Leviathan

Worldship Files #1

by Erik Schubach

When the Earth is threatened by a slowly expanding sun, mankind embarks upon a mission to send a mammoth Worldship to settle a new planet across the stars. The preternatural races step out of hiding to work with the humans to save what they can from their dying world. With the aid of the Fae, shape shifters, Vampires, and other creatures of supernatural lore, the Worldship, Leviathan, is complete one thousand years later.

Lotteries are held and only twelve million souls are selected to make the ten thousand year journey to the new world aboard the multi-generational starship.

The Worldship Files follow the cases of Knith Shade, a human law enforcement officer of the Enforcers Brigade aboard the Leviathan, five thousand years into her journey.

Knith must investigate a series of grisly murders, where the victims organs are harvested in the back halls of the bulkhead decks of the massive habitation rings of the Leviathan. Where others have failed, she has discovered leads that lead her to the unthinkable, when all signs point to a Fae Lady, and not just any lady, but the daughter of Queen Mab herself.

Driven to solve the murders and bring the perpetrator to justice, even though she knows that merely even suggesting a Fae could have anything to do with the crimes would cause retaliation against Knith's habitation ring, as the magic of the Fae is what is keeping everyone alive on the Worldship. It could be more than simply career suicide.

Enforcer Shade finds herself almost irresistible drawn to her main suspect, the Winter Maiden, Princess Aurora herself. Secrets are revealed and treachery uncovered, while even more mysteries and questions are unearthed.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Mystery, Space Opera

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2019

About the author

International bestselling author of #lesfic f/f romance, scifi, urban fantasy, paranormal & more. Consummate geek & sarcasm connoisseur. Any pronouns are fine.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/30ACXSq
Audible: https://adbl.co/2SrFqu1
Twitter: https://bit.ly/2GDN0is
Blog: https://bit.ly/2EZMIC7
iTunes: https://apple.co/2Sx6FDI
GooglePlay: http://tiny.cc/udycvz
YouTube: https://bit.ly/2Sw0Q9u

Bestsellers:

Fantasy:


Scifi/Paranormal:


Urban Fantasy:


Romance/Romantic Comedy:



With over 100 titles to choose from from various series and genres, I'm sure I've written something for you. Check out the whole list here .

Reviews

[Neen Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by this author and damn I can’t wait to read more of the series.
Brilliant sci-fi fantasy blend with elves and sprites on the world ship. A ship, in essence that is travelling to the new home world.

I love so much about this book, from the use of 80s and 90s music, to the snark and humour, to the kick arse main character and a story line that while not entirely unique is set up in fantastically unique and brilliantly described ways.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another GREAT read by Erik! I love all the snark and personality his characters have. This was a great first in a series and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

If you love strong female characters and fun adventure with a unique storyline then grab this one up!

[Ruggedascent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing New World...

This is an amazing new world which Erik Schubach has created. As ever, there are some seriously kickass women populating said world and i can't wait to learn more about them as the series continues (I'm assuming it's going to be a series.... It's not a cliff hanger ending,but it's certainly open). I definitely recommend this book; especially if you're a fan of Schubach's Valkyrie series.

[Alastar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Replacement for Fairy Tales

I love 💘 that Knith Shade has a few of Daria's quirky traits, I am most definitely finding myself loving the woman. Looking forward to seeing the next one, looking to see more of the Princess.

[Rian Domingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome start!

This is an amazing intro to a new series! I don’t thinks I’ve read a story of actual fae’s in space and it’s a very cool concept! Can’t wait for the next one!

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a solid 4.5 stars. Right at the end, the pacing gets a little dicey, jumping back and forth in time and rapidly speeding through some important transition points. Sequels are set-up and this serves as a good entree into a new space fantasy world.

Schubach crafts a world with an interesting mix based on older Earth myths with the sci-fi elements of deep space travel and a few hints at the complexities of housing different species/creatures on the same ship. When a percentage of your population is literally immortal and the space ship is wholly designed and runs off of technology they supply, some preferential treatment and natural advantages will come along. The element of sex and sexuality as a weapon, a job, and a pleasure isn't demonized in any of the ways it's presented. I found that very refreshing. There's also an element of "everyone is probably pansexual" which is also handled well. The existence of a third gender in Sprites is easily incorporated into the story, and while the character Graz is referred to with she/her pronouns, I think the overall use of this into the story does actually make an impact on the plot--Graz is head of her family because of her gender.

I'll be curious to see how the sprites and other fae/elf species work in future sequels. There's some race politics about which are Greater and Lesser Fae, and even a few who don't fall easily into either category (like the woodland victim).

Knith's growing romance/flirtation with Aurora/Rory is sweet and I love seeing Knith face off against the Fae, particularly Queen Mab. There's a lot going on here in this series and I'm excited to see where it goes! I've been sitting on the sample to this book for quite a while and I'm glad I read it and committed to the book. I finished it in one day :)

Plot Summary--not refined!


Knith Shade is a bioengineered human, working as a Brigade Enforcer (police officer) on a ship called Leviathan, populated by a mix of human and fae citizen. The ship is halfway through a 10-thousand year journey away from Earth. While the greater fae are immortal and have survived the entirety of the flight, the much larger human population continues to live and die with a lifespan around 200 years.

Knith follows a call about screams coming from a sector in a lower ring of the ship, a bit seedier where normal people live and work. After scaring off some small Sprites trying to steal and salvage material from the ship, Knith and Graz (one of the Sprites who sticks around) find a woodland fae Knith doesn't recognize killed on the ground. He has been carefully disected and some organs harvested including his curly horns. After calling it in to the station and having a witty conversation with the ship's AI "Mother" through her helmet, Knith is attacked by a vampire who she manages to overwhelm and dismiss under threat of the law. Graz wonders if Knith really is human given her extreme speed and strength, which she maintains she is and chalks up her prowess to exceptional training. Knith finds an old fashioned metal scalpel jackknifed behind some plumbing (but doesn't recognize it) and Mother recommends a merchant on a Remenant (a sort of a hang-on ship to the Leviathan, an ancillary place which is outside the law) who can identify it for her. Knith and Mother also find a hand wearing a ring caught on a few frames of security cam footage. This ring is characteristic of greater fae, but not exclusive to them (also nearly).

Going through the Remenant part, Knith finds a brothel and one of her old academy classmates, Ben, working there to supplement his income. She also meets a woman who has upgraded her body to be make of chrome, Mir, and hears about a greater fae who comes down here to slum it and work at the brothel. Knith meets with Mac who tells her about the scalpel and points out the very fine detail including a family crest of the house of Queen Mab, the Winter Queen. He gives her a harmonica and wishes her luck but also recommends she drops whatever she's doing.

Knith asks Mother for the name of all the greater fae registered/skilled in healing, of which there are only 3. One is Queen Mab's daughter Aurora. Knith goes to Ha'real, the palace of the winter court on the A-level, verbally sparring against the captain of the guard, the prince of another house, and Princess Aurora herself, before meeting Queen Mab. Knith enters a bargain with Mab and is cursed with some icy lips and jaw nonsense but has 'unfettered' access to Aurora, or 'Rory'. Aurora drops some hints and leads for Knith and points out how Knith was able to see past glamours and get past wards that stopped other more powerful fae. Aurora recognizes her name, indicating she had something to do with Knith's birth.

After leaving, Knith does some research and discovers Aurora has a history in genetic modification and is trying to find a solution for the dwindling number of the fae. Although it has been 5 thousand years, 20-some number of immortal fae have died and none have been born to replace them. There's another rival working to solve the birth-rate issue, Sindri, but his funding was recently stopped. Back at home in C/D-level, Knith finds all the hot water and a bunch of the lights have 'malfunctioned', turned off as retaliation against what Knith said/bargained with Queen Mab. Knith is reassigned off the case and down to a 'prison guard' style position.

Knith questions Mother's level of sentience. She emotes clearly when speaking in private with K, but in other places is boilerplate and boring. Mother changes the subject and Knith lets her because she has a solid idea she's right, but just doesn't know how long Mother has been sentient.

Knith dresses in the advanced pilot gear from an old girlfriend to disguise her Brigade status. Mother makes an appointment for Knith to meet with the greater fae slumming it in the Remenant after finding out that the woodland elf/fae's horns (which were taken) are a powerful fae aphrodisiac. Meets the Madame, a faun named Jane (as in Jane Doe) and sees Mir again. Knith meets very briefly with 'Sin' the Fae, who is Sindri, who immediately admits he has the horn and begins to attack her. She runs away but is pursued by some cheap thugs who try to kill her. Knith beats them (the final with the help of Mir) and then leaves although somewhat injured.

Back at home, Graz and her family have all moved in to Knith bedside table. After patching herself up, she falls asleep. In the morning, she is called to the captain's office and sees the president again, along with Aurora who has requested the creation of a new department for Knith to head that will work as the liaison between the fae and the police. She is reassigned to that and will be brought to A-level.

At brunch at a cafe called Stacks, Aurora and Knith continue their game of trading questions until Knith gets some of the hints Aurora dropped and allows Aurora to talk through the gaes (bind) against talking about how Sindri is her half brother through her missing/disappeared father King Oberon.
- Reveals Knith is only surviving 'experiment' A did to try and combine Fae and Human DNA. Requests some of her tissue for sampling but K refuses. G eats a whole strawberry and gets drunk, says will move with her family up with K. A gives permission.
- Go up to Ha'real setting up FABLE, some paperwork stuff
- get call from central dispatch, tail finds Sindri
- goes on chase, K attacked, fucking eggs stolen under realization that K is human with fae genes engineered by Aurora
- K beats by blowing harmonica from Mac, projects frozen curse to S, K smashes his arm, uses iron rod, neck restraint to contain him
- Aurora shows to save. Graz stabs out S's eyes (yay)
- K wakes up, confirm from A and G that S is caught. But K's tissue/eggs were in cooler and not found; Harmonica had some spells on it from King Oberon
- At trial, S is convicted on all counts, blown out the airlock. Bad bad fate bc he will not die, just freeze out there forever. K pushes the button, doesn't feel super satisfied
- Queen Mab and K renegotiate terms of her ice curse. K still has blue lips
- At weekly card game, K reveals she knows that Mac is Oberon, but they both talk around it and Mac does not admit it
- A and K in flirting stage, but fae are tricky. Everyone tells K what a good fae she would make as she's really good negotiating with them and seeing through doublespeak.

[L E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th series from this author that I'm reading and can honestly say, he's becoming my favorite. The amazing creativity of developing these world's... no pun intended, is fascinating to me. Here is another amazing strong female character and can I be honest, I LOVE Graz ;-)

On to the next book in this series, to find another great adventure.

[KJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good sci/fi fantasy. Some good humor with some of the characters. I'm looking forward to continuing the story.

[Natalie Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Erik Schubach's work, an expanding sun puts all life on earth at risk--creating a need for the supernatural races to come out and declare their existence. Constructing a vast space vessel taking a thousand years to complete, the beings plot a course for another galaxy that will take ten thousand years to arrive. Able to sustain only twelve million beings, lotteries are held and the majority of humanity is lost. Readers enter the story when the Worldship named Leviathan is halfway through its course and encounters Knith Shade, a female human law enforcement officer. She is called upon to solve a series of murders where the victims' organs have been harvested and the clues point to the Fae leader's daughter--a woman Knith finds desirable. Confronting prejudice, hostility, and unethical treatment because of her humanity, Knith manages to solve the case, exact some measure of retribution, and gain companionship, friendship, as well as respect along the way. Wow, what a book! Such an incredible premise! The world-building is astounding! I could see that worldship so clearly in my mind's eye. The clarity provided by the writer's use of words and phrases made the narrative plausible, yet enjoyable. The dialog between the characters was believable and interesting. The rate at which key elements are introduced in the story was perfect. This was also the case with the distribution of varying types of elements in the narrative--there were 'places and spaces' for laughs, sorrow, joy, anger--it was just a well-balanced, well-paced story. It had enough conflicts that are resolved yet enough challenges remaining to make any reader crave the next book of the series. Well done, Mr. Schubach. It's such an honor and pleasure to read and review your book.

[Cloak88 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy in Space, an enjoyable novel.

Enforcer Shade is a member of the brigade. The prime law-enforcement organisation on the WorldShip. A giant SpaceShip now Halfway through it's 10.000 years journey, is the last cradle of humanity and a myriad of other magical races from old earth. With the the Sun expanding and making living on earth impossible the Fea revealed themselves and aided the Humans in their effort to save their race... for a price that is.

Now Human Enforcer Shade is on the trail of a serial killer and all clues lead towards the beautiful and near untouchable Fae.

This book has a very unique setting. With magical races like Elves, Vampires and Fae set in the confines of a giant Sci-Fy space ship with guns, Magi-Tech and the realities of living in space. I rather enjoyed this novel setting as well as the characters populating it. Shade is a likable protagonist, gung-ho and not always thinking things through before she acts, make for an insetting mystery plot. Add a dash of romance and a funny sprite side-character and we are very much set amongst Staubach's field of expertise.

An enjoyable novel, with hopefully more to come in this series.

[Jennifer Reaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I "read" this book via Audible. This boo was released not long ago on Audible ans is read by Claire Buchignani who has done the Unleashed series by Mr. Schubach. She does an exultant job reading this intriguing story. Magic and technology in space is a fun concept. The characters are fun and the story moves at a fast pace. I also like the interesting ways the characters curse. Every one of his series has some interesting colourful language and this one is no exception. I am looking forward to the continuation of the series.

[Sarah Nutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Start

I am hopeful that we will get to see Knith and Rory in many future books. It does seem as if this series will take after Unleashed in that it will focus on one main character/couple rather than a few of them. A wonderdul sci-fi/fantasy action book. It will definitely go in with my favorites by this author.

[Victoria Cobretti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Success!!

Another amazing book by Erik! Such a new and exciting world build within this book. Worldbuilding skills are on point in this book. Future possibilities are endless. Great storyline and terrific characters make this a smash hit! Definitely going to be following this series.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really interesting ‘blend of SciFi and Fantasy. I thought the main character Knith was excellent and although she is far more ‘kickass’, she does remind me a little of the author’s Fixit. I presume this is the start of a new series, if so I will certainly be reading the next book.

[Lynn Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly entertaining!

Take a sexy, somewhat quirky at times Enforcer who has an addiction for great Rock songs and a hugely hilarious Sprite for a friend and her numerous children as her future roommates and you have a hilarious yet serious start to a great Science Fiction crime series.

[Taylor Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

So entertaining!

This world is huge, fascinating, and unique. I very much enjoyed getting to know all the new characters and the society established in this new world created by Erik Schubach!

[Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best (Tina Turner)

Another fantastic read from the amazing Mr. Schubach. A fast read that will give you laughs and have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Looking forward to more from this series.

[Skip Maslan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

This was a fantastic read. I loved the characters. They were so unique and fascinating. A different take on the end of the world and with all the enchanting paranormal races included. I am so looking forward to the next story!

[J Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant romp sideways!

An interesting take on melding the old with new. Fans of fairies creatures and The Fae Court will absolutely love the portrayal of magical characters. Fans of sci-fi and semi-dystopian futures will enjoy this too.

[Angela Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, interesting and different

I really liked this book. It kept me interested and intrigued all the way through. World building was great and felt like it was believable. I would recommend and would read the next book in the store based on this opener.

[jr weightman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book !!!

This was a good story to read. Different to say the least. But I enjoyed it. And am looking forward to reading the next book.

[Jennie Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Loved, loved this book. Very pleased to see its going to be a series. Can't wait for the next one!

[Russell Tsai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Premise. Likeable MC. Bit rough in areas.

The setting of the world is a very cool blend of classic fantasy fairies and sci-fi. The main character, Knith Shade is fun character that is portrayed as a tough woman who could bite just about as well as bark. Overall an MC that makes reading the story enjoyable.

Some issues with the story is the relationship between the MC and the love interest. The interaction between the two felt too brief in the middle to result in the attachment the love interest has when she meets the MC again. Some may disagree with that but for me the interaction between the two made me doubt the sincerity of it as the LI's species is well known to glamour humans for an advantage. In other words, I would have liked for the two to interact more but I guess it'll have to wait in the next book.

The ending /wrap up for a technical stand point is off putting at best. Without details the ending ties up the story fairly neatly with room to have an arching story through more books. My problem is that it hops between three events, that I will call immediate after(IA), wrap-up(WU) and epilogue. The last chapter opens with WU briefly to jump back in time for the IA. We jump forward in time back to WU and do this cycle at least once more to finish the book. In the epilogue (an extended time skip forward), we go back to the WU to squeeze in one more scene before ending the last few sentences back in epilogue time. I'm not a writer but this does not seem like a great way to tell a story.

One last nitpick. Knith does an action that had some serious repercussions and the author decides to skip the chewing out of Knith. Not sure if this was for better or for worse but the circumstances for Knith changed very drastically. The rapid change implies some greater world building but it's a bit jarring going from that point A to B.

[Susan Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess to not really reading the description of this very well (or maybe I did when I put it in my virtual pile of to-be-read on my kindle and then forgot) so I was a little surprised given the cover that there's a lot more fantasy in this than science fiction. It's just set on a generation ship and everything else is fae bargains and sprite friends etc as a enforcement officer tries to solve a murder case with some very very powerful suspects. Mostly she bumbles around being somewhat implausibly charming to those she meets and successful, though she does get into a little bit of hot water for ruffling powerful feathers. It's fun but a little predictable.

[DH VDL · Rating 4 out of 5]

good start

An interesting sci-fi and fantasy book that reads well. The characters are developing, the world has plenty of areas to explore, and the story keeps you in. The one issue I have is that the MCs relationship with her love interest is quite…. Incestuous?!? I mean, she is involved with her maker, so shouldn’t that be her mother of a sort? Just felt weird to me. Other than that it’s a decent read

[Anna Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well read…. again

I was really blown away the first time I read this series, so am starting again. I really enjoy the descriptions of he worldship and all the characters in the story.
Book two coming up

[Jay Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars, Not bad, not a 4 stars but close , I will look for other books by this author...

[Michael Rivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody

The characters are fun And the reading is easy . If that works for you you'll enjoy it. No deep stuff here.

[Sabion · Rating 4 out of 5]

It didn't rise to the 5 star Wow! book but I loved the characters and twists on the trope. More please!

[Dave Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not up to his usual excellent standard
I'm a big fan of Erik Schubach's books. I go into each of his with high expectations and he rarely disappoints. It is more common for him to exceed expectations, so I was really wrong footed when this one was just Okay.
I tried this one and just couldn't finish back in 2019. That left an itchy feeling in my mind. I love Erik Schuback books like a big fluffy blanket. This one left me flat back then, but I couldn't leave it alone and so I tried again. Better this time. Good, but not fan-freaking-tastic as I have come to expect.

If you are a long time fan like me, you will probably like this book far more than I did.
If you are starting Schubach, read through his other works first. Like the Techromancy Scrolls, The Valkyrie Chronicles, The Bridge, New Sentinels, the absolutely adorable Fixit Adventures, or the criminally underrated Emily Monroe Is Not The Chosen One.
All the above named series have so much heart and charm. They are so sweet and cute and fun and above all, cozy. These are books you can snuggle up with.
Worldship is good, don't get me wrong. And it has the aspect of an Erik Schubach book, But I just didn't feel the warmth down in my soul.