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The Messenger #1
The Messenger
Dash never asked to be a mech pilot, but fate has other plans.
On the run and out of chances, he guides his ship and crew into the heart of a relic older than the galaxy itself—and find himself on the edge of an eternal war he never knew existed.
The relic is a mech, lost to history and forgotten by all who remain. Built by an ancient race to be the ultimate weapon, the machine is capable of unspeakable destruction, and its discovery could unhinge the balance of power throughout known space.
Worse still, the A.I. inside the machine speaks of an ancient evil that will soon arrive--a race whose power far exceeds anything humanity has ever witnessed.
Only the Messenger can stand against them, the A.I. tells its new pilot. Only you can do what must be done.
On the run and out of chances, he guides his ship and crew into the heart of a relic older than the galaxy itself—and find himself on the edge of an eternal war he never knew existed.
The relic is a mech, lost to history and forgotten by all who remain. Built by an ancient race to be the ultimate weapon, the machine is capable of unspeakable destruction, and its discovery could unhinge the balance of power throughout known space.
Worse still, the A.I. inside the machine speaks of an ancient evil that will soon arrive--a race whose power far exceeds anything humanity has ever witnessed.
Only the Messenger can stand against them, the A.I. tells its new pilot. Only you can do what must be done.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2019
1306 people are currently reading
1524 people want to read
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J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
February 6, 2020
The Messenger: The Messenger, Book 1
By: J.N. Chaney, Terry Maggert
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
This is a story I definitely needed! A fresh unique space book that has a new twist on just about everything! I was caught up in the witty, snarky dialogue and the funny escape at first. Then the science/ techie stuff, the characters, the world building, and more just kept me pulled in like I too was in orbit.
This is an amazing book I can't wait to read more of! The descriptions made me feel I was there, flying outside of the ship! So much fun! I giggled, smiled, and laughed through a great deal of this book and the other parts I wondered how he would MacGyver his way through difficult situations.
The narration was excellent with Jeffery Kafer as narrator! He always performs perfectly!
If you're looking for something new and fun in space, pick up this! Mindblowing!
By: J.N. Chaney, Terry Maggert
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
This is a story I definitely needed! A fresh unique space book that has a new twist on just about everything! I was caught up in the witty, snarky dialogue and the funny escape at first. Then the science/ techie stuff, the characters, the world building, and more just kept me pulled in like I too was in orbit.
This is an amazing book I can't wait to read more of! The descriptions made me feel I was there, flying outside of the ship! So much fun! I giggled, smiled, and laughed through a great deal of this book and the other parts I wondered how he would MacGyver his way through difficult situations.
The narration was excellent with Jeffery Kafer as narrator! He always performs perfectly!
If you're looking for something new and fun in space, pick up this! Mindblowing!
September 2, 2019
“Every sentient thing is being tested, all of the time.”
What an impressive and mighty cover! A daring courier captain, with a splendid, unexpected and original, formed on the way crew, ancient alien tech and relics. The plot is superbly crafted and builds momentum to its surprising ending! This is a fantastic SciFi thriller, with a military touch and an amazing diversity of alien beings, it has everything I love in a story. A beginning of a fabulous new series. I’m totally enchanted with it, so immersive and engaging. One of the most spine tingling novels that I have read!
What an impressive and mighty cover! A daring courier captain, with a splendid, unexpected and original, formed on the way crew, ancient alien tech and relics. The plot is superbly crafted and builds momentum to its surprising ending! This is a fantastic SciFi thriller, with a military touch and an amazing diversity of alien beings, it has everything I love in a story. A beginning of a fabulous new series. I’m totally enchanted with it, so immersive and engaging. One of the most spine tingling novels that I have read!
December 4, 2023
Notes:
Books 1 & 2 are on Audible + until 12/31/23.
4 Stars for Narration by Jeffrey Kafer
The blurb is the story. Which is not saying much. About an hour of the 7h 35m audiobook is a preview of the next book. 😆
I'd recommend this for anyone that's in the mood for a brainless popcorn SF. The story is 95% tell the reader what to think and 5% show what's going on.
*Note to Self* Only read/listen to the next book if there's nothing else to read in TBR.
Books 1 & 2 are on Audible + until 12/31/23.
4 Stars for Narration by Jeffrey Kafer
The blurb is the story. Which is not saying much. About an hour of the 7h 35m audiobook is a preview of the next book. 😆
I'd recommend this for anyone that's in the mood for a brainless popcorn SF. The story is 95% tell the reader what to think and 5% show what's going on.
*Note to Self* Only read/listen to the next book if there's nothing else to read in TBR.
December 28, 2020
Newton is kind of unique name for a hero, but not one that you can really relate to, so he calls himself, “Dash”. Dash Sawyer is an ordinary courier with his ship as his sole companion. The Slipwing is his ship and it’s nothing spectacular. The only thing remotely different from his ship and most courier ships is that it does have a Fade engine which allows travel in unSpace. That’s where ships can travel unimaginably fast so getting to a destination takes less time, but does cost fuel, a lot of fuel. And Dash didn’t get paid for his last delivery!
So, Dash is now unemployed and looking to the “Needs Slate” to see if he could find a courier job within a relatively short distance away that would pay some upfront so he could fuel up and go where needed. He found on that might be perfect. He could stop by Penumbra, get some fuel and hen be on his way to Traveler’s Landing. What he didn’t expect was to hear a distress call on his way to Penumbra. Knowing that he had to answer it, he was hoping that he could assist quickly and be on his way. Then again, those in distress might just be eager to pay for his rescue or whatever.
That’s how he meets up with Leira and Viktor. Their courier ship, meaning small ship, was being chased by a much larger war ship and it was just about ready to catchup to the smaller vessel. Dash makes some remarkable flying maneuvers and manages to dock with the small ship allowing Leira and Viktor to transfer to his ship. Then he takes off using the Fade drive and gets back on course for Penumbra. Before his leaves the vicinity of his escape, he does see the small ship destroyed, so the people onboard his ship have nothing much left. They did bring a small supply of anti-deuterium, fuel, so he could actually get to Penumbra.
Once at Penumbra, he figures to borrow enough fuel to fill his ship and then continue on to Traveler’s Landing. What he doesn’t expect is that his usual supplier and creditor has had enough of his non-payment and isn’t willing to give him anymore credit. Except, if Dash would take her nephew with him to where ever, she was willing to forgive his debts and completely fuel and fix his ship. While Dash didn’t really like the idea of having a semi-permanent passenger aboard his ship and a teenager at that, he reluctantly agreed. So now Conover joins the Slipwing.
They head off to Traverler’s Landing, but then a discussion occurs about why Leira and Viktor were being chased. She shows him a crystal or Lens as it’s called later and tells him it is priceless. It comes from a region of space forbidden by normal travelers because it is closely guarded by the Clan Shirna. This is a religious sect with very strict rules about protecting the Globe of Suns and the Pasture. The Pasture is where a vast collection of Unseen technology resides. Why it’s there and what’s it purpose, no one knows. The Unseen are an ancient race long though extinct, but
Clan Shirna believed they would return one day.
It turns out that this crystal is actually a highly sophisticated piece of technology. And, as everyone knows, it is very, very valuable. It would even be more valuable if they had other Unseen tech to go with it. And that’s where everyone aboard the Slipwing goes dumb and decides they might want to go back to the Pasture to see what else they can find. Their troubles have just started.
Good writing by Mr. Chaney and Mr. Maggert. I’ve read works from both authors so their teaming up makes for an exciting read and a great start to another series.
So, Dash is now unemployed and looking to the “Needs Slate” to see if he could find a courier job within a relatively short distance away that would pay some upfront so he could fuel up and go where needed. He found on that might be perfect. He could stop by Penumbra, get some fuel and hen be on his way to Traveler’s Landing. What he didn’t expect was to hear a distress call on his way to Penumbra. Knowing that he had to answer it, he was hoping that he could assist quickly and be on his way. Then again, those in distress might just be eager to pay for his rescue or whatever.
That’s how he meets up with Leira and Viktor. Their courier ship, meaning small ship, was being chased by a much larger war ship and it was just about ready to catchup to the smaller vessel. Dash makes some remarkable flying maneuvers and manages to dock with the small ship allowing Leira and Viktor to transfer to his ship. Then he takes off using the Fade drive and gets back on course for Penumbra. Before his leaves the vicinity of his escape, he does see the small ship destroyed, so the people onboard his ship have nothing much left. They did bring a small supply of anti-deuterium, fuel, so he could actually get to Penumbra.
Once at Penumbra, he figures to borrow enough fuel to fill his ship and then continue on to Traveler’s Landing. What he doesn’t expect is that his usual supplier and creditor has had enough of his non-payment and isn’t willing to give him anymore credit. Except, if Dash would take her nephew with him to where ever, she was willing to forgive his debts and completely fuel and fix his ship. While Dash didn’t really like the idea of having a semi-permanent passenger aboard his ship and a teenager at that, he reluctantly agreed. So now Conover joins the Slipwing.
They head off to Traverler’s Landing, but then a discussion occurs about why Leira and Viktor were being chased. She shows him a crystal or Lens as it’s called later and tells him it is priceless. It comes from a region of space forbidden by normal travelers because it is closely guarded by the Clan Shirna. This is a religious sect with very strict rules about protecting the Globe of Suns and the Pasture. The Pasture is where a vast collection of Unseen technology resides. Why it’s there and what’s it purpose, no one knows. The Unseen are an ancient race long though extinct, but
Clan Shirna believed they would return one day.
It turns out that this crystal is actually a highly sophisticated piece of technology. And, as everyone knows, it is very, very valuable. It would even be more valuable if they had other Unseen tech to go with it. And that’s where everyone aboard the Slipwing goes dumb and decides they might want to go back to the Pasture to see what else they can find. Their troubles have just started.
Good writing by Mr. Chaney and Mr. Maggert. I’ve read works from both authors so their teaming up makes for an exciting read and a great start to another series.
August 26, 2021
This grabbed my attention and let go. Grabbed and let go. It was easy not to come back to this - that said, it's a pretty good story with a likable main character. Not sure if I'll continue with the series, though. While the narration by Jeffrey Kafer was good, he's not my favorite. I'm trying, really trying to branch out beyond RC Bray and Ray Porter. But it's hard! They're the top of the food chain when it comes to narrators!
November 28, 2019
Warning: MILD SPOILER
I was intrigued by the promise of a giant robot scifi story which is quite the rarity among the western scifi novel..This novel does not disappoint in that sense.
It's quite a simple straight-forward story....with elements borrowed from mass effect, a little bit of firefly, a little bit of star wars and plenty of action. If you are looking for a simple read, you will enjoy this novel...
However, the "Show don't tell" element is quite lacking.....if someone shows up at my door-step with a giant robot, I want to know the reaction, thought, feeling of that person..that's the exciting part...instead of being told the robot is powerful and awesome...show me the p.o.v of the one on the opposite side of the battle. Unfortunately the whole story was written only from the main character point of view.
Oh let's talk about characterization...like I mentioned earlier, the main character is a mix between Han Solo and Nathan Fillion....he was a scoundrel who turned good..only he seems to turn good very fast...it's like watching Han Solo suddenly becoming a saint on the 1st half of star-wars..it makes the plot point less impactful in that regard...
Additionally, some plot points are resolved to conveniently.....e.g. that random boy picked up from the planet just happens to be a genius....that particular asteroid found by accident just happen to contains the item you need for your quest?....once is fine..but a few times this happened making the whole story feels inorganic/forced..
Thank you for reading my review, apologies for my english, I will keep improving by doing more writing..
I was intrigued by the promise of a giant robot scifi story which is quite the rarity among the western scifi novel..This novel does not disappoint in that sense.
It's quite a simple straight-forward story....with elements borrowed from mass effect, a little bit of firefly, a little bit of star wars and plenty of action. If you are looking for a simple read, you will enjoy this novel...
However, the "Show don't tell" element is quite lacking.....if someone shows up at my door-step with a giant robot, I want to know the reaction, thought, feeling of that person..that's the exciting part...instead of being told the robot is powerful and awesome...show me the p.o.v of the one on the opposite side of the battle. Unfortunately the whole story was written only from the main character point of view.
Oh let's talk about characterization...like I mentioned earlier, the main character is a mix between Han Solo and Nathan Fillion....he was a scoundrel who turned good..only he seems to turn good very fast...it's like watching Han Solo suddenly becoming a saint on the 1st half of star-wars..it makes the plot point less impactful in that regard...
Additionally, some plot points are resolved to conveniently.....e.g. that random boy picked up from the planet just happens to be a genius....that particular asteroid found by accident just happen to contains the item you need for your quest?....once is fine..but a few times this happened making the whole story feels inorganic/forced..
Thank you for reading my review, apologies for my english, I will keep improving by doing more writing..
May 4, 2021
DNF 19%
From the start, this book felt derivative. The dialogue was over-cooked but the characters were interesting enough. What killed it for me were the enormous flaws in logic.
A couple of space-couriers discover information pointing to a star-destroying weapon that they aren't willing to use, sell or allow into anyone else's hands. Why do they risk their ship and lives to retrieve it? Once in their possession, why not toss it into the nearest gas-giant planet?... Particularly since bad-guys are chasing them for the device. I also flinched the moment a fuel seller off-loads her annoying nephew onto a delinquent customer in exchange for clearing his debt... like that makes any sense. In any other gritty space-drama, the kid would soon be touring the nearest asteroid without a space-suit. I could go on but little made sense if you took a moment to think.
From the start, this book felt derivative. The dialogue was over-cooked but the characters were interesting enough. What killed it for me were the enormous flaws in logic.
A couple of space-couriers discover information pointing to a star-destroying weapon that they aren't willing to use, sell or allow into anyone else's hands. Why do they risk their ship and lives to retrieve it? Once in their possession, why not toss it into the nearest gas-giant planet?... Particularly since bad-guys are chasing them for the device. I also flinched the moment a fuel seller off-loads her annoying nephew onto a delinquent customer in exchange for clearing his debt... like that makes any sense. In any other gritty space-drama, the kid would soon be touring the nearest asteroid without a space-suit. I could go on but little made sense if you took a moment to think.
May 26, 2022
I didn’t fall in love with this one but it was interesting enough for me to read the 2nd book.
Since I read a lot of Star Wars books, it was hard for me to separate the two and I think that’s what affected my experience with the story. It’s not bad by any means just very meh.
I think if the 2nd book doesn’t pull me in then I just won’t continue the series which would suck because this is a 15 book series. That’s some long form story telling that I would love to well love lol.
The book cover though is very gorgeous! I love looking at it and it kinda encourages me to jump back in and pick up where I left off.
Since I read a lot of Star Wars books, it was hard for me to separate the two and I think that’s what affected my experience with the story. It’s not bad by any means just very meh.
I think if the 2nd book doesn’t pull me in then I just won’t continue the series which would suck because this is a 15 book series. That’s some long form story telling that I would love to well love lol.
The book cover though is very gorgeous! I love looking at it and it kinda encourages me to jump back in and pick up where I left off.
January 18, 2022
The MC, Dash, failed his last three deliveries and has financial troubles. But also Dash sees danger, resolve with no problems, Dash double kills aliens, Dash gets a mech and easily heads out to save the universe with no problems. He is Dash, every action hero in media but with a plot armor so thick even Chuck Norris wouldn’t punch through it.
November 30, 2019
A great start to a trilogy. Battles in space and on planets makes for a big adventure. Again an enigmatic alien is out to eradicate humanity and it has superior weapons.
I just ordered the other two books in this series.
RECOMMENDED
I just ordered the other two books in this series.
RECOMMENDED
August 11, 2020
Easiest way to describe this book would probably be, imagine star lord piloting a mech with an inbuilt jarvis. It's got a nice cast of characters, and while nothing stands out as particularly one of a kind its a fun little space romp.
Occasionally you do lose a sense of what's happening with some of the battle and space scenes being on a pretty big scale with some different concepts than some more traditional fighting. Still the descriptions are on point and you can either re-read until you get a better mental image or skim a little and you'll get the gist of what happened.
Occasionally you do lose a sense of what's happening with some of the battle and space scenes being on a pretty big scale with some different concepts than some more traditional fighting. Still the descriptions are on point and you can either re-read until you get a better mental image or skim a little and you'll get the gist of what happened.
January 15, 2022
While there plenty to want from this book, the author's respect your time and don't artificially inflate the pages for the Kindle Unlimited program.
If you want Sci-fi, an unlikely crew and eventually some Mecha scenes, this book may be for you.
If you want Sci-fi, an unlikely crew and eventually some Mecha scenes, this book may be for you.
May 8, 2025
This is just good old sci-fi mech fun. Entertaining and understandable, exactly what I needed to end off the semester and transition into summer.
September 14, 2019
This is one of those books that is more fiction than science. It is a decent enough adventure story but it is at times somewhat silly and simplistic.
I do like the idea of the story though. A rash freelance pilot does, due to a series of more or less believable circumstances, end up with a friendly combat mech from a hugely advanced but extinct (maybe) ancient race. Unfortunately, said combat mech was created for the purpose of repelling a race of mechanoids who considers it their purpose to rid the galaxy from any advanced biological life and our hero is the “chosen” one to ride the mech into the fight.
To make matters worse, the mech is not finished and our hero has to wonder around in space to collect the missing pieces. This is where, to me, the story kind of devolves into something you would find in a video game rather than a book but okay, it’s not too bad.
Pretty early on our hero picks up some friends, a girl (of course), a master mechanic and a genius kid. Together with the mech, who is sentient by the way, they form a merry band embarking on a adventurous journey.
There are some other bad guys thrown into the mix as well just to make life a bit more exiting. Although I have to say that these jerks, who happens to be fanatics, are really not adding much except to throw our hero and his mech into one frustrating situation after another.
On the hole I found it a enjoyable read. It’s not great but definitely enjoyable. Much of my enjoyment probably comes more from the fact that I like the story rather than the implementation though. Having said that, I find both the sentient mech and our hero’s new friends quite likable.
There’s a second book coming out in October and I will most likely read that one as well before I pass final verdict on whether to continue to read the series or not.
I do like the idea of the story though. A rash freelance pilot does, due to a series of more or less believable circumstances, end up with a friendly combat mech from a hugely advanced but extinct (maybe) ancient race. Unfortunately, said combat mech was created for the purpose of repelling a race of mechanoids who considers it their purpose to rid the galaxy from any advanced biological life and our hero is the “chosen” one to ride the mech into the fight.
To make matters worse, the mech is not finished and our hero has to wonder around in space to collect the missing pieces. This is where, to me, the story kind of devolves into something you would find in a video game rather than a book but okay, it’s not too bad.
Pretty early on our hero picks up some friends, a girl (of course), a master mechanic and a genius kid. Together with the mech, who is sentient by the way, they form a merry band embarking on a adventurous journey.
There are some other bad guys thrown into the mix as well just to make life a bit more exiting. Although I have to say that these jerks, who happens to be fanatics, are really not adding much except to throw our hero and his mech into one frustrating situation after another.
On the hole I found it a enjoyable read. It’s not great but definitely enjoyable. Much of my enjoyment probably comes more from the fact that I like the story rather than the implementation though. Having said that, I find both the sentient mech and our hero’s new friends quite likable.
There’s a second book coming out in October and I will most likely read that one as well before I pass final verdict on whether to continue to read the series or not.
Read
September 24, 2019Small-time space courier Dash is running on empty. With allies he picks up along the way, he stumbles into a conflict involving advanced ancient technology and old enmities. He finds himself the owner (or maybe victim?) of a powerful mecha suit. With this, he becomes (so it tells him) the only hope for an imminent war that threatens to destroy all life.
The prose was clear and easy to read. I wouldn't have minded seeing Dash more in charge of his own decisions—after he got the mech, there were spots where he "just knew" he had to do something without actually having to think through the process. As for the other characters... they had a neat mix of roles, technically speaking, but their characters and interpersonal relationships didn't make much of an impression on me.
A fun read for an afternoon without any profound mental challenges.
The prose was clear and easy to read. I wouldn't have minded seeing Dash more in charge of his own decisions—after he got the mech, there were spots where he "just knew" he had to do something without actually having to think through the process. As for the other characters... they had a neat mix of roles, technically speaking, but their characters and interpersonal relationships didn't make much of an impression on me.
A fun read for an afternoon without any profound mental challenges.
August 29, 2019
What can I say? I loved it. Great story. Dash is a courier and down on his luck. You start rooting for the guy early. He's likable with a hard, gritty side to him. Introduce a ragtag group of companions. One and engineer that can rebuild anything. Another courier, like Dash, with excellent piloting skills with a penchant for danger. And finally, I snot nosed kid that turns out to NOT be. What a twist there. The action is mixed throughout the story, just right and the narrative and dialogue are well done. Pick this one up. It's worth it.
August 29, 2019
A diamond in the rough?
Started well, the middle was better and the ending (at least of this instalment) was even better still. There’s a hint of the processional I associate more with gameplay but that certainly doesn’t detract. All in all a very good read and well worth the time.
Started well, the middle was better and the ending (at least of this instalment) was even better still. There’s a hint of the processional I associate more with gameplay but that certainly doesn’t detract. All in all a very good read and well worth the time.
September 3, 2019
Light scifi
Nice, action filled short scifi read. It lacked something, perhaps more emotional depth. Not sure. At some points it seemed it barely scratched the surface of how deep the science and tech could have been. It was fun though.
Nice, action filled short scifi read. It lacked something, perhaps more emotional depth. Not sure. At some points it seemed it barely scratched the surface of how deep the science and tech could have been. It was fun though.
August 31, 2019
Great
Started a little slow as the storyline and characters built up but did it ever built it! I really like this new book and characters!
Started a little slow as the storyline and characters built up but did it ever built it! I really like this new book and characters!
November 26, 2019
A bit juvenile
Our protagonist just gets handed this and that - and despite a fantastic tech /AI has to solve navigation and battle solutions by feel...
Our protagonist just gets handed this and that - and despite a fantastic tech /AI has to solve navigation and battle solutions by feel...
August 26, 2023
LE DOY 3 ESTRELLAS PORQUE NO SE VEN MUCHAS NOVELAS DE CIENCIA FICCIÓN DE ROBOTS GIGANTES. PERO TAMBIÉN PORQUE LA HISTORIA NO ESTA MAL
Seamos realistas, este libro gana varias de sus estrellas simplemente por ser una entrada rara en un género que no tiene suficientes libros, con lo que me refiero a la ópera espacial de robots gigantes.
"The Messenger" es un libro para cualquiera que alguna vez haya fantaseado con saltar a la cabina de un robot gigante y luchar a amenazas intergalácticas. Aunque a menudo lo comparan con Gundam, en realidad está más cerca de Voltron por su espíritu divertido (solo algunos reconocerán esos nombres... los fans y los nostálgicos). Incluyendo también por supuesto a un elenco de personajes que no estarían fuera de lugar en los rincones más divertidos del universo de Star Wars o Guardianes de la Galaxia.
Lo que tenemos aquí es una historia ligera y divertida con el trasfondo de una serie de ciencia ficción que incluye aliens, aventureros espaciales, tecnología avanzada y por supuesto robots super poderosos. Y se que la trama les parecerá algo simplona o infantil a algunos, pero la verdad es que no esta mal. Y ayuda a rememorar series del pasado y películas que a muchos quizás les hayan gustado, como Titanes del Pacífico, Transformers y Evangelion, entre otras.
La historia es bastante simple: El personaje principal encuentra un robot gigante en un rincón desconocido del espacio, que luego debe usar para salvar su vida y la de sus amigos. Pero poco apoco se da cuenta que el propósito de la máquina es defenderlos en una guerra inminente con una fuerza antigua y desconocida que planea atacar la galaxia.
Como dije, en términos de trama esta no es muy compleja o vanguardista, pero les aseguro que hace una lectura refrescante y divertida. Y yo solo he leído el primer libro, pero hay mas de 10 en la saga.
Mírenlo de esta manera, es excelente para pasar el rato y relajarse entre operas espaciales o sagas de ciencia ficción complejas.
En general es una lectura ligera, divertida y original para todos. Léanla si quieren probar algo diferente y fuera de lo común.
Les dejo la Sinopsis:
Dash nunca pidió ser el piloto de un meca, pero el destino tiene otros planes.
Huyendo y sin posibilidades, guía a su nave y tripulación al corazón de una reliquia más antigua que la galaxia misma, y se encuentra al borde de una guerra eterna que nunca supo que existía.
La reliquia es un mecanismo, perdido en la historia y olvidado por todos. Construido por una antigua raza para ser el arma definitiva, el robot es capaz de una destrucción indescriptible. Y su descubrimiento podría trastornar el equilibrio de poder en todo el espacio conocido.
Peor aún, la I.A. dentro de la máquina habla de un antiguo mal que pronto llegará: Una raza cuyo poder supera con creces cualquier cosa que la humanidad haya presenciado.
Solo el Mensajero puede oponerse a ellos, la A.I. le dice a su nuevo piloto. Sólo tú puedes hacer lo que se debe hacer.
Seamos realistas, este libro gana varias de sus estrellas simplemente por ser una entrada rara en un género que no tiene suficientes libros, con lo que me refiero a la ópera espacial de robots gigantes.
"The Messenger" es un libro para cualquiera que alguna vez haya fantaseado con saltar a la cabina de un robot gigante y luchar a amenazas intergalácticas. Aunque a menudo lo comparan con Gundam, en realidad está más cerca de Voltron por su espíritu divertido (solo algunos reconocerán esos nombres... los fans y los nostálgicos). Incluyendo también por supuesto a un elenco de personajes que no estarían fuera de lugar en los rincones más divertidos del universo de Star Wars o Guardianes de la Galaxia.
Lo que tenemos aquí es una historia ligera y divertida con el trasfondo de una serie de ciencia ficción que incluye aliens, aventureros espaciales, tecnología avanzada y por supuesto robots super poderosos. Y se que la trama les parecerá algo simplona o infantil a algunos, pero la verdad es que no esta mal. Y ayuda a rememorar series del pasado y películas que a muchos quizás les hayan gustado, como Titanes del Pacífico, Transformers y Evangelion, entre otras.
La historia es bastante simple: El personaje principal encuentra un robot gigante en un rincón desconocido del espacio, que luego debe usar para salvar su vida y la de sus amigos. Pero poco apoco se da cuenta que el propósito de la máquina es defenderlos en una guerra inminente con una fuerza antigua y desconocida que planea atacar la galaxia.
Como dije, en términos de trama esta no es muy compleja o vanguardista, pero les aseguro que hace una lectura refrescante y divertida. Y yo solo he leído el primer libro, pero hay mas de 10 en la saga.
Mírenlo de esta manera, es excelente para pasar el rato y relajarse entre operas espaciales o sagas de ciencia ficción complejas.
En general es una lectura ligera, divertida y original para todos. Léanla si quieren probar algo diferente y fuera de lo común.
Les dejo la Sinopsis:
Dash nunca pidió ser el piloto de un meca, pero el destino tiene otros planes.
Huyendo y sin posibilidades, guía a su nave y tripulación al corazón de una reliquia más antigua que la galaxia misma, y se encuentra al borde de una guerra eterna que nunca supo que existía.
La reliquia es un mecanismo, perdido en la historia y olvidado por todos. Construido por una antigua raza para ser el arma definitiva, el robot es capaz de una destrucción indescriptible. Y su descubrimiento podría trastornar el equilibrio de poder en todo el espacio conocido.
Peor aún, la I.A. dentro de la máquina habla de un antiguo mal que pronto llegará: Una raza cuyo poder supera con creces cualquier cosa que la humanidad haya presenciado.
Solo el Mensajero puede oponerse a ellos, la A.I. le dice a su nuevo piloto. Sólo tú puedes hacer lo que se debe hacer.
October 21, 2021
This book was everything I wanted for a mecha sci-fi; giant robots, spaceships, epic space battles, and an intriguing lore to how it all began….and how it might end. This is the first book in a very large series, so naturally this feels more like an introduction. However, it is clear there is much more to come and I can’t wait to see how the story continues to unfold!
Dash is a space courier in desperate straits. So desperate that he accepts a suspicious job from an unknown client for far less money than he would have liked. The job leads to a desperate rescue mission that throws an unsuspecting Dash into far more than he bargained for. Character wise, Dash is a Han Solo parallel if a slightly kinder one. As always, the snarky attitude and reckless piloting brilliance are fun and satisfying to read even if not entirely unique. Like Dash, the rest of the crew is interesting, but we barely seem to scratch the surface in this particular book. This wasn’t really a make or break for me since I wasn’t really expecting a deep, character driven story, but I hope these characters get a little more love and attention in later books.
Once Dash finds the Archetype, he must go on a journey to unlock its full potential while also fighting for survival. I love how it describes interfacing with a mech in this world and how that interface changes Dash’s perspective and experience of space. I also feel that the way all of the technology works is interesting and believable. Most importantly, everything from guns to ships seem to follow the same ‘rules’. Despite breaking some of the rules as a piece of ‘advanced’ technology, there are still many that even The Archetype follows to the letter. The attention to details like this is impressive and it made the battles even more intense for me knowing what limitations and strategies were in play. That being said, there are many moments where the main characters have ‘just enough’ power or time to escape disaster. Where that intensifies things, all the near misses start to grow old and undermine the credibility of everything else.
Though it has a very different feel, the overarching conflict and adventure was strangely reminiscent of the game “Outer Wilds” for me. This is a fun, action packed mecha Science Fiction that is sure to delight anyone looking for some straightforward space action. It is complex enough to be compelling, but won’t make you think too hard. There is some violence, but aside from a couple of scenes, the descriptions are too gruesome or graphic.
This book was received as part of a Goodreads giveaway. Special thanks to Goodreads and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review!
Dash is a space courier in desperate straits. So desperate that he accepts a suspicious job from an unknown client for far less money than he would have liked. The job leads to a desperate rescue mission that throws an unsuspecting Dash into far more than he bargained for. Character wise, Dash is a Han Solo parallel if a slightly kinder one. As always, the snarky attitude and reckless piloting brilliance are fun and satisfying to read even if not entirely unique. Like Dash, the rest of the crew is interesting, but we barely seem to scratch the surface in this particular book. This wasn’t really a make or break for me since I wasn’t really expecting a deep, character driven story, but I hope these characters get a little more love and attention in later books.
Once Dash finds the Archetype, he must go on a journey to unlock its full potential while also fighting for survival. I love how it describes interfacing with a mech in this world and how that interface changes Dash’s perspective and experience of space. I also feel that the way all of the technology works is interesting and believable. Most importantly, everything from guns to ships seem to follow the same ‘rules’. Despite breaking some of the rules as a piece of ‘advanced’ technology, there are still many that even The Archetype follows to the letter. The attention to details like this is impressive and it made the battles even more intense for me knowing what limitations and strategies were in play. That being said, there are many moments where the main characters have ‘just enough’ power or time to escape disaster. Where that intensifies things, all the near misses start to grow old and undermine the credibility of everything else.
Though it has a very different feel, the overarching conflict and adventure was strangely reminiscent of the game “Outer Wilds” for me. This is a fun, action packed mecha Science Fiction that is sure to delight anyone looking for some straightforward space action. It is complex enough to be compelling, but won’t make you think too hard. There is some violence, but aside from a couple of scenes, the descriptions are too gruesome or graphic.
This book was received as part of a Goodreads giveaway. Special thanks to Goodreads and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review!
November 25, 2021
The first installment of J.N. Chaney and Terry Maggert’s Messenger science-fiction series opens with protagonist Newton Sawyer, nicknamed and mostly referred to as Dash throughout the novel’s course, perusing the Needs Slate, a listing of errands throughout the known galaxy. Dash is a bit of an alcoholic, and wants to revisit unSpace, helpful in traversing lengthy distances across the galaxy, with his ship the Slipwing, which ultimately encounters battle. Dash lands on the frontier world of Penumbra, leaving just as quickly as he arrives, with new adversaries, the zealously-religious Clan Shirna, coming to mind.
Dash soon commandeers a different vessel, the Halfwing, which a capital ship chases and renders derelict. He has a near-death experience that involves his pursuit of a light, after which he hears an ethereal feminine voice from an A.I. known as the Sentinel, who refers to him as the eponymous Messenger, who becomes the pilot of the mech called the Archetype. In his acquired mech, Dash is able to see details of unSpace he hadn’t noticed before, with the ending chapters launching him into battle with Clan Shirna, the epilogue seeing him back with his crew of the Slipwing, where he vows to prevent war at all costs.
Overall, the first entry of Chaney and Maggert’s sci-fi literary franchise is definitely enjoyable, and a good contributor to the mecha subdivision of the genre, which I definitely appreciated given my experience with science-fiction-themed videogames that have had similar emphases upon giant mechs, titles such as the Xenosaga games coming to mind, especially given the book’s religious overtones. Granted, its similarities to said videogame titles is its primary weakness, although it does do a decent job standing apart from other science-fiction book series occurring in our own universe, and I recommend it for audiences seeking something (mostly) different in the genre.
Dash soon commandeers a different vessel, the Halfwing, which a capital ship chases and renders derelict. He has a near-death experience that involves his pursuit of a light, after which he hears an ethereal feminine voice from an A.I. known as the Sentinel, who refers to him as the eponymous Messenger, who becomes the pilot of the mech called the Archetype. In his acquired mech, Dash is able to see details of unSpace he hadn’t noticed before, with the ending chapters launching him into battle with Clan Shirna, the epilogue seeing him back with his crew of the Slipwing, where he vows to prevent war at all costs.
Overall, the first entry of Chaney and Maggert’s sci-fi literary franchise is definitely enjoyable, and a good contributor to the mecha subdivision of the genre, which I definitely appreciated given my experience with science-fiction-themed videogames that have had similar emphases upon giant mechs, titles such as the Xenosaga games coming to mind, especially given the book’s religious overtones. Granted, its similarities to said videogame titles is its primary weakness, although it does do a decent job standing apart from other science-fiction book series occurring in our own universe, and I recommend it for audiences seeking something (mostly) different in the genre.
August 1, 2021
I won a kindle copy of this in a GoodReads giveaway and I am very grateful to the author for a chance to read and review this story. Right after that I found this available as an audiobook for free on Audible and decided to go with that version instead.
I wish I could say I loved it but that would not quite be true. This was a decent story, there was nothing particularly bad about it, and I did love the concept but it just didn't work for me all the way through.
I think it comes down to the main character being just a little too glib and able to pull off some truly amazing and incredibly lucky stunts just to survive. After a while it felt like there was not really any danger that he could not slip out of. There was nothing on the line because he was just too good/lucky. To the point where it teetered just over the line of being completely believable (even given the sci-fi setting). And that left it down to a lengthy space battle which is fun on film but does nothing for me in print (or audio in this case)
Overall this was fun and I did enjoy it a bit, but I didn't love it and probably wont continue the series.
I wish I could say I loved it but that would not quite be true. This was a decent story, there was nothing particularly bad about it, and I did love the concept but it just didn't work for me all the way through.
I think it comes down to the main character being just a little too glib and able to pull off some truly amazing and incredibly lucky stunts just to survive. After a while it felt like there was not really any danger that he could not slip out of. There was nothing on the line because he was just too good/lucky. To the point where it teetered just over the line of being completely believable (even given the sci-fi setting). And that left it down to a lengthy space battle which is fun on film but does nothing for me in print (or audio in this case)
Overall this was fun and I did enjoy it a bit, but I didn't love it and probably wont continue the series.
August 4, 2021
Well I received this audio book free from Audible and I'm really glad. This intro into a series is wonderfully written sci-fi that manages to escape the usual tropes. Dash seems an unlikely hero but he and his crew stumble on a plot to end all life as we know it. That's when it takes off. The prime characters have to decide if they are going to take on a mission that might be unwinnable. These are people who are flawed and have their own priorities but get pulled into Dash's mission. The universe is not a Star Trek utopian one, but very much as if humans had been dropped into outer space with all the flaws intact.
The writers unwrap the back story in an engaging manner while introducing supporting characters in a smooth way. There is plenty of action but also great character and world development.
I have since gone on to get all of the available books in audio format and am not disappointed. Dash and crew continue to engage while showing there are actual costs to war even if there is no choice.
The narrator was great and changes from one character were smooth.
I highly recommend the series.
The writers unwrap the back story in an engaging manner while introducing supporting characters in a smooth way. There is plenty of action but also great character and world development.
I have since gone on to get all of the available books in audio format and am not disappointed. Dash and crew continue to engage while showing there are actual costs to war even if there is no choice.
The narrator was great and changes from one character were smooth.
I highly recommend the series.
July 18, 2021
It seems being a courier in the future and in the vastness of space is not all that great but Dash Sawyer is making it a go. A bit desperate for fuel, Dash grabs a fast job that leads him to rescue Leira and Viktor. But Dash believes he is hearing the same old tale when he asks to get paid. Going with his guts he decides to string along Leira and see what happens. Her offer is simple, help her sell her Unseen technology or see who can help decipher it and then go out and collect more.
But first fuel. Which leads to Conover a disillusion youth that Dash must now care for in order to fulfill the promise for a full load of fuel. The Slipwing has its crew and now the adventure in the Unseen race ancient locations to look for more tech. What they find is incredible as they separate in order to help them survive Dash discovers a mech. Yes, a Mecha droid, a Gundam looking mech. He is now on a completely different mission, to save the galaxy.
But first fuel. Which leads to Conover a disillusion youth that Dash must now care for in order to fulfill the promise for a full load of fuel. The Slipwing has its crew and now the adventure in the Unseen race ancient locations to look for more tech. What they find is incredible as they separate in order to help them survive Dash discovers a mech. Yes, a Mecha droid, a Gundam looking mech. He is now on a completely different mission, to save the galaxy.
December 18, 2022
Good book but not great. It was a fun space opera and I enjoyed reading it. The prose was good and it was well-edited. It shows that the author(s) are pros who publish a lot of books.
However, I've seen everything presented in this book before. It's a bit of Neon Genesis Evangelion, a bit of Mass Effect, a bit of Star Wars and more.
The story about a machine alien race that comes around every 400k years and kills all advanced civilizations has been told before. Mass Effect fans will quickly recognize it.
The MC is a bit like Han Solo minus Wookie and the villains are mean lizard guys Captain Kirk would love to have a fistfight with.
Then there's this mecha that can fly in space but needs a human pilot.
I know you can't reinvent the wheel and every story has been told already but I prefer discovering something new in my books than just standard tropes. Who likes trope-filled sci-fi will surely enjoy this a lot.
And, as I said, the prose is really neat.
However, I've seen everything presented in this book before. It's a bit of Neon Genesis Evangelion, a bit of Mass Effect, a bit of Star Wars and more.
The story about a machine alien race that comes around every 400k years and kills all advanced civilizations has been told before. Mass Effect fans will quickly recognize it.
The MC is a bit like Han Solo minus Wookie and the villains are mean lizard guys Captain Kirk would love to have a fistfight with.
Then there's this mecha that can fly in space but needs a human pilot.
I know you can't reinvent the wheel and every story has been told already but I prefer discovering something new in my books than just standard tropes. Who likes trope-filled sci-fi will surely enjoy this a lot.
And, as I said, the prose is really neat.
January 10, 2021
Feels like the pilot episode for a mech show canceled after a season.
I gave this book 3 stars because well, I don't see many authors writing stories with huge mechs. To be honest, I would have put a 2.5. The pacing goes from information dump to action scene and repeats. Main character I found to be annoying. He doesn't really have any development. All problems are explained and solved. The cast is kind of haphazardly thrown together. Action is decent but sometimes ambiguous. For example the dark lance, I have no idea if it shoots from a shoulder mounted cannon or from the archetypes rear. Villain is on par with a Disney marvel villain, just there out of necessity and expendable. I probably won't be reading more in this series.
I gave this book 3 stars because well, I don't see many authors writing stories with huge mechs. To be honest, I would have put a 2.5. The pacing goes from information dump to action scene and repeats. Main character I found to be annoying. He doesn't really have any development. All problems are explained and solved. The cast is kind of haphazardly thrown together. Action is decent but sometimes ambiguous. For example the dark lance, I have no idea if it shoots from a shoulder mounted cannon or from the archetypes rear. Villain is on par with a Disney marvel villain, just there out of necessity and expendable. I probably won't be reading more in this series.
August 13, 2021
I don't think I made it even ten pages into this book. The authors begin by telling us the MC has failed in his most recent delivery contract. Then they have their MC try to shift the blame for this failure and whine about how it wasn't his fault (without giving any evidence to support the MC's claim). Next the authors reveal that this was the third delivery in a row MC screwed up. Next we are told the MC can't go to his first choice of places to look for his next job because he owes too many people too much money on that planet.
At this point in time I decided the authors had made their case and their MC really was an uninteresting loser so I stopped reading.
At this point in time I decided the authors had made their case and their MC really was an uninteresting loser so I stopped reading.
November 5, 2025
You can say this about Chaney and Maggert. They have no shame about employing science fiction tropes we haven’t seen since Buck Rogers or The Skylark of Space. Dash—yes, our dashing hero is named Dash—explores an ancient relic and is adopted by its still-working AI. Of course, he is given a mission to deal with an even more ancient interstellar evil. The other thing you can say about these writers is that they are a hard-working duo—15 volumes of this series came out between 2019 and 2021. I assume Dash is still out there fighting evil. Jeff Kafer is a seasoned narrator who knows how to pump up the action in a space opera.
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