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The Wardens' Game #1
Captive Embers
The humans wage war across space.
But who is the real enemy?
Mykonian fleet Operative Rafe Hastings has spent several tours around Belia trying to keep weapons traffickers from tearing the local space habitats apart. He’s eager to go home when an informant passes him dire news about an infamous cartel boss named Lilith. Not only has she acquired nuclear weapons, but she has somehow gained permission from the mysterious robotic overlords of inhabited space - the Wardens - to use them.
The battleship Tsunami is dispatched to investigate Rafe’s discovery and veteran operations Officer Sean Merrick soon finds himself caught in a conspiracy involving feuding Wardens. With allies dying all around him, his only hope for survival turns out to be a junior combat nurse named Sarah Riley who has scarcely fired a gun before.
As Rafe, Sean, and Sarah battle Lilith, they’ll be forced to rely on the unexpected to save the people they love. But with the Wardens constantly changing the rules, could it be that no matter who wins the war, everyone loses?
Grab this exciting debut military sci-fi novel from Brian Mansur, perfect for fans of Alastair Reynolds, Jack Campbell, and Ken Lozito.
Also available on Audible, narrated by Scott Aiello.
But who is the real enemy?
Mykonian fleet Operative Rafe Hastings has spent several tours around Belia trying to keep weapons traffickers from tearing the local space habitats apart. He’s eager to go home when an informant passes him dire news about an infamous cartel boss named Lilith. Not only has she acquired nuclear weapons, but she has somehow gained permission from the mysterious robotic overlords of inhabited space - the Wardens - to use them.
The battleship Tsunami is dispatched to investigate Rafe’s discovery and veteran operations Officer Sean Merrick soon finds himself caught in a conspiracy involving feuding Wardens. With allies dying all around him, his only hope for survival turns out to be a junior combat nurse named Sarah Riley who has scarcely fired a gun before.
As Rafe, Sean, and Sarah battle Lilith, they’ll be forced to rely on the unexpected to save the people they love. But with the Wardens constantly changing the rules, could it be that no matter who wins the war, everyone loses?
Grab this exciting debut military sci-fi novel from Brian Mansur, perfect for fans of Alastair Reynolds, Jack Campbell, and Ken Lozito.
Also available on Audible, narrated by Scott Aiello.
- GenresScience Fiction Fantasy
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2019
39 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 16, 2019
Captive Embers is in a word, ‘Captivating’. (Sorry, couldn’t resist)
This is Mansur’s debut novel, and he has created a fascinating backdrop of political intrigue in which to tell his story. With multiple Colonies of species at different levels of development all controlled by these Omnipotent ‘Wardens’ and their set of rules, we learn about this Galaxy through multiple main characters, a Spy, Rafe, the 2nd in Charge of a Battleship Sean, a Nurse who is also aboard the same ship Sarah, the head of a Criminal Organisation, Lilith, as well as multiple minor characters.
Each of these characters brings a unique aspect to the story, tells a particular part of the story, allowing the pieces of the puzzle to slot together very nicely, providing this riveting, fast paced military thriller about a Galaxy that although seems like it is all nicely controlled and running smoothly under the control of these ‘Wardens’, is actually on the brink of all out war. Rafe is trying to find shipments and distributors of weapons and deployment systems that will destroy colonies. Sean and Sarah are on the same ship, the Battleship Tsunami, a very apt name as they are walking into a storm, looking for weapons being freighted about by a criminal organisation. A Criminal Organisation run by our other main Character Lilith.
The great thing is that there is an opportunity to just give you all the story as you have all the major players. But Mansur doesn’t. He uses each of the characters to give you just enough to build the story, allowing it to unfold naturally, allowing you to try and make a bunch of seriously wrong guesses as there are some awesome twists and turns as the story plays out.
I don’t want to give too much away, but basically the galaxy has a collection of colonies of different races, all mandated by rules that are governed by the Wardens, these robots. Step out of line, they come down on you hard. There are rules for everything, including weapons. However, a crime syndicate has managed to get hold of colony killing weapons, and no one knows why. The crew of the Tsunami has to find out why, and stop them before something horrendous happens. I’m seriously busting at the seams wanting to write more, but that would ruin all the fun!! You will have to read it – and it is so worth it.
The characters are very real as well, Sean and Sarah have a fairly instant connection when they meet, and due to their time together, this grows, but this isn’t just because the book needs some romance angle, the relationship is incredibly real and natural. Mansur has gone to a lot of trouble to make the dialogue between his characters seem real, not forced, or over-the-top as is the case in a lot of newer Mil Sci-Fi books these days.
This is an outstanding Debut Novel, and regardless if you like thrillers, action, Mil Sci-Fi, there is something for everyone. My only disappointment with this book is that I got an early copy of it, and now I have to wait for part 2!! I should note though, even though I got an ARC, I had already pre-ordered both the book and the audio-book as it is well worth it, and I will be listening to it again when I get the chance. This is a Must Read.
This is Mansur’s debut novel, and he has created a fascinating backdrop of political intrigue in which to tell his story. With multiple Colonies of species at different levels of development all controlled by these Omnipotent ‘Wardens’ and their set of rules, we learn about this Galaxy through multiple main characters, a Spy, Rafe, the 2nd in Charge of a Battleship Sean, a Nurse who is also aboard the same ship Sarah, the head of a Criminal Organisation, Lilith, as well as multiple minor characters.
Each of these characters brings a unique aspect to the story, tells a particular part of the story, allowing the pieces of the puzzle to slot together very nicely, providing this riveting, fast paced military thriller about a Galaxy that although seems like it is all nicely controlled and running smoothly under the control of these ‘Wardens’, is actually on the brink of all out war. Rafe is trying to find shipments and distributors of weapons and deployment systems that will destroy colonies. Sean and Sarah are on the same ship, the Battleship Tsunami, a very apt name as they are walking into a storm, looking for weapons being freighted about by a criminal organisation. A Criminal Organisation run by our other main Character Lilith.
The great thing is that there is an opportunity to just give you all the story as you have all the major players. But Mansur doesn’t. He uses each of the characters to give you just enough to build the story, allowing it to unfold naturally, allowing you to try and make a bunch of seriously wrong guesses as there are some awesome twists and turns as the story plays out.
I don’t want to give too much away, but basically the galaxy has a collection of colonies of different races, all mandated by rules that are governed by the Wardens, these robots. Step out of line, they come down on you hard. There are rules for everything, including weapons. However, a crime syndicate has managed to get hold of colony killing weapons, and no one knows why. The crew of the Tsunami has to find out why, and stop them before something horrendous happens. I’m seriously busting at the seams wanting to write more, but that would ruin all the fun!! You will have to read it – and it is so worth it.
The characters are very real as well, Sean and Sarah have a fairly instant connection when they meet, and due to their time together, this grows, but this isn’t just because the book needs some romance angle, the relationship is incredibly real and natural. Mansur has gone to a lot of trouble to make the dialogue between his characters seem real, not forced, or over-the-top as is the case in a lot of newer Mil Sci-Fi books these days.
This is an outstanding Debut Novel, and regardless if you like thrillers, action, Mil Sci-Fi, there is something for everyone. My only disappointment with this book is that I got an early copy of it, and now I have to wait for part 2!! I should note though, even though I got an ARC, I had already pre-ordered both the book and the audio-book as it is well worth it, and I will be listening to it again when I get the chance. This is a Must Read.
May 16, 2019
Absolute snoozefest, DNF at 33%. I don't know why I should care about any of the characters, they're so generic. Badass agent guy who loves not-Space'merica and is brown for diversity points, military guy, space nurse woman. Wow-ee. The main villain feels like a placeholder and we get so little info about the transhumans, they might as not well be there. Nothing compelling, barely warrants a review.
May 1, 2019
OK
The background universe requires a bigger part in the story to make sense of the characters and factions. They work but the battles almost feel more real than the people fighting them. There is a lot of fighting but I wasn't able to visualize most of it, maybe because I lost involvement with a lot of the characters.
The two all powerful beings being locked in a struggle between good and evil was flat. For that cliche to ride above a cliche, the rest of these intelligences need to be brought to the fore. The rise of these ascended creatures, needs to be understood as well as the gate of earth. I also didn't get whether humans lived in one system, two systems, three systems or more. The arbitrary limit on population turns out to be more of a suggestion than hard limit, which is OK but the ascended don't seem to have their act together and that makes it hard to take them seriously.
The major characters, their motivations and the evil plans are all jumbled and don't make a lot of sense. The war as game of the gods doesn't generate the emotional energy that it should. You're told about it rather than shown it. The uncomfortable love story dropped into the middle of the book, makes little sense and is unbelievable. It does drain much needed life from the action and characters surrounding it.
The writing isn't as bad as the storytelling, I feel. I probably won't bother reading a sequel because of the blandness of the first book.
The background universe requires a bigger part in the story to make sense of the characters and factions. They work but the battles almost feel more real than the people fighting them. There is a lot of fighting but I wasn't able to visualize most of it, maybe because I lost involvement with a lot of the characters.
The two all powerful beings being locked in a struggle between good and evil was flat. For that cliche to ride above a cliche, the rest of these intelligences need to be brought to the fore. The rise of these ascended creatures, needs to be understood as well as the gate of earth. I also didn't get whether humans lived in one system, two systems, three systems or more. The arbitrary limit on population turns out to be more of a suggestion than hard limit, which is OK but the ascended don't seem to have their act together and that makes it hard to take them seriously.
The major characters, their motivations and the evil plans are all jumbled and don't make a lot of sense. The war as game of the gods doesn't generate the emotional energy that it should. You're told about it rather than shown it. The uncomfortable love story dropped into the middle of the book, makes little sense and is unbelievable. It does drain much needed life from the action and characters surrounding it.
The writing isn't as bad as the storytelling, I feel. I probably won't bother reading a sequel because of the blandness of the first book.
June 12, 2019
Without a doubt, Captive Embers is one of the best military sci-fi novels I've read in years. The science fiction is well thought-out and very believable, and the military themes are authentic. One character exchange, in particular, had me laughing out loud at something that anyone serving in today's Army would recognize.
It's obvious that the author spent considerable time researching and thinking about what combat in space would be like. The level of realism that Mansur weaves through the story is considerably higher than most of the magicky-super hero-video game slop that is served up as sci-fi today. Captive Embers reminds me of old school sci-fi authors like Fredrick Pohl, John Steakly, and Robert Heinlein.
I also found Mansur's prose to be well written. It flows well and is easy to read, but not so easy that you feel like you are being written down to. It's not YA writing. Mansur writes about adult concepts and uses big-boy words. However, Captive Embers is not overwritten with excessively long hard-to-follow sentences full of words you have to keep looking up to understand what the author is describing.
I think it's a great book. The characters and world building are great and I look forward to finding out what happens next when book two is released.
It's obvious that the author spent considerable time researching and thinking about what combat in space would be like. The level of realism that Mansur weaves through the story is considerably higher than most of the magicky-super hero-video game slop that is served up as sci-fi today. Captive Embers reminds me of old school sci-fi authors like Fredrick Pohl, John Steakly, and Robert Heinlein.
I also found Mansur's prose to be well written. It flows well and is easy to read, but not so easy that you feel like you are being written down to. It's not YA writing. Mansur writes about adult concepts and uses big-boy words. However, Captive Embers is not overwritten with excessively long hard-to-follow sentences full of words you have to keep looking up to understand what the author is describing.
I think it's a great book. The characters and world building are great and I look forward to finding out what happens next when book two is released.
April 17, 2019
For a debut novel, it was incredible. Overall, I like the story plot and the twists that come with a society controlled by another. Maybe the depth of that control was a bit "over the top" but who knows what the future holds or what other alien races are like so Kudos for staying true to your vision. We read for the imagination!!!
There were characters that I found out of place in their emotions and descriptions. A military nurse sure seemed too emotional and way too interested in a man. Where are the strong female characters? Oh there are strong females but one of the main females is extremely vicious and evil!! lol
I have read other military science fiction but the details/situations in this book felt harsher and seemed a bit to detailed for me. That doesn't mean I am leaving the path. I will look for the next book just to see the advances in Brian's writing!!! Thanks,
There were characters that I found out of place in their emotions and descriptions. A military nurse sure seemed too emotional and way too interested in a man. Where are the strong female characters? Oh there are strong females but one of the main females is extremely vicious and evil!! lol
I have read other military science fiction but the details/situations in this book felt harsher and seemed a bit to detailed for me. That doesn't mean I am leaving the path. I will look for the next book just to see the advances in Brian's writing!!! Thanks,
October 17, 2024
Overall it's a good start to something but I feel like I'm missing background context, it feels like I've been dropped into the middle of a series which Ultimately leaves me confused, however the writing is good the characters are slightly generic but not too much. And it does leave me wanting to delve more into it but it does walk a fine line of possibly turning someone off. Let's put it this way, this is like picking up a random book from a series and not knowing any background that has some grand narrative likef or the warhammer universe or starting the salmorillion from Lord of the Rings or random extended universe book from Star Wars or Star Trek. I feel like I'm missing the seminal work from the series. Otherwise it was a good read and I'm now reading the second one.
April 17, 2019
I received an Advanced Review Copy of Captive Embers from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Classic military space saga / competing human civilisations sci-fi with an additional back story of machinations from an ascended race, Captive Embers is a well-structured and fast-paced read. The multiple lead characters (Rafe Hastings and his family vs Sean and Sarah, plus Lilith and Henry) lessen the focus of the narrative a touch, for me, but I really enjoyed following all of them through the story.
Overall, a great read but I'd have liked some additional reveal about the controllers of the Wardens. I imagine this may come in a sequel.
Classic military space saga / competing human civilisations sci-fi with an additional back story of machinations from an ascended race, Captive Embers is a well-structured and fast-paced read. The multiple lead characters (Rafe Hastings and his family vs Sean and Sarah, plus Lilith and Henry) lessen the focus of the narrative a touch, for me, but I really enjoyed following all of them through the story.
Overall, a great read but I'd have liked some additional reveal about the controllers of the Wardens. I imagine this may come in a sequel.
April 25, 2019
"The strong rule and always will."
It came as a surprise to learn that this was Brian Mansur's debut novel as it is written with the audacity of a much more established author. Captive Embers is the first book in a new series which promises to be exciting and very large in scale. Seen from several points of view, the reader is introduced to different protagonists, and characters begin to be forged, some as yet unknown quantaties, with others already displaying evil intent. But the story is far bigger than mere human endeavor and much more, I'm sure, remains to be revealed.
Action, characters, corruption and a political intrigue all set within a vibrant visual space backdrop. A must for S.F. fans.
A few days after reading the ebook, I listened to the audio, performed by Scott Aiello. It was as fresh and exciting as the first printed read, but held deeper dimensions with the excellent narration. Mr.Aiello reads with excellent pacing, intonation and gives separate voice to individual protagonists. He matches the drama of the printed word, on rare occasion becoming almost over dramatic in his expression, but is always easy to listen to and enjoy. His performance adds even more intense excitement to the book.
It came as a surprise to learn that this was Brian Mansur's debut novel as it is written with the audacity of a much more established author. Captive Embers is the first book in a new series which promises to be exciting and very large in scale. Seen from several points of view, the reader is introduced to different protagonists, and characters begin to be forged, some as yet unknown quantaties, with others already displaying evil intent. But the story is far bigger than mere human endeavor and much more, I'm sure, remains to be revealed.
Action, characters, corruption and a political intrigue all set within a vibrant visual space backdrop. A must for S.F. fans.
A few days after reading the ebook, I listened to the audio, performed by Scott Aiello. It was as fresh and exciting as the first printed read, but held deeper dimensions with the excellent narration. Mr.Aiello reads with excellent pacing, intonation and gives separate voice to individual protagonists. He matches the drama of the printed word, on rare occasion becoming almost over dramatic in his expression, but is always easy to listen to and enjoy. His performance adds even more intense excitement to the book.
April 17, 2019
Good 1st book
I enjoyed this book. It was a little hard to understand in the beginning, but once Cef and Len made an appearance things were clearer. I'm interested to learn more about this world and will read the next book.
I enjoyed this book. It was a little hard to understand in the beginning, but once Cef and Len made an appearance things were clearer. I'm interested to learn more about this world and will read the next book.
May 8, 2019
Excellent book, very detailed world building. Mr. Mansur pulls no punches with his non-stop action, intricate world and violent AI's. Well done. I look forward to reading the next book. Thank you.
September 1, 2019
Great story!
This book is so cool! But also dark and scary! The main characters figure out something totally horrible and illogical about the space war they are fighting. Evil incarnate rules this war.
This book is so cool! But also dark and scary! The main characters figure out something totally horrible and illogical about the space war they are fighting. Evil incarnate rules this war.
November 19, 2021
A very engrossing book that covers a period in man's decline in space that involves a civil war among the earth empire nations and the use of robots to control the human race. The book also demonstrates man's inhumanity towards man and man's greed for power. It is very hard to put down .
April 20, 2019
exciting story
This story was great. I couldn't put it down because I had to know what was going to happen next. I can't wait to read book two.
This story was great. I couldn't put it down because I had to know what was going to happen next. I can't wait to read book two.
April 22, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyable!
Enjoyed the twist and turns of this adventure! Brings fresh look into big brother and science fiction fighting twisted together
Enjoyed the twist and turns of this adventure! Brings fresh look into big brother and science fiction fighting twisted together
September 2, 2020
This book would make such a good movie.
September 25, 2021
Very good space opera. Has some unique aspects (the wardens.) Very enjoyable read, keeps you reading and anticipating the next chapter. Highly recommend.
July 1, 2019
A fast-paced, well written military sci-fi novel with a bit of espionage, engaging characters, and a lot of interesting if subdued worldbuilding. There’s a lot more going on in the background than is immediately apparent, and the author does a good job focusing on the story and its characters while expanding the scope at a reasonable clip. I’m looking forward to the sequels.
May 28, 2021
The stakes are high in this planet destroying conflict... A mob boss gets access to nuclear weapons, as in planet destroying weapons... but really is she the true enemy? It's true she needs to be put down like the rabid dog she is, but who gave her access to such massively destructive capability in the first place? I found the side story of the meta-beings gaming to be as interesting and fun, as was the main, action packed story! As the book unfolded, I kept picturing The Gamesters of Triskelion, from 1st gen Star Trek, betting all their quatloos on the next bout... Only, this game is deadly, because, these two players were betting on innocent people lives...
The narrator Scott Aiello bugged me a bit, but I really can't say what it was, nothing concrete, other than maybe his choice of character voice accents... hummm.
If you want some high flying Space Opera, get the audio book, and let the games begin!
The narrator Scott Aiello bugged me a bit, but I really can't say what it was, nothing concrete, other than maybe his choice of character voice accents... hummm.
If you want some high flying Space Opera, get the audio book, and let the games begin!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews