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The Psyker Saga #1
Psyker
In the distant future, densely populated hiveworlds rely on ancient technologies and rigid laws in order to endure.
Paric Kilhaven, a scion of a noble House, navigates the darkly alluring world of his city’s underhive, hoping to escape the fate of an outlawed psyker. Rival gangs and chaotic forces align against him in a fight for the planet’s survival.
Appropriate for Adult, Young Adult, and Teen readers.
Paric Kilhaven, a scion of a noble House, navigates the darkly alluring world of his city’s underhive, hoping to escape the fate of an outlawed psyker. Rival gangs and chaotic forces align against him in a fight for the planet’s survival.
Appropriate for Adult, Young Adult, and Teen readers.
- GenresScience Fiction
345 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2022
81 people are currently reading
783 people want to read
About the author
Rory Surtain
21 books33 followersRory Surtain stepped into the world of independent publishing in 2020 and hasn't been able to find his way out since. When he tires of writing, he edits, and when he tires of that, he publishes. Writing is an art and a long learned skill where each book is better than the last.
Surtain resides in Texas, enjoying the gulf coast clouds, the people, and the diversity of spirits and great cuisine.
As with any indie author, your kind participation and candid reviews are always appreciated.
Surtain resides in Texas, enjoying the gulf coast clouds, the people, and the diversity of spirits and great cuisine.
As with any indie author, your kind participation and candid reviews are always appreciated.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 30, 2023
This is an excellent sci-fantasy story.
High tech and genetic alterations with excellent characters and action.
Fresh and innovative.
I'll be reading more of this....and I hope Luna is there.
High tech and genetic alterations with excellent characters and action.
Fresh and innovative.
I'll be reading more of this....and I hope Luna is there.
June 20, 2022
**I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author and Reedsy Discovery. Receiving a free copy has in no way impacted my review, which is both honest and spoiler-free.**
When Paric's test of skill for a dream career turns him into a a multi-dimensional puppet for demons, his entire world is at stake...
Paric Kilhaven has lived his entire life with one goal in mind: to achieve a high-ranking position with the PDF.
Everything changes, though, when a routine training run goes wrong, leaving him in the hands of a gang whose members boast unusual powers. Surviving the gang leaves Paric facing isolation and rejection from his peers, his own family, his old love, and the very agency he strove to serve.
A new life is offered to him, though, that comes with grave dangers and also a chance at ultimate vengeance. Paric must decide between saving his world and taking justice into his own hands in an ever-losing deadly battle, both within himself and from enemies.
Very technical in many senses, Psyker is a wonderful Science Fantasy where the balance between technology and interdimensional fantasy powers/magic are pretty much 50/50. This would be a wonderful tale to dip your toes into both worlds, if you've stayed primarily in one genre or the other (Sci-Fi VS Fantasy) up to this point.
There are many dark themes in this story, and some content that (since Paric is a minor child under the age of 18 throughout the entire book) some parents may want to review before allowing a younger YA reader to pick up.
With that being said, Surtain has grasped the fragility between hopes and dreams and the realities of life and crime in a coming-of-age tale that truly blurs the lines between good and evil. Surtain's piece masterfully poses the reality of how smoothly and quickly we can cross over into a version of ourselves we barely know, and that our decisions are not isolated to only ourselves (a trait that is not entirely common in many YA tales).
Every bad decision Paric makes hurts his loved ones and costs him a bit of himself. But his growth, self-sacrifice, and resolve by the end have also grown the characters around him.
This is not a tale for readers wanting warm fuzzies of an already-perfect hero achieving monumental destiny-type goals. This is a tale for readers who want to see a hero who starts at literally less than zero and claws their way up (despite Paric originally being of a 'noble' or 'privileged' birth). It is for the readers who don't want a sugar-coating on the fact that every person can have deep darkness within them, but also warmth and light. And in that paradoxical way, this tale is beautiful and definitely worth reading.
The only reason I gave this piece a 4-star review is because of some time-skips which (even after reading through the story twice) look as though the author may have accidentally cut out pieces of scenes which were originally meant to be left in the story. Because this is a spoiler-free review, I cannot go into too much detail, but I will say that despite having two key 'what just happened' moments, the main plot still makes sense and is definitely worth the read.
Overall, Psyker is a phenomenal Science Fantasy tale following an idealistic young man who is trying to make the most of an impossible situation. There are a few cheesy cliches (which I appreciated the author pointing out in jest once or twice, too), some amazingly unpredictable twists, and a convoluted world of politics, crime, justice, and mercy that kept me on the edge of my seat.
**Trigger Warnings: Threatened rape/abuse/multiple attempts of murder of a minor child under the age of 18, Blood, consensual sexual acts of multiple minor children under age 18 mentioned/implied but not shown on the page, underage drinking, coma, child soldiers, war.**
When Paric's test of skill for a dream career turns him into a a multi-dimensional puppet for demons, his entire world is at stake...
Paric Kilhaven has lived his entire life with one goal in mind: to achieve a high-ranking position with the PDF.
Everything changes, though, when a routine training run goes wrong, leaving him in the hands of a gang whose members boast unusual powers. Surviving the gang leaves Paric facing isolation and rejection from his peers, his own family, his old love, and the very agency he strove to serve.
A new life is offered to him, though, that comes with grave dangers and also a chance at ultimate vengeance. Paric must decide between saving his world and taking justice into his own hands in an ever-losing deadly battle, both within himself and from enemies.
Very technical in many senses, Psyker is a wonderful Science Fantasy where the balance between technology and interdimensional fantasy powers/magic are pretty much 50/50. This would be a wonderful tale to dip your toes into both worlds, if you've stayed primarily in one genre or the other (Sci-Fi VS Fantasy) up to this point.
There are many dark themes in this story, and some content that (since Paric is a minor child under the age of 18 throughout the entire book) some parents may want to review before allowing a younger YA reader to pick up.
With that being said, Surtain has grasped the fragility between hopes and dreams and the realities of life and crime in a coming-of-age tale that truly blurs the lines between good and evil. Surtain's piece masterfully poses the reality of how smoothly and quickly we can cross over into a version of ourselves we barely know, and that our decisions are not isolated to only ourselves (a trait that is not entirely common in many YA tales).
Every bad decision Paric makes hurts his loved ones and costs him a bit of himself. But his growth, self-sacrifice, and resolve by the end have also grown the characters around him.
This is not a tale for readers wanting warm fuzzies of an already-perfect hero achieving monumental destiny-type goals. This is a tale for readers who want to see a hero who starts at literally less than zero and claws their way up (despite Paric originally being of a 'noble' or 'privileged' birth). It is for the readers who don't want a sugar-coating on the fact that every person can have deep darkness within them, but also warmth and light. And in that paradoxical way, this tale is beautiful and definitely worth reading.
The only reason I gave this piece a 4-star review is because of some time-skips which (even after reading through the story twice) look as though the author may have accidentally cut out pieces of scenes which were originally meant to be left in the story. Because this is a spoiler-free review, I cannot go into too much detail, but I will say that despite having two key 'what just happened' moments, the main plot still makes sense and is definitely worth the read.
Overall, Psyker is a phenomenal Science Fantasy tale following an idealistic young man who is trying to make the most of an impossible situation. There are a few cheesy cliches (which I appreciated the author pointing out in jest once or twice, too), some amazingly unpredictable twists, and a convoluted world of politics, crime, justice, and mercy that kept me on the edge of my seat.
**Trigger Warnings: Threatened rape/abuse/multiple attempts of murder of a minor child under the age of 18, Blood, consensual sexual acts of multiple minor children under age 18 mentioned/implied but not shown on the page, underage drinking, coma, child soldiers, war.**
July 7, 2025
Loved it
Reminds me of something written for the War hammer 40K universe. The story and characters are strong and well designed. The excitement keeps pages turning. Worth reading more than once.
Reminds me of something written for the War hammer 40K universe. The story and characters are strong and well designed. The excitement keeps pages turning. Worth reading more than once.
December 16, 2022
Cyberpunk Infiltrator moon-walks his way through Tsutomu Nihei's world. What a great Christmas present.
This book has great pacing, and it doesn't hold the reader's hands, giving just enough detail for you to understand what's happening, and letting your mind fill in the blanks. It's obviously inspired by W40K, which means I should probably read some of that too, as I find most modern fantasy and sci-fi settings to be the blandest regurgitated trash to come out of the new millennium. Not this.
Besides the setting, the characters are also great, and the author picked some great ones to compose the cast. Paric himself has a real growth throughout the book, and he handles himself well, given the situation he was put in.
Anything bad I have to say about this book would be nitpicking.
This book has great pacing, and it doesn't hold the reader's hands, giving just enough detail for you to understand what's happening, and letting your mind fill in the blanks. It's obviously inspired by W40K, which means I should probably read some of that too, as I find most modern fantasy and sci-fi settings to be the blandest regurgitated trash to come out of the new millennium. Not this.
Besides the setting, the characters are also great, and the author picked some great ones to compose the cast. Paric himself has a real growth throughout the book, and he handles himself well, given the situation he was put in.
Anything bad I have to say about this book would be nitpicking.
September 18, 2022
Excellent!
I enjoyed the story immensely... So much so that I finished it in a single sitting. Definitely looking forward to more!
I enjoyed the story immensely... So much so that I finished it in a single sitting. Definitely looking forward to more!
September 22, 2022
Great book
July 28, 2025
I really enjoyed the Dan Abnett Wahammer 40K books. While he has also written several books that focus more on the military aspects of that world, I enjoyed his books on Eisenhorn and Ravenor. This new series, The Psycker Saga, is also set somewhat apart from the military elements. I have always liked books about psychics, Julian May’s Pliocene Exile series, Intervention trilogy, and Galactic Milieu trilogy. Others of this ilk include Anne McCaffrey’s Talents saga, Simon R Green’s Deathstalker series, even Stephen King’s Firestarter, Carrie, Dr Sleep, and his more recent Institute. This first effort, if it continues on track with its goals, may well someday find itself talked about with those other works. I am not much in favor of the star rating system. I would give it four and a half stars, if that were possible. Works age and mature with the culture they grow in. A few years from now, this work may be worthy of five stars; however, if you like the Warhammer 40K world and are interested in pychics, then this is a fantastic start to a saga that I hope continues for many more books to come.
November 2, 2022
Psyker
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway! This was my first ever sci-fi novel that I've read! At some points, it was hard for me to follow the events happening or characters. I had to reread some parts to try and understand better. However, in the author's defense and because he got many other great reviews, I think my slight confusion at times was due to it being my first sci-fi! Thank you for the read!
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway! This was my first ever sci-fi novel that I've read! At some points, it was hard for me to follow the events happening or characters. I had to reread some parts to try and understand better. However, in the author's defense and because he got many other great reviews, I think my slight confusion at times was due to it being my first sci-fi! Thank you for the read!
July 19, 2022
Riveting, if a little monochromatic
I like my colors and wind and nature and blue sky, so a completely in-planet, mechanized world was really not that pleasant to live in for the duration of the book. But the characters and the action make up for it. Another great fast-moving book by that great indie author, Rory Surtain!
I like my colors and wind and nature and blue sky, so a completely in-planet, mechanized world was really not that pleasant to live in for the duration of the book. But the characters and the action make up for it. Another great fast-moving book by that great indie author, Rory Surtain!
December 16, 2022
Psyker was a new level of sci-fi fantasy for me. I loved it. It's a delightful blend of far-future dystopia mixed with supernatural elements on a cosmic level. Intelligent, mysterious, and binge-worthy. Thank you for the new experience!
July 3, 2023
Original good mix of SciFi and Fantasy Genre
The first couple chapters are little hard to get into, but it is worth the effort. Great character, development, humor, and plenty of action. Can’t wait to see what the second book in the series Texas.
The first couple chapters are little hard to get into, but it is worth the effort. Great character, development, humor, and plenty of action. Can’t wait to see what the second book in the series Texas.
March 17, 2024
For a free sci-fi novel, this series not bad at all. The pictures seems from generative AI, but the story is quite good.
June 21, 2025
Great book one.
I have high hopes for this whole series.
I mean this book is now on my top shelf books of all time.
I have high hopes for this whole series.
I mean this book is now on my top shelf books of all time.
January 6, 2025
DNF. As much as I WANTED to finish this book, I couldn’t without getting lost, mainly because I’m not familiar with a lot of aspects that’s clearly borrowed from Warhammer 40k. I’ll return and give it another go someday when I have the energy to write my own appendix of what is what as I read. But for now, it’ll be placed back on the shelf.
This is a very fascinating read, but it NEEDS an appendix.
This is a very fascinating read, but it NEEDS an appendix.
August 25, 2025
Fantastic Warhammer adjacent story
I have read the full 8 book series (each one is linked but can be read as a standalone story). The story is of a young rich scion of the upper hive and how he has the misfortune to become a powerful pskyer.
He ends up dealing with evil, internal house politics where often his worst enemies are behind him or standing along side. Well written, good story arc, great action, good non action story. Buy or borrow this, you will not be sorry.
I have read the full 8 book series (each one is linked but can be read as a standalone story). The story is of a young rich scion of the upper hive and how he has the misfortune to become a powerful pskyer.
He ends up dealing with evil, internal house politics where often his worst enemies are behind him or standing along side. Well written, good story arc, great action, good non action story. Buy or borrow this, you will not be sorry.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews