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Special Forces 01
Captain Arystair Savar has seen more of war in his seventeen years than most retired officers. He has been defending his home colony from the Nova Federation ever since he graduated from the Army Academy at 14 years old. Still, even with every effort of the Fourth Colony soldiers, they are forced to abandon the half-destroyed colony for the safer planet of Bijordan.
Now displaced from the only home they know, the Special Forces of Fourth Colony have to adapt to a planet and culture they’ve little experience with. After only a few weeks on Bijordan, they discover that Nova isn’t satisfied with just Fourth Colony. They want Bijordan’s wealth and resources as well.
While the Special Forces fight to find their footing in this strangely familiar environment, can they once again find a way to defend against Nova’s schemes?
Now displaced from the only home they know, the Special Forces of Fourth Colony have to adapt to a planet and culture they’ve little experience with. After only a few weeks on Bijordan, they discover that Nova isn’t satisfied with just Fourth Colony. They want Bijordan’s wealth and resources as well.
While the Special Forces fight to find their footing in this strangely familiar environment, can they once again find a way to defend against Nova’s schemes?
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2012
108 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Honor Raconteur
63 books841 followersEver since I was a toddler, I have been making up stories. I’d entertain anyone willing to listen to my wild fantasies about unicorns and gargoyles and amazing people. At 13, I started writing the stories down. At 23, I finished the first book that was, in my opinion, good enough to publish.
I spent three years trying to publish my book, Jaunten, the old fashioned way. The problem was my story was outside of the norm for young adult fantasy – it didn’t have vampires or the supernatural in it, it was clean enough to earn a PG rating, and there wasn’t any dark overlord to defeat. No literary agent would pick it up because it didn’t fit the “fantasy formula” that all of the popular books did.
I put the idea of having my book published off to the side for a while as I finished a Bachelors in English at Middle Tennessee State University. But as I worked on my third degree, the idea of being published came back to me. This time, while working as a paralegal, I had a better grasp of the laws involved of doing self-publishing. For six months, I did a great deal of research in how to do self-publishing the debt-free way.
It was hard. I was working full time, going to school full time, and living on my own. I never really had a break. I was always working on something. At times I felt like my brain would just go into meltdown from having to learn so many different things to make my idea work.
After six months, I thought I knew enough to publish myself. I put Jaunten out as an ebook, created a website and forum so that fans could communicate with me, and spread the word as best I could. Within three months, I was selling internationally. Within six months, I was making enough to quit my day job and sit at home, writing full time.
After six months of writing, publishing, and building up a reputation, I started to be approached by other people wanting to emulate what I did. I soon realized that there was a niche out there waiting for me to fill it—a place where original fiction could be published and released into the world. As of February 2012, I started my own publishing house, called Raconteur House. Since that point I have signed on four additional authors (not including yours truly) and am attracting more in a steady stream.
I have continued to write and publish the rest of the series through my House. When I’m not writing or editing, I like to go out into the community and give presentations of how to be an author. It’s actually really fun to talk to all of these people who want to be authors. Most people think that you can’t make any money being an author—actually, you can. And you can do quite well. It’s just a matter of working really hard, having a little talent, and knowing how to market your books. All I’m doing with these presentations is giving people the know-how to make their dreams come true.
While it’s true that you don’t need a college education to be an author, I encourage everyone to be as educated as possible. I have a lot of experience and education that most people don’t, and that’s what gives me an edge in writing. I’ve lived in places as obscure as Tehachapi, California and other places as large as Salt Lake City, Utah. I hold three different college degrees. I practice two different martial arts. I think I’ve tried every life experience that came my direction. All of that is incorporated into my books, and that’s what gives reality to my worlds and characters.
Even if I abruptly stop selling books tomorrow—which I don’t see happening—I would still continue to write. Creating characters and worlds is that much fun. Once you start, you become quickly addicted.
I spent three years trying to publish my book, Jaunten, the old fashioned way. The problem was my story was outside of the norm for young adult fantasy – it didn’t have vampires or the supernatural in it, it was clean enough to earn a PG rating, and there wasn’t any dark overlord to defeat. No literary agent would pick it up because it didn’t fit the “fantasy formula” that all of the popular books did.
I put the idea of having my book published off to the side for a while as I finished a Bachelors in English at Middle Tennessee State University. But as I worked on my third degree, the idea of being published came back to me. This time, while working as a paralegal, I had a better grasp of the laws involved of doing self-publishing. For six months, I did a great deal of research in how to do self-publishing the debt-free way.
It was hard. I was working full time, going to school full time, and living on my own. I never really had a break. I was always working on something. At times I felt like my brain would just go into meltdown from having to learn so many different things to make my idea work.
After six months, I thought I knew enough to publish myself. I put Jaunten out as an ebook, created a website and forum so that fans could communicate with me, and spread the word as best I could. Within three months, I was selling internationally. Within six months, I was making enough to quit my day job and sit at home, writing full time.
After six months of writing, publishing, and building up a reputation, I started to be approached by other people wanting to emulate what I did. I soon realized that there was a niche out there waiting for me to fill it—a place where original fiction could be published and released into the world. As of February 2012, I started my own publishing house, called Raconteur House. Since that point I have signed on four additional authors (not including yours truly) and am attracting more in a steady stream.
I have continued to write and publish the rest of the series through my House. When I’m not writing or editing, I like to go out into the community and give presentations of how to be an author. It’s actually really fun to talk to all of these people who want to be authors. Most people think that you can’t make any money being an author—actually, you can. And you can do quite well. It’s just a matter of working really hard, having a little talent, and knowing how to market your books. All I’m doing with these presentations is giving people the know-how to make their dreams come true.
While it’s true that you don’t need a college education to be an author, I encourage everyone to be as educated as possible. I have a lot of experience and education that most people don’t, and that’s what gives me an edge in writing. I’ve lived in places as obscure as Tehachapi, California and other places as large as Salt Lake City, Utah. I hold three different college degrees. I practice two different martial arts. I think I’ve tried every life experience that came my direction. All of that is incorporated into my books, and that’s what gives reality to my worlds and characters.
Even if I abruptly stop selling books tomorrow—which I don’t see happening—I would still continue to write. Creating characters and worlds is that much fun. Once you start, you become quickly addicted.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 29, 2021
Shame there's no chance of a sequel but still a good hero finding roots type story. 🙂
May 18, 2022
Attention, all Army Brats!
This is one of those books that starts just a bit....slow. But Oh My Word, Does She Pick Up The Pace, Or What! (pardon me while I giggle about a STORYTELLER named RACONTEUR) Ms Raconteur, PLEASE corner more of the 01's. Their stories are engaging, great good fun, and strongly remind me of sitting very quietly at summertime dinner tables as a child, while the sky darkened, and Old Soldiers told the "No shit I was there" background to the stories we thought we knew. My father was one of those Old Soldiers. Thank you for this, and I look forward to many more.
This is one of those books that starts just a bit....slow. But Oh My Word, Does She Pick Up The Pace, Or What! (pardon me while I giggle about a STORYTELLER named RACONTEUR) Ms Raconteur, PLEASE corner more of the 01's. Their stories are engaging, great good fun, and strongly remind me of sitting very quietly at summertime dinner tables as a child, while the sky darkened, and Old Soldiers told the "No shit I was there" background to the stories we thought we knew. My father was one of those Old Soldiers. Thank you for this, and I look forward to many more.
February 13, 2023
Grace from Training
This book has the usual virtues of an Honor Raconteur novel: A loving and supportive community with diverse skills and interests helping the protagonist grow new roots and branches; a budding of a couple’s friendship into courting and trust; and a defeat of ‘bad guys’. It also gives a sense of the military virtues, honed by previous trials of these young men into five working teams, and they embrace them with dignity when it is needed, but they also have the exuberance and driving energy of late teen youth.It is an honor to meet them.
This book has the usual virtues of an Honor Raconteur novel: A loving and supportive community with diverse skills and interests helping the protagonist grow new roots and branches; a budding of a couple’s friendship into courting and trust; and a defeat of ‘bad guys’. It also gives a sense of the military virtues, honed by previous trials of these young men into five working teams, and they embrace them with dignity when it is needed, but they also have the exuberance and driving energy of late teen youth.It is an honor to meet them.
July 30, 2021
When the war is over...
This is astonishingly good SF book from an author who usually writes fantasy. It is a subject I've never seen in a book before. What do you do with teenage soldiers when the war is over? The soldiers of SF 01 were children when they entered the military academy on Colony 4. Then they went into battle. Now they need to adjust to civilian life.
The only flaw is that the author twice uses "intergalactic" when it should be "interstellar."
This is astonishingly good SF book from an author who usually writes fantasy. It is a subject I've never seen in a book before. What do you do with teenage soldiers when the war is over? The soldiers of SF 01 were children when they entered the military academy on Colony 4. Then they went into battle. Now they need to adjust to civilian life.
The only flaw is that the author twice uses "intergalactic" when it should be "interstellar."
November 28, 2024
The concept of child solders is normally not an enjoyable one; the general practice that we see in the news is not something we want to see done. This author took this concept and put it in the context of a proper military with proper military training, and then addresses a normal trial of soldiers - that of learning to fit into civilian life. This is one of my personal comfort reads, which means I read it often!
July 8, 2021
Not the usual but what a story
I began reading this book wondering if I would enjoy it as much as Honor's other works. I have so enjoyed her magical works I was not sure how I would feel about her si fi style. Of course she came through with a great story with all the elements of war teenage against love and family
Highly recommende this book
I began reading this book wondering if I would enjoy it as much as Honor's other works. I have so enjoyed her magical works I was not sure how I would feel about her si fi style. Of course she came through with a great story with all the elements of war teenage against love and family
Highly recommende this book
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November 9, 2022A surprisingly deft military sf tale
I'm more an SF fan than fantasy, but found Raconteur's books beguiling. This one surprised me. It has some of the relationship and romance focus from her fantasies, but the main character is very different, grimmer, male, a soldier. Raconteur handles the transition of genres (from fantasy to more sf) smoothly. Loved it.
I'm more an SF fan than fantasy, but found Raconteur's books beguiling. This one surprised me. It has some of the relationship and romance focus from her fantasies, but the main character is very different, grimmer, male, a soldier. Raconteur handles the transition of genres (from fantasy to more sf) smoothly. Loved it.
May 22, 2023
Another winner
Can't think why I didn't read this one years ago - oh that would be bcs there is no audio version of the book!
I love all the MCs and SCs. The world building is awesome. It's about ordinary people called to do the extraordinary in order to preserve their way of life. It's sweet and clean romance and handsome / pretty / talented young people.
Can't think why I didn't read this one years ago - oh that would be bcs there is no audio version of the book!
I love all the MCs and SCs. The world building is awesome. It's about ordinary people called to do the extraordinary in order to preserve their way of life. It's sweet and clean romance and handsome / pretty / talented young people.
July 12, 2024
Loved it.
I admit, it’s a little interesting having experienced special force soldiers as teenagers, and not in their late teens either, but I thought she did a really good job. The story was mostly low key with some drama and a little action thrown in. Some light romance and intrigue as well. I really enjoyed reading it.
I admit, it’s a little interesting having experienced special force soldiers as teenagers, and not in their late teens either, but I thought she did a really good job. The story was mostly low key with some drama and a little action thrown in. Some light romance and intrigue as well. I really enjoyed reading it.
January 28, 2019
What? No sequel!
I always enjoy the plots Honor Raconteur creates. I just wish her editor/proofreader had caught the errors that disrupted my enjoyment. Please learn the difference between discreet and discrete. Also is it Novan or Novian? I’m sorry there won’t be a sequel.
I always enjoy the plots Honor Raconteur creates. I just wish her editor/proofreader had caught the errors that disrupted my enjoyment. Please learn the difference between discreet and discrete. Also is it Novan or Novian? I’m sorry there won’t be a sequel.
April 8, 2020
One of my faves
I have read almost everything by Honor Raconteur and this book is one I am pretty sure K will return to many times . It is both a comfortable read and exciting . And that is one of the highest compliments K can give a book
I have read almost everything by Honor Raconteur and this book is one I am pretty sure K will return to many times . It is both a comfortable read and exciting . And that is one of the highest compliments K can give a book
September 13, 2020
Good story
I liked the idea of this book. I don't mind that it is not a series, but have to admit there are a few characters I would enjoy knowing what their future holds.
The ending worked for me.
I liked the idea of this book. I don't mind that it is not a series, but have to admit there are a few characters I would enjoy knowing what their future holds.
The ending worked for me.
May 31, 2021
SF01
This is my third time through this story, and I enjoyed it every time. A bit light on military sci-fI stuff, but an enjoyable tale nonetheless. I truly wish that that the author hears once more from Rys on how his story progressed.
This is my third time through this story, and I enjoyed it every time. A bit light on military sci-fI stuff, but an enjoyable tale nonetheless. I truly wish that that the author hears once more from Rys on how his story progressed.
January 6, 2022
2.5. Not great, but not bad either. I got a bored multiple times throughout the book but the story overall was kind of cute though way too simplistic for my tastes. Wasn’t expecting the spelling errors though, especially in the names of the characters (Candace vs Candice). Oh well.
January 30, 2022
Special Forces 01
This has been a great stand alone book. Fun to read. Shows great character development. I agree with the author that it would be hard to write a sequel that is as good.
This has been a great stand alone book. Fun to read. Shows great character development. I agree with the author that it would be hard to write a sequel that is as good.
May 14, 2024
It’s like the sequel to a mechanic anime. What happens to the military teen protagonists when they have to try and be normal? Well, if Honor is writing it, it’s adorable af. There are strong bonds of friendship. And there’s some action, too.
October 31, 2024
A must read
I've fallen down the rabbit hole of reading every book the author has published and have not been disappointed. This was such a great concept on military fiction, and I fell in love. No spoilers please just read the book and be sad that it's not a series 😞
I've fallen down the rabbit hole of reading every book the author has published and have not been disappointed. This was such a great concept on military fiction, and I fell in love. No spoilers please just read the book and be sad that it's not a series 😞
September 14, 2020
Wonderful stand-alone read!
What a lovable human character Rys is.And what a unique point of you to try and become less of a soldier and more of a civilian.
What a lovable human character Rys is.And what a unique point of you to try and become less of a soldier and more of a civilian.
June 4, 2021
Great Story
I enjoyed the plot, loved the characters, the writing was excellent. Thanks to Jenny Schwarz for her recommendation. Jenny is another terrific writer, btw.
I enjoyed the plot, loved the characters, the writing was excellent. Thanks to Jenny Schwarz for her recommendation. Jenny is another terrific writer, btw.
October 2, 2021
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
December 14, 2021
The world created it quite interesting
May 13, 2022
Decent story with a good main character
I picked this up a while ago but the teaser didn't appeal. Decided that since I love most of Raconteur's book I would slog through if nothing else.
I didn't love it but I'm glad I read it. It is a solid story. I began to like Rys when I got to know him, he's shy and it took a while to figure him out.
I picked this up a while ago but the teaser didn't appeal. Decided that since I love most of Raconteur's book I would slog through if nothing else.
I didn't love it but I'm glad I read it. It is a solid story. I began to like Rys when I got to know him, he's shy and it took a while to figure him out.
June 25, 2022
A fun read.
February 26, 2023
Most entertaining writer!
I have read all of her books I can get. I liked all of them and loved most. I read them again and again and still love them!
I have read all of her books I can get. I liked all of them and loved most. I read them again and again and still love them!
June 1, 2024
Very entertaining. Perfect read if you’re stressed out and looking for something to read. I really wish the author intended to make this a series.
February 13, 2021
Really about adapting to civilian life
This story is a very good story of how some child soldiers who have fighting for 9 years adapt to civilian life. The fight against Nova is a minor part of the book
This story is a very good story of how some child soldiers who have fighting for 9 years adapt to civilian life. The fight against Nova is a minor part of the book
September 19, 2016
Fun and enjoyable read. The MC knew his strength and stuck to it. Really saw how they merged with society, struggled through the changes, and decided what they wanted to keep to themselves. Really hoping we can see more action from the team in a sequel or something close to it.
November 16, 2016
SF 01 was a fun, easy read with lots of witty dialogue and some great fight scenes. The main characters were fun, though the hero didn't feel totally realistic. Whatever happened, he just seemed to roll with the punches. A guy who's spent so much time in combat, especially from such a young age, surely would have had more mental/emotional issues. One of his subordinates did, but the subject was barely touched on. I was a bit disappointed with that.
Even though the setting was on a distant planet, the place was for all purposes identical to modern day earth. Honestly, the author should have just said that that's where they were.
I know this review does sound a pretty critical, but I really did enjoy this book. It was a sweet, fun fish-out-of-water tale with some good chuckles thrown in.
Heat Advisory: two or three mild bad words.
Even though the setting was on a distant planet, the place was for all purposes identical to modern day earth. Honestly, the author should have just said that that's where they were.
I know this review does sound a pretty critical, but I really did enjoy this book. It was a sweet, fun fish-out-of-water tale with some good chuckles thrown in.
Heat Advisory: two or three mild bad words.
January 14, 2025
Compelling. Entertaining. Funny. Full of competent individuals and kind people. Nice story, but you gotta skate really fast over the patches of thin ice. Real people just don't act and react that way—and they're not that nice.
Terribly in need of copyediting. Spellcheck doesn't help with homonyms or calling one character two different names.
Terribly in need of copyediting. Spellcheck doesn't help with homonyms or calling one character two different names.
January 4, 2015
A really enjoyable book - great fun to read. Not that much action - it's not quite what the title might have you expect.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews