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Cade Korbin Chronicles #1
The Bounty Hunter
FROM OUTLAW TO BOUNTY HUNTER TO VIGILANTE: REVENGE IS JUST THE BEGINNING
Cade Korbin became a bounty hunter because he knew what it was like to be hunted. What he didn’t know was who he’d end up hunting.
When it suited the Coalition, Cade was a Paladin, a member of their elite special forces. He did their dirty work and cleaned up their messes. Until his dark ops went public, and Cade was drummed out of the service with a dishonorable discharge. As if he’d ever been doing anything but following orders.
Forced to the fringes of society by his service record, Cade broke the law just to survive. Then the Enforcers caught him, and he served his time. Sick of the hypocrisy in the supposedly utopian Coalition, he crossed over to the other side and made a life among his former enemies in the Free Systems Alliance. Now he hunts the galaxy’s worst lowlifes, for a fee, and the only orders he takes are his own.
But when his past catches up with him, Cade is forced to fight for more than just credits…
This time, he’s in it for revenge.
Cade Korbin became a bounty hunter because he knew what it was like to be hunted. What he didn’t know was who he’d end up hunting.
When it suited the Coalition, Cade was a Paladin, a member of their elite special forces. He did their dirty work and cleaned up their messes. Until his dark ops went public, and Cade was drummed out of the service with a dishonorable discharge. As if he’d ever been doing anything but following orders.
Forced to the fringes of society by his service record, Cade broke the law just to survive. Then the Enforcers caught him, and he served his time. Sick of the hypocrisy in the supposedly utopian Coalition, he crossed over to the other side and made a life among his former enemies in the Free Systems Alliance. Now he hunts the galaxy’s worst lowlifes, for a fee, and the only orders he takes are his own.
But when his past catches up with him, Cade is forced to fight for more than just credits…
This time, he’s in it for revenge.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2020
1271 people are currently reading
409 people want to read
About the author
Jasper T. Scott
102 books513 followersJasper Scott is a USA Today bestselling author of more than 20 sci-fi novels. With over a million books sold, Jasper's work has been translated into various languages and published around the world.
Jasper writes fast-paced books with unexpected twists and flawed characters. Join the author's mailing list to get two FREE books: https://files.jaspertscott.com/mailin...
Jasper writes fast-paced books with unexpected twists and flawed characters. Join the author's mailing list to get two FREE books: https://files.jaspertscott.com/mailin...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
July 8, 2021
3.5
Ok, it’s not Shakespeare, and the plot twists got a bit unbelievable towards the end, but this science fiction novel was very entertaining.
Audio reader Luke Daniels voices our narrator, living-on-the-edge spacer and freelance bounty hunter (with a code of ethics) Cade Korbin like he’s a cowboy. Which suits the character.
The characters weren’t terribly developed either, but that’s ok. This was about nonstop action, and it worked for what it was.
There’s also comic relief provided by an annoying but cute furry alien life form who attaches itself to Cade on a backwater planet. This pet often wreaks havoc, sometimes smells bad, etc. but still manages to be endearing.
Ok, it’s not Shakespeare, and the plot twists got a bit unbelievable towards the end, but this science fiction novel was very entertaining.
Audio reader Luke Daniels voices our narrator, living-on-the-edge spacer and freelance bounty hunter (with a code of ethics) Cade Korbin like he’s a cowboy. Which suits the character.
The characters weren’t terribly developed either, but that’s ok. This was about nonstop action, and it worked for what it was.
There’s also comic relief provided by an annoying but cute furry alien life form who attaches itself to Cade on a backwater planet. This pet often wreaks havoc, sometimes smells bad, etc. but still manages to be endearing.
May 31, 2021
There's an interesting all action start to the book, but it feels like the author is trying a bit too hard. Everything is frantic and turned up to Eleven. I found it a bit of a struggle trying to get my head around the ‘universe’ created by the author, it didn’t help that whenever there was a difficult situation another bit of new technology suddenly appears.
Perhaps this gave me a jaundice view of the story, but even when the frenzy diminished I found I really didn’t like the book. I wasn’t convinced by the ‘universe’ and even less by the main character Cade. I tried to finish the book but I didn’t like most of the decisions Cade made and in the end had to just give in.
Perhaps this gave me a jaundice view of the story, but even when the frenzy diminished I found I really didn’t like the book. I wasn’t convinced by the ‘universe’ and even less by the main character Cade. I tried to finish the book but I didn’t like most of the decisions Cade made and in the end had to just give in.
January 8, 2021
Meh. But first:
J.T.Scott is a prolific, young sci-fi writer that by his own admission churns out books as fast as he can, apparently even writing during holidays and while his Christmas pudding gets cold (are puddings even served warm?). He runs a well-managed newsletter that is both insightful and worthwhile in that he promotes not only his own works but also compatriots' efforts that have just been released or are being offered at special prices. He is also quite generous in that he not only offers his books at very competitive levels himself (even most of the time via Kindle Unlimited) or even free, particularly if you leave reviews or sign up for the aforementioned newsletter. All-in-all, a great deal.
And yet I still don't like his writing.
I feel like kind of a jerk for saying this, but after trying two other of his books (you can look it up, I don't want to belabor the point), I really hoped that 'The Bounty Hunter' would prove to me that I had just had the misfortune to pick a story-line that wasn't my taste. Alas, I found this book equally dull and a real struggle to get through. That Scott can write classic scifi I have no doubt and I'm sure that there are hundreds of hardcore fans waiting eagerly for each of his releases. I will just wind up not being one of those.
But in my own opinion (I'm sorry, I'm sorry), this book reads like it was written via a game of 'Cards Against Humanity' but, you know, with a scifi writer's version (which would honestly be pretty cool if it existed). Pick a plot, change it based on the next card and keep plugging ahead. Weapons, check. Alien mystery, check. Different spaceships, check. Ooo, cool alien lifeforms, check. Ad nauseum.
But that just left me feeling the story was unimaginative and a standard cookie cutter scifi 'been there done that before' offer. I just couldn't get into the flow of the story and really didn't care about any of the characters, who struck me as flat, boring and far too often clichéd for comfort. And once again, there are just too many convenient coincidences that pass for major plot changes to really enjoy it much. So much is just explained without letting us experience it for ourselves it just gets tedious. And yes, Scott's style of choppy, quick-to-read, one sentence paragraphs really grated on my nerves by the end. I finished, yes, but only just.
But hey, if you enjoyed it, bravo! I couldn't help comparing it to Rhett C. Bruno's "Titanborn" series and really, there IS no comparison because I enjoyed that series - writing style, characters, plot, etc. - about as much as you can. To each their own. Sorry.
J.T.Scott is a prolific, young sci-fi writer that by his own admission churns out books as fast as he can, apparently even writing during holidays and while his Christmas pudding gets cold (are puddings even served warm?). He runs a well-managed newsletter that is both insightful and worthwhile in that he promotes not only his own works but also compatriots' efforts that have just been released or are being offered at special prices. He is also quite generous in that he not only offers his books at very competitive levels himself (even most of the time via Kindle Unlimited) or even free, particularly if you leave reviews or sign up for the aforementioned newsletter. All-in-all, a great deal.
And yet I still don't like his writing.
I feel like kind of a jerk for saying this, but after trying two other of his books (you can look it up, I don't want to belabor the point), I really hoped that 'The Bounty Hunter' would prove to me that I had just had the misfortune to pick a story-line that wasn't my taste. Alas, I found this book equally dull and a real struggle to get through. That Scott can write classic scifi I have no doubt and I'm sure that there are hundreds of hardcore fans waiting eagerly for each of his releases. I will just wind up not being one of those.
But in my own opinion (I'm sorry, I'm sorry), this book reads like it was written via a game of 'Cards Against Humanity' but, you know, with a scifi writer's version (which would honestly be pretty cool if it existed). Pick a plot, change it based on the next card and keep plugging ahead. Weapons, check. Alien mystery, check. Different spaceships, check. Ooo, cool alien lifeforms, check. Ad nauseum.
But that just left me feeling the story was unimaginative and a standard cookie cutter scifi 'been there done that before' offer. I just couldn't get into the flow of the story and really didn't care about any of the characters, who struck me as flat, boring and far too often clichéd for comfort. And once again, there are just too many convenient coincidences that pass for major plot changes to really enjoy it much. So much is just explained without letting us experience it for ourselves it just gets tedious. And yes, Scott's style of choppy, quick-to-read, one sentence paragraphs really grated on my nerves by the end. I finished, yes, but only just.
But hey, if you enjoyed it, bravo! I couldn't help comparing it to Rhett C. Bruno's "Titanborn" series and really, there IS no comparison because I enjoyed that series - writing style, characters, plot, etc. - about as much as you can. To each their own. Sorry.
August 1, 2021
Couldn't stand it after a while. When the story started with a protagonist being shown to be a child killer, I thought we'd see a big deal of gray matter in this book. Instead what happens is he seems to do a complete 180 and become highest form of altruistic. Okay, thats fine. He wants to atone. But then why in the world choose a shady profession like bounty hunting? The guy apparently has chosen a code to not overlook any injustice. Well, life must be tough then, cause according the what the author would have us believe, the world he lives in is such that nobody would give a second look if someone turned up dead.
Its basically a hodgepodge of random ideas put together that somehow make no logical sense.
Its basically a hodgepodge of random ideas put together that somehow make no logical sense.
January 1, 2021
This is quite different to the books by Jasper I read before (Fractured Earth and Final Days series). A disgraced former elite soldier becomes a bounty hunter, with a conscience. Soon he becomes the hunted however and makes some very surprising discoveries. No cliffhanger in case anybody's wondering but enough incidents to be concluded in the ongoing of the series. And Cade has a pet ;)
January 7, 2021
A good start to a new series. The characters are interesting, there are some surprises, and the plot moves at a brisk pace. Look for a real surprise at the end.
April 7, 2021
Top characters with a plot that twists and turns. Really enjoy Jasper's books. I'm officially a fan. Onto part two....
February 11, 2021
Good Preview
The preview pulled me in and I downloaded the book. Lots of action initially with slow character development. About halfway through the plot slows down. There was a lot of action but not much actual movement for the plot. The storyline failed to hold my interest as I read and by the three-quarters point, I just didn’t care anymore. I considered pushing through to the end, just because… but finally accepted I’d lost focus and there was no point. I read for entertainment and this book did not deliver.
The preview pulled me in and I downloaded the book. Lots of action initially with slow character development. About halfway through the plot slows down. There was a lot of action but not much actual movement for the plot. The storyline failed to hold my interest as I read and by the three-quarters point, I just didn’t care anymore. I considered pushing through to the end, just because… but finally accepted I’d lost focus and there was no point. I read for entertainment and this book did not deliver.
February 2, 2022
Another Amazon recommendation that shows Amazon is typical of Big Tech censors. I say that because posting a review including a quote of text from "The Bounty Hunter" that I consider objectionable would result in rejection of my review to Amazon as being 'in violation of our guidelines'. BUT THEY WILL SELL YOU THAT TEXT! What I'm explaining to you, a Goodreads member, is that as is my habit, before I began reading, I searched for the F-word and found lots of text Amazon will reject -- unless they make money from it. Typical Big Tech.
June 1, 2023
Fun read, and very heavy in action. The plot twist at the end was a bit much and honestly there was so much action I never truly got to know any of the characters. Rules and laws on how the universe works are also thrown out the window at any point to advance the plot.
Let's be real through Bry was the real star the whole time.
Let's be real through Bry was the real star the whole time.
May 14, 2022
Seemed like a solid premise... But he's not smart, not skilled, and not particularly moral or honorable. So what's the point of a mediocre protagonist who didn't kick-ass and take names? It may improve as the series continues, but it won't be with me reading it. Ultimately disappointing and I definitely won't be recommending it to anyone.
April 30, 2022
Not John Wick
The author's comments about this being his version of John Wick, raises expectations, that he unfortunately fails to deliver on
Yes Cade has all the morals of JW, but the action and storyline are somewhat lacking
The author's comments about this being his version of John Wick, raises expectations, that he unfortunately fails to deliver on
Yes Cade has all the morals of JW, but the action and storyline are somewhat lacking
January 18, 2021
The writing was just past junior college. DNF
June 2, 2021
Some of Mr. Scott's books have been pretty strange and a little hard to understand sometimes. But, not this one. This is a very good piece of work. It stays interesting all the way through with some unique twists that I really didn't think about until they were reveled. The character development was also pretty great and he even explained the use of robots as human replacements pretty good.
Cake Korbin is a Bounty Hunter and has been one for quite some time. We do find out that in his past, he was a Special Ops soldier, a Paladin, for the Coalition. That didn't work out so well when he was accused of trying to start a war between the Coalition and the Alliance. He was actually following orders and they didn't work out so well. The mission failed and a scrape-goat was needed. Korbin was subsequently tried and convicted and sent to ten years in ARCmax prison. He got out and had to have some kind of job and bounty hunting seemed to fit his skill set. You'll get all this back ground information as the book goes and it's given at appropriate times. It really does do a job of building up Cade Korbin as someone other than a deadly killer. He has a code of honor which isn't followed by most other bounty hunters.
What is going to cause Cade his current problem is that the contract he has now is for the wrong guy and an innocent man is about to get killed for no good reason. The guy is an honest cop caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Korbin's not doing the torture , he's an observer and with all the technical stuff they're using to probe this guys brain, it's clear to Korbin that the cop doesn't know what they are trying to get out of him. So, and this is where things start taking off, Korbin steps in and stops the torture and takes the cop out of the area. He says he's had enough and knows that this cop is innocent so he's going to get him off Terra Nova and send him to Earth where he'll be safe. Then the cop says his wife and child are being held so there's that to complicate the problem.
Korbin is used to solving complicated problems because most of the time he's creating them. Like when he is trying to get some information and finds a young lady in a very disreputable place doing a very disreputable job. She obviously doesn't want to be doing what she's doing and her boss is bent on making her life even worse. So when Korbin sees some thug dragging the young lady out of the bar to who knows where, he has to step in because, you know, he has this code of honor. He winds up rescuing the young lady and in the process meets up with Aurora Velez. Velez is in the same business as Korbin, but she's just a rookie. She has a large, seven million credit contract that she needs help in completing and asks Korbin for help. He decides to help once he's almost killed and out of credits. He needs the money and he's curious about Aurora Velez.
Something is happening all the way through the book. There is a lot of advanced technology in this book. People can die and then come back as "bots" or robots that almost have all the physical features of their former biological bodies only they are better. So, some people who had died have come back as bots and are usually out for revenge if their death was expected or caused by their on carelessness! Cade Korbin is 100% biological and he's nearing fifty years old. That's kind of surprising that he's lasted as long as he has considering the job he has, but he's good at what he does.
I like this character and I like how he does things so I think this will be a series I will continue to read. Apparently there are already three more books in this series available on Amazon. I just put the second book, "Alien Artifacts" on my reading list. I'll probably be reading all four before I'm done!
Cake Korbin is a Bounty Hunter and has been one for quite some time. We do find out that in his past, he was a Special Ops soldier, a Paladin, for the Coalition. That didn't work out so well when he was accused of trying to start a war between the Coalition and the Alliance. He was actually following orders and they didn't work out so well. The mission failed and a scrape-goat was needed. Korbin was subsequently tried and convicted and sent to ten years in ARCmax prison. He got out and had to have some kind of job and bounty hunting seemed to fit his skill set. You'll get all this back ground information as the book goes and it's given at appropriate times. It really does do a job of building up Cade Korbin as someone other than a deadly killer. He has a code of honor which isn't followed by most other bounty hunters.
What is going to cause Cade his current problem is that the contract he has now is for the wrong guy and an innocent man is about to get killed for no good reason. The guy is an honest cop caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Korbin's not doing the torture , he's an observer and with all the technical stuff they're using to probe this guys brain, it's clear to Korbin that the cop doesn't know what they are trying to get out of him. So, and this is where things start taking off, Korbin steps in and stops the torture and takes the cop out of the area. He says he's had enough and knows that this cop is innocent so he's going to get him off Terra Nova and send him to Earth where he'll be safe. Then the cop says his wife and child are being held so there's that to complicate the problem.
Korbin is used to solving complicated problems because most of the time he's creating them. Like when he is trying to get some information and finds a young lady in a very disreputable place doing a very disreputable job. She obviously doesn't want to be doing what she's doing and her boss is bent on making her life even worse. So when Korbin sees some thug dragging the young lady out of the bar to who knows where, he has to step in because, you know, he has this code of honor. He winds up rescuing the young lady and in the process meets up with Aurora Velez. Velez is in the same business as Korbin, but she's just a rookie. She has a large, seven million credit contract that she needs help in completing and asks Korbin for help. He decides to help once he's almost killed and out of credits. He needs the money and he's curious about Aurora Velez.
Something is happening all the way through the book. There is a lot of advanced technology in this book. People can die and then come back as "bots" or robots that almost have all the physical features of their former biological bodies only they are better. So, some people who had died have come back as bots and are usually out for revenge if their death was expected or caused by their on carelessness! Cade Korbin is 100% biological and he's nearing fifty years old. That's kind of surprising that he's lasted as long as he has considering the job he has, but he's good at what he does.
I like this character and I like how he does things so I think this will be a series I will continue to read. Apparently there are already three more books in this series available on Amazon. I just put the second book, "Alien Artifacts" on my reading list. I'll probably be reading all four before I'm done!
April 24, 2023
A Fast and Furious sci-fi action adventure
First off, this was a fun read, pop fiction sci-fi well done.
I knew from the opening prologue and chapter that I was in safe hands and it is clear that Jasper T. Scott (JTS) has honed his writing to a high level in that his prose is smooth and his narrative descriptive without bogging the reader down in too much detail or interrupting the helter-skelter pace of the story.
The protagonist, Cade Korbin, is suitably interesting and you get to learn more about what makes him tick and a bit of his back history as the story unfolds which was enough to keep me invested and engaged.
That said, the story was pretty linear, as with many 1st person narratives. In this tale, you live and breathe the story from Cade’s point of view. It makes the telling very convenient, there is no explanation or setup required for the bad guys who would just pop up with preternatural speed and awareness so that they were in the right place at the right time to annoy our hero who would dispense his badassery justice to them before moving along to the next scene.
And, despite the fact the plot had more holes in it than a slice of Swiss cheese, I found I didn’t mind. The antagonist was like a Bond villain on acid in that this could all have ended in chapter 1 but oh no, what would be the fun in that? The tech was greatly entertaining but went from super-smart AI and hardware to super dumb which jarred a little. I can’t explain what I mean without giving out some story spoilers but if you are after a fast and fun sci-fi and read this you will know exactly what I mean.
As I said above, this is pop fiction, fast and furious with no time to stop and wonder at the why’s and wherefores of it all before you had to move along to the next piece of the action. Fast and Furious is quite apt actually, it is more akin to that movie than say The Shawshank Redemption. Whilst I enjoyed both those movies each gave a different experience. Well, The Bounty Hunter is the same, in that it is no cerebral brain teaser, just a fun, action-packed sci-fi that I enjoyed for what it was.
I found it a very easy read and rather moreish all said and done. It is a good candidate for reading on a long-haul flight or lounging on a sunbed I think and I have one of those coming up soon so may give book 2 a go.
Overall, I enjoyed myself and that is what it is about. The synopsis gives you a good idea of what is to come and if you like the sound of that then this book will not disappoint. Why not give it ago?
First off, this was a fun read, pop fiction sci-fi well done.
I knew from the opening prologue and chapter that I was in safe hands and it is clear that Jasper T. Scott (JTS) has honed his writing to a high level in that his prose is smooth and his narrative descriptive without bogging the reader down in too much detail or interrupting the helter-skelter pace of the story.
The protagonist, Cade Korbin, is suitably interesting and you get to learn more about what makes him tick and a bit of his back history as the story unfolds which was enough to keep me invested and engaged.
That said, the story was pretty linear, as with many 1st person narratives. In this tale, you live and breathe the story from Cade’s point of view. It makes the telling very convenient, there is no explanation or setup required for the bad guys who would just pop up with preternatural speed and awareness so that they were in the right place at the right time to annoy our hero who would dispense his badassery justice to them before moving along to the next scene.
And, despite the fact the plot had more holes in it than a slice of Swiss cheese, I found I didn’t mind. The antagonist was like a Bond villain on acid in that this could all have ended in chapter 1 but oh no, what would be the fun in that? The tech was greatly entertaining but went from super-smart AI and hardware to super dumb which jarred a little. I can’t explain what I mean without giving out some story spoilers but if you are after a fast and fun sci-fi and read this you will know exactly what I mean.
As I said above, this is pop fiction, fast and furious with no time to stop and wonder at the why’s and wherefores of it all before you had to move along to the next piece of the action. Fast and Furious is quite apt actually, it is more akin to that movie than say The Shawshank Redemption. Whilst I enjoyed both those movies each gave a different experience. Well, The Bounty Hunter is the same, in that it is no cerebral brain teaser, just a fun, action-packed sci-fi that I enjoyed for what it was.
I found it a very easy read and rather moreish all said and done. It is a good candidate for reading on a long-haul flight or lounging on a sunbed I think and I have one of those coming up soon so may give book 2 a go.
Overall, I enjoyed myself and that is what it is about. The synopsis gives you a good idea of what is to come and if you like the sound of that then this book will not disappoint. Why not give it ago?
July 31, 2023
This book was recommended through my reading list. The write-up sounded interesting and the reviews were favorable so I thought I'd give it a go. The Bounty Hunter (TBH) starts with Cade Korbin's (I keep wanting to call him Korbin Cade; I just think that sounds better) final mission with the Coalition's elite Paladins. The rest of the story is him and his many aliases as one of the best bounty hunters around, operating from a guild that works similar to a union.
Throughout most of the time I was reading TBH, until maybe the last third or so, I couldn't help but compare it to other works and universes; namely Star Wars and The Expanse but there were others. Once I stopped doing that, and read the book as its own thing, I found myself enjoying the story more; I just couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity I had, as if I'd read it before. It also didn't do Cade any favors when the author said in a forward he wrote him to be similar to John Wick, because neither the plot nor character felt like Wick in the slightest to me.
Overall I thought this an interesting start to a new series, with a couple hints as to where future tales may go sprinkled within. However, nearly all the positive points I could make about the book also had a downside to it, so there was a strange balance with it. What I mean by this: there's some neat technology in this universe, but it's not consistently explained and often a convenient crutch to get out of situations. Korbin is a smart and experienced hunter who makes assumptions throughout the story, and is exactly right every time until the plot needs him not to be. The antagonist is powerful and seemingly omniscient; a genuinely scary foe at a level that wasn't feasible or proportionate. There's more examples, but I want to avoid spoilers so I'll stop there.
If you're looking for a new, semi-original sci-fi/space opera series, with a protagonist who has a few tricks up his sleeve, this may be for you. I was surprised a couple times in TBH, one of them with the main plot, and I appreciated that because it doesn't happen often anymore. If you like the SW EU and/or the Expanse you'll probably like these "Chronicles" as well. Cheers
Throughout most of the time I was reading TBH, until maybe the last third or so, I couldn't help but compare it to other works and universes; namely Star Wars and The Expanse but there were others. Once I stopped doing that, and read the book as its own thing, I found myself enjoying the story more; I just couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity I had, as if I'd read it before. It also didn't do Cade any favors when the author said in a forward he wrote him to be similar to John Wick, because neither the plot nor character felt like Wick in the slightest to me.
Overall I thought this an interesting start to a new series, with a couple hints as to where future tales may go sprinkled within. However, nearly all the positive points I could make about the book also had a downside to it, so there was a strange balance with it. What I mean by this: there's some neat technology in this universe, but it's not consistently explained and often a convenient crutch to get out of situations. Korbin is a smart and experienced hunter who makes assumptions throughout the story, and is exactly right every time until the plot needs him not to be. The antagonist is powerful and seemingly omniscient; a genuinely scary foe at a level that wasn't feasible or proportionate. There's more examples, but I want to avoid spoilers so I'll stop there.
If you're looking for a new, semi-original sci-fi/space opera series, with a protagonist who has a few tricks up his sleeve, this may be for you. I was surprised a couple times in TBH, one of them with the main plot, and I appreciated that because it doesn't happen often anymore. If you like the SW EU and/or the Expanse you'll probably like these "Chronicles" as well. Cheers
October 6, 2021
Bottom line: The Bounty Hunter (TBH) is a fun and enjoyable sci-fi read.
- No-spoiler review -
It took me a few chapters to really enter the headspace of the novel, and it felt a bit clunky to get going. Two reasons for this. First, TBH is written in a first-person perspective, where I usually read stories with a third-person or omniscient storyteller. Second, this book's sci-fi tech relies heavily on neural interfaces and thought-activated devices. Nothing wrong with either of these, at all, but they were a shift from my usual fare.
Once your brain is in gear, buckle in, because TBH is a fast paced adventure that doesn't let up until the conclusion. Gunfights, chases, shipwrecks, betrayal, fistfights, plots, ship battles; there's a lot here. It's all conveyed well, and I never had an issue following the action. The plotting is very well done, and the second half of the story progressed differently from the way I might have predicted. I was hoping for a bit more closure from one of the side characters, but have a feeling they'll return in a subsequent book.
I only have three criticisms that are really more matters of preference rather than objective observations:
1 - The pace of the book is brisk, and it sacrifices some details because of it. I expect a first-person novel to delve more into the thought process of the protagonist. While TBH gives backstory as to why Cade behaves the way he does, the reader might have benefited from some more internal dialog explaining his thought process.
2 - More world building details would have been good. The dumpy bar in neutral space? How did the cups look? Was the bartender greasy? Armed? A sentence lingering in the moment would go a long way in cementing the world.
3 - The book has a self-assigned "R" rating, but it seems like the only thing it does to earn that is throw in a few f-bombs every now and then. Leave those out and expand the audience.
I did enjoy the book, and especially enjoyed that it didn't feel like other sci-fi universes I've read. And that's an accomplishment! Onward to book 2!
- No-spoiler review -
It took me a few chapters to really enter the headspace of the novel, and it felt a bit clunky to get going. Two reasons for this. First, TBH is written in a first-person perspective, where I usually read stories with a third-person or omniscient storyteller. Second, this book's sci-fi tech relies heavily on neural interfaces and thought-activated devices. Nothing wrong with either of these, at all, but they were a shift from my usual fare.
Once your brain is in gear, buckle in, because TBH is a fast paced adventure that doesn't let up until the conclusion. Gunfights, chases, shipwrecks, betrayal, fistfights, plots, ship battles; there's a lot here. It's all conveyed well, and I never had an issue following the action. The plotting is very well done, and the second half of the story progressed differently from the way I might have predicted. I was hoping for a bit more closure from one of the side characters, but have a feeling they'll return in a subsequent book.
I only have three criticisms that are really more matters of preference rather than objective observations:
1 - The pace of the book is brisk, and it sacrifices some details because of it. I expect a first-person novel to delve more into the thought process of the protagonist. While TBH gives backstory as to why Cade behaves the way he does, the reader might have benefited from some more internal dialog explaining his thought process.
2 - More world building details would have been good. The dumpy bar in neutral space? How did the cups look? Was the bartender greasy? Armed? A sentence lingering in the moment would go a long way in cementing the world.
3 - The book has a self-assigned "R" rating, but it seems like the only thing it does to earn that is throw in a few f-bombs every now and then. Leave those out and expand the audience.
I did enjoy the book, and especially enjoyed that it didn't feel like other sci-fi universes I've read. And that's an accomplishment! Onward to book 2!
May 5, 2023
Can you change what happened 45 years ago without altering space-time? 4.5 stars
A lot can happen in 45 years. The Templars have been able to be the good guys stopping wars and human trafficking. The Templars have kept their secrets by selectively removing memories once their involvement in clandestine operations was over. Cade Korbin has retired. People (also known as "meat bags") can become bots, bots and humans can have human children, and intergalactic war has been avoided. Can war be prevented?
This adventure is the first in a series. It starts with an elite group of space-faring soldiers and pauses (without being a cliffhanger) with possibilities of space and time travel imagined only in science fiction. Here, space and time travel seem realistic. Faster-than-light travel is common. Holes in the fabric of space allow nearly instant transfers over galactic distances. Mankind continues to be greedy.
Long ago, there was a race of aliens (the Priors) who were far more advanced but they seem to have abandoned their structures. A different alien race (the Cath) is trying to take over the technology that was left behind and seems interested in squashing the upstart humans.
Be prepared for the unexpected. Your assumptions will be challenged. Cade will impress but he is only human and needs a helping hand. You'll expand your horizons and enjoy this complex and imaginative tale. Enjoy.
A lot can happen in 45 years. The Templars have been able to be the good guys stopping wars and human trafficking. The Templars have kept their secrets by selectively removing memories once their involvement in clandestine operations was over. Cade Korbin has retired. People (also known as "meat bags") can become bots, bots and humans can have human children, and intergalactic war has been avoided. Can war be prevented?
This adventure is the first in a series. It starts with an elite group of space-faring soldiers and pauses (without being a cliffhanger) with possibilities of space and time travel imagined only in science fiction. Here, space and time travel seem realistic. Faster-than-light travel is common. Holes in the fabric of space allow nearly instant transfers over galactic distances. Mankind continues to be greedy.
Long ago, there was a race of aliens (the Priors) who were far more advanced but they seem to have abandoned their structures. A different alien race (the Cath) is trying to take over the technology that was left behind and seems interested in squashing the upstart humans.
Be prepared for the unexpected. Your assumptions will be challenged. Cade will impress but he is only human and needs a helping hand. You'll expand your horizons and enjoy this complex and imaginative tale. Enjoy.
January 1, 2021
As a fan of Mr. Scott’s writing, I’ve read and enjoyed about 15 of his books, and have never been disappointed. The stories are always well-planned, with strong characters, lots of action and vivid descriptions which make me feel like I’m immersed in a movie.
This is an exciting start to what promises to be another great series. Cade Korbin has a checkered past, from which he chose a path to pursue and take down bad guys under contract, but he follows his own code. He’s not a Boy Scout, but rather, an outlaw with a soft spot in his heart (or in his head?), which leads to some interesting tight situations. This story has non-stop action, with several twists that leave you wondering what is true and who you can trust. How can Cade succeed despite long odds against him? The ending is a surprise I didn’t see coming. This tale is tied up nicely without a cliff-hanger, and leaves several options open for continuing stories.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I received an ARC – this review is my honest opinion. I purchased a copy on release to support this great writer. Do yourself a favor and read this book – you will enjoy it!
This is an exciting start to what promises to be another great series. Cade Korbin has a checkered past, from which he chose a path to pursue and take down bad guys under contract, but he follows his own code. He’s not a Boy Scout, but rather, an outlaw with a soft spot in his heart (or in his head?), which leads to some interesting tight situations. This story has non-stop action, with several twists that leave you wondering what is true and who you can trust. How can Cade succeed despite long odds against him? The ending is a surprise I didn’t see coming. This tale is tied up nicely without a cliff-hanger, and leaves several options open for continuing stories.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I received an ARC – this review is my honest opinion. I purchased a copy on release to support this great writer. Do yourself a favor and read this book – you will enjoy it!
August 2, 2021
This is my first book by the author.
I was hesitant to read all the way through, especially after the slow start which does drag things down. Once we get to the 30% mark, a picture is coming into view, and it takes roughly half the book until we can see it.
Mohinari, the unseen antagonist, sets up traps within traps within traps as we learn more about Cade and his past history. For a man with seemingly dozens of faces, he comes across as a pretty simple guy for a bounty hunter.
I won't spoil anything, and I'm unsure whether I'm going to read book 2. The hook was revealed midway through book 1, but besides a xeno pet, not much is known about the planet Cade accidentally yet serendipitously finds.
In terms of action, the book is pretty light. But I still enjoyed it anyway, as Cade slowly unfolds the trap(s) that have been set for him. The only question as he goes to finish the job is whether he has missed a trap or not.
4/5* (-1 for the slow start)
I was hesitant to read all the way through, especially after the slow start which does drag things down. Once we get to the 30% mark, a picture is coming into view, and it takes roughly half the book until we can see it.
Mohinari, the unseen antagonist, sets up traps within traps within traps as we learn more about Cade and his past history. For a man with seemingly dozens of faces, he comes across as a pretty simple guy for a bounty hunter.
I won't spoil anything, and I'm unsure whether I'm going to read book 2. The hook was revealed midway through book 1, but besides a xeno pet, not much is known about the planet Cade accidentally yet serendipitously finds.
In terms of action, the book is pretty light. But I still enjoyed it anyway, as Cade slowly unfolds the trap(s) that have been set for him. The only question as he goes to finish the job is whether he has missed a trap or not.
4/5* (-1 for the slow start)
February 20, 2021
The Bounty Hunter – Cade Korbin is out there and he’s hunting you. Jasper T. Scott has written a novel for a Trekker, full of marvelous devices, deadly danger, daring rescues, and a heroic assassin who delivers via his own code.
Begin at the beginning – the assassination of a really bad dude by a special forces pro on a distant planet. Fast forward to the same assassin, now gone freelance and ready to take on a new assignment. Unfortunately, someone has put a bounty on his head, and people are coming to collect.
The book sparkles with well-remembered images. Something tribble-like and pregnant, a giant well-remembered from an MMORPG (wonder if Jasper played “Asheron’s Call”), a few moves that Han Solo would approve of, and a little tongue-in-cheek humor and you have a rollicking adventure through space.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Begin at the beginning – the assassination of a really bad dude by a special forces pro on a distant planet. Fast forward to the same assassin, now gone freelance and ready to take on a new assignment. Unfortunately, someone has put a bounty on his head, and people are coming to collect.
The book sparkles with well-remembered images. Something tribble-like and pregnant, a giant well-remembered from an MMORPG (wonder if Jasper played “Asheron’s Call”), a few moves that Han Solo would approve of, and a little tongue-in-cheek humor and you have a rollicking adventure through space.
Can’t wait for the next one!
February 5, 2024
" Jasper Scott brings back one of his most interesting characters in ""Bounty Hunter."" The story is told from the perspective of Cade Korbin, giving you a deeper understanding of his character. All of Scott's characters are well-developed with their own flaws, making them relatable. The plot is captivating with unexpected twists and turns, filled with plenty of action. The scenes are vividly described, making it easy to imagine.
While the book can be enjoyed on its own, there are references to previous installments, so it's recommended to read the entire series. This way, you can witness the evolution of Cade Korbin from a tough ""Jack Reacher-esque"" character to a family man and leader, while still maintaining his badassery. Having read a lot of sci-fi in my 75 years, Jasper Scott remains one of my favorites, and I highly recommend his work as a worthy read."
While the book can be enjoyed on its own, there are references to previous installments, so it's recommended to read the entire series. This way, you can witness the evolution of Cade Korbin from a tough ""Jack Reacher-esque"" character to a family man and leader, while still maintaining his badassery. Having read a lot of sci-fi in my 75 years, Jasper Scott remains one of my favorites, and I highly recommend his work as a worthy read."
September 28, 2021
wild ride
I liked it, it’s definitely clever and an adrenaline rush. I liked how he incorporates AI resurrection into the plot and the attendant philosophical discussions about what makes you who you are, whether it’s your mind, your body, your moral code, your face, your skills, your relationships, or just your name. There was a staggering amount of flipping sides for various characters, so it’s hard to know who to trust, but I really liked that the protagonist has a moral code that he follows despite inconvenience. Some swearing, some torture, but overall quite clean, which I really appreciated. I liked the main character saving people from human trafficking and rescuing others whenever he gets the chance. Strong cyberpunk vibes plus The Mandalorian.
I liked it, it’s definitely clever and an adrenaline rush. I liked how he incorporates AI resurrection into the plot and the attendant philosophical discussions about what makes you who you are, whether it’s your mind, your body, your moral code, your face, your skills, your relationships, or just your name. There was a staggering amount of flipping sides for various characters, so it’s hard to know who to trust, but I really liked that the protagonist has a moral code that he follows despite inconvenience. Some swearing, some torture, but overall quite clean, which I really appreciated. I liked the main character saving people from human trafficking and rescuing others whenever he gets the chance. Strong cyberpunk vibes plus The Mandalorian.
March 9, 2023
What is a gorgeous and highly intense way to begin this series because Jasper T Scott delivers a whip lash of an adventure but also filled the book with humor and memorable, flawed characters. Cade Korbin gave much of his life in the service of someone else's ideals and agendas... after becoming buried by the people he'd taken an Oath for; Cade reinvents himself to become a fighter to protect innocent lives even if putting his own life in the cross hairs to bring down galactic scumbags. Credits mean survival in this universe but what Cade unravels in this blinding quest of personal revenge... discovers a harrowing secret of his own that will uproot his life forever. Painted with highly rich alien worlds, convoluted morals and creatures both adorable and exasperating - The Bounty Hunter is a masterpiece worthy of continual binging. Highly recommended.
December 30, 2020
Cade Korbin, bounty hunter, aka … too many identities (with faces) to mention. But unlike other hunters who work blindly for the credits, Cade lives by a code: "One, I would only ever go after people who deserved it. And two, I would never turn a blind eye to injustice." That code will place him in dangerous situations, and at least one of those situations will put a bounty on his own head. An action-packed SF adventure that is a thrilling ride. Likeable characters and a great storyline with several (unpredictable) twists to the plot. This is the first book in a new series with every indication that there will be many more as entertaining books.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC, but was not under any obligation to leave a review.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC, but was not under any obligation to leave a review.
April 17, 2021
I got two rules
First person narrative. Bounty hunter with two golden rules. Has a weak spot for sweet young women being taken advantage of. Gets into trouble with the big boss of Terra Nova, but has to do some rescuing first. Spends money as if he's found the end of the rainbow. Keeps finding himself in incredibly impossible situations, but somehow gets out of it. Find friends with resources in strange places. Blows things up, and finds old ghosts. So the final question is whether he's going to remain a loner or team up with this young girl he saved. I think a couple of books might survive, but eventually this sort of story is going to get boring.
First person narrative. Bounty hunter with two golden rules. Has a weak spot for sweet young women being taken advantage of. Gets into trouble with the big boss of Terra Nova, but has to do some rescuing first. Spends money as if he's found the end of the rainbow. Keeps finding himself in incredibly impossible situations, but somehow gets out of it. Find friends with resources in strange places. Blows things up, and finds old ghosts. So the final question is whether he's going to remain a loner or team up with this young girl he saved. I think a couple of books might survive, but eventually this sort of story is going to get boring.
January 21, 2022
Fairly enjoyable.
There was a lot of good SF "What if" in this story and other satisfying science-y/space-y aspects making it not just some story that was transported off planet for no real reason (there are all-too-many of these types of SF books out there), but the writing was pretty pedestrian and I couldn't really connect with any of the characters. Usually first-person POV is good at achieving that connection, but it failed here and I'm not sure why. So it ended up "fairly enjoyable" instead of "pretty good!" and I was actually glad to have reached the end so I could move on to some hopefully better book.
There was a lot of good SF "What if" in this story and other satisfying science-y/space-y aspects making it not just some story that was transported off planet for no real reason (there are all-too-many of these types of SF books out there), but the writing was pretty pedestrian and I couldn't really connect with any of the characters. Usually first-person POV is good at achieving that connection, but it failed here and I'm not sure why. So it ended up "fairly enjoyable" instead of "pretty good!" and I was actually glad to have reached the end so I could move on to some hopefully better book.
June 11, 2025
The Bounty Hunter - a series starter
This is one of Jasper T. Scott's older books, but for a series starter, so I'll be doing a lot of catching up. Cade Korbin is a high-tech bounty hunter. His targets are equally high-tech and ruthless. The action is mostly off-world. In fact, it's off a lot of worlds. Space travel is no barrier to those who play the game of interrupting schemes and plans. The trick is to find someone to trust. And that's a bit of a problem in this series starter, 'The Bounty Hunter (Cade Korbin Chronicles Book 1). I have really enjoyed reading other books by author Jasper T Scott as I did this one. Check it out. -Mr.Bill
This is one of Jasper T. Scott's older books, but for a series starter, so I'll be doing a lot of catching up. Cade Korbin is a high-tech bounty hunter. His targets are equally high-tech and ruthless. The action is mostly off-world. In fact, it's off a lot of worlds. Space travel is no barrier to those who play the game of interrupting schemes and plans. The trick is to find someone to trust. And that's a bit of a problem in this series starter, 'The Bounty Hunter (Cade Korbin Chronicles Book 1). I have really enjoyed reading other books by author Jasper T Scott as I did this one. Check it out. -Mr.Bill
December 28, 2020
As I began to read this book, I realized it was vastly different from the usual sci-fi I was used to reading. But it didn't take long for the story to draw me in and I was hooked. Jasper is able to weave such a wonderful story arc that has many twists and turns that kept me wanting more. I started trying to guess what might happen to the characters and what their story-line might be. Nope. Didn't work. Jasper took me in different directions and it all wove together wonderfully. Can't wait to read the next book in a couple months when it comes out.
January 19, 2021
An a enjoyable Action Read
Forget about deep heavy science fiction. This is a fast paced action read. While there is character development you won't find deep probing back story as to why they are as they are. I can only hope that Mr. Scott will take time in future books to develop the history of his universe, and fill in the back stories of the characters. Otherwise this series will get old fast with nothing more then shootouts and the main character overcoming insurmountable odds.
Forget about deep heavy science fiction. This is a fast paced action read. While there is character development you won't find deep probing back story as to why they are as they are. I can only hope that Mr. Scott will take time in future books to develop the history of his universe, and fill in the back stories of the characters. Otherwise this series will get old fast with nothing more then shootouts and the main character overcoming insurmountable odds.
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