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The Burning Son #1
The Burning Son
Pilot Mark Martin must flee his home world of Yale when the Erethizon theocracy overwhelms the defenses. His father, an influential senator, is captured. Now Mark must find a way to save his dad before the resistance is crushed, and with it, all hope of ending the occupation. A chance encounter with a smuggler captain may be his only hope. Will they help, or will the crew sell him to the alien invaders?
The Burning Son the first book in a new is a classic space opera series set in a dark future. Yale was a thriving colony until the aliens showed up. Their demand, join our religion and serve our theocracy.
Mark Martin was a pilot in Yale's space navy. When the stalemate crumbles, he was forced to leave the military and join a band of pirates. The smugglers were not the marines he's used to serving with. With them he will explore a galaxy full of adventure.
The Burning Son the first book in a new is a classic space opera series set in a dark future. Yale was a thriving colony until the aliens showed up. Their demand, join our religion and serve our theocracy.
Mark Martin was a pilot in Yale's space navy. When the stalemate crumbles, he was forced to leave the military and join a band of pirates. The smugglers were not the marines he's used to serving with. With them he will explore a galaxy full of adventure.
- GenresAudiobookScience Fiction
Audible Audio
Published August 12, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 5, 2018
Fast reading, fast moving exceptional space opera
July 29, 2021
4.5 stars
A great sci-fi adventure in a wonderfully detailed universe. If you love space opera, you should definitely check out The Burning Son.
While it took me a while to warm up to the main character, astro-navigator Mark Martin, the world building and uniquely developed alien races kept me engaged. The story kicks off with the fall of Martin's home world to an invasive race of religious zealots. Martin and his sister flee the planet aboard, basically, a pirate ship. The story lost a little bit of focus as the crew took on various jobs, but we got a good look at some of Leatherman's alien cultures that made up for it. Then the pacing in the second half of the book really picks up as Leatherman shifts the focus back to the main plot.
This story had a lot of action, unique settings, excellent species creation, and while some of the reveals were easily anticipated there were enough twists that I couldn't be *quite* sure I knew where everyone stood until near the end. The one place where it fell down a bit for me was in the development of the main character. It's not that he wasn't likable... for me he just felt a little flat. Maybe it's because he always seemed unfazed even when everything was going to hell around him. The more pronounced personalities of some of the secondary characters made up for that however.
Fair warning: this book is very much a cliffhanger, so don't expect a tidy resolution at the end. That said, the second, and even third, book in this series is available.
A great sci-fi adventure in a wonderfully detailed universe. If you love space opera, you should definitely check out The Burning Son.
While it took me a while to warm up to the main character, astro-navigator Mark Martin, the world building and uniquely developed alien races kept me engaged. The story kicks off with the fall of Martin's home world to an invasive race of religious zealots. Martin and his sister flee the planet aboard, basically, a pirate ship. The story lost a little bit of focus as the crew took on various jobs, but we got a good look at some of Leatherman's alien cultures that made up for it. Then the pacing in the second half of the book really picks up as Leatherman shifts the focus back to the main plot.
This story had a lot of action, unique settings, excellent species creation, and while some of the reveals were easily anticipated there were enough twists that I couldn't be *quite* sure I knew where everyone stood until near the end. The one place where it fell down a bit for me was in the development of the main character. It's not that he wasn't likable... for me he just felt a little flat. Maybe it's because he always seemed unfazed even when everything was going to hell around him. The more pronounced personalities of some of the secondary characters made up for that however.
Fair warning: this book is very much a cliffhanger, so don't expect a tidy resolution at the end. That said, the second, and even third, book in this series is available.
May 16, 2019
Fasten your seatbelts for the action-packed space odyssey, “The Burning Sun,” by T. H. Leatherman. The story starts in breakneck speed over Yale's night sky where navigator Mark Martin witnesses the Erethizon forces (known as the "procu-bears") ambushing his home settlement. Mark helps his sister, Sophie escape, but he can't save his senatorial father who's been captured by the enemy. To flee their desperate situation, the brother-sister team hooks up with a female captain in need of a medic and navigator on her pirate spaceship called the Leonard Fox. And with an "aye, arrr," they burst through the enemy blockade. Escaping danger, at least for the moment, Sarah and Mark become acquainted with the motley crew, including the foxlike Muscats who oversee the engineering bay. To his dismay, Mark learns his homeland’s republic has been transformed into a monarchy under the control of the Erethizons. He is determined to find a way to free his father and his home planet, but he faces threats from unknown forces lurking among the crew. The twists are unexpected in this riveting odyssey, and the ending will make you hunger for the next adventure in the series.
Author Leatherman's space opera is told from first person point of view of Mark Martin. The story effectively captures the humor in his voice to make this a fun read. The story is fast-pace and the dialogue is snappy. The narrative is lean but adequately describes the characters and the interstellar worlds. The competing races of the humans (the Terran Confederation), the engineering-minded Muscat, and the amphibian, psychic Dru are unique and intriguing. They must join forces to defeat the Erethizon, whose crusade is to seize control over every world and to spread their fanatical religious beliefs. Action dominates the beginning of the story. It is not until later that I feel grounded in the interstellar worlds and can fully understand the stakes.
“The Burning Sun” is recommended for science fiction readers who love their tales fast-paced and full of action. The additional bonus of a spaceship full of quirky characters makes this book a fun and entertaining read.
Author Leatherman's space opera is told from first person point of view of Mark Martin. The story effectively captures the humor in his voice to make this a fun read. The story is fast-pace and the dialogue is snappy. The narrative is lean but adequately describes the characters and the interstellar worlds. The competing races of the humans (the Terran Confederation), the engineering-minded Muscat, and the amphibian, psychic Dru are unique and intriguing. They must join forces to defeat the Erethizon, whose crusade is to seize control over every world and to spread their fanatical religious beliefs. Action dominates the beginning of the story. It is not until later that I feel grounded in the interstellar worlds and can fully understand the stakes.
“The Burning Sun” is recommended for science fiction readers who love their tales fast-paced and full of action. The additional bonus of a spaceship full of quirky characters makes this book a fun and entertaining read.
September 24, 2023
Great sci fi adventure
But the high named character body count at the end didn't make me happy. And the remaining characters weren't as affected by the horrendous losses as I would have expected. I really liked the book until the end. The worldbuilding is interesting but grim, the characters are enjoyable, and the story was thrilling. Then, kaboom! There is graphic violence and the previously mentioned body count.
But the high named character body count at the end didn't make me happy. And the remaining characters weren't as affected by the horrendous losses as I would have expected. I really liked the book until the end. The worldbuilding is interesting but grim, the characters are enjoyable, and the story was thrilling. Then, kaboom! There is graphic violence and the previously mentioned body count.
January 10, 2021
This is the 1st book I've read written by TH Leatherman; he has done a great job at writing a good book; I will definitely be reading more of his books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
November 23, 2020
Thank you to the author TH Leatherman and Audiobookworm Productions for access to this title in exchange for an honest review as part of the blog tour for this title. This has not swayed my review in any way. My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.
The Burning Son is a classic space opera novel that tells the story of Mark Martin, a marine pilot stranded when his home planet falls under attack who is forced to sign on with a crew of smugglers. It's fast-paced, fun, presents a lot of cool technology and alien species in a very easily absorbed was, and absolutely takes the reader (or listener) on a riveting ride that doesn't slow down until it's over.
I think my favourite character was the smuggler captain. I think if you were to mesh Captains Picard and Janeway together she might be the result. This captain is witty, smart and full of surprises. It certainly takes Mark quite a while to start expecting that she's always got back up plans B through F lined up and she's already thought a dozen steps ahead of the enemy.
Where this falls short for me is that it all feels so familiar. While I was experiencing it I couldn't quite put my finger on why, but as I mulled over how I was going to review this one it came to me. This feels like the intended correct sequence of playthrough events in a sci-fi video game. Cut scene of talking to marine superior, taking father's call, disaster strikes, stranded. Objective: save sister and father. Most players find sister first, approaching father's location triggers cut scene: too late, witness father abdupted. Next cut scene (immediate if sister is in the party): Finding smuggler captain and wounded pilot. Objective: help pilot. Captain NPC offers a position on her ship, player options: Accept, haggle on salary, decline. (Decline triggers a time wasting side quest that eventually leads to working for the captain anyway. Not recommended for speedrun attempts.) And so on.
The narrator's performance in the audiobook version is great. It's easy to follow the plot and keep track of which characters are speaking, and for listeners like myself who listen at 1.5-2x speed it remains clear and digestable. Since there are strong female characters in this book it might have been nice to have multiple narrators, but I do think Russell did a good job with all of the characters. I appreciate that he didn't force a higher pitch for the female characters' dialogue as I've heard some male narrators do, as that usually sounds tacky. Russel stuck within his own comfortable range and managed to make the different voices distinct anyway in different ways.
--
I read this title for a blog tour! To read the rest of the post and gain easy access to the rest of the tour, visit: https://www.westveilpublishing.com/?p...
The Burning Son is a classic space opera novel that tells the story of Mark Martin, a marine pilot stranded when his home planet falls under attack who is forced to sign on with a crew of smugglers. It's fast-paced, fun, presents a lot of cool technology and alien species in a very easily absorbed was, and absolutely takes the reader (or listener) on a riveting ride that doesn't slow down until it's over.
I think my favourite character was the smuggler captain. I think if you were to mesh Captains Picard and Janeway together she might be the result. This captain is witty, smart and full of surprises. It certainly takes Mark quite a while to start expecting that she's always got back up plans B through F lined up and she's already thought a dozen steps ahead of the enemy.
Where this falls short for me is that it all feels so familiar. While I was experiencing it I couldn't quite put my finger on why, but as I mulled over how I was going to review this one it came to me. This feels like the intended correct sequence of playthrough events in a sci-fi video game. Cut scene of talking to marine superior, taking father's call, disaster strikes, stranded. Objective: save sister and father. Most players find sister first, approaching father's location triggers cut scene: too late, witness father abdupted. Next cut scene (immediate if sister is in the party): Finding smuggler captain and wounded pilot. Objective: help pilot. Captain NPC offers a position on her ship, player options: Accept, haggle on salary, decline. (Decline triggers a time wasting side quest that eventually leads to working for the captain anyway. Not recommended for speedrun attempts.) And so on.
The narrator's performance in the audiobook version is great. It's easy to follow the plot and keep track of which characters are speaking, and for listeners like myself who listen at 1.5-2x speed it remains clear and digestable. Since there are strong female characters in this book it might have been nice to have multiple narrators, but I do think Russell did a good job with all of the characters. I appreciate that he didn't force a higher pitch for the female characters' dialogue as I've heard some male narrators do, as that usually sounds tacky. Russel stuck within his own comfortable range and managed to make the different voices distinct anyway in different ways.
--
I read this title for a blog tour! To read the rest of the post and gain easy access to the rest of the tour, visit: https://www.westveilpublishing.com/?p...
Read
November 28, 2020 I've read a few space operas this year and The Burning Son is definitely one of my favorites so far! It's got a lot of action, a ragtag set of characters, and just a really good flow. Basically everything you could wish for in a space opera! Plus it's got all of those traditional elements you expect in a space opera, but it's fresh enough to feel new and not a carbon copy of a standard space opera.
This book also definitely really worked as an audiobook. There was so much clever dialogue throughout the story that it was such a great experience to read this story as an audiobook. It in a sense helped these characters come to life and helped enhance all of the races and locations in the book.
This was an excellent start to a new series and I really look forward to seeing where these books lead. I also look forward to learning more about the characters and maybe meeting some new alien races along the way. But yeah, this was a fun read and reading in audiobook format really helped me along. I find that sometimes I struggle with reading space operas because I get so caught up in the words and taking a step back and listening to the story really helped me to enjoy it even more.
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
This book also definitely really worked as an audiobook. There was so much clever dialogue throughout the story that it was such a great experience to read this story as an audiobook. It in a sense helped these characters come to life and helped enhance all of the races and locations in the book.
This was an excellent start to a new series and I really look forward to seeing where these books lead. I also look forward to learning more about the characters and maybe meeting some new alien races along the way. But yeah, this was a fun read and reading in audiobook format really helped me along. I find that sometimes I struggle with reading space operas because I get so caught up in the words and taking a step back and listening to the story really helped me to enjoy it even more.
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
September 1, 2017
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. The characters are interesting, though some left us too soon. I especially like the alien race of the Muscat. I look forward to the next in the series. Full disclosure, the author is a dear friend and he earned one of stars for that reason.
2017-09-01 - now I am at an actual computer, with a keyboard, I am going to add a few more things.
1. when we were talking about books, I mentioned to TH that I like to get to the end of a chapter before I put a book down - as usually that is a good stopping point. he advised he likes to end a chapter with a cliff-hanger, I called him a dick, and he agreed he was, and then I read the book, and yes...he's a dick.
2. the chapters vary in length...there might be one with a few pages followed by one with a bunch of pages (I read on the kindle, so I just have the 1 more minute in this chapter, or 24 minutes left in this chapter to go by). I like that and I don't. never fails that I think I can read one more chapter, and then it ends up being a long one, and sigh....
3. I look forward to more books in the series (though I think he is going for a trilogy) to get more in depth with some of the characters, especially our hero's sister, we just don't know enough about her, and she suffered a pretty big loss in this book, I want to see how she is handling things.
2017-09-01 - now I am at an actual computer, with a keyboard, I am going to add a few more things.
1. when we were talking about books, I mentioned to TH that I like to get to the end of a chapter before I put a book down - as usually that is a good stopping point. he advised he likes to end a chapter with a cliff-hanger, I called him a dick, and he agreed he was, and then I read the book, and yes...he's a dick.
2. the chapters vary in length...there might be one with a few pages followed by one with a bunch of pages (I read on the kindle, so I just have the 1 more minute in this chapter, or 24 minutes left in this chapter to go by). I like that and I don't. never fails that I think I can read one more chapter, and then it ends up being a long one, and sigh....
3. I look forward to more books in the series (though I think he is going for a trilogy) to get more in depth with some of the characters, especially our hero's sister, we just don't know enough about her, and she suffered a pretty big loss in this book, I want to see how she is handling things.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2021
Action from page one pulled me into this breathtaking space adventure. I loved that it was a brother and sister team. I have such a close bond with my brother that it gave me an instant connection to the characters.
As Mark and his sister search for their father they run across some fantastic characters, human and otherwise and we see a lot more action. There are also some very profound parts and some places that touched and tugged at my emotions. I particularly appreciate the story was packed with tension, great dialogue, and didn't get too sciencey.
It was a well-rounded story that will appeal to readers of all speculative genres.
As Mark and his sister search for their father they run across some fantastic characters, human and otherwise and we see a lot more action. There are also some very profound parts and some places that touched and tugged at my emotions. I particularly appreciate the story was packed with tension, great dialogue, and didn't get too sciencey.
It was a well-rounded story that will appeal to readers of all speculative genres.
June 21, 2017
Great yarn.
Standard trope: rich and highly skilled, also highborn, perseveres through many challenges and some deep heartache. Fate of worlds and a walk among beings with strange abilities and cultures, and (mostly) darn good folk besides. While "this is not literature" and twenty-odd typos kept out, the takeaway is a feeling of having spent good time with folks you can admire and respect.
Standard trope: rich and highly skilled, also highborn, perseveres through many challenges and some deep heartache. Fate of worlds and a walk among beings with strange abilities and cultures, and (mostly) darn good folk besides. While "this is not literature" and twenty-odd typos kept out, the takeaway is a feeling of having spent good time with folks you can admire and respect.
March 29, 2021
Well written and highly enjoyable
Pirates in space with royalty and strange star beings that resemble foxes on board.
Add to that mix a race of 9ft tall beings that look like bears with vicious porcupine spikes on them. These porcu-bears want to rule space and all the planets it contains.
Their next move is to capture the Terran prince and princess. The question is will they succeed?
The result is a fast paced, exciting story that you won’t want to put down.
Pirates in space with royalty and strange star beings that resemble foxes on board.
Add to that mix a race of 9ft tall beings that look like bears with vicious porcupine spikes on them. These porcu-bears want to rule space and all the planets it contains.
Their next move is to capture the Terran prince and princess. The question is will they succeed?
The result is a fast paced, exciting story that you won’t want to put down.
September 20, 2017
Solid sci-fi adventure
Good premise, cool and well thought-out alien races, and solid dialogue. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who emjoys sci-fi. The ending did feel a little rushed to me, but that was the only even slightly false note. Looking forward to the sequel (next on my reading list, I just bought it!)
Good premise, cool and well thought-out alien races, and solid dialogue. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who emjoys sci-fi. The ending did feel a little rushed to me, but that was the only even slightly false note. Looking forward to the sequel (next on my reading list, I just bought it!)
November 22, 2020
This is a well-written story and well-performed audiobook. I'm not sure if the space opera genre is my kind of genre but it was interesting. I think definitely sci-fi fans and gamers would really enjoy the technology and descriptive battle scenes. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads
July 6, 2021
Fun story, good characters and lots of action
I have to say I suspected the mole before they were exposed, it that just means I am suspicious vs anything detracting in the story. The characters were fun and interesting, and there was a lot of action. This looks to be a good start to an interesting series. I recommend this book.
I have to say I suspected the mole before they were exposed, it that just means I am suspicious vs anything detracting in the story. The characters were fun and interesting, and there was a lot of action. This looks to be a good start to an interesting series. I recommend this book.
June 9, 2022
Star Trek-Like, without the Special Effects
This isn’t the SciFi I enjoy. This is very much like Star Trek TNG. Rather made up science stuff mixed in with possible concepts. The storyline plays like a TV episode rather than a fleshed out written story. Some readers enjoy this casual SciFi…I prefer harder science and a more complex story.
This isn’t the SciFi I enjoy. This is very much like Star Trek TNG. Rather made up science stuff mixed in with possible concepts. The storyline plays like a TV episode rather than a fleshed out written story. Some readers enjoy this casual SciFi…I prefer harder science and a more complex story.
May 14, 2021
Great Sci-fi
An excellent example of a great space opera. It is full of fast paced action and adventure. The storyline was awesome and the characters were very believable. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.
An excellent example of a great space opera. It is full of fast paced action and adventure. The storyline was awesome and the characters were very believable. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.
May 12, 2017
Fun and fast paced read
Very much enjoyed this new authors take on space opera action and adventure. I look forward to more exciting reads.
Very much enjoyed this new authors take on space opera action and adventure. I look forward to more exciting reads.
February 5, 2023
This is a very fun science fiction action and adventure story filled with likable characters. The ending was a complete surprise and made me look forward to reading the next one.
December 24, 2023
Great read!
I really loved this story! Well written, lots adventure, battles, tons of great aliens, some of them very bad! Heads out for the next one!
I really loved this story! Well written, lots adventure, battles, tons of great aliens, some of them very bad! Heads out for the next one!
March 7, 2026
Good read. Pace is great. Story believable.
Mark Martin is an excellent hero.
Mark Martin is an excellent hero.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews