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Spoliation
When a trial to cover-up a corporate failure ends Captain Jonas Stryker's career, he wants revenge against The Board, a ruthless, shadowy organization with limitless funds that employs space piracy, terrorism, and even weaponised asteroids. Posing as an asteroid miner, Stryker learns that The Board wants him killed, while a young female SCIB police agent wants retribution against him for having her career spoiled at his trial. As Stryker avoids attempts to kill him, he becomes the only chance to prevent The Board from overturning the Federation Government and imposing a Fascist-style rule.
A story of greed, corruption and honour, combining science and visionary speculation that goes from the high frontier to outback Australia.
A story of greed, corruption and honour, combining science and visionary speculation that goes from the high frontier to outback Australia.
Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2021
4 people want to read
About the author
Ian J. Miller
16 books101 followersI am a semi-retired chemist, PhD from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and during this PhD my results came out on the wrong side of a scientific debate that was going on at the time. This story is being told on my scientific blog http://my.rsc.org/blogs/84 from October, 2012 onwards. The net result of this was I became perhaps a little skeptical of how science proceeds, and later, when invited to write a scientific book, I began "Elements of Theory". I was somewhat too slow, and the fact the editor found out that I was not a professor did not help. The project was orphaned, but I continued, and four volumes are now available on Amazon as ebooks. The first shows how to form theory, and provides seventy problems to test theory-forming skill. The second involves an alternative theory of planetary formation and biogenesis. The third elaborates on my alternative interpretation of quantum mechanics, while the fourth surveys biofuel technology, an area in which I have spent much of my scientific career
I had also tried writing a novel as an undergraduate, which was rejected four times, after which I gave up, however some time later I revisited this, and later self-published. However, I was barred from publicity through a different commercial venture, and I found selling this novel without any advertising somewhat difficult. About 1990, with spare time, thanks to the financial crisis, I began writing a future history, which is now being self-published as ebooks. Two of these, Puppeteer, Troubles involve a future in which we do nothing to address declining oil supplies, and hence involve a dystopian future. Red Gold, and the "First Contact" trilogy involve a future with Martian settlement and a major Federation of countries, and is thus also involving an economic future in which resources become scarce. The last, Jonathon Munros, illustrates the problems of evil androids. The Gaius Claudius Scaevola trilogy is partly about military strategy, partly about what science is really about, and partly about how humans could live in an advanced alien society.
I had also tried writing a novel as an undergraduate, which was rejected four times, after which I gave up, however some time later I revisited this, and later self-published. However, I was barred from publicity through a different commercial venture, and I found selling this novel without any advertising somewhat difficult. About 1990, with spare time, thanks to the financial crisis, I began writing a future history, which is now being self-published as ebooks. Two of these, Puppeteer, Troubles involve a future in which we do nothing to address declining oil supplies, and hence involve a dystopian future. Red Gold, and the "First Contact" trilogy involve a future with Martian settlement and a major Federation of countries, and is thus also involving an economic future in which resources become scarce. The last, Jonathon Munros, illustrates the problems of evil androids. The Gaius Claudius Scaevola trilogy is partly about military strategy, partly about what science is really about, and partly about how humans could live in an advanced alien society.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 27, 2021
Miller has managed to combine real science, appealing characters, and an intriguing plot into a readable story with broad appeal. It is, of course, fiction set in a future that may not be all that distant. Mars has been colonized, there are space stations, and asteroids are being captured and processed into building materials and tapped for water. But human nature hasn't changed much; greed and duplicity are alive and well in both large and petty forms. Shadowy corporate interests with designs on controlling the world government are the main antagonist here.
Captain Jonas Stryker is a hero, in all senses of the word. He's a super-competent pilot, reads people well, and mostly treats others decently. Some others don't treat him very well, though, which is what precipitates this story. The supporting cast includes investigator Janice Hardy, who has a bone to pick with Stryker but has to cooperate with him first. Other characters, both admirable and not, come and go as the pair bounce around space and end up in rural Australia for a final showdown. Among Stryker's most loyal and capable allies are a group of androids, a.k.a. "metal men," who add an element of wit and humour. Indeed, there is an undercurrent of dry humour throughout the book.
The prose is clear and workmanlike, but not artful or poetic. It gets the job done, including explanations of how asteroids can be managed and how a form of gravity is achieved on space stations. Science does not bog down the fiction, however. The plot moves along at a brisk pace, with plenty of action. An Author's Note at the end contains additional information about asteroids.
The ending is satisfying but not entirely conclusive. Apparently a sequel is intended, which I look forward to reading.
Captain Jonas Stryker is a hero, in all senses of the word. He's a super-competent pilot, reads people well, and mostly treats others decently. Some others don't treat him very well, though, which is what precipitates this story. The supporting cast includes investigator Janice Hardy, who has a bone to pick with Stryker but has to cooperate with him first. Other characters, both admirable and not, come and go as the pair bounce around space and end up in rural Australia for a final showdown. Among Stryker's most loyal and capable allies are a group of androids, a.k.a. "metal men," who add an element of wit and humour. Indeed, there is an undercurrent of dry humour throughout the book.
The prose is clear and workmanlike, but not artful or poetic. It gets the job done, including explanations of how asteroids can be managed and how a form of gravity is achieved on space stations. Science does not bog down the fiction, however. The plot moves along at a brisk pace, with plenty of action. An Author's Note at the end contains additional information about asteroids.
The ending is satisfying but not entirely conclusive. Apparently a sequel is intended, which I look forward to reading.
April 22, 2022
New Zealand author Ian J Miller created a captivating story with many elements I really like. Science fiction and suspense are my favorite genres and this book has a bit of everything. The author’s background helped him create this entertaining plot that surprised me more than once.
The story is excellent and the characters are very well created and developed, which is not something easy. Spoliation is a must read if you are fan of sci-fi stories. I would recommend reading it to young adults because I believe they will enjoy it the most. Five well deserved stars go for this thrilling novel.
The story is excellent and the characters are very well created and developed, which is not something easy. Spoliation is a must read if you are fan of sci-fi stories. I would recommend reading it to young adults because I believe they will enjoy it the most. Five well deserved stars go for this thrilling novel.
April 23, 2022
I am always looking for a good sci-fi story to read before going to bed and Spoliation was the one I chose this month. Arthur Miller excelled at this with a great narrative and characters that make the plot even more interesting.
Although the setting is futuristic and not real I believe that the characters seem quite real, so while reading I could imagine everything as if it has happened.
The author has a great writing style; I didn’t feel the story heavy, on the contrary, I read it quite fast.
I would recommend Spoliation to those who like this kind of genre. It is very entertaining.
Although the setting is futuristic and not real I believe that the characters seem quite real, so while reading I could imagine everything as if it has happened.
The author has a great writing style; I didn’t feel the story heavy, on the contrary, I read it quite fast.
I would recommend Spoliation to those who like this kind of genre. It is very entertaining.
September 24, 2021
Spoliation by Ian Miller is a compelling sci-fi. The plot is very well thought out and it is thrilling. The writing is great. The characters are very well developed and are really intriguing. What I liked the most was the main character, he is amazing - he goes through a lot but he doesn't forget who he is and what he stands for. I recommend it!
September 10, 2021
This was a great read. When I picked up this book I didn't know what to expect, I haven't read the author before. But I was pleasantly surprised. The plot is very compelling. I couldn't put it down! 5 stars from me!
September 15, 2021
Spoliation by Ian J. Miller is a well-written compelling book. Captain Jonas Stryker is a very well-developed and very intriguing main character. The other characters are also interesting but the Captain is my favorite. I recommend.
December 6, 2024
Great book. Highly endorsed.
December 6, 2024
Well written but grammar needs to be worked on
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews