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Starship’s Mage #11
Mage-Commander
Some soldiers are the shields of innocent souls
Others are the fanatics of their cause
And for them…no war is ever truly over!
Tempered on the anvil of the war against the secessionist UnArcana Worlds and tested against the evil of Project Orpheus, Mage-Commander Roslyn Chambers has risen through the ranks of the Royal Martian Navy to serve as second-in-command of one of their most prestigious battlecruisers, Duke of Magnificence.
A desperate call for help sends Roslyn and her new ship deep into the frontiers of Protectorate space, where they discover that hold-outs of the UnArcana Worlds’ fleets have returned to plunder innocent ships across the Fringe.
To protect the innocent and serve her Queen, Roslyn Chambers must rise to the task before her. She must learn to command—both herself and a warship of the Mage-Queen of Mars!
Others are the fanatics of their cause
And for them…no war is ever truly over!
Tempered on the anvil of the war against the secessionist UnArcana Worlds and tested against the evil of Project Orpheus, Mage-Commander Roslyn Chambers has risen through the ranks of the Royal Martian Navy to serve as second-in-command of one of their most prestigious battlecruisers, Duke of Magnificence.
A desperate call for help sends Roslyn and her new ship deep into the frontiers of Protectorate space, where they discover that hold-outs of the UnArcana Worlds’ fleets have returned to plunder innocent ships across the Fringe.
To protect the innocent and serve her Queen, Roslyn Chambers must rise to the task before her. She must learn to command—both herself and a warship of the Mage-Queen of Mars!
461 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2021
408 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Glynn Stewart
113 books1,742 followersGlynn Stewart is the author of over 60 books, including Starship’s Mage, a bestselling science fiction and fantasy series where faster-than-light travel is possible–but only because of magic.
Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.
Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
September 29, 2021
Read this first... Trust me... I'll save you time and money.
What makes Roslyn Chambers special?
Nothing... and it shows all book long.
Started Starships Mage with a starships mage that was dedicated, principled and powerful using his special ability to help people he cared about. Watched him rise and overcome to the point he saved humanity AND everyone became his to protect. He was powerful thoughtful and effective a western in space.
That was given up to follow an angst filled young woman in command of a single ship. Originally thought perhaps I was a chauvinist for the last two books but realized I enjoyed the Mage Queen more than her father or brother. So I think it's not me but that Mage Commander Roslyn Chambers has become a terrible character, its like reading a propaganda book for the Martian navy no real foibles or failures just terrible terrible angst about breaking a regulation or doing something wrong the twenty year olds were sleeping with people they weren't supposed to... the horror.
Damien Montgomry's fist book fights off pirates, illegally alters a jump matrix, escapes custody, evades a hand, discovers runes of power for himself, and destroys a RMN cruiser with his jump freighter ending the largest criminal piracy syndicate in the galaxy. Illegal and thrilling.
Roslyn Chambers third book plays XO, angst, promoted because she is well connected and decorated, angst about leading, shows how dedicated to the regs she is with the world's cleanest pirate base assault, more angst, destroys cruiser with a destroyer does not actually get the info she wanted.
Roslyn Chambers was a wonderful character when she was a street smart and mouthy teen mage aiding Damien (on his NOT by the book operation) Why the author chose to follow her indoctrination by the navy I will never understand. The whole plot feels like it's going backwards I am more interested in daily meetings of the cyborg governor ruling legatus (really) than Roslyn Chambers saving the multiverse at this point.
Heres to hoping Damien kidnaps the queen and escapes Roslyn Chambers fanatical (by the book) clutches and joins Nemesis or even the First Legion. His conquest of the protectorate would be a fun alternative as he is obviously never going to put Nemesis down and the RIN will live forever.
Until they provide the unexpected support against the aliens that have been coming for what feels like a dozen books now.. Get on with it already!!! Damien being chancellor and petting his cat must be too important to end the people that killed the last king, betrayed the protectorate and continue to sabotage his efforts. (And have to be dropping sales) Barring that have Romanov sent to kill Roslyn if sales are needed that would be immensely satisfying, I would give that book a dozen stars. Hell I'd go back and give the Roslyn books five stars each for the amazing buildup of the galaxy's most annoying enemy. At least then we would have a main character worth following if only for one book.
Two stars one for Damien and one for Admiral Jakobs and their combined four pages of presence. The Mage Queen will get a star when she tells Damien to go protect her protectorate. Until then this once wonderful series has fallen to obscurity in a market with hundreds of better choices.
What makes Roslyn Chambers special?
Nothing... and it shows all book long.
Started Starships Mage with a starships mage that was dedicated, principled and powerful using his special ability to help people he cared about. Watched him rise and overcome to the point he saved humanity AND everyone became his to protect. He was powerful thoughtful and effective a western in space.
That was given up to follow an angst filled young woman in command of a single ship. Originally thought perhaps I was a chauvinist for the last two books but realized I enjoyed the Mage Queen more than her father or brother. So I think it's not me but that Mage Commander Roslyn Chambers has become a terrible character, its like reading a propaganda book for the Martian navy no real foibles or failures just terrible terrible angst about breaking a regulation or doing something wrong the twenty year olds were sleeping with people they weren't supposed to... the horror.
Damien Montgomry's fist book fights off pirates, illegally alters a jump matrix, escapes custody, evades a hand, discovers runes of power for himself, and destroys a RMN cruiser with his jump freighter ending the largest criminal piracy syndicate in the galaxy. Illegal and thrilling.
Roslyn Chambers third book plays XO, angst, promoted because she is well connected and decorated, angst about leading, shows how dedicated to the regs she is with the world's cleanest pirate base assault, more angst, destroys cruiser with a destroyer does not actually get the info she wanted.
Roslyn Chambers was a wonderful character when she was a street smart and mouthy teen mage aiding Damien (on his NOT by the book operation) Why the author chose to follow her indoctrination by the navy I will never understand. The whole plot feels like it's going backwards I am more interested in daily meetings of the cyborg governor ruling legatus (really) than Roslyn Chambers saving the multiverse at this point.
Heres to hoping Damien kidnaps the queen and escapes Roslyn Chambers fanatical (by the book) clutches and joins Nemesis or even the First Legion. His conquest of the protectorate would be a fun alternative as he is obviously never going to put Nemesis down and the RIN will live forever.
Until they provide the unexpected support against the aliens that have been coming for what feels like a dozen books now.. Get on with it already!!! Damien being chancellor and petting his cat must be too important to end the people that killed the last king, betrayed the protectorate and continue to sabotage his efforts. (And have to be dropping sales) Barring that have Romanov sent to kill Roslyn if sales are needed that would be immensely satisfying, I would give that book a dozen stars. Hell I'd go back and give the Roslyn books five stars each for the amazing buildup of the galaxy's most annoying enemy. At least then we would have a main character worth following if only for one book.
Two stars one for Damien and one for Admiral Jakobs and their combined four pages of presence. The Mage Queen will get a star when she tells Damien to go protect her protectorate. Until then this once wonderful series has fallen to obscurity in a market with hundreds of better choices.
October 14, 2021
Wowza. What happened to the author of books 1-7 in this series?!? Because I loved those books. But book 11 suddenly veers into OUR world's politics. So much of it reads as nothing but using the book as an opportunity to spread the "good word" of the Church of Progressivism. Men, unless they are suitably diverse, are marginalized. Capitalism is blatantly attacked with talking points which sound a lot like we hear every day from the NY Times, CNN, etc. And the books are stuffed to the gills with liberal world-views. Identity politics is on blatant display, with tons of tokenized characters and relationships. Ugh.
Plus it's just feels like another filler book while the author decides how and when and if he's ever going to get around to dealing with the bad evil nasty aliens he's alluded to earlier in the series.
I can't continue reading this drivel. To be fair I also very much dislike reading Christian fantasy/SciFi.
And yes, I get that my dislike of the things I've mentioned (and my willingness to express that dislike) might make some people mad, but hey, it's a free country (still). You're entitled to disagree, but I'm done being afraid of being attacked or cancelled or whatever. This progressive madness can only persist as long as we libertarians and conservatives stay silent.
On the plus side, I imagine liberal/progressive readers will eat up all the dogma in this book's pages.
Plus it's just feels like another filler book while the author decides how and when and if he's ever going to get around to dealing with the bad evil nasty aliens he's alluded to earlier in the series.
I can't continue reading this drivel. To be fair I also very much dislike reading Christian fantasy/SciFi.
And yes, I get that my dislike of the things I've mentioned (and my willingness to express that dislike) might make some people mad, but hey, it's a free country (still). You're entitled to disagree, but I'm done being afraid of being attacked or cancelled or whatever. This progressive madness can only persist as long as we libertarians and conservatives stay silent.
On the plus side, I imagine liberal/progressive readers will eat up all the dogma in this book's pages.
October 11, 2021
For starters, this book is SOOO boring. There's a bit of action at the very beginning, but until roughly the 80%, NOTHING HAPPENS. There are quite literally 2 chapters where characters are discussing if a warrant is needed and getting the warrant.
And just like the other books in this series focusing on Roslyn, it's VERY female-heavy. When the main point of focus is the Navy and Intelligence services I find it hard to believe it would be filled with mostly women. The only time a male character is introduced is when the author needs a jerk or a moron to make the girls look good.
And once again Roslyn is promoted far past her experience. She's so Mary Sue it's not even funny. She's battlefield promoted to Lieutenant at the age of 19, completely bypassing Ensign (O1). She's only 25, and only just, in this book and is already a Commander (O5). I don't care how many awards someone is given, they aren't jumped up that high that fast. There are time-in-service and time-in-grade requirements that are bypassed in only the most extraordinary of circumstances. I know this is sci-fi/fantasy, but they wouldn't be that radically different.
To make it worse, they give her a captaincy of a ship because she's "the only person nearby that has the right rank." NO! That is not how it would work. Senior leadership would have a list of those slated to receive a ship. If the primary choice can't take position (in this case due to medical issues) then the next person would be called in no matter where they are. At the very least the XO would take charge and meet the new Captain half-way with another ship.
Roslyn should have been made the XO of the new ship, the captain killed in the first engagement, and then she takes over as the next in line. Just giving her a ship out of convenience is just stupid.
And just like the other books in this series focusing on Roslyn, it's VERY female-heavy. When the main point of focus is the Navy and Intelligence services I find it hard to believe it would be filled with mostly women. The only time a male character is introduced is when the author needs a jerk or a moron to make the girls look good.
And once again Roslyn is promoted far past her experience. She's so Mary Sue it's not even funny. She's battlefield promoted to Lieutenant at the age of 19, completely bypassing Ensign (O1). She's only 25, and only just, in this book and is already a Commander (O5). I don't care how many awards someone is given, they aren't jumped up that high that fast. There are time-in-service and time-in-grade requirements that are bypassed in only the most extraordinary of circumstances. I know this is sci-fi/fantasy, but they wouldn't be that radically different.
To make it worse, they give her a captaincy of a ship because she's "the only person nearby that has the right rank." NO! That is not how it would work. Senior leadership would have a list of those slated to receive a ship. If the primary choice can't take position (in this case due to medical issues) then the next person would be called in no matter where they are. At the very least the XO would take charge and meet the new Captain half-way with another ship.
Roslyn should have been made the XO of the new ship, the captain killed in the first engagement, and then she takes over as the next in line. Just giving her a ship out of convenience is just stupid.
January 12, 2022
This one took forever to finish. I was constantly on the verge of abandoning the book, but kept going because I liked the stories up to this point.
I've got to say, the Mage-Officer series is just not up to the quality of the original Starship's Mage books. Part of it is that Roslyn Chambers just isn't a very interesting protagonist and not nearly fun to follow as Damien Montgomery. If they needed to switch main characters Kelly LaMonte would have been a better choice, her parts of the book were more interesting.
A bigger part is just that the story line here isn't very engaging. This book especially lacks the kind of plot hook needed to keep me reading. The last 1/10th of the book is decent but the rest was a meandering mess.
I've got to say, the Mage-Officer series is just not up to the quality of the original Starship's Mage books. Part of it is that Roslyn Chambers just isn't a very interesting protagonist and not nearly fun to follow as Damien Montgomery. If they needed to switch main characters Kelly LaMonte would have been a better choice, her parts of the book were more interesting.
A bigger part is just that the story line here isn't very engaging. This book especially lacks the kind of plot hook needed to keep me reading. The last 1/10th of the book is decent but the rest was a meandering mess.
October 30, 2021
After the last two books, I wasn't going to bother with this one. I wish that I hadn't, this book is awful.
September 30, 2021
Look, we're on book 11 here. I always feel a bit difficult how to review these, because... well, I'm assuming you've read as far as book 10, and if you did you either like the series and are going to buy book 11 anyway, or you're a masochist completionist and you're going to buy book 11 anyway.
But for the record - I loved it. It's always a good day when Glynn releases something new, even if I do feel faintly guilty for how fast I devour it, given how much work has gone into it.
We're following more Roslyn Chambers as the POV character, with Damien Montgomery in the background. I think it works better for that - having Damien in charge means you've got some challenges as to how to write stories that are challenging for someone that powerful.
And I'm just trundling through a re-read, and am really appreciating how some of the recurring characters show up again.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this, it kept me up rather later than I should have been up reading. So whether it's masochist-completionist or aficionado of the series, this one's worth picking up.
But for the record - I loved it. It's always a good day when Glynn releases something new, even if I do feel faintly guilty for how fast I devour it, given how much work has gone into it.
We're following more Roslyn Chambers as the POV character, with Damien Montgomery in the background. I think it works better for that - having Damien in charge means you've got some challenges as to how to write stories that are challenging for someone that powerful.
And I'm just trundling through a re-read, and am really appreciating how some of the recurring characters show up again.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this, it kept me up rather later than I should have been up reading. So whether it's masochist-completionist or aficionado of the series, this one's worth picking up.
November 4, 2021
The major plotline of Legatus' rebellion, Damien Montgomery's ascension to power, and the Keepers have all been dealt with. However, we aren't quite ready to begin the invasion of the Martian Protectorate by aliens. Thus, this book introduces a new threat called the First Legion that seems to resemble the First Order from Star Wars. They're a bunch of die-hard Republic holdouts living in the far reaches of the galaxy. I admit I'm kind of anxious to get on with the plot but I do like Roslyn and the other characters. Still, I feel like this is a bit like spinning our wheels. I also regret we haven't seen a sign of the sympathetic Legatan mage that Roslyn had a flirtatious relationship with.
September 24, 2021
lower quality than the other books in series.
The plot was just okay. Not as good as previous books in the series. The main character isn’t as likable as the one in previous books either I was also distracted and annoyed by the authors use of the word chuckle. Chuckle was used 57 times. Nobody chuckles that much. Hopefully in future books the editor will have Glynn remove at least half of them.
The plot was just okay. Not as good as previous books in the series. The main character isn’t as likable as the one in previous books either I was also distracted and annoyed by the authors use of the word chuckle. Chuckle was used 57 times. Nobody chuckles that much. Hopefully in future books the editor will have Glynn remove at least half of them.
January 31, 2023
Reads like bad fan fiction of Starships mage.
Unfortunately the two main female protagonists are quite badly written. Roslyn keeps lustily ogling every man she comes across and every man apparently can't stop staring at her breast. This in combination with the spy ships senior officers calling each other "my love" on the bridge during combat operations just reads more like a bad romance novel instead of what starships mage use to be. Also the inclusion of "they" as a gender neutral pronoun just makes some sentences confusing.
The bad characterizations aside, the story isn't really that interesting. The war is over and the few remaining holdouts are more of a filler then actually progressing the story.
Unfortunately the two main female protagonists are quite badly written. Roslyn keeps lustily ogling every man she comes across and every man apparently can't stop staring at her breast. This in combination with the spy ships senior officers calling each other "my love" on the bridge during combat operations just reads more like a bad romance novel instead of what starships mage use to be. Also the inclusion of "they" as a gender neutral pronoun just makes some sentences confusing.
The bad characterizations aside, the story isn't really that interesting. The war is over and the few remaining holdouts are more of a filler then actually progressing the story.
October 8, 2021
A great addition to the series
This was a great addition to the series. As with the other books, the main character was engaging and well written. Looking forward to reading more of the author’s books.
This was a great addition to the series. As with the other books, the main character was engaging and well written. Looking forward to reading more of the author’s books.
September 22, 2021
Roslyn Chambers continues to Rise
I'll admit that after the last installment of the Starship Mage serie had a somewhat relation to zombie apocalypstic feel to it.. Many readers would feel disappointed in Stewart for even going that route. But I didn't. Heck, It built Chambers' characteristic to continue to rise up in her status as a Mage Comander in this latest installment.
Mage Commander Chambers eventually becomes a Comander of a ship named the Voice of the Forgotten which is an apt name for this particular installment. Since the war with the Republic of Faith and Reason is over.. There are those who defected after First Hand Montgomery released a horrible truth behind the Promethian Interface in the RIN ships. Those defected ships eventually became their own little empire that ends up waging war against the Protectorate and the Mage Queen Kiera Alexander.
It's up to Mage Commander Chamber and Captin Lamont from their respected ships the Voice of the Forgotten and the Raspedy and Purple to hunt down this little empire that is spreading piracy across the borders of the Protectorate worlds.
Will they find who's behind this empire? Or will they finally find the answer to Nemesis?
You probably want to read this latest installment to find out!
If you are fan of Terry Mixon, JN Chaney, D.J Holmes, then Stewart's books are the books to read, y'all!
I'll admit that after the last installment of the Starship Mage serie had a somewhat relation to zombie apocalypstic feel to it.. Many readers would feel disappointed in Stewart for even going that route. But I didn't. Heck, It built Chambers' characteristic to continue to rise up in her status as a Mage Comander in this latest installment.
Mage Commander Chambers eventually becomes a Comander of a ship named the Voice of the Forgotten which is an apt name for this particular installment. Since the war with the Republic of Faith and Reason is over.. There are those who defected after First Hand Montgomery released a horrible truth behind the Promethian Interface in the RIN ships. Those defected ships eventually became their own little empire that ends up waging war against the Protectorate and the Mage Queen Kiera Alexander.
It's up to Mage Commander Chamber and Captin Lamont from their respected ships the Voice of the Forgotten and the Raspedy and Purple to hunt down this little empire that is spreading piracy across the borders of the Protectorate worlds.
Will they find who's behind this empire? Or will they finally find the answer to Nemesis?
You probably want to read this latest installment to find out!
If you are fan of Terry Mixon, JN Chaney, D.J Holmes, then Stewart's books are the books to read, y'all!
September 30, 2021
Avid Happy Reader
Absolutely written with great detail but for me it is the attention given to the characters and relationships, fears and joys, weaving a wonderful human quilt. The physics and space battle strategies are delivered in a way I can follow or skim as wanted. Really, i just love this universe and the people in it. So happy to go along for this journey out in space. Thank you!
Absolutely written with great detail but for me it is the attention given to the characters and relationships, fears and joys, weaving a wonderful human quilt. The physics and space battle strategies are delivered in a way I can follow or skim as wanted. Really, i just love this universe and the people in it. So happy to go along for this journey out in space. Thank you!
September 27, 2021
Remains a great series
Keeps to the same universe, good female role models. New story line with lost colonies will be interesting looking forward to read hope it will not be long.
Keeps to the same universe, good female role models. New story line with lost colonies will be interesting looking forward to read hope it will not be long.
September 21, 2021
Roslyn is my hero!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I highly recommend this series. While all of Glynn's books are great, the characters in this series stand out to me. Eleven books in and still going strong!
This time, Roslyn is finally getting some of the mentorship she greatly desires. And of course, things do NOT go as planned.
If I say any more, I'll ruin the fun for you. Definitely start at the beginning of the series if you haven't read any of the books (and you can thank me later).
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I highly recommend this series. While all of Glynn's books are great, the characters in this series stand out to me. Eleven books in and still going strong!
This time, Roslyn is finally getting some of the mentorship she greatly desires. And of course, things do NOT go as planned.
If I say any more, I'll ruin the fun for you. Definitely start at the beginning of the series if you haven't read any of the books (and you can thank me later).
September 21, 2021
Well I had thought that transitioning the main character as Glynn has done would be an issue, how wrong could I be I got this book over night and started looking at it at 4AM thinking a page or two then back to sleep. Bad idea I have read it through and thoroughly enjoyed it from cover to cover. The change a refreshed a series that was already great. If you like starships and magic look no further a great read.
September 22, 2021
Excellent!
Nice - great continuation of the star ship mages series arc and moves the main protagonist / hero away from Damian to a character with more hands in opportunities for action than Damien has in his new position.
Great story with lots of action!
Nice - great continuation of the star ship mages series arc and moves the main protagonist / hero away from Damian to a character with more hands in opportunities for action than Damien has in his new position.
Great story with lots of action!
September 21, 2021
Continuing the good story line and writing tradition that make Glynn Stewart one of the top 4 current authors of the SF genre.
November 8, 2021
Roslyn sadly continues to be effectively a non-entity in what is now her own series. I decided to hold off a bit on writing the review until my thoughts settled and now I find myself barely a month after reading this book, struggling to remember what it was about. There are still a handful of scenes I remember but I expect even them to be wiped from my memory by the two month mark.
I persisted through the last two books thinking they were growing pains of a series changing protagonists that far in. At this point its becoming obvious that Glynn Stewart just has no idea what to do with Roslyn as protagonist. This might be my queue to drop the series.
I persisted through the last two books thinking they were growing pains of a series changing protagonists that far in. At this point its becoming obvious that Glynn Stewart just has no idea what to do with Roslyn as protagonist. This might be my queue to drop the series.
October 24, 2021
Glynn Stewart is not a great writer, but he is a great storyteller. I've been reading the books thru waiting to see what happens next. (though it's generally obvious the main characters will not die)
But for all you out there who enjoyed this series, look up the author Nathan Lowell. He has several series that I loved. Not so much 'action', but great characters. I started with a book called 1/4 Share. The first in one series. Hope I just gave you some hours of good reading
But for all you out there who enjoyed this series, look up the author Nathan Lowell. He has several series that I loved. Not so much 'action', but great characters. I started with a book called 1/4 Share. The first in one series. Hope I just gave you some hours of good reading
May 20, 2022
Chezz man just make Chambers a Hand
I said now it can’t be taken back we all know the authour was just try not to do what he really want to do with her!!!
I said now it can’t be taken back we all know the authour was just try not to do what he really want to do with her!!!
February 19, 2023
Mage-Commander finally has Roslyn Chambers stepping out of the shadow of Damien Montegomery and finding her own path. This path is a Horatio Hornblower-style naval career (ie. rising star during a war), and we find ourselves ensconced in the machinery of the Protectorate's navy with the focus on a single ship instead of the multi-star system fleet battles that were a hallmark of the UnArcana arc. I admit I was expecting Roslyn to replace Damien as another Hand, and so I'm pleasantly surprised by her turn at the helm of a space ship.
The fallout of the UnArcana rebellion is finally upon us, and the universe expands by skipping forward several years, as well as introducing new areas of the Protectorate. Returning to the daily tasks of a starship and its interactions with various space stations, it pleasantly reminds me of the first Starship's Mage novel. I'm happy to lower the stakes from the ridiculous heights of creating a Constitution and defending the whole of the Protectorate!
I have nitpicks, primarily that the challenges Roslyn faces feel underwhelming at times... so much so that she's starting to feel a bit Mary Sue. As an author, you really need to be careful if your main character's biggest problem is that they're too modest of their successes. Glynn Stewart has managed to walk that fine line, but I really don't want any more conversations where people tell Roslyn how amazing she is. If you are sensitive to these problems, then you might want to pass, but these are nitpicks and I'm happy now that the next stage of Starship's Mage is finally here.
Recommended.
The fallout of the UnArcana rebellion is finally upon us, and the universe expands by skipping forward several years, as well as introducing new areas of the Protectorate. Returning to the daily tasks of a starship and its interactions with various space stations, it pleasantly reminds me of the first Starship's Mage novel. I'm happy to lower the stakes from the ridiculous heights of creating a Constitution and defending the whole of the Protectorate!
I have nitpicks, primarily that the challenges Roslyn faces feel underwhelming at times... so much so that she's starting to feel a bit Mary Sue. As an author, you really need to be careful if your main character's biggest problem is that they're too modest of their successes. Glynn Stewart has managed to walk that fine line, but I really don't want any more conversations where people tell Roslyn how amazing she is. If you are sensitive to these problems, then you might want to pass, but these are nitpicks and I'm happy now that the next stage of Starship's Mage is finally here.
Recommended.
November 27, 2023
I have loved the Starships Mage books. Damien Montgomery has been a great character to follow with great plots to push his character further.
And even though it’s hinted that rune-writes aren’t has secret as first thought nor as few and far between, the great Damien has been relegated to the Mountain. And we are stuck with too young of a ship’s captain that is full of angst to keep rules just right rather than the near illegal actions that her arguably mentor had her do when she was first introduced. The smart mouthed, damn the consequences of her childhood are far gone. And now? As a captain she’s trying to gage just how much temptation some bi- good looking once captain has on her that could get her in trouble with her XO.
Not to mention the explosion of throw away woke style characters written into being in the book.
I’m questioning whether to continue in the series. I don’t have any push to do after this one. The only way I would is some hope that what has been can come back around to the fore once again.
And even though it’s hinted that rune-writes aren’t has secret as first thought nor as few and far between, the great Damien has been relegated to the Mountain. And we are stuck with too young of a ship’s captain that is full of angst to keep rules just right rather than the near illegal actions that her arguably mentor had her do when she was first introduced. The smart mouthed, damn the consequences of her childhood are far gone. And now? As a captain she’s trying to gage just how much temptation some bi- good looking once captain has on her that could get her in trouble with her XO.
Not to mention the explosion of throw away woke style characters written into being in the book.
I’m questioning whether to continue in the series. I don’t have any push to do after this one. The only way I would is some hope that what has been can come back around to the fore once again.
October 12, 2023
3.5 stars.
Roslyn gets her first captaincy of a retrofitted old ship after the ship she was on was attacked and rendered non-repairable. She's in just the right place to support Kelly LaMont in another spying mission. Together they fight slavers who have set up shop on an unpopulated planet.
They are also trying to find the hideout of the remnants of the Republic and something codenamed Nemesis that might have been set up by the first Mage King but seems to be working against the Protectorate.
Again, lots of space actions but this time, Kelly gets a lot more involved in the action. We also get to learn that which was a bit of a surprise to me.
Roslyn gets her first captaincy of a retrofitted old ship after the ship she was on was attacked and rendered non-repairable. She's in just the right place to support Kelly LaMont in another spying mission. Together they fight slavers who have set up shop on an unpopulated planet.
They are also trying to find the hideout of the remnants of the Republic and something codenamed Nemesis that might have been set up by the first Mage King but seems to be working against the Protectorate.
Again, lots of space actions but this time, Kelly gets a lot more involved in the action. We also get to learn that which was a bit of a surprise to me.
October 11, 2021
Another adventure awaits! The newest release in the Interstellar Mage series could almost be the first in a spin-off series in the same world, much as you’ve already done. The risks and the successes taken and achieved only made it more thrilling. I even found myself searching your site for the release date of number 12 (and failed, by the way). Apart from that, all I can say is: I hope you keep on writing!
February 22, 2022
Good story!
Action and good characters. Folks have been saying forever, "can't we just get along" and the answer is always "NO!" It's part of the human nature that we always want just a little bit more than the next guy, that breeds discontent, so he now wants more. But we should not turn that off because it's where we get inventions from. Without it, we would still be in caves. When is the next book?
Action and good characters. Folks have been saying forever, "can't we just get along" and the answer is always "NO!" It's part of the human nature that we always want just a little bit more than the next guy, that breeds discontent, so he now wants more. But we should not turn that off because it's where we get inventions from. Without it, we would still be in caves. When is the next book?
May 27, 2022
I read the first 12 books of this series back-to-back over the course of a month. They are not distinct stories in my memory, so I've reviewing them as a group. I liked the start of the series quite a lot, but by book 12, it's gotten rather predictable. There are even pet phrases that repeat multiple times in each book. "What is her Majesty's protectorate if we do not protect?" for example. There's also some Marines cheerleading that feels forced to me, and a moral high ground perspective that goes unchallenged by human nature and gray areas. Eventually, the books became entirely predictable. It was well written enough to keep me entertained, but not interesting enough to get great ratings from me.
August 5, 2022
The scope of this novel is much smaller than many of the previous installments in the series, but I found that worked well for the narrative. Politics takes a backbuner to the day to day struggles and interactions of Roslyn's life in the fleet. I felt this book did a decent job of creating actual, fleshed out characters for her shipmates, something that often was lacking in prior books that focused more on the big events.
October 22, 2021
Oh boy, things are heating up again
While is is not a Damien story, it still captures all of the excitement for which this series has come to be known. The Intrigue of spies mixes with the heart-stopping action of space combat to bring all the elements necessary to make this yet another worthy work in the series.
While is is not a Damien story, it still captures all of the excitement for which this series has come to be known. The Intrigue of spies mixes with the heart-stopping action of space combat to bring all the elements necessary to make this yet another worthy work in the series.
October 24, 2021
Another great book in a fantastic series. Incredible world building and deep lore that makes me wish there were an infinite number of books in this series. The story and characters teleport me to another world where magic and technology are intertwined. It makes me wish there were video games and movies and tv shoes built up in this universe. Great series.
January 3, 2022
Very good
Part of the series, read in order. Very neat progression of the ongoing storyline. Some of the bad guys are pried out of their hidey holes and illuminated - not yet all of them. Tight action sequences and good development of the investigations needed to advance the story. This is a great series to read.
Part of the series, read in order. Very neat progression of the ongoing storyline. Some of the bad guys are pried out of their hidey holes and illuminated - not yet all of them. Tight action sequences and good development of the investigations needed to advance the story. This is a great series to read.
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