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Von Braun's Gambit
After their resounding victory over the Coalition forces on Gaour, the tired, battle weary crew of IMS Starshatter, race with all speed towards Earth, for all of their gains came not without cost. Their friend, the Asgardian engineer and mecha pilot Brynjar, is deathly wounded and comatose! To save him, they must reach Asgard itself and look for a master healer – perhaps even Frigg herself. Yet, on the Terran homeworld nothing is as it seems at on first glance and the friends, each must overcome tremendously challenging hurdles. Even the old enemy of man slither out of his secret lair, ready for one last, desperate stab at humanity’s very soul. And will the mystery of Werner von Braun’s disappearance finally be solved?
582 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 24, 2019
I have finished the forth book of the "Starshatter" series now and I half to say that I enjoyed it very much. It was a much needed escape from my structured life and at times managed to peak my adrenaline level as I endured the pains of it's characters. The author has his own way of injecting the issues of today with the alternate dimension and timeline of the story that adds to the story line that makes you think as you read. For those of you that count words and bloopers I only found two worth mention but my mind was in tune with the script and self corrected instantly. This 10 book series is a monumental effort by a man whom 'English' is a third language so a bit of leeway is deserved.
In this book I feel I now know the characters as I know my own family and the plots expand. Though I attempt to predict ahead there is always the caveat that adds to my attempt to second guess where this author is going. If you enjoy a supercharged adventure then the "Starshatter" series is for you. I myself am looking forward to book #5.
In this book I feel I now know the characters as I know my own family and the plots expand. Though I attempt to predict ahead there is always the caveat that adds to my attempt to second guess where this author is going. If you enjoy a supercharged adventure then the "Starshatter" series is for you. I myself am looking forward to book #5.
March 1, 2020
When we left our heroes they were headed to Earth to help a certain Asgardian. What follows is as amazing as you can imagine, as the crew of Starshatter arrives on our planet. With each character setting their mind to a particular task, we get to explore our planet in all its glory.
With Dozan and Mack we get to see China and are reminded that despite all their advancement and victories people are still people. Some are courageous, some are cowards. Some are virtuous, some are debauched. A small reminder that Aramgar is not naive and is not writing about some sort of utopia where everyone is perfect, therefore stripped of their humanity and ability to be an individual. In a truly free world, a man is free to make any choice he deems right and pay the price, whatever it may be, for that choice. And let's not forget that a space biker and a Kil'ra morale officer are trying to mingle with civilians - the laughs are guaranteed.
With Lilly, Alice, Alric and Vasilisa we finally get to see what will happen with (my main man) Brynjar. It is around this time that it hit me. If there is one word that defines this book(and the series as a whole) it would be "layers" or "depth". The book works on so many levels that it is truly astonishing. And the fact that it was pulled off so seamlessly is an act of masterful writing, and I do not use those words lightly. What I mean is that you can take the story at face value as it is: a great adventure with a lot of action and that is fine. But if you stop for a second and start to think, you can start to see the little threads woven through the story. If you start asking "Why?" and "How?" you would almost be able to see Aragmar smiling encouragingly across the table. "Why are these problems present in Asagard?", "How does this benefit...?". The author gives you the clues, encourages you to think for yourself and you can arrive at some great conclusions but at the same time he realizes that with any great mystery you want the clues, not to be given the answer straight away. He respects your little grey cells, mes amis. Do not ignore that fact and learn to recognize it when you see it, because it is rare and special.
With Anit'za the mysteries continue. From a simple coin, through a secret room and a simple diary to an intense, breathtaking race. The road that the dzen'ta has to walk is truly fascinating and he loves every minute of it. Through it we get to enjoy our illustrious captain's signature charm and a lot of laughs. Four books in and we are finally starting to understand this character little by little. It is as if we have finally earned the right to learn more about him and he has allowed Aragmar to tell us more. Because that is the power of truly great characters. You might think it sounds corny or lame, but it is none the less true - a truly great character begins to have a life on their own. And Anit'za is aware of just how great he is.
What I found disturbing(in a good way..well... a narrative good way) is the fact that through all the light-hearted adventures and laughs, even the obvious firefights there is an undercurrent of dread. There is something truly distressing about the fact that even Earth isn't a safe place. Home is supposed to be safe. A place of peace, where you can be alone or with those you love, without fear. This was a crossroad I had to pass, here, in this book. The full realization of just how tragic humanity's struggle really is. Yes, we have seen people fight and die, but that was out there. Here...the first and last bastion of humanity...home...it's supposed to be safe, it has to be...but it's not. So many dangers lurk in the shadows, so many horrors desecrate the beautiful places created by people that long for nothing more than peace. Who have sacrificed so much, earned their rest through bloodshed...and yet they can't.
I didn't pity the humans, not because I wasn't sad and I didn't feel crushed, but because the wouldn't accept my pity. So when I saw how they continued to fight without a second thought or hint of fear, I simply encouraged them. And that is all they really needed. A little encouragement when they find it tough to go on. Just like us.
From one of humanity's first enemies, well-hidden, waiting to a haunted zone, there are numerous dangers our heroes have to deal with but it is nothing a telepath and an avern’a saint can't handle.(with a little bit of help, of course. They are Terrans, not idiots). Here, once again I am fascinated with the masterful world building Aragmar has displayed so often. Little winks and nods start coming together and the forces at play here are simply amazing. Nothing that hasn't been said and shown, but a truly well-earned and well-written action scenes need to be praised because they are an art in and of themselves.
With Cat we get to explore more of the tragic past. It is a remarkable read, one that truly humbled me as I felt the weight of it all, and the responsibility that every Terran has. Also we get a handy lesson in politics, or rather how political games should be handled. For we see that brute force cannot be the only way humanity has survived for so long. I mean....Aragmar has thought of that as well. Did you have any doubts?
With Dozan and Mack we get to see China and are reminded that despite all their advancement and victories people are still people. Some are courageous, some are cowards. Some are virtuous, some are debauched. A small reminder that Aramgar is not naive and is not writing about some sort of utopia where everyone is perfect, therefore stripped of their humanity and ability to be an individual. In a truly free world, a man is free to make any choice he deems right and pay the price, whatever it may be, for that choice. And let's not forget that a space biker and a Kil'ra morale officer are trying to mingle with civilians - the laughs are guaranteed.
With Lilly, Alice, Alric and Vasilisa we finally get to see what will happen with (my main man) Brynjar. It is around this time that it hit me. If there is one word that defines this book(and the series as a whole) it would be "layers" or "depth". The book works on so many levels that it is truly astonishing. And the fact that it was pulled off so seamlessly is an act of masterful writing, and I do not use those words lightly. What I mean is that you can take the story at face value as it is: a great adventure with a lot of action and that is fine. But if you stop for a second and start to think, you can start to see the little threads woven through the story. If you start asking "Why?" and "How?" you would almost be able to see Aragmar smiling encouragingly across the table. "Why are these problems present in Asagard?", "How does this benefit...?". The author gives you the clues, encourages you to think for yourself and you can arrive at some great conclusions but at the same time he realizes that with any great mystery you want the clues, not to be given the answer straight away. He respects your little grey cells, mes amis. Do not ignore that fact and learn to recognize it when you see it, because it is rare and special.
With Anit'za the mysteries continue. From a simple coin, through a secret room and a simple diary to an intense, breathtaking race. The road that the dzen'ta has to walk is truly fascinating and he loves every minute of it. Through it we get to enjoy our illustrious captain's signature charm and a lot of laughs. Four books in and we are finally starting to understand this character little by little. It is as if we have finally earned the right to learn more about him and he has allowed Aragmar to tell us more. Because that is the power of truly great characters. You might think it sounds corny or lame, but it is none the less true - a truly great character begins to have a life on their own. And Anit'za is aware of just how great he is.
What I found disturbing(in a good way..well... a narrative good way) is the fact that through all the light-hearted adventures and laughs, even the obvious firefights there is an undercurrent of dread. There is something truly distressing about the fact that even Earth isn't a safe place. Home is supposed to be safe. A place of peace, where you can be alone or with those you love, without fear. This was a crossroad I had to pass, here, in this book. The full realization of just how tragic humanity's struggle really is. Yes, we have seen people fight and die, but that was out there. Here...the first and last bastion of humanity...home...it's supposed to be safe, it has to be...but it's not. So many dangers lurk in the shadows, so many horrors desecrate the beautiful places created by people that long for nothing more than peace. Who have sacrificed so much, earned their rest through bloodshed...and yet they can't.
I didn't pity the humans, not because I wasn't sad and I didn't feel crushed, but because the wouldn't accept my pity. So when I saw how they continued to fight without a second thought or hint of fear, I simply encouraged them. And that is all they really needed. A little encouragement when they find it tough to go on. Just like us.
From one of humanity's first enemies, well-hidden, waiting to a haunted zone, there are numerous dangers our heroes have to deal with but it is nothing a telepath and an avern’a saint can't handle.(with a little bit of help, of course. They are Terrans, not idiots). Here, once again I am fascinated with the masterful world building Aragmar has displayed so often. Little winks and nods start coming together and the forces at play here are simply amazing. Nothing that hasn't been said and shown, but a truly well-earned and well-written action scenes need to be praised because they are an art in and of themselves.
With Cat we get to explore more of the tragic past. It is a remarkable read, one that truly humbled me as I felt the weight of it all, and the responsibility that every Terran has. Also we get a handy lesson in politics, or rather how political games should be handled. For we see that brute force cannot be the only way humanity has survived for so long. I mean....Aragmar has thought of that as well. Did you have any doubts?
September 12, 2021
Von Braun's Gambit, A Continuing Saga of the Starshatter Spaceship,
Her Captain and Crew
Von Braun's Gambit is the fourth book in the Starshatter series. It's a bit of a change from the previous Starshatter books because the crew has come to Earth. In this book, we learn more about the core characters, what makes them tick, who and what they love. They're spread all over Earth, each in their own pursuits, but soon they will have to return to battle.
One crew member is Asgardian and because of his injuries needs to be brought to Midgaard or transferred from there across the Einstein-Rosen bridge to Asgard to find someone who can rouse him from the Odin sleep. Because of his severe injuries his body went into the sleep and he is slowly dying.
All is not well in Midgaard so some of the crew visit Asgard itself to find that problems have spread to the home world. The youth of Asgard have similar problems to our young people in real life but other evils lurk that Starshatter will have to fight against.
Dozan, a storied morale officer and Mack, a space biker, plan to increase their knowledge of ancient martial arts and they travel to the far east in search of a wise and experienced teacher. Two other crew mates, recently married, are also on earth. The groom is from Earth but his wife is not, so she goes to his ancestral home to learn more about him. Her husband is fascinated with Wernher Von Braun and decides to visit the site where Von Braun built a functional early space ship far ahead of its time and then disappeared.
Near the end of the book it is revealed that a very old man, a native of Earth and member of a group who kept the people of Earth in subjugation for decades has traveled to a distant planet in hopes of reviving his dreams of domination. The Starshatter crew must soon engage him in warfare to stop his evil control of a people so downtrodden that they are easy prey for his taking.
The overarching theme of good vs. evil is very evident in this book, as new villains are revealed that have a connection to Evil itself and Starshatter's crew stand in the gap to protect humanity. It reminds me that we are fighting a battle of our own here in real life against corrupt rulers who care nothing for the people and only want to exploit and control the world.
The Starshatter series continues with the 5th book, Secrets of Lothoria,and I've already begun reading it, so expect another review soon!
Her Captain and Crew
Von Braun's Gambit is the fourth book in the Starshatter series. It's a bit of a change from the previous Starshatter books because the crew has come to Earth. In this book, we learn more about the core characters, what makes them tick, who and what they love. They're spread all over Earth, each in their own pursuits, but soon they will have to return to battle.
One crew member is Asgardian and because of his injuries needs to be brought to Midgaard or transferred from there across the Einstein-Rosen bridge to Asgard to find someone who can rouse him from the Odin sleep. Because of his severe injuries his body went into the sleep and he is slowly dying.
All is not well in Midgaard so some of the crew visit Asgard itself to find that problems have spread to the home world. The youth of Asgard have similar problems to our young people in real life but other evils lurk that Starshatter will have to fight against.
Dozan, a storied morale officer and Mack, a space biker, plan to increase their knowledge of ancient martial arts and they travel to the far east in search of a wise and experienced teacher. Two other crew mates, recently married, are also on earth. The groom is from Earth but his wife is not, so she goes to his ancestral home to learn more about him. Her husband is fascinated with Wernher Von Braun and decides to visit the site where Von Braun built a functional early space ship far ahead of its time and then disappeared.
Near the end of the book it is revealed that a very old man, a native of Earth and member of a group who kept the people of Earth in subjugation for decades has traveled to a distant planet in hopes of reviving his dreams of domination. The Starshatter crew must soon engage him in warfare to stop his evil control of a people so downtrodden that they are easy prey for his taking.
The overarching theme of good vs. evil is very evident in this book, as new villains are revealed that have a connection to Evil itself and Starshatter's crew stand in the gap to protect humanity. It reminds me that we are fighting a battle of our own here in real life against corrupt rulers who care nothing for the people and only want to exploit and control the world.
The Starshatter series continues with the 5th book, Secrets of Lothoria,and I've already begun reading it, so expect another review soon!
July 1, 2021
I have recently read the science fiction novel entitled, Von Braun's Gambit, Starshatter Book # 4 in the series which was wriiten by the up and coming Indie author who goes by the pen name of Black Knight.
After the victory on the planet Goar, the crew of the Starshatter starship takes a well deserved break from fighting the aliens who enslave whole populations. Their furlow turns out to become several adventures and battles against the forces of evil who wish to exterminate and/or enslave the Terrans and their uplifted Terran brothers and sisters. The dark face of a secret society and an old enemy of mankind has been hiding in another dimension only visiting to abduct children and steal supplies to continue their depraved lifestyle. In one of these raids, one of the crew members was kidnapped and taken to a secret location to be questioned and tortured. This set in motion the crew's telepath to lead a force of Terrans to rescue him. We also have a battle between a space witch, a good alien, Italian elite troops, militia and villagers of a small Bulgarian village against an army of the unliving who take the form of vengeful ghosts. Also, during this time we have an adventure to deliver the Asgardian member of the crew who was mortally wounded in the battle on Goar and in need of medical attention from his own race of giants in the realm of Midgaard.
Again, in this fourth of the Starshatter series of books, the action continues. This book engages the reader to enter this alternative universe and one finds oneself forming a relationship with the characters and cheering for the good guys as they help in the fight for the survival of the Terrans. We come to learn even more about the protagonists, antagonists and more of the history of this alternative dimension of Earth and its Terran colonies who live on several planets in an area called, Finge space as well as the history of the alien races which seek the destruction of all things Terran.
After reading this book, I so look forward to reading book # 5. I can highly recommend all the Starshatter books up to number four for all lovers of a good science fiction story. One day in the not too distance future I can envision, Dark Knight being considered as one of the great authors in the science fiction genre of literature.
After the victory on the planet Goar, the crew of the Starshatter starship takes a well deserved break from fighting the aliens who enslave whole populations. Their furlow turns out to become several adventures and battles against the forces of evil who wish to exterminate and/or enslave the Terrans and their uplifted Terran brothers and sisters. The dark face of a secret society and an old enemy of mankind has been hiding in another dimension only visiting to abduct children and steal supplies to continue their depraved lifestyle. In one of these raids, one of the crew members was kidnapped and taken to a secret location to be questioned and tortured. This set in motion the crew's telepath to lead a force of Terrans to rescue him. We also have a battle between a space witch, a good alien, Italian elite troops, militia and villagers of a small Bulgarian village against an army of the unliving who take the form of vengeful ghosts. Also, during this time we have an adventure to deliver the Asgardian member of the crew who was mortally wounded in the battle on Goar and in need of medical attention from his own race of giants in the realm of Midgaard.
Again, in this fourth of the Starshatter series of books, the action continues. This book engages the reader to enter this alternative universe and one finds oneself forming a relationship with the characters and cheering for the good guys as they help in the fight for the survival of the Terrans. We come to learn even more about the protagonists, antagonists and more of the history of this alternative dimension of Earth and its Terran colonies who live on several planets in an area called, Finge space as well as the history of the alien races which seek the destruction of all things Terran.
After reading this book, I so look forward to reading book # 5. I can highly recommend all the Starshatter books up to number four for all lovers of a good science fiction story. One day in the not too distance future I can envision, Dark Knight being considered as one of the great authors in the science fiction genre of literature.
October 31, 2019
An amazing book! No Spoilers.
This is the 4th Book in a series by Black Knight. The story is set in a parallel universe, where humanity has achieved space travel. The story arch is grand and perfectly conceptualized. Character development one of Black Knight's strongest traits. Before reading this one, you should however have read the previous 3 books!
This is the 4th Book in a series by Black Knight. The story is set in a parallel universe, where humanity has achieved space travel. The story arch is grand and perfectly conceptualized. Character development one of Black Knight's strongest traits. Before reading this one, you should however have read the previous 3 books!
December 28, 2021
The Starshatter crew finally makes it back to earth. This book is a return to formula for the Black Knight, but unlike the positive never say die spirit that started the series off, this one is starting to get a touch of darkness. I love me some darkness.
November 15, 2021
This book was amazing! It had some great funny moments and some really interesting action. The change of setting and pace of this book were notable. Character growth of the faithful crew and of the poor aliens captured by slavers shows us more about the Terran way. Put your racing gloves and goggles on for the fast paced action that you'll find here. You'll have a fun ride reading this next installment of the Starshatter series.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews