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Unaltered
The Cortii are mercenaries, for hire to anyone who can afford their services. From their beginnings in humanoid pre-history, they have grown and colonised to span every galaxy. Every government uses them; no single government can destroy them.
One Cortiian in particular is the only person Irin Seviki trusts with his neck, if not his dignity, in the political quagmire of Central Worlds - especially with his influential father dangling the lure of a business deal that could shape the future of a planet to get him there.
One Cortiian in particular is the only person Irin Seviki trusts with his neck, if not his dignity, in the political quagmire of Central Worlds - especially with his influential father dangling the lure of a business deal that could shape the future of a planet to get him there.
- GenresScience Fiction
81 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2019
About the author
J.C. Steel
7 books184 followersBorn in Gibraltar and raised on a yacht around the coasts of the Atlantic, I’m an author, martial artist and introvert. In between the necessary making of money to allow the writing of more books, I can usually be found halfway to the further galaxy.
Science-fiction and urban fantasy are my favourite genres. I grew up on a rich diet of Anne McCaffrey, Tolkien, Dorothy Dunnett, and Jack Higgins; I can't point the finger at any one book or author that set me in my current direction, but I'd blame my bent for characters with an inclination to drastically practical solutions on some mix of those. If I can mess with peoples' heads by tossing in a bit of gender- and genre-bending, so much the better. Status quo is boring.
I hope you enjoy reading the books half as much as I enjoyed writing them. Grab a freebie!
Come and meet me at my other online hangouts:
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Science-fiction and urban fantasy are my favourite genres. I grew up on a rich diet of Anne McCaffrey, Tolkien, Dorothy Dunnett, and Jack Higgins; I can't point the finger at any one book or author that set me in my current direction, but I'd blame my bent for characters with an inclination to drastically practical solutions on some mix of those. If I can mess with peoples' heads by tossing in a bit of gender- and genre-bending, so much the better. Status quo is boring.
I hope you enjoy reading the books half as much as I enjoyed writing them. Grab a freebie!
Come and meet me at my other online hangouts:
Amazon Author page
Independent Author Network
iAuthor
Google+
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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March 17, 2019Irin Seviki couldn't care less about genetic purity politics, but he's about to be drawn in - along with the one, very genetically impure, mercenary he trusts to watch his back...
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April 17, 2021
Great alien worldbuilding in this sci-fi novella, part of a much larger series and whilst there is obviously lots we don't know (if like me, you haven't read the other books in the series yet) JC provides you with just enough intel and intrigue to keep you reading and make you feel like you're fairly certain what's going on. There's actually a lot going on in this book - genetic warfare, elite alien bodyguards with secrets available to hire, lots and lots of hinted backstory, the rich and powerful brung low and a horse rancher who has to wear ridiculous outfits. The richness of the author's world is evident and the main characters, whilst so very different, hint at a deeper relationship. I've already got the Cortii novels on my TBR list, now they absolutely have to get bumped up higher. I must know more!
January 1, 2022
I didn't quite know what to expect with this one when I started, so I was quite delighted when it turned out to be a splendid little sci-fi adventure, with a dash of Firefly here and a feeling of the old Traveller RPG too.
It's part of a bigger series, but a great way to dip your toe into the Cortii universe. It tells the story of a horse rancher who has to wear a remarkable number of ridiculous outfits to seal a deal - and the deadly bodyguard watching his back who might be the one in most danger of all.
It's not a long read, but it does a lot in the space it has to tell its story, hinting at the much larger universe while delivering an effective introduction and telling its own tale along the way.
Nicely done, and a good way to try out the setting for new readers.
It's part of a bigger series, but a great way to dip your toe into the Cortii universe. It tells the story of a horse rancher who has to wear a remarkable number of ridiculous outfits to seal a deal - and the deadly bodyguard watching his back who might be the one in most danger of all.
It's not a long read, but it does a lot in the space it has to tell its story, hinting at the much larger universe while delivering an effective introduction and telling its own tale along the way.
Nicely done, and a good way to try out the setting for new readers.
March 31, 2019
This was my first sci-fi book by this author but it won't be my last. In spite of my lack of knowledge of the universe this book takes place in it was very easy to follow, and very hard to put down. Very well told, with lots of action and intrigue taking place in a fast paced story, with interesting characters. I look forward to reading some more of the books in the series.
March 17, 2019
Unaltered is a good read if you like Novellas. The characters are much different than normal. I very much enjoyed it and read it non- stop. Give it a try and I think you will like it too.
May 2, 2021
Unaltered by J.C. Steel is a sci-fi novella set in amongst the stars, with believable worldbuilding and an interesting premise.
Irin Seviki, a cattle rancher on one of the outer planets, is called to central worlds by his high-ranking and rich genetic-father for an unknown reason. Taking a hint, Irin employs a highly-trained and genetically modified team of Cortii body guards led by Khyria. Irin has previously encountered Khyria and is impressed by her skills. The reason for the call is soon revealed but the political undercurrents, intrigue and danger increase the longer Irin is in the central worlds. The novella had many likable elements: a complex world, danger and intrigue, hidden love or at least attraction. Even so, at times, I found it hard to stay interested - perhaps because the protagonist Irin is naïve, nearly always out of his depth, mostly passive and totally over shadowed by Khyria. Also, so much of the action and probable dangers are discussed beforehand, so that very little surprised me, except perhaps the prior encounter with a diplomat which referenced earlier events (perhaps in one of the books) and had only tangential relationship to this story. I felt the other characters, like Irin's father and his half-sister and the other Cortii bodyguards were underdeveloped, with the story more about Khyria than anyone else. So, on reflection, probably three and half stars. Enjoyable, if perhaps not gripping, read, but certainly an appetiser for the other Cortii books and the world J C Steel has created.
Irin Seviki, a cattle rancher on one of the outer planets, is called to central worlds by his high-ranking and rich genetic-father for an unknown reason. Taking a hint, Irin employs a highly-trained and genetically modified team of Cortii body guards led by Khyria. Irin has previously encountered Khyria and is impressed by her skills. The reason for the call is soon revealed but the political undercurrents, intrigue and danger increase the longer Irin is in the central worlds. The novella had many likable elements: a complex world, danger and intrigue, hidden love or at least attraction. Even so, at times, I found it hard to stay interested - perhaps because the protagonist Irin is naïve, nearly always out of his depth, mostly passive and totally over shadowed by Khyria. Also, so much of the action and probable dangers are discussed beforehand, so that very little surprised me, except perhaps the prior encounter with a diplomat which referenced earlier events (perhaps in one of the books) and had only tangential relationship to this story. I felt the other characters, like Irin's father and his half-sister and the other Cortii bodyguards were underdeveloped, with the story more about Khyria than anyone else. So, on reflection, probably three and half stars. Enjoyable, if perhaps not gripping, read, but certainly an appetiser for the other Cortii books and the world J C Steel has created.
May 5, 2019
Unaltered by J.C. Steel is a great novella set in the Cortii universe. I have read an enjoyed the previous four books in this series and read them all almost non-stop. This book is no exception. It is very well written, with two engaging main characters: Khyria, the kick-ass, no-nonsense commander of Cortiien mercenaries and Irin, out of his depth horse breeder from a backwater planet and recent heir to an empire on the central worlds. It is a fast paced story and my only complaint is that I finished the book faster than I expected.
August 31, 2021
I just could not get into this book. I tried but it was, to me, like reading a text book.
Did not finish at 61%.
Did not finish at 61%.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews