice change of pace while remaining in the same universe. I was concerned when I read another reviewer complain about the heavy accents. As a "yankee" I had no problem with the cadence and did not have a problem with it.
January 19, 2019
Only Nature Could Intervene
Ian definitely crafts a great tale and I thoroughly enjoyed this foray into the Swamp. The use of local vernacular and location references made this story flow, and brought it to life in a way some of the past masters couldn’t even achieve! Five Stars!
Ian definitely crafts a great tale and I thoroughly enjoyed this foray into the Swamp. The use of local vernacular and location references made this story flow, and brought it to life in a way some of the past masters couldn’t even achieve! Five Stars!
October 29, 2019
A well flavored addition
As a fan of this epic series, and the shirt story that introduced the main character, I was prepared to enjoy this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how much i appreciated the regionalism expressed and how it changed the characters for the better. I am now a fan of Mr. Malone and look forward to more of his writing.
As a fan of this epic series, and the shirt story that introduced the main character, I was prepared to enjoy this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how much i appreciated the regionalism expressed and how it changed the characters for the better. I am now a fan of Mr. Malone and look forward to more of his writing.
December 31, 2019
Great Story!
This was a great tale, with family, honor, action and revenge. The Swamp Eagles rose from the ashes and in their darkest hour did the right thing saved aliens under the boot heel of oppression and despite long odds won the day! This will keep you turning pages deep into the night!
This was a great tale, with family, honor, action and revenge. The Swamp Eagles rose from the ashes and in their darkest hour did the right thing saved aliens under the boot heel of oppression and despite long odds won the day! This will keep you turning pages deep into the night!
September 10, 2022
I love the Four Horsemen universe and the wonderful authors that have their own unique point of view regarding it. This is a great episode though I did get annoyed with the redneck portrayal. Being from the south, I have to say that most southerners that have attended an institution of higher education do not use ain’t in general conversation.
Read via Kindle Unlimited
Read via Kindle Unlimited
January 26, 2019
Excellent!
Great read and an excellent addition to the 4 horsemen universe. The reveal was surprisingly, and makes sense, and is a great fit. Non stop action, mecha, and a lot of good humor.
Great read and an excellent addition to the 4 horsemen universe. The reveal was surprisingly, and makes sense, and is a great fit. Non stop action, mecha, and a lot of good humor.
February 9, 2019
Awesome read! Excellent characters. Having spent most of my life in Florida it was cool to see the main character from Jacksonville. And he is a FSU Fan! (Fear the Spear! ) an awesome addition to the 4H universe. Keep it coming.
February 17, 2019
Flying the flag
Another continuation from the Anthologiy collections, in which a brother tries to find he truth to his brothers death. Good solid writing and a good feel for a Southern Merc unit, just needed a bit of CCR!
Another continuation from the Anthologiy collections, in which a brother tries to find he truth to his brothers death. Good solid writing and a good feel for a Southern Merc unit, just needed a bit of CCR!
February 5, 2019
A Worthy Addition to the Four Horsemen Universe
Darned thing kept me up past my bedtime. It's a good addition to the Four Horsemen Universe,but it stands on its own just fine.
Darned thing kept me up past my bedtime. It's a good addition to the Four Horsemen Universe,but it stands on its own just fine.
June 18, 2019
Good one, quick and easy.
April 23, 2021
Big fan of the main character
The story was good, but the main character is why I gave it a 5 star review. Love these 4 horsemen tales.
The story was good, but the main character is why I gave it a 5 star review. Love these 4 horsemen tales.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews