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Ran Shaipur
On a forgotten colony at the edge of settled space, one man will seize control of his world's destiny. He's chosen to rule.
The early days of the Settlement were full of hope and optimism for a thriving, self-determined colony. Hundreds of years later, D'abraxas has fractured into warring provinces, its tech base is struggling, and they've lost contact with the rest of settled space.
Ran has always claimed that he wants to make things better for his people. He's worked his way up from grunt on the ground to guy in charge. Now, as Warlord of Brundt, Ran controls the largest territory on the planet. With the help of his trusted Seconds, Seriah and Olwyn, he's finally getting stuff done.
Then the General Union Space Corp comes calling. They claim they have come to help restore D'abraxas and reintegrate it into galactic society. It's uncertain what they really want, and they don't seem all that friendly. One thing is certain: D'abraxas's long neglected tech base is no match for their massive starship. Can Ran keep his world and people safe from foreign enemies while managing his domestic opponents? Or will the General Union overthrow Ran and seize control of D'abraxas for its own ends?
The early days of the Settlement were full of hope and optimism for a thriving, self-determined colony. Hundreds of years later, D'abraxas has fractured into warring provinces, its tech base is struggling, and they've lost contact with the rest of settled space.
Ran has always claimed that he wants to make things better for his people. He's worked his way up from grunt on the ground to guy in charge. Now, as Warlord of Brundt, Ran controls the largest territory on the planet. With the help of his trusted Seconds, Seriah and Olwyn, he's finally getting stuff done.
Then the General Union Space Corp comes calling. They claim they have come to help restore D'abraxas and reintegrate it into galactic society. It's uncertain what they really want, and they don't seem all that friendly. One thing is certain: D'abraxas's long neglected tech base is no match for their massive starship. Can Ran keep his world and people safe from foreign enemies while managing his domestic opponents? Or will the General Union overthrow Ran and seize control of D'abraxas for its own ends?
472 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2021
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
T.L. Ryder
9 books15 followersI write SFF & vampires. But not in the same stories! :D
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 29, 2022
Risen from farmer and foot soldier to Warlord, a dying Ran gets disconcertedly accosted by his ghostly ancestors and dumped into an impending war with a long forgotten planetary union. And that's not his biggest problem.
Sporting a pile of immoral, scheming characters who somehow manage to become sympathetic, despite their best efforts, romping their way through questionable decisions, Ryder's surprising book is an unusual beast, to say the least.
Five stars for drawing in the reader and perpetually surprising character development.
Sporting a pile of immoral, scheming characters who somehow manage to become sympathetic, despite their best efforts, romping their way through questionable decisions, Ryder's surprising book is an unusual beast, to say the least.
Five stars for drawing in the reader and perpetually surprising character development.
November 18, 2023
Excellent sci fi adventure with romance
I've had this book on my TBR list for a long time. I enjoyed Darkflight and Novaflight so much that I finally got around to reading Ran Shaipur. The worldbuilding is excellent, and the characters are fascinating. I laughed in all the right places, and I loved the consorts. But bad stuff happens, really bad stuff, and Shaipur stopped being so fun. I admit I'm not convinced the character death was necessary, and it made me sad. Ran is a great character; he's aware of his faults and still manages to do dumb things. I read this book in KU and will buy it to reread.
I've had this book on my TBR list for a long time. I enjoyed Darkflight and Novaflight so much that I finally got around to reading Ran Shaipur. The worldbuilding is excellent, and the characters are fascinating. I laughed in all the right places, and I loved the consorts. But bad stuff happens, really bad stuff, and Shaipur stopped being so fun. I admit I'm not convinced the character death was necessary, and it made me sad. Ran is a great character; he's aware of his faults and still manages to do dumb things. I read this book in KU and will buy it to reread.
October 16, 2021
A fun read. Lots of action, of course, but also roads and bridges and frustration and intrigue. A solid novel.
Ran is an unlikely leader, going from farming to fighting to leading to ruling. When the rest of humanity discovers his isolated colony world, they demand it conform to their standards so it can be welcomed back into the fold. Can they fend off an invasion of purportedly well-meaning bureaucrats? One backed up by a battle cruiser?
Great future world-building. Well written, with a light, humorous touch and excellent battle scenes.
Ran is an unlikely leader, going from farming to fighting to leading to ruling. When the rest of humanity discovers his isolated colony world, they demand it conform to their standards so it can be welcomed back into the fold. Can they fend off an invasion of purportedly well-meaning bureaucrats? One backed up by a battle cruiser?
Great future world-building. Well written, with a light, humorous touch and excellent battle scenes.
December 25, 2021
This was my firstt read by TL Ryder and I was impressed. This is a brilliant read! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an interesting story line that keeps you turning the pages. I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author. This novel was provided to me by StoryOrigin. This is my honest review
June 8, 2022
Feudal society in a sci-fi world, palace intrigue, betrayal, surprise alliances, a dash of fantasy, and a healthy dose of romance, not overdone. I thoroughly enjoyed this romp. My only complaint was that I wanted a few things explored more in depth, especially the Ancestors and Shaipur. Maybe that will happen in books to come.
February 25, 2023
An easy 5 star Sci fi read!
If you like space opera adventure, political intrigue, and a bit of romance, this book is for you! I loved the organic worldbuilding. I got to know the characters and culture while the story moved along at an enjoyable pace. The characters engaged me, angered me, or made me love them. I was left hoping to meet them again in a future book.
If you like space opera adventure, political intrigue, and a bit of romance, this book is for you! I loved the organic worldbuilding. I got to know the characters and culture while the story moved along at an enjoyable pace. The characters engaged me, angered me, or made me love them. I was left hoping to meet them again in a future book.
July 4, 2024
I was hooked from the cover and so glad I was able to read this, it had a great story going on and enjoyed the feel of this world. T. L. Ryder writes a great overall feel to this and enjoyed how the characters worked overall in this world. It left me wanting more and was hooked in the first page.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 12, 2021
I'm a fan of T.L. Ryder. Her books are exciting mixes of adventure and the foibles of her characters. Ran Shaipur is a joy, with events and heroes well off the Right Stuff cookie cutter mold, or worse, today's nabobs' parabolic excursions...
August 21, 2023
quick and engaging
The story is told in a way that draws the reader in but leaves you wanting more. I would love to see a future book that maybe addresses some of the things that were skipped over.
The story is told in a way that draws the reader in but leaves you wanting more. I would love to see a future book that maybe addresses some of the things that were skipped over.
February 19, 2024
A fantasy set in the future, mostly grounded in a unique reality. At least the fantasy supports the warlord government. The cover photo seems to present the primary woman character as much smaller than the primary man, but that does not match the text. Otherwise, a compelling story.
November 24, 2021
4.0
I did find that the longer I read, the more that the characters grew on me. While we did get a HFN ending, I did also wonder what might happen next.
I did find that the longer I read, the more that the characters grew on me. While we did get a HFN ending, I did also wonder what might happen next.
June 29, 2025
This is the second book by this author I have read and I loved reading both of them. Looking forward to more by this author!
February 10, 2022
Ran is one of those ingenious, lovable rogues that you frequently want to Gibb's slap, but you can't help but root for him. The story grabbed me from the first page. T.L.Ryder has an compelling mix of characters and some are downright slimy. The worldbuilding is a solid look at what can happen to a colony that looses touch with the rest of humanity and happily grows its own way. They aren't so happy about outside humanity finally contacting them again, but not everyone feels that way...
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews