What do you think?
Rate this book
Patch Man #0.5
Ulan
A young Summian woman witnesses the murder of five Clan Hemite boys by Imperial Panthers. Shamed that she could do nothing but watch this tragedy, she returns the boys’ ID tags only to discover Clan Hemite blames her for their deaths and she is now targeted in a blood reckoning. With the help of Bas, a former underground fighter, she flees her village.
Bas travels with Ulan to Sum-Est, home of the Lore Master, Ja, in hopes the young woman will benefit from the mystical training to become a Lore Mistress. But the Red Ward from Clan Hemite has vowed to fulfill the blood reckoning and follows Ulan’s trail to Sum-Est. Ulan undertakes the rigorous Lore training so she will be strong enough when she again meets the Imperial Panthers, but becomes sidetracked by the beautiful novice, Tara.
Bas travels with Ulan to Sum-Est, home of the Lore Master, Ja, in hopes the young woman will benefit from the mystical training to become a Lore Mistress. But the Red Ward from Clan Hemite has vowed to fulfill the blood reckoning and follows Ulan’s trail to Sum-Est. Ulan undertakes the rigorous Lore training so she will be strong enough when she again meets the Imperial Panthers, but becomes sidetracked by the beautiful novice, Tara.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2021
446 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 30, 2021
Ulan: Prequal to The Patchman, by Rick Step-Bolling, captivates the reader on the first page launching a gripping adventure of Ulan, whose life changes in a matter of minutes when she, along with a gang of knife wielding boys from the Clan Hermite, are caught by Imperial Panthers beyond the restricted area after curfew. These Panthers instantly kill the boys, cut Ulan’s long braid, and leave her with the task of telling those in Summia what happens when caught with weapons beyond the walls after curfew.
Before Ulan knows it, there is a blood revenge hunt for her by Clan Hermite, and nothing will stop them until she’s dead. Ulan is convinced she can take care of herself; however, her internal and external conflicts collide when she meets Bas, who tells her he is assigned to keep her safe. Indifferent to her stubbornness and hot temper, Bas knows Ulan has special abilities and takes her to a sanctuary where she learns how to use her new abilities to protect herself and others, with integrity and truth, and to fight using any and all means available as a Lore Mistress. While Ulan’s character grows from stubborn young woman to warrior, she also discovers love and loyalty, and the difference between revenge and justice.
Ulan: Prequal to The Patchman, is a heart pounding science fiction adventure complete with female heroines and male heroes, drawing in readers of all ages with excitement on every page compelling them to read on. Unable to put the book down, readers will want more story, leading them right into Rick Step-Bolling’s first book, The Patchman.
Before Ulan knows it, there is a blood revenge hunt for her by Clan Hermite, and nothing will stop them until she’s dead. Ulan is convinced she can take care of herself; however, her internal and external conflicts collide when she meets Bas, who tells her he is assigned to keep her safe. Indifferent to her stubbornness and hot temper, Bas knows Ulan has special abilities and takes her to a sanctuary where she learns how to use her new abilities to protect herself and others, with integrity and truth, and to fight using any and all means available as a Lore Mistress. While Ulan’s character grows from stubborn young woman to warrior, she also discovers love and loyalty, and the difference between revenge and justice.
Ulan: Prequal to The Patchman, is a heart pounding science fiction adventure complete with female heroines and male heroes, drawing in readers of all ages with excitement on every page compelling them to read on. Unable to put the book down, readers will want more story, leading them right into Rick Step-Bolling’s first book, The Patchman.
May 25, 2022
Ulan, by Rick Stepp-Bolling, is a prequel to The Patch Man. The story follows Ulan as she navigates a war between Summia and Imperia. Ulan comes into her own and sets the stage for many other characters in this novel. Ulan is a young girl in a poor living situation. Her father is a shell of the man he was before the war and abuses his wife and daughter. Ulan is outside of the compound after curfew and surrounded by six boys, taunting her, and making her feel unsafe. A militia, the Imperial Panthers, put an end to their actions by brutally killing the boys. Ulan is left alive to send a message to others in the compound. What Ulan witnessed changes her forever and puts her on a path to finding herself and her strength.
The thing that stood out to me with this book, looking back, is the characters. The characters in this intrepid adventure story were all methodically developed throughout the book and felt like thoughtfully crafted and layered characters by the end of the novel. Each character had their own unique development but kept the reader always wanting to learn more about them. I know I was looking forward to seeing how they would react to certain situations I saw coming.
The relationship between Bas, Ulan, and Tara were my favorite to read about throughout the novel. Bas is tasked with leading Ulan out of the compound and decides she is worthy of saving. He brings her to a sanctuary where she can learn how to use her gift and control herself. Tara is a Lore Mistress who becomes meaningful to Ulan and helps her learn their ways. Tragedy strikes at the sanctuary which prompts Ulan to get revenge. Reading about the strength Ulan develops and seeing who she becomes was the best part of the story. While I thought the characters well developed throughout the story, I would’ve liked to have known more about the character’s backgrounds.
The second thing that stood out to me was intriguing detail that is infused within this post-apocalyptic world. It is a world that sets your imagination alight and is filled with fascinating things that add color and depth to the world.
Ulan sends a young woman, and readers, on a perilous adventure that is consistently entertaining. If you are a science fiction fan looking for a gripping story that is driven by a strong female character than this is a fantasy novel that will be hard to put down.
The thing that stood out to me with this book, looking back, is the characters. The characters in this intrepid adventure story were all methodically developed throughout the book and felt like thoughtfully crafted and layered characters by the end of the novel. Each character had their own unique development but kept the reader always wanting to learn more about them. I know I was looking forward to seeing how they would react to certain situations I saw coming.
The relationship between Bas, Ulan, and Tara were my favorite to read about throughout the novel. Bas is tasked with leading Ulan out of the compound and decides she is worthy of saving. He brings her to a sanctuary where she can learn how to use her gift and control herself. Tara is a Lore Mistress who becomes meaningful to Ulan and helps her learn their ways. Tragedy strikes at the sanctuary which prompts Ulan to get revenge. Reading about the strength Ulan develops and seeing who she becomes was the best part of the story. While I thought the characters well developed throughout the story, I would’ve liked to have known more about the character’s backgrounds.
The second thing that stood out to me was intriguing detail that is infused within this post-apocalyptic world. It is a world that sets your imagination alight and is filled with fascinating things that add color and depth to the world.
Ulan sends a young woman, and readers, on a perilous adventure that is consistently entertaining. If you are a science fiction fan looking for a gripping story that is driven by a strong female character than this is a fantasy novel that will be hard to put down.
June 30, 2022
Rick does it again - a fast-paced wonderful and shocking read. He takes the reader into a dystopian world filled with conflict, villains and heroes. Ulan is a "must read" for everyone that enjoyed Stepp-Bolling's "The Patch Man" (another read I enjoyed immensely). These books left me rooting for the main characters, Ulan and Bas, as they tackle a violent world and dangerous world. I cannot wait for Stepp-Bolling's next book.
It is a great addition to anyone's reading list that enjoys a mixture of science fiction and fantasy.
My next read, "The Battle for Summia, Patch Man II"
It is a great addition to anyone's reading list that enjoys a mixture of science fiction and fantasy.
My next read, "The Battle for Summia, Patch Man II"
January 30, 2023
Epic Universe Building!
Always a thrilling journey! This author never fails to impress. I looped back a book for a refresher so I could have the full experience. This magnificent author deserves your undivided attention. Spectacular universe building! AWESOME! On my list of favs! I'll be buying the next one!
Always a thrilling journey! This author never fails to impress. I looped back a book for a refresher so I could have the full experience. This magnificent author deserves your undivided attention. Spectacular universe building! AWESOME! On my list of favs! I'll be buying the next one!
dnf
March 20, 2023DNF @ 12% I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway.
I appreciate that this book got straight into the action, yet I still found it a little boring and just wasn’t very interested in the plot.
I appreciate that this book got straight into the action, yet I still found it a little boring and just wasn’t very interested in the plot.
January 10, 2022
My favorite of the series!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews