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Tales of the Acheron #1
Prodigal
Sandi Hollande is trouble…the kind of trouble that gets people killed.
On the run from cartel bounty hunters, she turns to the only one left in the galaxy who gives a damn…Ash Carpenter, her old wingman.
She’d saved his life in the war, so he owes her, and his ship, the Acheron, is the perfect way to pay off that debt. She wants to take it and get as far away as possible, but there’s no way Ash is letting the Acheron go anywhere without him.
Together, they play a dangerous game with the deadliest criminals in the galaxy…and hope they live to tell the tale.
Don't miss the follow up to The Acheron from bestselling military sci-fi author Rick Partlow. Perfect for fans of Jay Allan, Jasper T. Scott, and Scott Bartlett.
On the run from cartel bounty hunters, she turns to the only one left in the galaxy who gives a damn…Ash Carpenter, her old wingman.
She’d saved his life in the war, so he owes her, and his ship, the Acheron, is the perfect way to pay off that debt. She wants to take it and get as far away as possible, but there’s no way Ash is letting the Acheron go anywhere without him.
Together, they play a dangerous game with the deadliest criminals in the galaxy…and hope they live to tell the tale.
Don't miss the follow up to The Acheron from bestselling military sci-fi author Rick Partlow. Perfect for fans of Jay Allan, Jasper T. Scott, and Scott Bartlett.
- GenresScience Fiction
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2017
247 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Rick Partlow
210 books373 followersRick Partlow is that rarest of species, a native Floridian. Born in Tampa, he attended Florida Southern College and graduated with a degree in History and a commission in the US Army as an Infantry officer.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 15, 2021
Just last month I was reviewing the first book in this series, "The Acheron", and I started out the review by indicating that the lead or main character is a female by the name of Sandrine Hollande. Well, she's back, but this time she doesn't actual steal the show. In fact, she's the reason this whole story turns out the way it does. See, Sandi, has gotten herself in some very, very deep trouble. And of course, she turns to Ash Carpenter or rather Commander Ashton Carpenter for help!
Now, Commander Carpenter has stayed with the military after the end of the Second Tahni war. It's been awhile and things have certainly slowed down for this peace time military. Promotions and such aren't coming very fast and most of the officers are just waiting for retirement. That's exactly the situation for Ash. But, at least his hobby has kept him busy. He's purchased, at great personal expense, a surplus cutter which needed quite an extensive refit to make it space-worthy once again. He had been working on it in his spare time and was about ready to take the Acheron on it's maiden voyage. Then Sandi showed up!
If you remember, Sandi had gone against orders to rescue Ash when he crashed on a Tahni held moon durning their last mission. That act saved Ash's live and made Ash fell in Sandi' debt. Unfortunately, she was here to collect on that debt even though she didn't really want to get Ash involved in her mess. That last mission against orders had resulted in her flight certificate being revoked so she was a pilot with on "legal" way to fly. That resulted in very few jobs until she got a gig with the one of the cartels running guns! Then this one last run didn't turn out so well and she had to depart very hastily. Now she was asking Ash to give her a loan so she could get out of the entire area so the cartel wouldn't be always coming for her.
Of course Ash, couldn't believe that Sandi had been dumb enough to get involved with that kind of trash. Once you got involved with the cartels, you usually didn't get out unless you were very dead. So, he knew that Sandi would have to go a very long ways away to get the cartel off her back. What Sandi didn't tell him right away was that she had gotten some very confidential information about one of the cartels illegal gun supply schedules. The wanted that information back and now. They were willing to see her dead to make sure she didn't get a chance to either sell that info or go to the authorities. She had chosen to run, but Ash was in no condition to loan her anything. So, the did the next best thing and offered to go with her and try to settle things with the cartel.
So now, both Ash and Sandi are back working for the cartel and they have a specific mission that involves picking up some very dangerous missiles from a government supply depot. Apparently, there's a Fleet Admiral who's making a fortune by selling military equipment to the cartels and this next weapon system could very well set one of the cartels up as the master of them all. But, Ash and Sandi had no intention of letting these cartel idiots getting their hands on "planet-buster" nuclear missiles. Just how they were going to prevent that is the rest of the story!
I liked the writing as I have of all of Rick Partlow's books. While this isn't a strictly military sci-fi book, it does have the same things, missions, and orders and specific things you can and cannot do. Additionally, the female lead didn't do everything in this story, Ash actually had a lot to do and was there the entire time. He's not actually the hero type, but he certainly isn't a coward either. There were some other characters introduced and they all worked out pretty well. I like how the story ends with a connection to future stories that could be pretty good with the new team that will form around Ash and Sandi. I'll continue reading this series for sure!
Now, Commander Carpenter has stayed with the military after the end of the Second Tahni war. It's been awhile and things have certainly slowed down for this peace time military. Promotions and such aren't coming very fast and most of the officers are just waiting for retirement. That's exactly the situation for Ash. But, at least his hobby has kept him busy. He's purchased, at great personal expense, a surplus cutter which needed quite an extensive refit to make it space-worthy once again. He had been working on it in his spare time and was about ready to take the Acheron on it's maiden voyage. Then Sandi showed up!
If you remember, Sandi had gone against orders to rescue Ash when he crashed on a Tahni held moon durning their last mission. That act saved Ash's live and made Ash fell in Sandi' debt. Unfortunately, she was here to collect on that debt even though she didn't really want to get Ash involved in her mess. That last mission against orders had resulted in her flight certificate being revoked so she was a pilot with on "legal" way to fly. That resulted in very few jobs until she got a gig with the one of the cartels running guns! Then this one last run didn't turn out so well and she had to depart very hastily. Now she was asking Ash to give her a loan so she could get out of the entire area so the cartel wouldn't be always coming for her.
Of course Ash, couldn't believe that Sandi had been dumb enough to get involved with that kind of trash. Once you got involved with the cartels, you usually didn't get out unless you were very dead. So, he knew that Sandi would have to go a very long ways away to get the cartel off her back. What Sandi didn't tell him right away was that she had gotten some very confidential information about one of the cartels illegal gun supply schedules. The wanted that information back and now. They were willing to see her dead to make sure she didn't get a chance to either sell that info or go to the authorities. She had chosen to run, but Ash was in no condition to loan her anything. So, the did the next best thing and offered to go with her and try to settle things with the cartel.
So now, both Ash and Sandi are back working for the cartel and they have a specific mission that involves picking up some very dangerous missiles from a government supply depot. Apparently, there's a Fleet Admiral who's making a fortune by selling military equipment to the cartels and this next weapon system could very well set one of the cartels up as the master of them all. But, Ash and Sandi had no intention of letting these cartel idiots getting their hands on "planet-buster" nuclear missiles. Just how they were going to prevent that is the rest of the story!
I liked the writing as I have of all of Rick Partlow's books. While this isn't a strictly military sci-fi book, it does have the same things, missions, and orders and specific things you can and cannot do. Additionally, the female lead didn't do everything in this story, Ash actually had a lot to do and was there the entire time. He's not actually the hero type, but he certainly isn't a coward either. There were some other characters introduced and they all worked out pretty well. I like how the story ends with a connection to future stories that could be pretty good with the new team that will form around Ash and Sandi. I'll continue reading this series for sure!
November 26, 2020
Very slow start
The start was so slow and dull I almost have up on it. Thankfully I kept at it and the story picked up
If I had given up is would have been in the first third and it would have got 1*, the last two thirds raised it up to a 3*
Not sure how to explain what was wrong with the first bit, it just took forever to get going, nothing seemed to happen, yes setting the scene is appropriate, but the amount that was carried out here.
Once it does get going the story is exciting and we'll paced. The ending is no real surprise and the epilogue leaves enough of a hint to make the next book interesting
The start was so slow and dull I almost have up on it. Thankfully I kept at it and the story picked up
If I had given up is would have been in the first third and it would have got 1*, the last two thirds raised it up to a 3*
Not sure how to explain what was wrong with the first bit, it just took forever to get going, nothing seemed to happen, yes setting the scene is appropriate, but the amount that was carried out here.
Once it does get going the story is exciting and we'll paced. The ending is no real surprise and the epilogue leaves enough of a hint to make the next book interesting
October 31, 2020
Interesting.
I like the author and most of his stories. This has enough to keep me reading however I find it hard to invest in the two main characters. I just can’t like Sandi and Ash was a commander of men but does not seem to have developed as a character.
I like the author and most of his stories. This has enough to keep me reading however I find it hard to invest in the two main characters. I just can’t like Sandi and Ash was a commander of men but does not seem to have developed as a character.
January 2, 2021
Another really good book by Rick Partlow
I read a lot of science fiction. Been into this genre my whole life. There are a few authors that I will read everything they write, and Rick Partlow is now one of them. Can’t wait to dive into the next book in this series.
I read a lot of science fiction. Been into this genre my whole life. There are a few authors that I will read everything they write, and Rick Partlow is now one of them. Can’t wait to dive into the next book in this series.
April 26, 2021
Another solid read
This is another great outing for Mr. Partlow. It’s very fun to read his various books which explore the same war/post war through the eyes of completely different characters.
This is another great outing for Mr. Partlow. It’s very fun to read his various books which explore the same war/post war through the eyes of completely different characters.
September 27, 2021
An unexpected turn
While the story begins with Sandi and Ash still in the Commonwealth service the bulk of the book is set post service. They wind up in a completely different situation and deal with it as best as they can.
While the story begins with Sandi and Ash still in the Commonwealth service the bulk of the book is set post service. They wind up in a completely different situation and deal with it as best as they can.
March 15, 2023
4 novels in the series, First is a military rocket fighter war story, this one is the second is after the war as gangsters take over control of much of the frontier. Borrowed this item for free with my Prime Reading membership on March 13, 2023.
February 1, 2021
A good read
A good read which I really enjoyed. If you want to know about Sandi and ash then read on and enjoy.
A good read which I really enjoyed. If you want to know about Sandi and ash then read on and enjoy.
November 25, 2017
This Bk 1 Is a great read and next installment in the Acheron Series this is the story of Two Missile Boat Pilots from Ricks encompassing Space opera It's after the Earth Tahni War has ended and now the common wealth is stagnating and conspiracy and corruption is running Rampant throughout the military out in the fringes the pirate worlds lawless cartels fight each other for power into this our 2 missile boat pilots are thrust into the frey Trying to stay alive Rick Partlow Has written a convincing and believable story with Characters you will love and ones you will hate I really Liked this and Highly Recommend reading this book Well Done Rick Partlow 5 Stars
January 15, 2018
Though this book is not for everyone, due to a repeating plot-line and being a slow read. I would recommend trying it out. The characters are funny and a little OMG in each situation that's offered. It is a little slow, but I found myself going back to it after I had started another read. So it took me longer to read, but that's just fine. It didn't make me work at figuring out the language or who was who. A plus since I sometimes run across books in slang or some sort of language that just isn't comprehensible. I liked it overall and will be looking for the next in the series. After all, I spend a lot of time in my bedroom (medical problems) and can always use a good read.
dnf-not-for-me
December 29, 20171/10: Couldn't get past the first few chapters; not for me.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews