The Stranger From Meclan

by Leland Brown

Remember when action stories were fun and didn't all revolve around getting a thing to a place before stuff happens? Remember when Sci-fi actually took a stab at science? The Stranger From Meclan is a new spin on an old flavor that is sure to leave you entertained with its realistic action and clever humor.… As these tales generally go, it was just another hum-drum delivery run for Commander Dex Sloan and his trusty old freighter…Until it wasn’t. Dex had worked hard for many long years to cultivate a nice quiet life for himself, bouncing from system to system in an aimless wander through the cosmos, but that carefully constructed house of cards came tumbling down when he found himself amid the turbulence of Meclan station. Silence was always an option, but even the most delicately laid plans are worth burning to the ground if it means a bully is to meet his comeuppance. Sometimes it takes a Stranger to spark life into the flames of revolution…

397 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2020

About the author

Action movies have always been a big part of my life growing up. While most of the other kids were sent off for nap time, I would sneak away to watch Chuck Norris deliver justice to the bad-guys one snap-spinning bootheel at a time on glorious VHS. Everybody knows that good ol' Walker is just a gateway show to harder action, and I soon found myself mixed up with the likes of Schwarzenegger and Van Damme; Thinking that any problem could be solved with a witty one-liner or an entirely unnecessary use of the splits. Then, as time dragged on and I learned more about the world around me, I gradually came to realize the 80's action veneer was beginning to peel. Machineguns were not endless bullet hoses, the bad-guys aren't always going to be incompetent, and sometimes the good-guys can lose. But the wisdom that came with those revelations taught me how each shot in a dwindling magazine counts that much more, how each villain is the hero of his own story, and how sometimes victory can be found in the simple undertaking of an insurmountable task. As these ideas solidified in my head, and I became a more annoying person to watch blockbuster movies with, I would often be met with exasperated sighs demanding; "I'd like to see you try to do any better."

Well...Here I am.

Reviews

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was the description and storyline that appealed to me, and the intense bouts of graphic violence which lost that interest. Much of the death and slaughter seems to be just gratuitous violence. The extreme graphic nature of these scenes do not add anything to the story, past necessitating a double R rating.

I liked the story potential, and I stayed for as long as I could but the entertainment value was lost the longer these graphic violence scenes continued. I understand killing characters as a part of conflict and war but the detailed descriptions of how the person is permanently incapacitated, dismembered, or killed were more than I needed.

Not a book I would recommend, or a series I care to continue.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a fun adventure that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat during the action scenes and also chuckling at the witty banter between characters. As a woman, I enjoyed having a strong female lead character who was multidimensional and didn’t fall into the traditional tropes. It’s a fun read that dives into the space science just enough to make you think, but not so much that you feel overwhelmed. Highly recommend!

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is a fun action packed story that immerses you in the future of space travel and technology mixed with an action movie plot. It has action, science fiction, comedy, and even a little romance! I am looking forward to the next one by this author!

[Aaron James Bang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent freshman effort

Great start to an upcoming talent! Action scenes were thoughtful and engaging, the science was well thought-through, and the read was fun and light.