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Audacity Saga #2
Capital Games
Two months have passed since Commander Ellen Ryu did the impossible and rescued mercenary Kael Sidassian—along with his mysterious cargo. Now the crew of Audacity is stronger than ever, protecting the galaxy against the abuse of technology. But after the team botches a simple humanitarian aid mission, Ryu and Kael find themselves on Capital, a neutral planet full of high fashion, decadent pleasures, and dark secrets.
Foundation scientist Chayana Persad has new tech that could help defend against Ryu’s oldest enemy. But local telepaths have been vanishing, and Persad’s son is missing—and somehow at the center of these crimes.
As the crew searches for answers, they’ll have to dodge Capital’s corrupt police, allies with hidden agendas, and a traitor aboard Audacity itself. Enemies will strike, guns will fail, and the team will face some tough choices.
Can Kael, Ellen, and the crew pull closer together... or will this decadent planet rip them forever apart?
For lovers of romantic space opera, Lois McMaster Bujold, and David Weber, CAPITAL GAMES is the second volume in the Audacity series. It's got action, adventure, and at least one pair of killer high heels.
Foundation scientist Chayana Persad has new tech that could help defend against Ryu’s oldest enemy. But local telepaths have been vanishing, and Persad’s son is missing—and somehow at the center of these crimes.
As the crew searches for answers, they’ll have to dodge Capital’s corrupt police, allies with hidden agendas, and a traitor aboard Audacity itself. Enemies will strike, guns will fail, and the team will face some tough choices.
Can Kael, Ellen, and the crew pull closer together... or will this decadent planet rip them forever apart?
For lovers of romantic space opera, Lois McMaster Bujold, and David Weber, CAPITAL GAMES is the second volume in the Audacity series. It's got action, adventure, and at least one pair of killer high heels.
340 pages, Paperback
Published December 21, 2018
143 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
R.K. Thorne
16 books183 followersR. K. Thorne is an independent fantasy and science fiction author whose writing is fueled by her addiction to notebooks, role-playing games, coffee, and red wine.
She has read speculative fiction since before she was probably much too young to be doing so and encourages you to do the same.
She lives in the green hills of Pennsylvania with her family and two gray cats that may or may not pull her chariot in their spare time.
You can sign up for updates on future books by joining her mailing list here: http://www.rkthorne.com/get-updates/
She has read speculative fiction since before she was probably much too young to be doing so and encourages you to do the same.
She lives in the green hills of Pennsylvania with her family and two gray cats that may or may not pull her chariot in their spare time.
You can sign up for updates on future books by joining her mailing list here: http://www.rkthorne.com/get-updates/
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 25, 2019
More of an ensemble piece but still plenty of Ellen Ryu and her Theroki.
May 24, 2020
The second book in the Audacity Saga kicked off with a doozy of a horror scene and pulled me right back into the world and characters. And what a world of characters R.K. Thorne has created. I said it in The Empress Capsule and I'll say it with this book, too: the best thing about this book is the characters.
Take this budding friendship between Ellen and Doug for example:
To see Ellen grow and work on her relationships - both between friends and with Kael - has been a huge enjoyment. And that's not even including her burgeoning relationships with Xi and the newest AI, Rich.
What can I say? I'm totally here for the characters and relationships Thorne has created, especially Kael.
Okay, maybe I have to expand upon that "the characters are the best things about this series" comment. Most of the characters are great. The one I've always had an issue with is Josana, and it's mostly due to her age - more like being underage.
It's just creepy that Josana's making these passes and she's underage. I wish Thorne would have aged some of the characters up so it wouldn't be so disturbing or confusing when they don't act their ages.
Another small gripe I have - and which also occurred in The Empress Capsule is that there just seems to be so many storylines going on that it gets convoluted.
I will give readers a heads-up for this book: it ends on a slight cliffhanger. It's actually a really interesting one and I can't wait to read the third book.
Take this budding friendship between Ellen and Doug for example:
“I notice you’re not claiming ‘I wouldn’t spy on you.’ ”
“I’m not going to lie. You’re too smart for that. I’d totally spy on you. But only benevolently. And maybe out of boredom.”
“Doug!”
“And if there are no movies on the vid screen?”
“You have no shame.”
To see Ellen grow and work on her relationships - both between friends and with Kael - has been a huge enjoyment. And that's not even including her burgeoning relationships with Xi and the newest AI, Rich.
“Rich—a little help here.” She eyed the other mech, who was also sizing her up.
“How can I help you, madam?”
“Something more athletic maybe?”
“I wasn’t made for this, you know.”
“We’re in this together. Don’t forget that.” The shoes shifted, and she lost some height. That was good. She felt more stable already.
“If gods existed, and I weren’t fresh out of the box, I’d wonder what I’d done to deserve this.”
What can I say? I'm totally here for the characters and relationships Thorne has created, especially Kael.
“I know, Kael. I know.”
“Don’t leave me…” Behind, he meant to say, but he wasn’t sure he said it. Don’t leave me behind.
“I won’t.”
Okay, maybe I have to expand upon that "the characters are the best things about this series" comment. Most of the characters are great. The one I've always had an issue with is Josana, and it's mostly due to her age - more like being underage.
“Offer’s still on the table, Theroki,” she said, walking away.
It's just creepy that Josana's making these passes and she's underage. I wish Thorne would have aged some of the characters up so it wouldn't be so disturbing or confusing when they don't act their ages.
Another small gripe I have - and which also occurred in The Empress Capsule is that there just seems to be so many storylines going on that it gets convoluted.
I will give readers a heads-up for this book: it ends on a slight cliffhanger. It's actually a really interesting one and I can't wait to read the third book.
February 1, 2023
I read the first two books in the Audacity Saga, and these are my overall thoughts:
The first book had an intriguing plot, large cast of potentially interesting characters, decent world-building, and it kept my interest enough to justify getting the second book. However, it also had a significant number of grammar/editing errors, an occasionally choppy flow, and the romance between the two main characters fluctuated between feeling like an angsty teenage relationship vs a deep connection between two scarred, inexperienced adults.
The issues in the first book were perpetuated in the second book and were joined by a plethora of new problems. I've listed my biggest issues below:
First, the author expanded the POVs to several other crew members. These new perspectives did not add anything to the overall plot, and they highlighted each character's lack of a unique voice. I really struggled remembering whose POV I was supposed to be reading from, a problem that was compounded by unclear paragraph breaks. I thought I was going to love Ellen and Kael and the rest of the crew; fascinating and varied backstories, individual hobbies/motivations/ and interests. Instead, they morphed into one blob of a voice. The second book would have been much better if the author had just stuck to the original two POVs.
Second, the interpersonal issues in the second book were simply a rehash of the first book, expect this time all characters with a POV experienced them. Reading about endless relationship angst and uncertainty was draining- it took way too long to get resolved, and by the time it did, I was just relieved it was over instead of feeling the "yes, finally!" I think the author was aiming for.
Third,
Finally, the plot itself feels simplified. In the first book, I thought the Audacity was going up against a vast organization with various allies and capabilities. Instead, the second book increasingly narrowed down to one corrupt scientist and her "evil" plans for the universe. It was disappointing watching the potentially complex plot disappear.
So, there you have it. I wish I could say I love this book and that the author only improved, but I can't. I will not be continuing this series.
The first book had an intriguing plot, large cast of potentially interesting characters, decent world-building, and it kept my interest enough to justify getting the second book. However, it also had a significant number of grammar/editing errors, an occasionally choppy flow, and the romance between the two main characters fluctuated between feeling like an angsty teenage relationship vs a deep connection between two scarred, inexperienced adults.
The issues in the first book were perpetuated in the second book and were joined by a plethora of new problems. I've listed my biggest issues below:
First, the author expanded the POVs to several other crew members. These new perspectives did not add anything to the overall plot, and they highlighted each character's lack of a unique voice. I really struggled remembering whose POV I was supposed to be reading from, a problem that was compounded by unclear paragraph breaks. I thought I was going to love Ellen and Kael and the rest of the crew; fascinating and varied backstories, individual hobbies/motivations/ and interests. Instead, they morphed into one blob of a voice. The second book would have been much better if the author had just stuck to the original two POVs.
Second, the interpersonal issues in the second book were simply a rehash of the first book, expect this time all characters with a POV experienced them. Reading about endless relationship angst and uncertainty was draining- it took way too long to get resolved, and by the time it did, I was just relieved it was over instead of feeling the "yes, finally!" I think the author was aiming for.
Third,
Finally, the plot itself feels simplified. In the first book, I thought the Audacity was going up against a vast organization with various allies and capabilities. Instead, the second book increasingly narrowed down to one corrupt scientist and her "evil" plans for the universe. It was disappointing watching the potentially complex plot disappear.
So, there you have it. I wish I could say I love this book and that the author only improved, but I can't. I will not be continuing this series.
December 31, 2018
R.K. Thorne's sci fi series gains more depth as we learn more about characters from the crew of Audacity. Ellen continues to learn more about the current schemes of her nemesis, Dr Arakovic, mastermind of the super creepy Songbird project that subverts and abuses telepathic powers. The promise of a chip that can deflect mind reading sends the crew of Audacity to Capital. The novel involves more intrigue than paramilitary shoot outs, though Ellen and Kael still show their macho sides in several exciting action scenes. The series has lots of potential, and I hope there will be several more novels to come.
June 19, 2022
Maybe I just like reading more this week, and maybe this is just a good book that I enjoyed. Plenty of action, almost continuous, following logically from one thing to another (channeling Rosanne Rosannadana, yes, it's always something, if it's not one thing it's another). RK says it is a cliff hanger ending, but like the reading, I am sure the writing was hard to stop, too. Characters developed in both expected and unexpected ways. Episodes came out of nowhere, yet belonged to the plot. Quite enjoyable.
January 11, 2019
Good book
I enjoyed the 2nd book but didn't feel the plot was as compelling as the first book. It also became annoying that the 2 MCs constantly think and talk about the other but neither does anything to bridge the gap for most of the book. A satisfying ending though so I will likely read the next book
I enjoyed the 2nd book but didn't feel the plot was as compelling as the first book. It also became annoying that the 2 MCs constantly think and talk about the other but neither does anything to bridge the gap for most of the book. A satisfying ending though so I will likely read the next book
November 21, 2025
Ellen probeert haar team bij elkaar te houden en ze gaat op zoek naar meer mensen om haar schip te bemannen en om verder onderzoek te doen naar de misstanden in verschillende laboratoria.
Ondertussen lijkt iemand de AI van het schip te beinvloeden en informatie te delen. wie is dat en wat heeft dit te maken met Kael?
Spannend tweede deel van deze Space Opera serie.
Ondertussen lijkt iemand de AI van het schip te beinvloeden en informatie te delen. wie is dat en wat heeft dit te maken met Kael?
Spannend tweede deel van deze Space Opera serie.
January 14, 2019
Awesome
I love these books, the action is fast paced and exciting. I enjoy the characters and scenarios, everything is good. I highly recommend this series.
I love these books, the action is fast paced and exciting. I enjoy the characters and scenarios, everything is good. I highly recommend this series.
March 24, 2020
Great sequel! I love the combination of quirky intelligent characters, humor, sci fi action, and slow burn romance. Can't wait for the next one!
April 16, 2021
Capital games is a great sequel, well-written with exceptional world building. It was just as entertaining the second time I read it.
February 21, 2019
Amazing
I love these characters so much!!! Such a vivid intergalactic world that just sucks you in and doesn’t let you go!
I love these characters so much!!! Such a vivid intergalactic world that just sucks you in and doesn’t let you go!
December 10, 2024
Intrigue & excitement
The story continues with Ryu having difficulty in coming to terms with her feelings and communicating them. Though coming close at times, things happen and she stops. Sometimes it is herself and sometimes events. It is an exciting read.
The story continues with Ryu having difficulty in coming to terms with her feelings and communicating them. Though coming close at times, things happen and she stops. Sometimes it is herself and sometimes events. It is an exciting read.
August 12, 2022
I really, really liked this!
It didn't suck me in as much as the first book did, but I was able to follow the plot better because of that.
I was kind of scared to start this book because I was worried that it wasn't going to live up to the first one. And I was worried that the romance would have a weird thing going on. It hadn't progressed since the end of the first book, but I felt like it was well within character and wasn't because of something stupid that happened off screen.
I really like how the title implies something political but the story was not political at all. Capital isn't the hub of the political scene and the games were actual games, like digital table top games.
I found the ending to be very satisfying, especially after the little reveal that Simmons had. I'm really hoping we can find out what the traitor was trying to do.
Read Infinity and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence - features a personable AI or android
It didn't suck me in as much as the first book did, but I was able to follow the plot better because of that.
I was kind of scared to start this book because I was worried that it wasn't going to live up to the first one. And I was worried that the romance would have a weird thing going on. It hadn't progressed since the end of the first book, but I felt like it was well within character and wasn't because of something stupid that happened off screen.
I really like how the title implies something political but the story was not political at all. Capital isn't the hub of the political scene and the games were actual games, like digital table top games.
I found the ending to be very satisfying, especially after the little reveal that Simmons had. I'm really hoping we can find out what the traitor was trying to do.
Read Infinity and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence - features a personable AI or android
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews