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Kestrel Class Saga #1
Kestrel Class
For self-taught engineer Ben Griminski, life is perilous and hard. Living on the junk world of Torrent Four, Ben scours the vast fields of trash, wreckage, and derelict ships in search of anything of value while avoiding the Salvage Scalpers, a gang that takes whatever it wants and enslaves anyone with a knack for finding valuables in the endless mounds of trash. For many people in his position, life is unbearable, but Ben has a secret. Buried deep in the salvage fields, hidden by mounds of rubbish, lies a Kestrel class starship. And after a decade of tireless work, she’s almost ready to fly.
The Royal Imperium rules the galaxy with an iron fist. Freedom is just a dream on the hundreds of worlds under their domain. But in space, a person with a fast ship, an able crew, and the right connections can enjoy the last vestiges of liberty, as long as they stay under the radar. Ben Griminski has a ship, but he’ll need a crew and plenty of Zexum to fuel her if they hope to escape their dreary lives on Torrent Four. It’s a challenge worth taking on, and if his luck holds, he might just discover what life is like among the stars.
Kestrel Class is the first novel in a new science fiction saga by master storyteller Toby Neighbors. Drawing inspiration from Firefly, The A-Team, and even Star Wars, Kestrel Class is a fast-paced mix of action and character-driven drama. Take the pilot’s seat in the Modulus Echo, join the crew in a heist for fuel, and learn just how depraved the Imperium has become to ensure unquestioning obedience from the masses under their control. If you love space opera, or you’re just looking for the next story that will sweep you away from your ordinary existence, Kestrel Class is the book for you.
The Royal Imperium rules the galaxy with an iron fist. Freedom is just a dream on the hundreds of worlds under their domain. But in space, a person with a fast ship, an able crew, and the right connections can enjoy the last vestiges of liberty, as long as they stay under the radar. Ben Griminski has a ship, but he’ll need a crew and plenty of Zexum to fuel her if they hope to escape their dreary lives on Torrent Four. It’s a challenge worth taking on, and if his luck holds, he might just discover what life is like among the stars.
Kestrel Class is the first novel in a new science fiction saga by master storyteller Toby Neighbors. Drawing inspiration from Firefly, The A-Team, and even Star Wars, Kestrel Class is a fast-paced mix of action and character-driven drama. Take the pilot’s seat in the Modulus Echo, join the crew in a heist for fuel, and learn just how depraved the Imperium has become to ensure unquestioning obedience from the masses under their control. If you love space opera, or you’re just looking for the next story that will sweep you away from your ordinary existence, Kestrel Class is the book for you.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2019
765 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 15, 2019
Just finished this one. I have to say that I have added this one to my list of favorites. I felt like I could connect with Ben. I am really interested to see how the story develops in the next one.
July 8, 2019
Good book
This is a great read. Loved the characters and their development. I'll definitely be reading more from this author and of this series when the next book comes out
This is a great read. Loved the characters and their development. I'll definitely be reading more from this author and of this series when the next book comes out
July 8, 2019
Good read
I found the book one of the better reads that I have came across in the last few books I read far better than scrap yard ship and Han 12
I found the book one of the better reads that I have came across in the last few books I read far better than scrap yard ship and Han 12
July 2, 2019
This book was too juvenile for me.
I could not finish this book; I could not connect with the characters. Ben, the one who built the spaceship was already feeling guilty about having to kill some bullies who were trying to kill him. And that was even before the ship left the planet! The female pilot is always negative about everything. Maybe for young teens it would be OK.
I could not finish this book; I could not connect with the characters. Ben, the one who built the spaceship was already feeling guilty about having to kill some bullies who were trying to kill him. And that was even before the ship left the planet! The female pilot is always negative about everything. Maybe for young teens it would be OK.
June 24, 2020
Yeah in the end yet another book I didn't finish. Not only the issues I mentioned in the spoiler section but... Well, I am no professional but to me the writing seemed a bit bad. A lot of strange leaps and super sub par sci fi logic. It all came together to make the story annoy me instead of entertain me.
October 1, 2019
Our intrepid troop grew up on a crapsack world, but are trying to escape. There are parts of it that are excellent, and then you get hit with a statement like "I don't know if I can fire a gun without gravity, but I can definitely fire this flechette pistol instead because without gravity nothing will slow down its flight". Gravity. Not atmosphere. I mean, especially after the last book, this guy was practically a physicist, and then that comes tumbling out. At least they didn't mistake a solar system for a galaxy?
And the evil. The ruling group is not interesting starting 2/3 of the way through the book - they've become just a caricature of evil. If you rule that many planets, you can be hedonistic and awful and whatever, but your bureaucracy better be like whoa. And, there was no whoa here. I think this speaks to the level of incompetency of the rebels if they haven't won yet.
By the end, I really just wanted to point out to them that they were killing everyone they visited. I don't think they've figured that out yet, so I expect more mayhem in their near future, but, I didn't like it enough to continue - so carry on, my wayward son, so that there can be peace (since everything's been blown to bits) when you are gone....
And the evil. The ruling group is not interesting starting 2/3 of the way through the book - they've become just a caricature of evil. If you rule that many planets, you can be hedonistic and awful and whatever, but your bureaucracy better be like whoa. And, there was no whoa here. I think this speaks to the level of incompetency of the rebels if they haven't won yet.
By the end, I really just wanted to point out to them that they were killing everyone they visited. I don't think they've figured that out yet, so I expect more mayhem in their near future, but, I didn't like it enough to continue - so carry on, my wayward son, so that there can be peace (since everything's been blown to bits) when you are gone....
August 24, 2020
Really good, entertaining, fun 5 book series
A really refreshing departure from most of the current space opera books. The main characters ate not military geniuses that defeat all who attack them. The main characters are each unique and brilliant in their own specific ways and are given good character deferment to where you feel you know them and can actually visualize what they look like. I liked the developing story line, the constantly changing situations they find themselves in and best of all their evolving relationships with each other. The best part of this series is there is no ongoing epic space battle that never ends. It is a real story with real people, with believable aliens plus believable human intrigue. I highly recommend this whole series to those who enjoy a story that evolves and develops from beginning to end. It is fun and entertaining with real cliff hangers thrown in to keep you reading to see how they solve this one.
A really refreshing departure from most of the current space opera books. The main characters ate not military geniuses that defeat all who attack them. The main characters are each unique and brilliant in their own specific ways and are given good character deferment to where you feel you know them and can actually visualize what they look like. I liked the developing story line, the constantly changing situations they find themselves in and best of all their evolving relationships with each other. The best part of this series is there is no ongoing epic space battle that never ends. It is a real story with real people, with believable aliens plus believable human intrigue. I highly recommend this whole series to those who enjoy a story that evolves and develops from beginning to end. It is fun and entertaining with real cliff hangers thrown in to keep you reading to see how they solve this one.
December 17, 2019
Good for a casual sci-fi read
This book is NOT hard sci-fi. It’s got a very strong Firefly feel to it. This book has enough charm that it’s a good read for soft sci-fi. Note that some of the scenarios are a little hard to swallow so you have to give in to some small plot hole problems. Also, there’s no doubt that the characters and story benefit from a feeling of camaraderie poached from the series Firefly. There’s just too much that’s similar to be otherwise. That being said the book overall is a casual romp through the stars and it’s just good enough to be a compelling draw for those who like soft sci-fi adventure.
This book is NOT hard sci-fi. It’s got a very strong Firefly feel to it. This book has enough charm that it’s a good read for soft sci-fi. Note that some of the scenarios are a little hard to swallow so you have to give in to some small plot hole problems. Also, there’s no doubt that the characters and story benefit from a feeling of camaraderie poached from the series Firefly. There’s just too much that’s similar to be otherwise. That being said the book overall is a casual romp through the stars and it’s just good enough to be a compelling draw for those who like soft sci-fi adventure.
October 6, 2021
Good Read
Ben, a self taught engineer, lives on an almost destroyed world. Wreckage of war has left deep piles of destroyed space ships where scavengers eek out a subsistence scrounging things from the wrecked ships. He has spent a decade rebuilding a rare type of ship. All he needs now is fuel and a pilot. Kim, a childhood friend and a brief one time lover, is a natural talented pilot, who he hopes to sign on for the job. Great adversity ensures. Challenges arise at every turn. I like the adventure, humor, and cautious development of love. The characters are competent and come together well. I look forward to the next book.
Ben, a self taught engineer, lives on an almost destroyed world. Wreckage of war has left deep piles of destroyed space ships where scavengers eek out a subsistence scrounging things from the wrecked ships. He has spent a decade rebuilding a rare type of ship. All he needs now is fuel and a pilot. Kim, a childhood friend and a brief one time lover, is a natural talented pilot, who he hopes to sign on for the job. Great adversity ensures. Challenges arise at every turn. I like the adventure, humor, and cautious development of love. The characters are competent and come together well. I look forward to the next book.
July 29, 2019
OK space opera
It's a space opera. There's not much else to say about it. The characters aren't badly written and the background universe is standard. It's a bit simplistic and the history of the human race isn't told.
The dialogue and action is OK and the science seems shaky but it's fun to read. There are a couple of plot points that maybe are nonsensical but the story is still fun. Could use a bit of editing but while unremarkable, it's not a bad story. Will read volume 2 with no reservation.
It's a space opera. There's not much else to say about it. The characters aren't badly written and the background universe is standard. It's a bit simplistic and the history of the human race isn't told.
The dialogue and action is OK and the science seems shaky but it's fun to read. There are a couple of plot points that maybe are nonsensical but the story is still fun. Could use a bit of editing but while unremarkable, it's not a bad story. Will read volume 2 with no reservation.
September 24, 2019
A TN. SYFY. Deep Space Action Adventure (KC) (KCSB - 1)
TN. has penned a SYFY. Deep Space Action adventure, which begins with a man rebuilding a space ship on a junk yard world. As he builds he recruits a computer specialist, a woman, who know everything there is to know about computers. Then he locates a weapons expert and makes him part of the crew. The final person he needs to recruit is a pilot, a woman. The four escape from the junk world to challenge the Imperium. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
TN. has penned a SYFY. Deep Space Action adventure, which begins with a man rebuilding a space ship on a junk yard world. As he builds he recruits a computer specialist, a woman, who know everything there is to know about computers. Then he locates a weapons expert and makes him part of the crew. The final person he needs to recruit is a pilot, a woman. The four escape from the junk world to challenge the Imperium. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
October 29, 2019
On a shoestring
From a world of junk to the entirety of space is a dream unsubscribed reality for our intrepid crew of four. Resereacted by the dreams of a frustrated and untrained engineer; who can fix anything; piloted by a reckless young woman frustrated for a life she can't have; steared steered by a computer genius of a young woman who can never nerve herself to.leave her electronic womb and guarded by a cryptic giant who is a weapons genius of few, if any words is the crew. Their mission: overthrow the motherboard in all the galaxy. Ready for the ride
From a world of junk to the entirety of space is a dream unsubscribed reality for our intrepid crew of four. Resereacted by the dreams of a frustrated and untrained engineer; who can fix anything; piloted by a reckless young woman frustrated for a life she can't have; steared steered by a computer genius of a young woman who can never nerve herself to.leave her electronic womb and guarded by a cryptic giant who is a weapons genius of few, if any words is the crew. Their mission: overthrow the motherboard in all the galaxy. Ready for the ride
February 14, 2020
Decent story, poor pacing
Not an altogether new premise, familiar and somewhat predictable. Most of the characters are likable but seem to bounce from 25 year old adults to hormonal teenagers which i found jarring. The beginning is reasonably well done, not much background but that can come later. Once they get off world though the rest of the book is one neck or nothing situation after another. Feels a bit like a rough draft, all bones still waiting for the flesh to be written.
Not an altogether new premise, familiar and somewhat predictable. Most of the characters are likable but seem to bounce from 25 year old adults to hormonal teenagers which i found jarring. The beginning is reasonably well done, not much background but that can come later. Once they get off world though the rest of the book is one neck or nothing situation after another. Feels a bit like a rough draft, all bones still waiting for the flesh to be written.
December 16, 2019
Good story, good read
Kestrel Class is a new and developing book series with a good first book start. Lots of stage setting with the main characters and a good plot and the book moves along smoothly. A good potential platform Burt it remains to be seen if the good start will grow into a compelling series. The challenge will be to integrate further character development with world building and action.
Kestrel Class is a new and developing book series with a good first book start. Lots of stage setting with the main characters and a good plot and the book moves along smoothly. A good potential platform Burt it remains to be seen if the good start will grow into a compelling series. The challenge will be to integrate further character development with world building and action.
November 14, 2019
Good enjoyable story. There are a few areas where the story takes some liberties with the plot to achieve an end, coincidences of events push things on occasion. But all in all an enjoyable read and am on to the next episode. The only other issue are typos and text to ebook where things have not worked, though this is not as bad as in the sequel.
May 7, 2020
First book in a while that I couldnt finish. Felt like it was written by a twelve year old. Too many good coincidences, all characters are one dimensional walking talking scifi tropes. Reads like an amateur Firefly fan-fic with worse characters. Reading this while watching the expanse was probably unfair.
August 28, 2019
If you've ever watched "Firefly" which was an awesome but short lived TV Series about a rag tag team in a space bucket, you'll definitely want to read this series.
The author tells a really good and enjoyable story.
The author tells a really good and enjoyable story.
November 13, 2019
Fun read, I especially like the idea of a crew rebuilding a ship from a junk yard. Characters were rather cliche though - a pilot who lives for thrills; a computer programmer who doesn't like going out much, a tall, tight lipped weapons expert - all rather familiar.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2020
Classic 60s Sci-Fi
The combination of science tech and “magic happenstance” create a story similar to those from the 1960s which I enjoyed so much. Add some industrious characters and a dash of luck, and voila! We have heroes. Mostly a fun read.
The combination of science tech and “magic happenstance” create a story similar to those from the 1960s which I enjoyed so much. Add some industrious characters and a dash of luck, and voila! We have heroes. Mostly a fun read.
October 2, 2021
Fair early adult story, good HITECH though
I enjoyed the technical and violent parts of the story greatly. The inter personal thru me off somehow. Good read and fun sleuthing for parts.
I enjoyed the technical and violent parts of the story greatly. The inter personal thru me off somehow. Good read and fun sleuthing for parts.
July 28, 2022
Good read..
This was an easy, good read. A little light on the "science" side but it moves along nicely. Likeable characters with good background development that doesn't bog down the story.
This was an easy, good read. A little light on the "science" side but it moves along nicely. Likeable characters with good background development that doesn't bog down the story.
November 3, 2022
story is ok, too simple. only read about 60% before dropping it. feels like it is aimed young adult and apparently that audience is looking for simple plot lines and easy story lines to match the simple language.
March 7, 2024
Kestrel class book 1
I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the characters except for the drama between the mechanic and pilot. The drama continues through the whole series. Which was the only drawback to the storyline.
I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the characters except for the drama between the mechanic and pilot. The drama continues through the whole series. Which was the only drawback to the storyline.
July 31, 2019
Enjoyable!
Well written and exciting to read! Enjoyed the story get much and I feel the characters are coming to life as it goes on!
Well written and exciting to read! Enjoyed the story get much and I feel the characters are coming to life as it goes on!
August 3, 2019
Good
A good start to a new series and I am looking forward to see what happens next for the crew.
A good start to a new series and I am looking forward to see what happens next for the crew.
August 10, 2019
Outstanding
Lots of fun. Seventeen more words can not say more than that. Than you Mr. Neighbors for a couple of hours of fun.
Lots of fun. Seventeen more words can not say more than that. Than you Mr. Neighbors for a couple of hours of fun.
August 13, 2019
Really like this series so far
August 15, 2019
Did I hear an echo?
Thoroughly enjoyed this first episode of the series. Good story, interesting characters, well written. Highly recommended. Reading no. 2 now.
Thoroughly enjoyed this first episode of the series. Good story, interesting characters, well written. Highly recommended. Reading no. 2 now.
August 27, 2019
An interesting start to this story. Excellent characters if a bit cliched and immature.
September 13, 2019
Likable characters. Interesting premise. Love the interaction. Clean read. Suitable for teens and interesting enough for adults.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews