Conviction

Scattered Stars: Conviction #1

by Glynn Stewart

A starfighter squadron driven to desertion
Hunted by friends and enemies alike
With one final hope for a new beginning

The last reward Kira Demirci expected for heroism in a time of war was to spend the rest of her life dodging assassins—but when her government betrays her as part of their surrender, she and her comrades flee the star system of Apollo to the edge of civilized space.

The Syntactic Cluster is disorganized, disunified, and in desperate need of the nova fighters Kira smuggled out of Apollo with her. With an entire squadron supposed to follow in her wake, it falls to her to build a new home for her comrades.

But their enemy’s reach may be longer than her worst nightmares—and even her new friends may not be all that they appear…

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Military Fiction, Audiobook, Military Science Fiction, Space, Science Fiction Fantasy

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2020

About the author

Glynn Stewart is the author of over 60 books, including Starship’s Mage, a bestselling science fiction and fantasy series where faster-than-light travel is possible–but only because of magic.

Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.

Reviews

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 2 out of 5]

💀 DNF at 54%.

Yeah, well, no, I don't think so.

Bye now.



P.S. My fifth DNF in less than a month, I think this must be a new personal record! Go me and stuff! 💪💪

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

2* for this book. 3* for the series.

I am ambivalent about this series. The books are reasonably well written but quite a few things really don't work for me, e.g. an FTL system that allows ships to jump around within systems but not outside them, the Equilibrium Institute, the winner of a war caring so much about members of the loser's military, the wokeness, Glynn's persistent use of the word "chuckle" etc.

43 chuckles.

(Rewritten after reading book 6.)

[Mike Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Conviction' was great entertainment. It delivered an engaging story, built a convincing future world, delivered some good battle scenes and opened up enough possibilities to make me want to read the next book in the series without feeling that I'd been left hanging

This is how an entertaining Military SF series should start. The prose is clear and crisp. There's a strong forward motion that establishes the main character and does some swift world-building without descending into info-dumps or over-wrought introspection.

I liked that 'Conviction' was a shoot-em-up video game disguised as Military SF. It has a plot, with layers to it and it has some characters the reader can invest in.

I also like that it was soaked in all those way-of-the-warrior, duty-honour-sacrifice, death-or-glory attitudes that Military SF sometimes promotes. That's achieved partly by a clever plot twist. The main character and her team are former military, betrayed by their leadership who, after signing a peace agreement that betrayed their allies, stood idly by while their former enemy covertly sent assassins after the pilots in the elite space pilot units that had scored the most kills against them. Those who survived the first wave of assassins are on the run with a price on their heads and are regrouping as mercenaries in an outer system. This background means that their motivations are more personal and more rational than doing their duty.

The plot is well thought through. The pace of the storytelling was slow enough for me to settle into the world and the people while still keeping me moving forward. Each development in the plot widened the worldview and introduced new characters. The writing was clean and clear. The battle scenes, which were complex and very high-tech, worked well. The characterisation was light but not cartoonish.

At the end of the book, I was left wanting me while being satisfied with what I'd already been given. I'll be back for the next book in this series the next time I'm in the mood for some Military SF.

[Samantha Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome universe!

I received an advance review copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

And once again I am buying the book even though I got it for free first!

I've yet to read a book by Glynn that wasn't at least entertaining and often his books are the kind that encourage and uplift.

This book is less on the humorous side than usual for Glynn, I would say. There are still some funny moments, though, and the book itself feels lighter than it could if you consider what happens in it...you should read the book instead of my review so you know what I'm talking about!

I love the main character and the fact that she's not just another ship captain - in fact she's not in charge of anything at all except her group of pilots. She makes good decisions and seems to have a good heart. I like that she comes across as both good at her job and human.

I also enjoy all of the secondary characters in this book. Normally I end up disliking one or two but I think Glynn was able to flesh them all out as needed, no character sticks out as just a plot device, etc.

Why are you still reading my review?!?! Download this book now! :-)

[Nooilforpacifists · Rating 2 out of 5]

Subject, verb, object. It seems so simple. But getting it on paper is so tough.

Glynn Stewart has a germ of an idea here. So much so that I went ahead and read the two sequels to this book. Yet in “Conviction,” the author apparently thought she could string slang—“nova,” “capital ship,” “I’ve got the ball”— and come out with a story. Sorry to say, you have to write back to front, and you have to have a plot readers can understand.

I stuck it out because of the “chick in space” aspect, and the next book was better.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts well, but slowly drifts away and I was beginning to wonder if I should continue, fortunately after halfway it picked up again and became a decent space opera.
I’m not sure I’m happy about the galaxy wide conspiracy plotline, but I am going to continue following Kira.
If possible I would have given 3.5 stars.

[Damaged142 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good!

I really enjoyed this book, it started a little slow/weird, with Kira trying to get her squadron together, but it was very well put together.

I originally didn't want to read this series because of the blurb, an exiled officer turns mercenary was not something I thought I would find interesting. But I was happily mistaken with this book.

This series has the potential to be very good, and I am seeing the start of a very interesting overarching story taking form.

Very excited to read the next one

[STEVEN JOHNSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scattered Stars

Another great beginning for a new series by Glynn Stewart. Our hero, having been thrown to the wolves by her government, seeks refuge in a different sector of space. She begins the process of building a mercenary company to employ and protect her fellow surviving squadron mates. I look forward to future books in this series.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Conviction is a great start to another series. The book follows a former military fighter pilot after her country betrays her and drops enough information to provide background for the story while giving the feeling that there's so much more to know. I can't wait to see the follow-up books and would love to see some novellas filling in the backstory. Both the heroine and the supporting characters are interesting and relatable.

[Ridel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corporations in Space

Conviction is set in a classic space opera universe, with WW2-style dogfights and carrier-based power projection. With plenty of pew-pew and a narrative centered on a Starfighter pilot, readers looking for military sci-fi should be happy. While some efforts to make Conviction unique come up short, the author actually undersells the superbly realized concept of a Nova Fighter.

This solo narrative from Kira Demirci is as fast-paced as her flight from Apollo to the Syntactic Cluster. Despite being a refugee/emigrant, her situation is neither deperate nor in-doubt. Wielding both resources and unique skills, the vast majority of the first act feels more like a primer on space corporations. Business structures, contracts, legal entities; it’s a very unique topic as far as science-fiction is concerned… though not what one expects when following the exploits of a decorated ace pilot.

In fact, there’s something exceptional about the extrapolation of technology and applying it to mundane matters. “Artificial Stupids” is the lovely in-universe term for AI, which has proliferated and taken over most menial services. Holograms allow for quick redecoration of rooms, and computers installed in everyone’s heads manages all of society: identification, ownership documents, and of course, communications. It’s both impressive and yet unimaginative, like how the Jetsons proposed a flying car and a wall-sized video phone.

But we’re here for military sci-fi, and Glynn Stewart delivers plenty of starfighter combat and carrier groups smashing into each other. The universe is realistically imagined; the pocket fiefdoms and local hegemonies a natural result of technological limitations and logistical delays. There’s a lot of background worldbuilding that went into humanity’s spread into the stars, and nowhere is this more obvious than the incredible Nova FTL drive. As presented, there are two types of drives, one of which carries a lot but recharges slowly, while the other is its exact opposite. The result is filled with tactical possibilities and strategic depth.

While I feel the author missed a tremendous storytelling opportunity by resettling Kira too easily, the third act surprised me. In particular, the Nova Fighter is the result of small technological details compounding into something… fundamental. To me, that’s the very definition of science-fiction literature.

Recommended.

Series Overall Spoiler-Free Thoughts

★★★★☆ Conviction (Scattered Stars: Conviction #1)
★★★★☆ Deception (Scattered Stars: Conviction #2)
★★★★★ Equilibrium (Scattered Stars: Conviction #3)
★★★★☆ Fortitude (Scattered Stars: Conviction #4)
★★★☆☆ Huntress (Scattered Stars: Conviction #5)
★★★★☆ Prodigal (Scattered Stars: Conviction #6)

Better seen as two trilogies set in the same universe, Scattered Stars teeters back and forth between grand strategic military campaigns and political thrillers focused on intrigue and diplomacy. As the author has failed to blend the two genres together, the overall quality of the series will depend on how much you enjoy the ingredients individually.

★★★★☆ - Recommended

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid book from Glynn Stewart. He consistently writes good heroic space opera that uses different technologies to influence his themes of loyalty and honor and fighting the broken systems. The heroine is cut from his usual mold, no surprises there other than maybe that Stewart is writing a core protagonist who is a woman.

A fun spin on the overarching antagonist organization, I’m curious whether he will make them more sympathetic than he does here, they definitely have the do harm for the greater good. I suspect I’ll be mildly disappointed as they continue down being slightly too hard line for sympathy. I did appreciate the Asimov reference.

And I did love how Stewart made dogfighting space fighters a thing - the classic issue with them in most science fiction is that space warfare is more akin to sub warfare than WWII dogfighting, but the use of jammers to block/distort all signals brings fighters back into the mix because you aren’t having multi hour running chase scenes.

[Tony Hinde · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 27%

I was drowning in details. How ships operated; how to set up a business on a new planet; how the political system worked... The protagonist was already behind the eight-ball and seemed to have no hope of getting out from under her troubles. I just got sick of waiting for the plot to start.

[Yuosiph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excited for what’s next!

Every time I read one of Glynn Stewart’s new series I think this one will not be as good. I have enjoyed being proven wrong. Give it a try. You will not regret it.

[Niaka Gruneberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it can’t wait for more!

I loved the story can’t wait for more, definitely a fan of a little romance for Demerci though so give your female readers some hope there please!!

[Dale (Aus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. A little slow getting to the action but gripping and fun. I will read more on this series when they are available.

[Jackson Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered this book in advance and waited impatiently for it to show up on my kindle. Glynn was done it again creating a universe and people you grow to care about. As great a world builder as he is his narrative keeps you turning pages and the end comes much to soon. Highly recommended as he gets better with each book.

[Sean Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting new universe

Glynn Stewart knows how to weave a tale. This new universe is proof positive of that. While I'd LOVE to have more Starship's Mage or Changeling stories, this one was a great read.

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

Incredible new book by Glynn Stewart, great world, awesome characters, deep plot beginning to surface... this is an incredible book!

[Justin Redman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Very good space opera with good characters. The storyline is well done and the game is on for more books

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great science fiction story of galactic intrigue, tactical battles in space, and insight into the dynamics of people living and dying in space, and coping with all the issues space combat entails. I enjoyed this entry into a new series, and looking forward to seeing how the adventure unfolds.

[Jim Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four stars

Decent action,decent characters. I like the different levels in the story. I will read the next one. Three more words.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

The usual space wars in many ways. However, it is somewhat interesting. If there is a series, I have not yet decided whether to read more.

I should mention that this book complies with the bully culture of political correctness as viewed by some unknown portion of the English speaking population, and probably of populations using other languages. It is sometimes difficult to figure out exactly what is meant by "their". Also, the portion of the population that seems to worry about gender (or other) identity appears very high. Another aspect I wonder about is why the skin color of various characters is so significant to the author when such identity groups would seem superficial to many people. In my opinion, the use of non-standard pronouns and identifying people by their skin color is only done to appease the bullies. On the other hand, why don't we use a single pronoun to refer to people (or even things, as I believe the author refers to a spaceship as she)? He used to be used for that purpose, although that may not be appropriate for historical reasons. How about "che"? Why should I care if the person is male, female or other, or what gender that person considers cheself, or whether their partner (s) is of a particular gender or gender identity?

Anyway, none of the topics I mention in the previous complaint seem to have any impact on the story.

[Joe McGowan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mister Steward has written some amazing tales, unfortunately for me this was not one of them. Upfront, I gave up reading at 46%, frankly I was bored. The story line drags, the action and intrigue takes place off scene, and the characters, while well described never took on life for me. I look forward to his continuing tales for the Duchess of Terra, and the Changeling.

[Suz · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This one is for all you military gun porn enthusiast, of which I am not one.

[Bory · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Here's the thing, Glynn Stewart churns out books at a rate I've not actually seen before. The man basically publishes a book a month. And they're are fairly competently written. How? Why? No one know.

I've read several of his books before - the first six installments of the Duchy of Terra, from the Terran Privateer through the Imperium Defiant, and I liked them well enough, though less towards later books. It's not that they got worse, but more so that they all felt like the same book. But here, with Conviction, is a new universe, with new characters, so I figured I'll give it a go... and, yeah, it still feels like the same book. Again, it's not bad. I've just already read it six times.

Glynn Stewart, as far as I understand it, used to be an accountant and, boy, does it show. He has this obsession with figures that, honestly, make my eyes glaze over. Everything is measured, everything's size, distance, etc. is listed. And it all amounts to white noise. That a spaceship is fifty-five kilo cubic meters in size is meaningless information because, let's be honest, the average person reading this has no concept of what this actually looks like. Putting something along the lines of "which is comparable to a large old Earth cruise liner" somewhere in there so that our 21-century based brains have a real world comprehension basis would go a long way to make these books better, I think.

Also, can I, please, finally stumble upon a book this year that does not have a forced, unnecessary romantic subplot?

Anyway, not to be overly negative. The action scenes are fun, and the main character is likable enough. There is a grander plot taking place, which is interesting, and the antagonists appear intriguing. I might continue with the series.

Edit: scrolling through the next book, I spy with my little eye yet another unnecessary, forced romantic subplot. I'm out. Bye, Felicia.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging Story

I enjoyed reading overall although I do think that it was bogged down a bit by technical jargon and explaining the science behind things.

The worst thing though was the italics! Oh my goodness! So many italics. You practically can’t get through a paragraph without one or more of them. They appear in the external dialogue, internal dialogue, and narration.

I’m the kind of reader who hears the story and dialogue in my head as I’m reading along. As such, every time I see italics in a text I silently emphasize that word…as that is essentially what they are meant to do. So you can imagine how frustrating it was to repeatedly and regularly encounter things like,

“Now, I believe the bet was on *ONE* game,” she continued with a grin. “Then best of three for double the money. Then best of *FIVE* for double *THAT.” (This one wasn’t as bad)

Given the sheer number of them it definitely disrupted the flow of the story. Only very rarely were they used appropriately (to emphasize something that truly needed it). If this book could be reformatted to remove 99% of them it would have been a much more enjoyable read.

Having said all that though, I am going to give book 2 a try and hope the author didn’t do the same. He is a good storyteller overall and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next for the characters.

[Nathan Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right off the bat, I enjoyed the character development of the female lead. The characters in this book/series are not complex, but they are written well enough to be enjoyable, relatable, and sufficiently enigmatic and interesting when necessary. The story line is solid, the world building is good, the technology is kept to a minimum, but effectively used. The pace is great, and the book is easy to read.... except for some "wokeness" that seems be implemented for no apparent reason. Single male characters are referred to as They instead of Him, which is very off-putting because as a reader you think, wait, was there another person in that scene? It's highly distracting. I personally did not care for the fact that a disproportionally large percentage of the male characters were gay. It was a bit too "in your face" of an unneccessary statement of some sort from the author, along with the random emphasis on pronouns that were unnecessary. Other than these minor things that would break your stride while reading, it was a decent story and I look forward to the second book in the series.

[Cali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story, I adored the characters, and the universe was simply awesome. But there was nothing I enjoyed more than reading about a universe where racism, sexism, and bigotry all seem to NOT exist and all the characters and star systems were so diverse(at least compared to what I’ve read before, I want more like this). This would be my ideal sci-fi future that I’d want to live in. You know... without the enormous shadowy and fanatical organization trying to control the universe. :)

Other pluses:
+ Head tech was really cool and how it affected everything from daily life to space dog fights.
+ Fighter squadron camaraderie. ❤️ (pilots are the best! So funny.)
+ Great fight scenes.
+ Really interesting background information on systems, governments, etc and how it affects current events and why. (No info dumping, artful inclusions)
+ Space mercenaries! And a lot of them were really decent people, who really liked money.
+ Kira Demerci is just an all around great character and was an absolute joy to read about.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a solid fan of Gylnn Stewart. I've read most of "Castle Federation", all of "Duchy of Terra", "Exile" and a few of his one-offs. He does a great job of balancing action and drama and filling the space with characters that you can believe in.

Then we come to this. Still a good balance of action and drama and some decent characters. It seems that Steawart left a bit out on the character side here. I don't know if he is attempting to pander to "Gender Wokeness" or if he really feels that gender confusion is a substitute for character development. It just seems to me that in an age of medical nanites and quite probably tailored viruses that Gender Dysphoria could be cured by a pill. People could pick their gender or even choose perfect androgyny.

It's a good story but far from what I expected from Glynn Stewart.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro to a new series

And yet another great book by Mr. Stewart. I'll admit I was hoping for another Starship Mage book, but this one easily filled the need. Strong main character, believable supporting cast, and the plot never felt like it bogged down. I also liked the bits of information about the overall universe, but it was never fully fledged out... And that is just fine. Read it, and you'll gleefully understand better than I'm explaining.

I felt there was a bit of stretching done about the villains' introduction, but it was handled in believable manner after I kept reading. I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series.

That's all. Bye bye.