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Pyreans #4

Veklocks

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A triumvirate of Veklocks, emissaries of the Tsargit, the alliance governing body, negotiates with Harbour, the Pyrean envoy, about critical projects the Pyreans need. But it’s possible that the Veklocks ask for too much in return.

The Veklocks require the Pyreans to explore the extent of the Colony’s usurpation of domes. The Colony is composed of two insectoid species, the grays and the reds. They’re aggressive three- and five-meter long insectoids with venomous pincers that live for the expansion of their race. The Pyreans already lost one member of their team on their first exploration and are hesitant to meet the Colony again, unless they’re better prepared.

Harbour and Jessie, her advisor, have an opportunity to demand a high price from the Tsargit through their negotiations with the Veklocks. But will it be worth the risk to their team to bring back the information the council demands?

After negotiations are concluded, Harbour and Jessie are shocked to learn that the Tsargit council is not to be trusted. The council uses the Veklocks as intermediaries so they might later deny various aspects of the agreement as having not been fulfilled.

Before the journey to encounter the Colony, Harbour requests a plebiscite to restore the original conditions of Pyre’s government. If passed, and the Pyrean downsiders lose the subsequent election, it could spell the end of their power. The leader of the downsiders’ council is determined not to let that happen under any circumstances.

428 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 27, 2019

275 people are currently reading
75 people want to read

About the author

S.H. Jucha

45 books472 followers
From my early years to the present, books have been a refuge. They’ve fueled my imagination. I’ve traveled to faraway places and met aliens with Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, Herbert, and Le Guin. I’ve explored historical events with Michener and Clavell, and I played spy with Ludlum and Fleming.

There’s no doubt that the early sci-fi masters influenced the writing of my first two series, The Silver Ships and Pyreans. I crafted my stories to give readers intimate views of my characters, who wrestle with the challenges of living in space and inhabiting alien worlds.

Life is rarely easy for these characters, who encounter aliens and calamities, but they persist and flourish. I revel in examining humankind’s will to survive. Not everyone plays fair or exhibits concern for other beings, but that’s another aspect of humans and aliens that I investigate.

My stories offer hope for humans today about what they might accomplish tomorrow far from our home world. Throughout my books, humans exhibit a will to persevere, without detriment to the vast majority of others.

Readers have been generous with their comments, which they’ve left on Amazon and Goodreads for others to review. I truly enjoy what I do, and I’m pleased to read how my stories have positively affected many readers’ lives.

If you’ve read my books, please consider posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads for every book, even a short one. Reviews attract other readers and are a great help to indie authors, such as me.

The Silver Ships novels have reached Amazon’s coveted #1 and #2 Best-Selling Sci-Fi book, multiple times, in the science fiction categories of first contact, space opera, and alien invasion.

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5 stars
583 (63%)
4 stars
267 (29%)
3 stars
60 (6%)
2 stars
4 (<1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Jean.
1,816 reviews803 followers
October 18, 2023
The Verlocks meet with Harper. Unfortunately, this is the last book in the Pyreans Series. This was a short series. I felt it was just getting started and now it is over. Sometimes a series will go on and on and you wonder when it will end. This series had so many interesting characters and an intriguing story line. I was fully engaged in the story. Jucha is a great storyteller.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is twelve hours and six minutes. Nicole Poole does a great job narrating the story.
Profile Image for Tony Hisgett.
3,003 reviews36 followers
July 6, 2019
This was a great read with just a few minor irritations.

At times the plot was a little predictable e.g. Back in the late 60s when watching the original Star Trek you always knew who was going to die in the ‘away team’ because of the red shirts. Before the team set out to explore the Colony sites it was also clear who was going to die.

After catching Sika the security team know she is extremely dangerous and is a highly capable actress, yet they allow an inexperienced young man to have unsupervised access to her, they don’t even monitor her cell. Not very believable!

The book ends with an epilogue that I found a bit strange, the author was obviously getting everything ready to close down this series before merging it with the ’Silver Ships’ . What happened to the urgent ‘Colony’ threat? I didn’t really find this a satisfactory conclusion to the story.

Overall I was happy to give four stars.
Profile Image for Ed Tinkertoy.
281 reviews4 followers
August 7, 2019
This is a great book, lots of twists and surprises. I enjoyed all of it. Some things in it really surprised me. For one I was surprised at the relatively lax security on Sitka after she was captured in the act of trying to kill Harbour and Jesse and security already had some evidence that she had probably killed two other officials. Her escape was really too easy. She was like a female Jason Bourne with her activities and actions. The manner of her demise in the end , and that of Dorelyne, were surprises. Another thing that I did not understand was the difference between the Colony insects Reds and Grays. It appeared that the Reds were the leaders.

I thought, from the authors previous statements, that in this book the Omnians, from the Silver Ships series, would show up to help the Pyreans with the Colony. He had mentioned that at some point the two stories would meet or merge.

I still have some questions about the series even though I love it. First, there is no mention of how many light years the Belle traveled from the Earth to get to Pyre. In fact there is little or no mention of light year travel and differences in any of the series. Second, I cannot understand why the Belle stopped at Pyre to colonize when it is such as inhospitable planet. Who made that call and why. Third, its not explained in the series how the impaths got their power. Was it a genetic mutation that affects only a few, or the natural evolution of some females? And what part goes the green play in the impaths maintaining their power? It seemed that they needed the green to recharge themselves after particularly strenuous sessions using their powers. Another question that came to mind when Aurelia and Devon were using the consoles in the domes was when they spoke they could identify Pyre as their home world but why didn't the Earth also show up.

The end of the book gives a report on actions in progress and the series could now end. But, since the Pyreans now must deal with the Colony there is the possibility that there could be another book or two dealing with those actions as well as how the new Pyrean government functions. As for this book, read it and you will enjoy it.

Profile Image for Sven-Erik Andersen.
11 reviews5 followers
December 22, 2019
I started reading the first Silver Ships novel on December 1st. Since then I have devoured the 14 books in that series, and just now finished the 4th book in the Pyreans series.

Sitting here with a hollow feeling in my stomach... what to do now until the next Silver Ships book comes out... ;-)
Profile Image for Releanna.
169 reviews10 followers
July 6, 2019
another fantastic book - love the depth of the characters! Looking very much forward to the merging with Silver Ships!
568 reviews10 followers
July 7, 2020
Another in the Jucha's sideline series to the on going SILVER SHIPS saga. The Pyreans (Harbour, Jesse, Aurelia, and their compatriots) continue to explore the extent of the Colony's incursion into Alliance civilizations. Working closely with the Jatouche (Tactictok and Jaktook) and the Crosians (Mangoth the magnificent and Hangor) they develop information to present to the Tsargit, the Alliance ruling council which shows multiple incursions by the Colony, a race of sentient insectoids. This ties in with Book 14 of the SILVER SHIPS, THE ALLIANCE, to introduce new races of sentient beings, and develop the common aims and interactions they have with the Pyreans.
120 reviews
October 26, 2022
My favorite Jucha series

I have to say that the Jucha Silver ships series that precede the Pyrean Series was one of my favorite reads in a long time. The Pyrean series characters join the Silver Ships characters starting with Alliance (book 14).

As good as the Silver Ships series was I enjoyed this new group of characters in the Pyreans 4 book series even more. Between the spacers, stationers, and downsiders there were more than enough interesting characters and storylines. What a fantastic series and final book in the separate Pyreans series.

This series is highly recommended as a richly written and feel good set of books.
Profile Image for Craig Dean.
542 reviews3 followers
October 10, 2020
A great conclusion to the Pyrean story was marred slightly by the rushed ending and the few illogical plot holes. For example, and whilst avoiding spoilers, I found the whole 'trading for weapons' arc, and the 'must check 4 domes' plot, both required too much suspension of disbelief when considered for the briefest of moments.

That said, the story and character remained thoroughly enjoyable, and when it came to the machinations of the downsiders, the intrigue and manoeuvrings of the domes were gripping.
5 reviews
August 8, 2020
Great Reading!

I have been Totally indulged in this series, created by S.H.Jucha, and find that I can't get enough!! Please!! Continue the series so that future readers can make the same consideration ... that the series is epic, and rates Easily up there with Asimov's foundation and other greats!!
11 reviews
August 3, 2025
A very good read

I have read all of the Silver Ships series, then read the ghost gate series, then the cercians series, and then this presents series the pryean series i have enjoyed all of then very much. The only disappointment is they are getting smaller and not as many books very entertaining
832 reviews4 followers
April 25, 2021
Very good

Parts were a tad draggy and still have problems remembering Jartouch names like Rickno, Tackinok etc. Dry humor is good no back to Silver Ships if I can find it with my iPad. Kindle App is not near as good on Apple as it is on Android or Windows.
7 reviews
October 21, 2021
Excellent companion series

This is an excellent companion and series to the silver ships. This writer has the ability to keep you spell bound even when discussing common every day occurrences. Excellent reading very enjoyable.
Profile Image for Pablo.
Author 1 book43 followers
June 30, 2023
The epilogue felt like it could have been a whole new book. Now I'm eager to see what happens next, since I know we go back to the Silver Ships series, 400 years in the future.
Profile Image for CdnBookLover.
601 reviews2 followers
November 22, 2022
So many Audible versions missing ... and this is another. sigh

Another excellent story in the Silver Ships universe! And now on to Vinium!
377 reviews4 followers
October 21, 2019
The Pyreans series ends with a sizzle (instead of a bang) in another OK book.

This series has failed to grab me the way the silver ships series has. I think this is due to the characters not being as likeable and the scope being so much more limited.

I didn't mind listening to this series, and the time seemed to fly by, but it is just missing that something to make them great.

Having said that, I can't wait to find out how this series is going to mesh with the silver ships.
346 reviews3 followers
July 8, 2019
Pyreans win over new aliens with their courage and intelligence..

Our heroes gain new friends and technology for exploring the Colony spread. They are unifying their government too. They are to the point where they need help from the Silver Ship Earthlings. Get ready for more worlds to combine.
17 reviews
July 13, 2019
Enthralling

Warning these books are addicting. The characters, story, Nd fast paced action make these books hard to put down. Wishing I would have started this series at its completion so I didn't have to wait for another. Thank you Mr Jucha for providing us with an uplifting story that is easy to allow the willing suspension of disbelief.
Profile Image for Sean Sheldon.
63 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2019
Another great story from S.H. Jucha! I'm excited to see the descendants of the Belle meet the Omnians after everything that's happened. I'm only sad that Alex and Julien won't likely meet Harbour or Jessie.
4 reviews
July 4, 2019
Another fantastic story!

I really look forward to reading al these books. The characters are engaging and the technology is absolutely genius. I can’t wait for the continuation of this series.
20 reviews
July 6, 2019
It draws you in

The characters are realistic. The emotions they feel, you feel. They grow with each book. I can't wait to read what happens with the Pyreans and the Omnians when they meet.
Profile Image for connie toomes.
5 reviews
July 6, 2019
GOOD!

S.H. Micah can really write a story. I have enjoyed all of his books.The very first one had me looking up his books. I will buy them as they come out. Give him a try thank you Connie
301 reviews2 followers
July 10, 2019
Truly excellent

I love the writings of this author. This book and series are excellent. I always look forward to anything he writes. The stories are well rounded and the character creation is fantastic. I can't wait till this series is joined with the Silver Ships series.
1,249 reviews6 followers
July 12, 2019
4.5

What a creative story teller, and what a great series. I can’t wait to see where the author takes this series. You know a good series when after you have finished, you immediately search out more books written by the same author.
175 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2019
Great story

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It it's well written and imaginative. To me it's in the same sphere as Dune or Clark's 2001 Odyssey. I couldn't put the book down even to sleep. I kept nodding and reading because I needed to see how the story ended
Profile Image for Wanda binz.
818 reviews6 followers
July 14, 2019
Compelling story

I enjoy this series and the authors other series I have now read all but one book he has written and have enjoyed them immensely you can’t go wrong with any book this author writes. ENJOY
1 review
August 26, 2019
I have really enjoyed all the books in the Silver Ships series and the Pyrean series

S H Much a is an exciting and ex




S H Jucha is an exciting and excellent author. I have thoroughly enjoyed both series.


2 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2019
Excellent

Excellent final book??, highly recommend this series.
Hopefully there will be another one, even when it joins the Silver ship series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

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