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Mastery of the Stars #1
The Doomed Planet
Finding himself suspended upside down from a burning tree above a pack of ravenous beasts was a bit of a surprise for Sevan.
It had been one heck of a week. One minute he'd been struggling to meet his Corporation targets, the next he'd been promoted...
And then he'd found himself on a stolen freighter with the Resistance, on their way to find the President of the system.
But sometimes, stuff like that just happens... right?
When he discovers that the President is really a ball of gas, and the Corporation is trying to destroy the presidential cruiser on which he's trapped, that's when he starts to lose his sense of humour.
It couldn't possibly get worse ... or could it?
If this book was the illegitimate offspring of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Star Wars, they would probably put it up for adoption.
The Doomed Planet is the first novella in the light-hearted Mastery of the Stars space opera series.
It had been one heck of a week. One minute he'd been struggling to meet his Corporation targets, the next he'd been promoted...
And then he'd found himself on a stolen freighter with the Resistance, on their way to find the President of the system.
But sometimes, stuff like that just happens... right?
When he discovers that the President is really a ball of gas, and the Corporation is trying to destroy the presidential cruiser on which he's trapped, that's when he starts to lose his sense of humour.
It couldn't possibly get worse ... or could it?
If this book was the illegitimate offspring of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Star Wars, they would probably put it up for adoption.
The Doomed Planet is the first novella in the light-hearted Mastery of the Stars space opera series.
- GenresScience Fiction
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2019
12 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 7, 2020
Even test tube aliens have feelings
A most unusual plot. Sevan is just a cog in the corporate world. He is unassuming, underperforming, satisfied to only exist in his humdrum world. Then his name is chosen in the lottery to represent the workers on his planet.
His whole life changes, not necessarily for the better. Who would have thought that he'd become a target for the corporation? Read to find out how he joins the fray of a revolution! Can he outwit AI and the corporation?
For crying out loud, how many times will he pass out in the heat of battle? A most unlikely hero!
A most unusual plot. Sevan is just a cog in the corporate world. He is unassuming, underperforming, satisfied to only exist in his humdrum world. Then his name is chosen in the lottery to represent the workers on his planet.
His whole life changes, not necessarily for the better. Who would have thought that he'd become a target for the corporation? Read to find out how he joins the fray of a revolution! Can he outwit AI and the corporation?
For crying out loud, how many times will he pass out in the heat of battle? A most unlikely hero!
December 7, 2019
I loved this book! I reminded me of old science fiction writing! Wow! Excellent! Brillent writting! Loved the characters! I wanted more! Couldn't put it down! I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary honest review!
February 17, 2020
Overall this was a good book. Started off not making a lot of sense, but slowly things were pulled in, to fill in the big picture. It ended very well, making you wonder what was next for the characters. I would recommend this book.
December 7, 2019
This is a very quirky space opera. if you ever read Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and enjoyed it, then MJ Dees’ Mastery of the Stars series is something you need to read. This first installment follows Sevan as he becomes upwardly mobile in more ways than one. It also introduces some very likable characters who all have their own eccentricities. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
December 7, 2019
Interesting characters. Good airport read while waiting. Next?
April 26, 2020
Easy quick read with lots of action, space battles and twisted outcomes. Suitable for teens and older who enjoy Space Opera. The excellent blurb outlines the plot. Great dialogue, fun characters and very interesting world building. Enjoy.
Spoiler alert!
On a mining planet known as The Doomed Planet, Sevan just wanted to remain anonymous. He lives a simple life of drugery. anxious to meet his production targets, anxious not draw attention to himself. Selected by lottery as the worker's representative Sevan faints. Sevan faints a lot, especially when presented with stressful situations.
Thus Sevan is catapulted into a life of luxury that he enjoys and a conspiracy role he doesn't want. Sevan becomes entangled in a world of politics, lies and war. As members of the resistance, Ay-ttho (a very cranky pilot if you wake her up before she's ready) , and a ship's AI, Ron, are tasked with getting a very confused and reluctant Sevan to his destination. Yes, it was a VERY bad week that resulted in him dangling from a burning tree above vicious beasts.
This book can stand alone as this adventure winds up. I personally hate cliff hangers, so no hanging out for the next book to find out how it ends. However, there is opportunity for more adventures.
Spoiler alert!
On a mining planet known as The Doomed Planet, Sevan just wanted to remain anonymous. He lives a simple life of drugery. anxious to meet his production targets, anxious not draw attention to himself. Selected by lottery as the worker's representative Sevan faints. Sevan faints a lot, especially when presented with stressful situations.
Thus Sevan is catapulted into a life of luxury that he enjoys and a conspiracy role he doesn't want. Sevan becomes entangled in a world of politics, lies and war. As members of the resistance, Ay-ttho (a very cranky pilot if you wake her up before she's ready) , and a ship's AI, Ron, are tasked with getting a very confused and reluctant Sevan to his destination. Yes, it was a VERY bad week that resulted in him dangling from a burning tree above vicious beasts.
This book can stand alone as this adventure winds up. I personally hate cliff hangers, so no hanging out for the next book to find out how it ends. However, there is opportunity for more adventures.
October 25, 2022
I’m embarrassed to admit that I had no idea this was meant to be somewhat comedic when I went into the read, and even more embarrassed to admit that it took me a very long time to realize it was. In my defence, I was super high off of a surprisingly strong edible.
This was a decent read, chock full of humour and important themes. The writing itself could have used some polishing (lot of repetitive words and some strangely formatted sentences, and I’m pretty sure some grammar rules were broken), but not bad. Sevan made for an amusing and interesting reluctant hero, with his somewhat mindless antics getting him out of some very close calls.
I received this book as a freebie for signing up for the author’s newsletter.
This was a decent read, chock full of humour and important themes. The writing itself could have used some polishing (lot of repetitive words and some strangely formatted sentences, and I’m pretty sure some grammar rules were broken), but not bad. Sevan made for an amusing and interesting reluctant hero, with his somewhat mindless antics getting him out of some very close calls.
I received this book as a freebie for signing up for the author’s newsletter.
May 18, 2021
2,5 *
Fun and light (ce premier tome est plus une novella qu'un roman amha)
Sevan est un anti héros sympathique (ses congénères portent des prénoms dérivés de nombres et on comprend pourquoi quand on connait leurs origines) Le thème principal est comme toujours l'exploitation versus la résistance
Le monde imaginé par l'auteur a son charme Il m'a manqué un petit quelque chose - peut-être un peu plus de profondeur ... des passages qui auraient mérité plus de tension plutôt qu'une vision centrée sur le côté humoristique pour justement faire contraste avec la personnalité de Sevan
Fun and light (ce premier tome est plus une novella qu'un roman amha)
Sevan est un anti héros sympathique (ses congénères portent des prénoms dérivés de nombres et on comprend pourquoi quand on connait leurs origines) Le thème principal est comme toujours l'exploitation versus la résistance
Le monde imaginé par l'auteur a son charme Il m'a manqué un petit quelque chose - peut-être un peu plus de profondeur ... des passages qui auraient mérité plus de tension plutôt qu'une vision centrée sur le côté humoristique pour justement faire contraste avec la personnalité de Sevan
March 22, 2021
Interesting world-building, twisty plot, reluctant hero
A very original story. Sevant's twist-and-turns, GULP!! FAINT!! ARRGH IT'S TRUE, journey of discovery upends most of his beliefs about his world and his role in it. In the process he makes four off-world friends and helps start a revolution in how worlds like his are run. More surprises are coming in the next book of the series.
A very original story. Sevant's twist-and-turns, GULP!! FAINT!! ARRGH IT'S TRUE, journey of discovery upends most of his beliefs about his world and his role in it. In the process he makes four off-world friends and helps start a revolution in how worlds like his are run. More surprises are coming in the next book of the series.
June 14, 2021
This book is definitely not the norm of sy-fi fiction. I know a few others have mentioned this in their review but if you ever read and enjoyed Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - you will love this book. As a first in a series you will find that they characters are just developing and there will be more to come. The storyline is solid. I would encourage you to pick up this book, It is a great read!
April 28, 2024
The novella appears to be self-published by the author, and while I would dearly like to support such initiative, I must report that this book is not a keeper for me. It has been a while since I read a book targeted at a youngish audience; I would probably have loved the book in Junior High/Middle School. It is a mildly humorous tale that starts in a stock worker-dystopia, then moves to space opera. The protagonist is a young, male, green-skinned worker with antennae, who is unexpectedly and against-his-will propelled into a role in which he is challenged to save his world. I hope this book finds its audience.
June 18, 2021
Sevan is a worker for the Corporation. He is selected by lottery to be the representative, but before he knows it, he is on a hijacked freighter, and involved in a war. And the President is a ball of gas.
August 17, 2020
I got this free from the author in exchange for this review. It is a call out of your chair, crack your ribs laughing experience. I liked it so much that I bought the box set. Highly recommended.
June 23, 2021
A different sci-fi story
While the story is about aliens it could be about us and our society in the future or maybe right now!
While the story is about aliens it could be about us and our society in the future or maybe right now!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews