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Obsidian Rim #3
Traitor's Code
Cassy travels the Obsidian Rim taking freelance jobs as captain of her own spaceship, but when one of her passengers dies from a knife in the back, she finds herself entrusted with a stolen code.
Containing secrets from the Fertillan royal household, it puts Cassy under suspicion of Prince Stephen, the attractive head of the Fertillan Guard. Battling pirates and evading arrest, Cassy unravels the truth hidden inside the code and realises its value to the whole of humanity. But, as she gets closer to Prince Stephen, she faces a dilemma — can she trust him with information a man died to steal from his family, or must she turn her back on love to save the code for everyone living on the Obsidian Rim?
Containing secrets from the Fertillan royal household, it puts Cassy under suspicion of Prince Stephen, the attractive head of the Fertillan Guard. Battling pirates and evading arrest, Cassy unravels the truth hidden inside the code and realises its value to the whole of humanity. But, as she gets closer to Prince Stephen, she faces a dilemma — can she trust him with information a man died to steal from his family, or must she turn her back on love to save the code for everyone living on the Obsidian Rim?
203 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2019
84 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 16, 2020
Not for me
(some spoilers involved)
On the synopsis this SOUNDS up my alley. And at first Cassy was fun. The writing itself was clunky at times, as Killick delivered world exposition, but I was enjoying myself.
The story progresses so rapidly though. Its one event after another, with the barest transition between and even less feeling of satisfying development.
And then, about a third of the way, after Stephan and Cassy start their flirting UST stuff, Killick tosses in what I like to call the Marmalade Boy complication. If you never read or watched this classic shoujo series the tldr;; version is our main couple go through some drama until the last third of the series where the fact they may in fact be related occurs. For various reasons it makes sense, but for me its always been a moment of peak shoujo drama.
Well we spend a fair amount of this book watching Cassy and Stephan fall for each other as the investigation into the memory ball occurs and it was not entertaining. It turned a fairly enjoyable, but standard space opera scifi romance into a "BUT WHY". I didn't want to get invested in the romance - just in case and that meant not getting invested in the characters.
I don't think I'll pick up the rest of this series.
(some spoilers involved)
On the synopsis this SOUNDS up my alley. And at first Cassy was fun. The writing itself was clunky at times, as Killick delivered world exposition, but I was enjoying myself.
The story progresses so rapidly though. Its one event after another, with the barest transition between and even less feeling of satisfying development.
And then, about a third of the way, after Stephan and Cassy start their flirting UST stuff, Killick tosses in what I like to call the Marmalade Boy complication. If you never read or watched this classic shoujo series the tldr;; version is our main couple go through some drama until the last third of the series where the fact they may in fact be related occurs. For various reasons it makes sense, but for me its always been a moment of peak shoujo drama.
Well we spend a fair amount of this book watching Cassy and Stephan fall for each other as the investigation into the memory ball occurs and it was not entertaining. It turned a fairly enjoyable, but standard space opera scifi romance into a "BUT WHY". I didn't want to get invested in the romance - just in case and that meant not getting invested in the characters.
I don't think I'll pick up the rest of this series.
December 7, 2021
It’s ok. There was something off about it. I will not be continuing with the next one.
July 16, 2019
Jane Killick is the fourth author writing a series in the fabulous Obsidian Rim shared universe. I’ve loved all of the books using this setting so far (and I’ve now read and reviewed all published to date). Traitor's Code: Freelancer 1 (Obsidian Rim Book 3) is no different. Rather, the publisher’s blurb description, “Intrigue, adventure and love on the edge of the galaxy” is perfectly appropriate, though one can add exciting, thrilling, perfectly written and filled with a great cast of lead and supporting characters to be more fully accurate. I loved freelance spaceship captain Cassy, the Star here and can’t wait for her next adventure (and to more of Freddi, and definitely Prince Stephen). But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this Obsidian Rim series.
September 29, 2020
Totally Engrossing
Occasionally you come across a sci-fi book that ticks all the boxes and just works on every level, this is one of those. A sassy spaceship Captain and her crew, check a mysterious monk holding a galaxy shattering code, check murder check a royal family with secrets of their own check, politics check betrayals check action-adventure and battles check, mix well and you have this amazing story. An extremely well-written story with brilliant storylines amazing characters with twists and turns to keep you turning pages, I read this in one sitting I just couldn't put it down, I can't wait to read the next in the series, highly recommend a must read, Baz.
check
Occasionally you come across a sci-fi book that ticks all the boxes and just works on every level, this is one of those. A sassy spaceship Captain and her crew, check a mysterious monk holding a galaxy shattering code, check murder check a royal family with secrets of their own check, politics check betrayals check action-adventure and battles check, mix well and you have this amazing story. An extremely well-written story with brilliant storylines amazing characters with twists and turns to keep you turning pages, I read this in one sitting I just couldn't put it down, I can't wait to read the next in the series, highly recommend a must read, Baz.
check
March 29, 2024
Cassy is the owner and captain of a ship that she and her crewmate, Freddi, called Ship. As an independent owner, she always was short on funds. So, when a priest paid her handsomely for passage on her ship, she took the cash and didn’t ask any questions. Now that she had dropped him and their other passengers off and then Fertillan Guard boarded her ship, she wished she had paid more attention to the man and not the money. Then, finding out she was on a protected list and that she was free to go, she didn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. She got out of there and went to have a beer, where a small boy took her to the sex district to the priest who had quite literally been stabbed in the back. He died talking to her, but she didn’t tell that to anyone. Not even the Fertillan Guards, who must have followed her and charged her with his murder. Then her story checked out, and the head of the Fertillan Guard, the king’s brother, released her once again. As soon as she could, she left the planet, but this was only the beginning of her troubles and not the last time she would see the king’s brother.
I like this reality so far, and I think this is the first time I have read Jane Killick. The physical world-building is vague at best. The ethereal world-building is personal when it is there. The character’s interaction is believable. The character’s history is both upfront and unfolds throughout the story.
WARNING: ADULT CONTENT: While this does have some adult descriptions, it is not that vulgar, depending upon your view. This science fiction tale has some slow-building romance that does get somewhat descriptive. I give this read four stars out of five stars.
I like this reality so far, and I think this is the first time I have read Jane Killick. The physical world-building is vague at best. The ethereal world-building is personal when it is there. The character’s interaction is believable. The character’s history is both upfront and unfolds throughout the story.
WARNING: ADULT CONTENT: While this does have some adult descriptions, it is not that vulgar, depending upon your view. This science fiction tale has some slow-building romance that does get somewhat descriptive. I give this read four stars out of five stars.
July 31, 2021
Cassy is a freelance spaceship captain and she travels the Obsidian Ring earning her living. While at a final destination one of her passengers dies from a knife in the back and she finds she has been trusted with a stolen code that contains secrets from the Fertillian royal household and therefore under the suspicions of Prince Stephen the head of the Fertillian Guard. After battling pirates and evading arrest, Cassy finds out the code behind the code and its value to the whole of humanity. As she gets closer to Prince Stephen she has a dilemma - can she trust him with information a man died in order to steal from his family or must she turn away from love and do the right thing for humanity?
This was a nice space-based story with the mystery of the code, where it was and what it was actually for. The relationships between the various characters in and around those directly with Cassy were interesting and I can imagine all sorts of directions that this can go in the next book in the series. A nicely written book that I enjoyed but didn't love. Easy to read and understand. Contains a little sexual content.
This was a nice space-based story with the mystery of the code, where it was and what it was actually for. The relationships between the various characters in and around those directly with Cassy were interesting and I can imagine all sorts of directions that this can go in the next book in the series. A nicely written book that I enjoyed but didn't love. Easy to read and understand. Contains a little sexual content.
August 21, 2019
royal intrigue and agro-science espionage
Independent spaceship captain Cassi really steps in it when she agrees to take on a religious monk as a passenger. Her innocent choice leads to arrest, interrogation, murder, thriling spaceship duels, daring escapes, a nascent agricultural revolution, and the immensely unnerving attention of royalty - Prince Stephen, commander of the Fertillan Guard, and her worst frenemy. Fans of cat-and-mouse spy thrillers and slo-o-ow burn romance will love this one. This is a voluntary independent ARC review.
Independent spaceship captain Cassi really steps in it when she agrees to take on a religious monk as a passenger. Her innocent choice leads to arrest, interrogation, murder, thriling spaceship duels, daring escapes, a nascent agricultural revolution, and the immensely unnerving attention of royalty - Prince Stephen, commander of the Fertillan Guard, and her worst frenemy. Fans of cat-and-mouse spy thrillers and slo-o-ow burn romance will love this one. This is a voluntary independent ARC review.
June 8, 2025
An exciting story that can be a stand alone. A spaceship captain, "Cassy", takes on a passenger who is using fraudulent documents. Upon landing Fertillan guards are there so he creates a disturbance. She goes out to enjoy the town but is summoned by a young boy to go to him. He is dying and his last words were "deliver the code". The Fertillan prince is head of the guard and they wreck her ship while looking for whatever the passenger had stolen from the royal family without finding it. Things get more complicated. Romance is involved with twists sort of.
July 20, 2022
I liked this one, it's roughly equivalent to the Vata's war series by Elizabeth Moon if you liked that series, you'll probably enjoy this one as well.If you haven't read that series, and you find you do enjoy this offering, then you may want to look up that series after you're done with this one. I'm certainly planning to read more in this series, there's a lot of story to be told here, and I'm curious how it works out.
October 15, 2019
Decent story but didn’t like the ending
This is a decent story but I didn’t like the ending. Unsure if I will continue this series because of that and the long pause between freelancer stories.
This is a decent story but I didn’t like the ending. Unsure if I will continue this series because of that and the long pause between freelancer stories.
November 29, 2020
Sassy. Or Cassy?
A good read. Intrigue and suspense plus romance and DNA tests. Nicely tied up at the end - no cliffhanger to be continued in book two but the ‘promise’ of more fun and games with a potentially budding romance.
A good read. Intrigue and suspense plus romance and DNA tests. Nicely tied up at the end - no cliffhanger to be continued in book two but the ‘promise’ of more fun and games with a potentially budding romance.
December 7, 2020
It was okay
More reactive than active. I still don't have a firm grasp on who Cassy is other than a commoner. We know more about the second in command than the main character. Cassy never has a clear motivation other than the want to go back to the way things were.
More reactive than active. I still don't have a firm grasp on who Cassy is other than a commoner. We know more about the second in command than the main character. Cassy never has a clear motivation other than the want to go back to the way things were.
July 30, 2022
4 stars
Nice fast read. Entertaining space opera with battles, mystery, death and destruction. Cassy is an excellent heroine, Stephen is a Royal. Liked the book, and would recommend.
Nice fast read. Entertaining space opera with battles, mystery, death and destruction. Cassy is an excellent heroine, Stephen is a Royal. Liked the book, and would recommend.
April 30, 2024
Cassy owns her own spaceship and sometimes can't be too choosy about who she takes a passenger. When a recent passenger dies (stabbed) in her presence, she finds out there was a lot she didn't know about space politics.
Good captain
Good captain
October 20, 2025
Fun, entertaining, good story telling
I liked several things about this book, including that the heroine wasn't necessarily in control and out guessing everything ahead of time.
Cassy falls in love, but with her potential brother. This and so much other good comedy.
I liked several things about this book, including that the heroine wasn't necessarily in control and out guessing everything ahead of time.
Cassy falls in love, but with her potential brother. This and so much other good comedy.
October 6, 2020
This was a fun space romp.
Likable characters and interesting plot.
I will read the next Cassy adventure.
Likable characters and interesting plot.
I will read the next Cassy adventure.
October 20, 2020
Action adventure with entertaining characters.
January 23, 2021
Check out my review of Traitor's Code: A Sassy Spaceship Captain Adventure on The StoryGraph https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews...
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September 6, 2021DNF @ 58%
March 21, 2024
Lighthearted fast read
A lighthearted fast read. Interesting l
Premise for a good paced story. Interesting characters on an interesting story and setting.
A lighthearted fast read. Interesting l
Premise for a good paced story. Interesting characters on an interesting story and setting.
May 13, 2024
quick, light read. enjoyable but not amazing. good reading material for the beach or pool.
December 17, 2025
Adventure and mystery, some character development.
dnf-not-for-me
July 22, 20211/10: Couldn't get past the first few chapters; not for me.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews