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The Starforce Saga #1
Burden of Solace
She can heal any wound, but the price is her freedom, her humanity, and her love.
After a brutal attack, medical student Cassie Whelan discovers she has empathic healing abilities. She’s become an exohuman - a non-human according to the law. She must choose between hiding the miracles she can perform or becoming an anonymous, numbered government slave - like Guardian 175, the horribly disfigured exo who is falling in love with her. With her empathic senses, she can actually feel his growing affection for her. But his loyalties are divided between love and duty. She wants to trust him, but betrayal by him could destroy everything. And the one thing she can’t heal is her own heart.
After a brutal attack, medical student Cassie Whelan discovers she has empathic healing abilities. She’s become an exohuman - a non-human according to the law. She must choose between hiding the miracles she can perform or becoming an anonymous, numbered government slave - like Guardian 175, the horribly disfigured exo who is falling in love with her. With her empathic senses, she can actually feel his growing affection for her. But his loyalties are divided between love and duty. She wants to trust him, but betrayal by him could destroy everything. And the one thing she can’t heal is her own heart.
- GenresSuperheroes
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2019
4 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Richard L. Wright
7 books9 followersBorn in Virginia and raised in Georgia, Richard L. Wright grew up reading everything he could get his hands on, especially science books and superhero comics. Tolkien and Heinlein introduced him to the worlds of fantasy and science fiction. In the pages of 1960’s Analog magazines, he fell in love with Telzey Amberdon, a new kind of sci-fi heroine who didn’t rely on feminine wiles or need a man to rescue her - she was simply good at what she did.
After a long career as an award-winning software developer, Richard stepped away from the tech world to create stories like the ones that had inspired him. While trying his hand at filmmaking, he found that writing was more satisfying than filming. Plus, it takes a village to shoot a film and he could write a novel all by himself in his underwear.
Richard currently lives on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with his LadyWife, Deb, who he tries to make laugh every day. Sometimes with him, other times at him. Either way works.
After a long career as an award-winning software developer, Richard stepped away from the tech world to create stories like the ones that had inspired him. While trying his hand at filmmaking, he found that writing was more satisfying than filming. Plus, it takes a village to shoot a film and he could write a novel all by himself in his underwear.
Richard currently lives on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with his LadyWife, Deb, who he tries to make laugh every day. Sometimes with him, other times at him. Either way works.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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February 6, 2019
I grew up on Marvel comic books, so having a female-led Superhero story out there is something that I automatically gravitate to, especially when a near-future Alternate Reality version of my city (Atlanta, GA) is involved. Burden of Solace did not disappoint, giving me a great introduction to Cassie Whelan’s world and making me care about her and her world right out of the gate.
As the reader, you are thrown straight into Cassie’s world as a fourth-year trauma resident. Her whole world at that point is simply to heal all of the damaged people that come into her life, and she prides herself on that ability, regardless of the way that her pride gets in her own way over and over again in her professional and personal life. When she is brutally attacked and finds that her healing hands have become more than just a phrase, she finds herself being pulled into a world where those who have “Emerged” with powers are treated as non-human from all sides to be more than a theoretical debate.
I was pulled into this story from the start, being able to feel completely immersed into this near-future, alternate world where people who develop abilities have not only been around for such a long time that they are an ingrained part of the landscape, but they have been regulated by the government to not even human status since Prohibition. The things that people in this world have accepted as “just how it is” is palpable and done in such a way that reminded me of when I first read “When Worlds Collide” and was taken aback seeing the full moon after reading about its destruction in the book. I was pulled into the world that Cassie’s bucking of traditional world-view was not only right in line with her personality, but I wanted to help her.
If I had to give any criticism at all, it was that I would occasionally realize that Cassie’s voice was a bit more surface thought than what I was used to from a female lead. I wanted her empathy to be a little more from her core self on these occasions instead of from the outside, but they were minimal intrusions into an absolutely great story.
All of that said, go out and get this story if you’re a Superhero fan – as the first book in a series, I’m really excited to see more from the Starforce Saga. Richard L. Wright has built a rich world that I would be really happy to stick around in for a long time.
As the reader, you are thrown straight into Cassie’s world as a fourth-year trauma resident. Her whole world at that point is simply to heal all of the damaged people that come into her life, and she prides herself on that ability, regardless of the way that her pride gets in her own way over and over again in her professional and personal life. When she is brutally attacked and finds that her healing hands have become more than just a phrase, she finds herself being pulled into a world where those who have “Emerged” with powers are treated as non-human from all sides to be more than a theoretical debate.
I was pulled into this story from the start, being able to feel completely immersed into this near-future, alternate world where people who develop abilities have not only been around for such a long time that they are an ingrained part of the landscape, but they have been regulated by the government to not even human status since Prohibition. The things that people in this world have accepted as “just how it is” is palpable and done in such a way that reminded me of when I first read “When Worlds Collide” and was taken aback seeing the full moon after reading about its destruction in the book. I was pulled into the world that Cassie’s bucking of traditional world-view was not only right in line with her personality, but I wanted to help her.
If I had to give any criticism at all, it was that I would occasionally realize that Cassie’s voice was a bit more surface thought than what I was used to from a female lead. I wanted her empathy to be a little more from her core self on these occasions instead of from the outside, but they were minimal intrusions into an absolutely great story.
All of that said, go out and get this story if you’re a Superhero fan – as the first book in a series, I’m really excited to see more from the Starforce Saga. Richard L. Wright has built a rich world that I would be really happy to stick around in for a long time.
February 17, 2019
Burden of Solace by Richard L. Wright brings a refreshing depth, balanced with candid humor, to superhero fiction. A book that makes you feel anything beyond boredom is noteworthy, but Burden of Solace made me laugh as much as it made me reflect on how humans treat one another.
I chuckled at the situations that Cassie got herself into as she learned more about her regenerative gifts. Much of the narrative language was comical as well, “…a timeless archetype meant to grab female psyches by their damp panties” and “whole-body butt-clench” are just a couple of examples. There are several moments throughout the book that characters share that are clever, heartwarming, and hilarious. It was fun and endearing to experience the growing intimacy in the relationship between Cassie and Guardian 175 (Nate Gorman): from learning his real name to partnering with him to defeat their common enemy.
Wright has put a mirror up to society by reaching into the past (and, some would say, the present), when US citizens were put into internment camps, lynched, or denied their constitutional rights by a government and populace devoid of understanding and overwhelmed with anxiety.
It was easy to become emotionally invested in the characters and what they were going through personally, professionally, and politically. Nate has a sense of duty that is impressive, even more so when we find out that this sense is not inflexible, but still strong. Cassie’s essence can be accurately expressed in one of my favorite lines in the book: “Big, strong soldiers are trained to combat a lot of things, but tiny, redheaded spitfires are not among them.”
If you enjoy superhero tales even the tiniest bit, the romance, mystery, intrigue, and action in Burden of Solace will leave you as eager as I am for the next installment!
I chuckled at the situations that Cassie got herself into as she learned more about her regenerative gifts. Much of the narrative language was comical as well, “…a timeless archetype meant to grab female psyches by their damp panties” and “whole-body butt-clench” are just a couple of examples. There are several moments throughout the book that characters share that are clever, heartwarming, and hilarious. It was fun and endearing to experience the growing intimacy in the relationship between Cassie and Guardian 175 (Nate Gorman): from learning his real name to partnering with him to defeat their common enemy.
Wright has put a mirror up to society by reaching into the past (and, some would say, the present), when US citizens were put into internment camps, lynched, or denied their constitutional rights by a government and populace devoid of understanding and overwhelmed with anxiety.
It was easy to become emotionally invested in the characters and what they were going through personally, professionally, and politically. Nate has a sense of duty that is impressive, even more so when we find out that this sense is not inflexible, but still strong. Cassie’s essence can be accurately expressed in one of my favorite lines in the book: “Big, strong soldiers are trained to combat a lot of things, but tiny, redheaded spitfires are not among them.”
If you enjoy superhero tales even the tiniest bit, the romance, mystery, intrigue, and action in Burden of Solace will leave you as eager as I am for the next installment!
May 12, 2020
With Burden of Solace, Richard L. Wright takes comic book-style superheroes from the panels to prose, and in the process, he gives the genre something it often lacks: a protagonist that doesn't default to punching things.
The result? An engrossing, refreshing take on the genre.
My only qualm with this book was the villain; specifically, for a man with such grandiose plans (and they were grandiose; I wish they had been fleshed out more), he was too fixated on being a sexual predator toward Cassie, the protagonist. It's an overdone trope that extends beyond the superhero genre -- the threat of sexual violence against a female character -- and I feel it merits discussion, should any potential readers be triggered by that sort of thing.
The rest of Burden of Solace is a tremendous read. Cassie is an easy protagonist to root for, in large part because Wright gets us to care about her before she becomes what she becomes. Along the way, Wright also introduces us to Guardian 175 -- not only giving us a peak at the legacy-style superhero we often see from the likes of Superman, but also doing a good bit of worldbuilding.
Granted, politicians meddling in the affairs of superheroes is nothing new; even the bigwigs at Marvel and DC do it. But Wright handles it in such a way that feels grounded in reality, and the result is a superhero story that still feels grounded. No matter how big the action gets, we're still rooted at the ground level, with Cassie and the Guardian.
In all, Burden of Solace is a great superhero story, a fun read, and the beginning of what I hope to be a great series. The superhero genre needs more love from the book world (and yeah, I'm a bit greedy in saying that), and books like this are a big reason why.
The result? An engrossing, refreshing take on the genre.
My only qualm with this book was the villain; specifically, for a man with such grandiose plans (and they were grandiose; I wish they had been fleshed out more), he was too fixated on being a sexual predator toward Cassie, the protagonist. It's an overdone trope that extends beyond the superhero genre -- the threat of sexual violence against a female character -- and I feel it merits discussion, should any potential readers be triggered by that sort of thing.
The rest of Burden of Solace is a tremendous read. Cassie is an easy protagonist to root for, in large part because Wright gets us to care about her before she becomes what she becomes. Along the way, Wright also introduces us to Guardian 175 -- not only giving us a peak at the legacy-style superhero we often see from the likes of Superman, but also doing a good bit of worldbuilding.
Granted, politicians meddling in the affairs of superheroes is nothing new; even the bigwigs at Marvel and DC do it. But Wright handles it in such a way that feels grounded in reality, and the result is a superhero story that still feels grounded. No matter how big the action gets, we're still rooted at the ground level, with Cassie and the Guardian.
In all, Burden of Solace is a great superhero story, a fun read, and the beginning of what I hope to be a great series. The superhero genre needs more love from the book world (and yeah, I'm a bit greedy in saying that), and books like this are a big reason why.
February 9, 2019
If you’re looking for a superhero story, you’ll certainly find that here. Burden of Solace has epic battles, interesting powers (and combinations of powers), and plenty of noble people struggling to protect the innocent. Wright acquits himself wonderfully on all of these point, delivering everything in a clean prose style with lots of delightful snark.
And yet, Burden of Solace is more than just another superhero story. At its heart, this novel is the story of Cassie Whelan – a surgeon burdened with a tragic past for whom her newly developed superpowers at first seem like just one more problem. For this reader, at least, the real draw of this novel is getting to know Cassie and seeing the world through her eyes – a perspective that Wright imbues with the perfect balance of humor and pathos.
The pacing is a little wonky in places, and the villain falls a little flat for this reader, but all in all, the novel succeeds in presenting a fun adventure and a truly moving romance. It is steeped in compassion and a belief in redemption that can’t help but lift your spirit, and the author ends the novel with a sense of gravitas that leaves this reader eagerly anticipating future installments.
With this debut, Wright establishes himself as a confident storyteller whose sense of humor and romance is sure to charm many readers.
And yet, Burden of Solace is more than just another superhero story. At its heart, this novel is the story of Cassie Whelan – a surgeon burdened with a tragic past for whom her newly developed superpowers at first seem like just one more problem. For this reader, at least, the real draw of this novel is getting to know Cassie and seeing the world through her eyes – a perspective that Wright imbues with the perfect balance of humor and pathos.
The pacing is a little wonky in places, and the villain falls a little flat for this reader, but all in all, the novel succeeds in presenting a fun adventure and a truly moving romance. It is steeped in compassion and a belief in redemption that can’t help but lift your spirit, and the author ends the novel with a sense of gravitas that leaves this reader eagerly anticipating future installments.
With this debut, Wright establishes himself as a confident storyteller whose sense of humor and romance is sure to charm many readers.
February 9, 2019
This is a wonderful story, full of science fiction-based action, of course, but also rich with memorable characters and compelling ethical dilemmas. It's set in a sort of alternate world Atlanta, one that is familiar, if not accepting, of super-powered exohumans. The world building/alternate history is incredibly nuanced and believable, which really helped pull me into Cassie's story. I appreciated that the romance between Cassie and Nate wasn't Hollywoodized — instead, it takes time for them to learn to trust each other and to work together, despite their natural attraction. And I have to give a shout out to my favorite character, Etienne, a rogue exohuman who pulls off that rebel charm oh so well :) For those into romance and science fiction, this book is the perfect read!
February 16, 2019
Solid, fun read
This is a good first outing by a new author. By turns exciting, humorous and thoughtful, it should satisfy anyone looking for a diverting action adventure.
This is a good first outing by a new author. By turns exciting, humorous and thoughtful, it should satisfy anyone looking for a diverting action adventure.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews