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Zack Lancestrom #1
The Starborn Heir
An ancient secret. A legacy betrayed. A path to the stars.
Zack was bred and raised to be the heir to a planet, but he's decided he's not the chosen one. He wants to get offworld, see the galaxy, and track down a piece of lost technology from his family's past.
He'll need to steal a shuttle, get past the orbital defenses, and rendezvous with a smuggler on the star system's outskirts. But he can't do it alone—he's going to need a crew. Gathering a band of misfits from the colony's underworld, Zack strikes out toward the desert. The government is close on his heels, but Zack is willing to fight the gangs, make deals with aliens, and use illegal technology in wildly unsanctioned ways to blast his way to the stars. And if he can do a little good along the way, so much the better.
Zack and his crew have a whole planet after them. The only way out is up.
From D.J. Bodden, bestselling author of Viridian Gate Online: The Illusionist and the Black Year Series, comes a brand new science fiction adventure series set in the massive and ever-expanding FiveFold Universe.
Zack was bred and raised to be the heir to a planet, but he's decided he's not the chosen one. He wants to get offworld, see the galaxy, and track down a piece of lost technology from his family's past.
He'll need to steal a shuttle, get past the orbital defenses, and rendezvous with a smuggler on the star system's outskirts. But he can't do it alone—he's going to need a crew. Gathering a band of misfits from the colony's underworld, Zack strikes out toward the desert. The government is close on his heels, but Zack is willing to fight the gangs, make deals with aliens, and use illegal technology in wildly unsanctioned ways to blast his way to the stars. And if he can do a little good along the way, so much the better.
Zack and his crew have a whole planet after them. The only way out is up.
From D.J. Bodden, bestselling author of Viridian Gate Online: The Illusionist and the Black Year Series, comes a brand new science fiction adventure series set in the massive and ever-expanding FiveFold Universe.
502 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2021
129 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
D.J. Bodden
32 books153 followersD.J. Bodden is a tech-startup COO who writes books because words are magic. He's an avid reader of science-fiction and fantasy, a gamer, a former pilot and coffee trader who's been to every continent but Antarctica. He's been woken up by gunfire, jumped out of helicopters, and climbed medium-sized hills in scorching weather; He likes to make people laugh for the wrong reasons; He tries to sell people grimoires disguised as fiction; He is scared of spiders, and only recently learned to ride a bike.
D.J. lives in Switzerland with his wife and thinks it's important that they should someday be adopted by a fox.
D.J. lives in Switzerland with his wife and thinks it's important that they should someday be adopted by a fox.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 20, 2021
What a ride!
The Starborn Heir is a frenetic, adrenaline-fueled race that careens from the towering heights of a far-future city to the deadly tunnels of the exiles’ desert to the dimensional whims of hyperspace and, as one of the more intriguing characters opines, onward to the stars.
But even a fast-paced, rollicking adventure of a book is nothing without its characters. As the brilliant, larger than life heir-apparent turned fugitive and rebel, Zack Lancestrom owes much to predecessors like Mal Reynolds, and he brings with him a crew as motley and original as any in science fiction. You might think them too strange by half at the first meeting, but you’ll love them all by the end.
Everything and everyone in this book is amped up to 11. The cyborgs are unstoppable tanks built of metal armor and lethal weapons, while the doctors are jacked-in and powered-up cybernetic wizards. The ship mechanics are as modded and quirky as the machines they repair; the AIs are funny little boxes who pass the time manipulating thousands of years of human destiny. And the spiders? Well, they’re smarter and more conniving than all the humans combined.
Beneath all the insanity that drives this book forward to an explosive end, hints about humanity’s troubled past and precarious present suggest this story is just getting properly underway—and that’s before we start talking about the schemes of the inscrutable yet fascinating star spiders and the foreboding prime matter. I’d daresay that Zack and crew’s adventures are only beginning, and I can’t wait to see where they lead.
The Starborn Heir is a frenetic, adrenaline-fueled race that careens from the towering heights of a far-future city to the deadly tunnels of the exiles’ desert to the dimensional whims of hyperspace and, as one of the more intriguing characters opines, onward to the stars.
But even a fast-paced, rollicking adventure of a book is nothing without its characters. As the brilliant, larger than life heir-apparent turned fugitive and rebel, Zack Lancestrom owes much to predecessors like Mal Reynolds, and he brings with him a crew as motley and original as any in science fiction. You might think them too strange by half at the first meeting, but you’ll love them all by the end.
Everything and everyone in this book is amped up to 11. The cyborgs are unstoppable tanks built of metal armor and lethal weapons, while the doctors are jacked-in and powered-up cybernetic wizards. The ship mechanics are as modded and quirky as the machines they repair; the AIs are funny little boxes who pass the time manipulating thousands of years of human destiny. And the spiders? Well, they’re smarter and more conniving than all the humans combined.
Beneath all the insanity that drives this book forward to an explosive end, hints about humanity’s troubled past and precarious present suggest this story is just getting properly underway—and that’s before we start talking about the schemes of the inscrutable yet fascinating star spiders and the foreboding prime matter. I’d daresay that Zack and crew’s adventures are only beginning, and I can’t wait to see where they lead.
March 23, 2021
The Starborn Heir by D. J. Bodden is a heist, a caper, an adventure, and a space opera. That sounds like a lot, but it feels bigger on the inside than it might appear from the outside. Since book 2 is already queued up for release in May, you know that Zack Lancestrom’s adventures have only just begun.
I enjoyed The Starborn Heir, as I am in general a fan of this kind of space opera, but this book seems to have Bodden’s characteristic flavor. Nothing is ever quite what it seems at first. Zack, for example, manages to be rather likeable, despite his arrogance and privilege. More than a bit of a lovable rogue. Try him, you’ll see.
When Zack decides to throw away his comfortable sinecure in the planetary government of Politeia, it is perhaps the first real decision he has made for himself. Politeia is a well-oiled machine, and Zack has been in long preparation to take his father’s place. Unfortunately, that turns out to be not what he wants. What he wants, is the freedom and adventure of space [the space opera part]. But to make that happen, first he has to figure a way offplanet when he no longer has any money, and his father put him on the no-fly list, just to be sure.
Thus, The Starborn Heir makes its first pivot, into a heist. We get to follow Zack has he assembles his team, schemes, steals, and escapes. Zack hooks up with an old flame, hires a fearsome mercenary, recruits an engineer, and frees a very, very old AI. Any like any good caper, everyone has got their own angles they are working. But there’s more. Nothing is ever what it seems. The political machinations of Politeia, the factions, infighting, and corruption, are just a taste of the wider universe.
And what a universe we get glimpses of! As we move quickly through the different phases of the book, new and interesting revelations come quickly. For example, at first it seems like Zack's quest is mostly a bit of personal rebellion, but gradually we see that Zack may not exactly be the architect of his own destiny, that there is insurrection afoot on Politeia, the shadow creatures are spreading, and the star spiders are playing the long game.
What are the shadow creatures and who are the star spiders? Why don’t you grab a copy and find out?
I received an advanced review copy from the author.
I enjoyed The Starborn Heir, as I am in general a fan of this kind of space opera, but this book seems to have Bodden’s characteristic flavor. Nothing is ever quite what it seems at first. Zack, for example, manages to be rather likeable, despite his arrogance and privilege. More than a bit of a lovable rogue. Try him, you’ll see.
When Zack decides to throw away his comfortable sinecure in the planetary government of Politeia, it is perhaps the first real decision he has made for himself. Politeia is a well-oiled machine, and Zack has been in long preparation to take his father’s place. Unfortunately, that turns out to be not what he wants. What he wants, is the freedom and adventure of space [the space opera part]. But to make that happen, first he has to figure a way offplanet when he no longer has any money, and his father put him on the no-fly list, just to be sure.
Thus, The Starborn Heir makes its first pivot, into a heist. We get to follow Zack has he assembles his team, schemes, steals, and escapes. Zack hooks up with an old flame, hires a fearsome mercenary, recruits an engineer, and frees a very, very old AI. Any like any good caper, everyone has got their own angles they are working. But there’s more. Nothing is ever what it seems. The political machinations of Politeia, the factions, infighting, and corruption, are just a taste of the wider universe.
And what a universe we get glimpses of! As we move quickly through the different phases of the book, new and interesting revelations come quickly. For example, at first it seems like Zack's quest is mostly a bit of personal rebellion, but gradually we see that Zack may not exactly be the architect of his own destiny, that there is insurrection afoot on Politeia, the shadow creatures are spreading, and the star spiders are playing the long game.
What are the shadow creatures and who are the star spiders? Why don’t you grab a copy and find out?
I received an advanced review copy from the author.
March 31, 2021
I've never read any of the authors many other novels, but this one appealed to me. It's not LitRPG, although I found it by searching through LitRPG novels.
What it is a pretty darn fun, though. Zack is the privileged son of the current planet governor, and in time will become governor himself. He'll have it all, he just needs to get through his synthesis by answering a single question.
It's this question that takes Zack in a different direction.
It took me longer than it probably should have to realize that ARK (an AI that acts like R2D2 here) is responsible for the synthesis questions. The book has flavors of Star Wars, Indiana Jones and just plain sci-fi goodness as Zack pulls together a team to get off planet, and take ARK back to the mainframe to repair the damage that has begun to accumulate.
The journey takes a bunch of twists and turns as they deal with different people who have varying allegiances. Near the end I thought this was a bit overwrought, as Zack et al are leaving the planet anyway, so what does it matter?
For a book that took ten years to finish, it's a pretty amazing piece of work. Some of the passages (the beginning in particular) are tightly written , cutting through the waste to get to the heart of the story.
Highly recommended if you like sci-fi.
5/5*
What it is a pretty darn fun, though. Zack is the privileged son of the current planet governor, and in time will become governor himself. He'll have it all, he just needs to get through his synthesis by answering a single question.
It's this question that takes Zack in a different direction.
It took me longer than it probably should have to realize that ARK (an AI that acts like R2D2 here) is responsible for the synthesis questions. The book has flavors of Star Wars, Indiana Jones and just plain sci-fi goodness as Zack pulls together a team to get off planet, and take ARK back to the mainframe to repair the damage that has begun to accumulate.
The journey takes a bunch of twists and turns as they deal with different people who have varying allegiances. Near the end I thought this was a bit overwrought, as Zack et al are leaving the planet anyway, so what does it matter?
For a book that took ten years to finish, it's a pretty amazing piece of work. Some of the passages (the beginning in particular) are tightly written , cutting through the waste to get to the heart of the story.
Highly recommended if you like sci-fi.
5/5*
February 23, 2021
Wow!! First Ghosts of Battlestar Galactica. But then I was getting a strong Foundation and Empire vibe from this. Instead of a psychohistorian guiding a civilization we had ARK II. But... Leave it to the politicians and the rich folks to run the whole thing right off the damn tracks. Then a nod to Dune with the Desert Dwellers waiting on “prophecy” to be fulfilled. Freaking excellent!!! And I didn’t need to try and remember any stats or levels. 🤗. If this was a song on the radio I’d be cranking the volume and hollering, “This is my Jam!” I mean I like game lit.. lit RPG and Cultivation stuff but from a fiction standpoint, Sci/Fi, Fantasy and Horror are where my heart lies. Thanks for writing this!!!
March 23, 2021
While I have to be in the right mood for “hard” sci-fi, the time the author spent building up and rounding out the wants, needs, and motivations of everyone from the main character to a gang leader who only appears for a few pages makes this feel full of all the bits and pieces, and sometimes messy parts, that highlight how even in space, humanity would endure.
And I do love the characters, maybe even more than the Starborn Heir himself, Zack. The fact that he’s got a girlfriend who is smarter than him, and he freely admits it and is proud of her, is great. The backstory of why she now has nothing left to lose by getting off world was a brilliant peek at a dystopian medical future. Ultimus and Clavicus are both encouraged by Zack to find their niches in the team, and as a result, reading about each of them is a lot of fun. And then there are the beeps and whoops from ARK-11, who serves as possibly a terrifying weapon and occasionally light comic relief. I like to imagine it’s what you’d get if you crossed the Death Star with R2D2, but in the shape of a floating suitcase.
I had one previous complaint about the dates at the beginning of the chapter being a little hard to follow, as I was reading an ARC, but the author seems to have corrected the issue with an explanation in the book front and a whole timeline (linked conveniently in the front of the ebook). Now that’s solved, I’m really not sure what I can “complain” about. I suppose my only caveat would be that if you don’t like sci-fi, but this is true of almost all sci-fi books. Yes, occasionally one comes out every 20 years that transcends genre, but this book isn’t trying to be that kind of book. It’s trying to be the best hard sci-fi with slight comic relief and a heart of gold possible... and I’d say it succeeds.
And I do love the characters, maybe even more than the Starborn Heir himself, Zack. The fact that he’s got a girlfriend who is smarter than him, and he freely admits it and is proud of her, is great. The backstory of why she now has nothing left to lose by getting off world was a brilliant peek at a dystopian medical future. Ultimus and Clavicus are both encouraged by Zack to find their niches in the team, and as a result, reading about each of them is a lot of fun. And then there are the beeps and whoops from ARK-11, who serves as possibly a terrifying weapon and occasionally light comic relief. I like to imagine it’s what you’d get if you crossed the Death Star with R2D2, but in the shape of a floating suitcase.
I had one previous complaint about the dates at the beginning of the chapter being a little hard to follow, as I was reading an ARC, but the author seems to have corrected the issue with an explanation in the book front and a whole timeline (linked conveniently in the front of the ebook). Now that’s solved, I’m really not sure what I can “complain” about. I suppose my only caveat would be that if you don’t like sci-fi, but this is true of almost all sci-fi books. Yes, occasionally one comes out every 20 years that transcends genre, but this book isn’t trying to be that kind of book. It’s trying to be the best hard sci-fi with slight comic relief and a heart of gold possible... and I’d say it succeeds.
March 21, 2021
Excellent SciFi/Space Opera. D.J. Bodden has made an amazing hero in Zack Lancestrom. In Starborn Heir, Zack in heir to a position of power and prestige on his planet, all he has to do is sit back and allow it to come to him, but it isn't enough. He knows there has to be more, both for him and for the future of his planet. When he gains access to technology well beyond the most advanced he has ever encountered, he finds he has an opportunity to alter the very future of his world. It's the kind of gamble that could cost his life, but it could also cause the collapse of everything that has ever been important to him. With his friends backing him and a mysterious Artificial Intelligence in his possession, the kind of AI that system wars have been fought over, they set out to change everything.
~
That's the blurb, here's the review. This is a great read. It engaged me immediately and kept me up when I should have been sleeping. Zack is a well developed character with believable skills and the flaws and blind spots that make him relatable, as are all the characters in the book. They are all fleshed out with causes and failings and motivations. D. J. Bodden has put a lot of thought into the development of the characters, the story and the universe, and it shows. It is high adventure and well thought out science fiction. Well worth your time and money.
~
That's the blurb, here's the review. This is a great read. It engaged me immediately and kept me up when I should have been sleeping. Zack is a well developed character with believable skills and the flaws and blind spots that make him relatable, as are all the characters in the book. They are all fleshed out with causes and failings and motivations. D. J. Bodden has put a lot of thought into the development of the characters, the story and the universe, and it shows. It is high adventure and well thought out science fiction. Well worth your time and money.
March 24, 2021
There's always a book that slides under your skin and stays there. The Starborn Heir is one of those books for me. I love sci-fi. This book has it all and then some.
DJ has a way with writing that engrosses you with every turn of the page. The way he sets up the science fiction elements was enlightening. It's like we're vividly able to picture what's he's created from the depths of his mind. So much so, that I often found myself wanting to push those buttons, yank those levers, and explore the ships/places the characters were in/on at every turn.
I've honestly enjoyed this story. Also got to read a snippet of what's coming for book two. It left me wanting so much more. May can't come soon enough. That's how much I want to know what happens next with Zack and his crew.
DJ has a way with writing that engrosses you with every turn of the page. The way he sets up the science fiction elements was enlightening. It's like we're vividly able to picture what's he's created from the depths of his mind. So much so, that I often found myself wanting to push those buttons, yank those levers, and explore the ships/places the characters were in/on at every turn.
I've honestly enjoyed this story. Also got to read a snippet of what's coming for book two. It left me wanting so much more. May can't come soon enough. That's how much I want to know what happens next with Zack and his crew.
April 30, 2021
A lot of thought was put into this futuristic world. It has a novel concept driving them to the stars and establishing a new planet. The character development in this book is strong. There is a variety of diverse and interesting characters. I’m interested to see where the next book goes.
February 23, 2021
This was a really fun read! We take our spoiled political heir and follow him as be takes control of his own life and pursues dreams. The book almost has a "heist movie" feel to it, in a good way! Zach builds his team of misfits to challenge the government and get the job done, with a dash of romance and a lot of great action! The hints at the larger universe are tantalizing and leave me wanting more! There are several nods to the sci fi classics thrown in that were nice to see as well, so keep your eyes open! Definitely a smashing start to a new space opera saga that promises one heck of a ride!
March 5, 2021
Alex Lancestrom is the Governor of Politeia and the family have been running the planet since they first landed there. Zack was chosen as Alex’s heir and trained since birth however Zack rebelled, failed his test and opted out. He wanted to escape, get off Politeia and travel to the stars however such a journey was nigh on impossible. Zack chose his crew and together with Anya his ex-girlfriend and ex-doctor, Ultimus a combine mercenary and Clavicus an engineer from below and the ARK 11 make the attempt to flee. Their escape was fraught with peril as the council had set everyone who was anyone on his tail and ordered him brought back or killed. They were going crazy to know he had stolen ARK 11, thus stealing the people’s history. ARK 11 had been there at the inception of Politeia together with Karin and Emma, Zack’s ancestors, survivors from Earth. Zack and Anya wanted to be cyberneticists, and she had reservations about stealing ARK11 but she did not know what Zack did about ARK 11. They aimed to get to the lawless zone known as the Starship Boneyard, in order to steal a starship, to get ARK 11 to the Forge. Will they manage to leave Politeia and survive in outer space when everything was set to stop them? I absolutely enjoyed Zack Lancestrom’s adventure, in this futuristic space opera, full of action and advanced technology. I love the heroic group travelling with Zack and hope they make the journey as I am a real sucker for a rebel with a cause! Thus I look forward to reading book 2 in this awesome series.
April 2, 2021
A fantastic start
This story is a great science fiction romp with added hits of high adventure and a space opera heist thrown in. Beyond that it builds a world and a history that I want to learn more about while offering tantalising hints at greater mysteries. I can't wait to read the next instalment.
This story is a great science fiction romp with added hits of high adventure and a space opera heist thrown in. Beyond that it builds a world and a history that I want to learn more about while offering tantalising hints at greater mysteries. I can't wait to read the next instalment.
June 16, 2021
Great book, I couldn’t put it down. The only regret I have is having to wait for book two. ;) well written, good characters and a promising start to the series.
If you love sci-fi or military sci-if you will like this book.
If you love sci-fi or military sci-if you will like this book.
December 21, 2021
This book made me remember why I love sci-fi. I had taken an unintentional hiatus from sci-fi reading for a while, despite being a giant nerd growing up. But I read The Starborn Heir based on a friend's recommendation and I'm so happy I did. Except now I'm very impatiently waiting for the next book to come out, May needs to get here quick!
What's so great about this book? The characters. They're awesome, I want to be friends with them, or maybe just be them- they're badass but not perfect. Instead, they work hard, use what circumstances have given them, and have a kickass time defying the government while doing it. Also, how did this book make me look at a spider and go "I want it?"
I should note- you don't need to be a sci-fi nerd to enjoy this, its a fun read, and the sci-fi world really just adds flavor to a good story
What's so great about this book? The characters. They're awesome, I want to be friends with them, or maybe just be them- they're badass but not perfect. Instead, they work hard, use what circumstances have given them, and have a kickass time defying the government while doing it. Also, how did this book make me look at a spider and go "I want it?"
I should note- you don't need to be a sci-fi nerd to enjoy this, its a fun read, and the sci-fi world really just adds flavor to a good story
May 3, 2021
I have mixed feelings here, but I'll start with the negatives.
I frequently don't review books that contain profanity, sexual themes, or other content I wouldn't recommend for my friends and family. (If it's over the top, I'll warn others.) This was my 4th book by this author, the other 3 being his VGO series. They all have just a smattering of adult language and content that is very frustrating, as I think it limits the target audience, and it's so scattered, it's not like it was something the author considered necessary for a given character - it's like "oh yea, I need to throw some of that in again". Anyway, in this 500 page book, it was something every 30 to 50 pages or so, proving that he could tell a great story (oops - foreshadowing of the next paragraph) without that. In this case, also stir in 3 to 5 appeals to the woke crowd scattered about (obviously thrown in to make a point, not part of the story being told) - something that I don't think helps the author, the audience, or the story.
So... once I got "hooked" (which took about 30 pages), this was a well crafted story that never lost interest, and it included characters that were also interesting and endearing in their own unique ways. I'll try another 2 or 3 from this author to see if he changes from throwing in things to prove it's an adult book, woke, or whatever and sticks to the story - he has proven he can tell a good one.
I frequently don't review books that contain profanity, sexual themes, or other content I wouldn't recommend for my friends and family. (If it's over the top, I'll warn others.) This was my 4th book by this author, the other 3 being his VGO series. They all have just a smattering of adult language and content that is very frustrating, as I think it limits the target audience, and it's so scattered, it's not like it was something the author considered necessary for a given character - it's like "oh yea, I need to throw some of that in again". Anyway, in this 500 page book, it was something every 30 to 50 pages or so, proving that he could tell a great story (oops - foreshadowing of the next paragraph) without that. In this case, also stir in 3 to 5 appeals to the woke crowd scattered about (obviously thrown in to make a point, not part of the story being told) - something that I don't think helps the author, the audience, or the story.
So... once I got "hooked" (which took about 30 pages), this was a well crafted story that never lost interest, and it included characters that were also interesting and endearing in their own unique ways. I'll try another 2 or 3 from this author to see if he changes from throwing in things to prove it's an adult book, woke, or whatever and sticks to the story - he has proven he can tell a good one.
March 29, 2023
I was lucky enough to meet the author at a convention and chat with him about the series. Interesting sandbox he’s created and allowed other authors to play in.
As for the book “The Starborn Heir”, it has a lot of potential, but the main issue I had was I couldn’t decide if wanted the book to try to do less, and be a more streamlined story, or to do more, and give a lot more world-building. The highlights for me were the glimpses into the larger universe, like the rare flashbacks to earlier generations space war era, which only emphasized my disappointment to realize the main characters don’t get off their home planet until the tail end of the book. While their home world has some interesting aspects, it also felt like I wasn’t allowed to see the larger picture the author planned on creating.
I also have no idea why the series is titled “the fivefold universe”. Hopefully that makes sense in later books, but after the first book it is just a distracting question that doesn’t seem to have any connection to the story we’re reading.
Overall any issues/complaints are minor, and lots of potential for later books to grow the story in ways that earn a 4 or 5 star rating.
As for the book “The Starborn Heir”, it has a lot of potential, but the main issue I had was I couldn’t decide if wanted the book to try to do less, and be a more streamlined story, or to do more, and give a lot more world-building. The highlights for me were the glimpses into the larger universe, like the rare flashbacks to earlier generations space war era, which only emphasized my disappointment to realize the main characters don’t get off their home planet until the tail end of the book. While their home world has some interesting aspects, it also felt like I wasn’t allowed to see the larger picture the author planned on creating.
I also have no idea why the series is titled “the fivefold universe”. Hopefully that makes sense in later books, but after the first book it is just a distracting question that doesn’t seem to have any connection to the story we’re reading.
Overall any issues/complaints are minor, and lots of potential for later books to grow the story in ways that earn a 4 or 5 star rating.
May 9, 2021
The Starborn heir took me less then twenty four hours to read cover to cover. While objectively speaking the cast of main characters fill some common character archetypes like a massive cyborg brawler, shut in mechanical savant and dashing young tactician fallen from wealthy heritage. These classic tropes are good classics for a reason and are done so flawlessly it didn't even occur to me until after I had finished reading the book. The political intrigue and back room deals kept the suspense up, and the fast action had me running for my life and rolling with the punches along side the main characters in the undercity. Highly recommend to any who like punchy action or sci fi, and now I regret buying an electronic copy instead of a paper copy to put on my shelves next to john Scalzi, Eric Nylund, David Brinn and Heinlien.
It's like Johnathan Mayberry and Orson Scott card decided to write a book together.
It's like Johnathan Mayberry and Orson Scott card decided to write a book together.
July 5, 2021
Not What I Expected from the Preview
The storyline descriptions and setup were intriguing but by 50% there had been countless people slaughtered for some very unclear reasons. Lots of cyber-augmentation and yet most conflict is destructive physically, as in ripping off body parts, cutting and slashing, and explosive dismemberment. Not enjoyable, not for me. I eventually quit and never made it to the end of the book.
The storyline descriptions and setup were intriguing but by 50% there had been countless people slaughtered for some very unclear reasons. Lots of cyber-augmentation and yet most conflict is destructive physically, as in ripping off body parts, cutting and slashing, and explosive dismemberment. Not enjoyable, not for me. I eventually quit and never made it to the end of the book.
November 27, 2021
Top notch space story
Thoughtful, provocative, twists, great character development. More depth than Twain (Mark, not Shania) and less than Tolstoy, so the story hits that sweet spot where you need to think but not be too introspective.
I’m reading the next one. Why don’t you read this one while I do that?
Thoughtful, provocative, twists, great character development. More depth than Twain (Mark, not Shania) and less than Tolstoy, so the story hits that sweet spot where you need to think but not be too introspective.
I’m reading the next one. Why don’t you read this one while I do that?
April 6, 2022
Solid
Solid start. Decent concept of the universe which was briefly introduced in its complexity. Good character introduction and plot buildup. Happy to have found the series. Yet another publisher in need of better proofreading.
Solid start. Decent concept of the universe which was briefly introduced in its complexity. Good character introduction and plot buildup. Happy to have found the series. Yet another publisher in need of better proofreading.
December 9, 2023
Not a bad start to the series. An interesting story of how the MC got his name inscribed on the title.
A group comes together as a crew and the author provides some space One Piece vibes.
Recommended.
A group comes together as a crew and the author provides some space One Piece vibes.
Recommended.
January 23, 2024
A fast paced thrilling read
If you’re looking for a book with plenty of derring do, fight sequences, and wildly imaginative characters that form an endearing little team, this is it.
If you’re looking for a book with plenty of derring do, fight sequences, and wildly imaginative characters that form an endearing little team, this is it.
April 20, 2021
An interesting book
This book has interesting characters as well as an intriguing storyline. With lots of action and suspense it will keep you wanting more
This book has interesting characters as well as an intriguing storyline. With lots of action and suspense it will keep you wanting more
May 17, 2021
Awesome book
I really liked the twist and turns in this book. I can’t wait to see what happens to Zack next
I really liked the twist and turns in this book. I can’t wait to see what happens to Zack next
March 16, 2023
Many stories claim to hit the accelerator and never let off, but this one means it! It's full of high octane scenes, moreso than action sequences mind you. Fun read with interesting characters.
September 8, 2021
9/10: Fantastic, left me wanting more.
If the roaring gale stripped the flesh from his bones, Anya and Ultimus would find his ribcage lit by the inner fire of his sarcasm.
Loved Zack!
If the roaring gale stripped the flesh from his bones, Anya and Ultimus would find his ribcage lit by the inner fire of his sarcasm.
Loved Zack!
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