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Drone Rising #2
Drone Captain
After seizing the battle frigate Merciless, Benning Kidd is finally captain of her own vessel, but her fate still seems to be out of her control. Bounty hunters swarm her at every opportunity, and she's only safe in the gladiatorial arenas of the Collective. Old enemies plague her, and new ones arise wherever she goes. To make matters worse, strange memories that aren't her own start cropping up in her thoughts. If Benning can't trust her own mind, then she can't trust anyone or anything!
The safest option is to run and hide, but that's not the path of a Stellar Corsair. Benning will have to take the fights to her foes and teach them what it means to cross a warrior without conscience or empathy. Her enemies will learn to fear the Drone Captain!
The safest option is to run and hide, but that's not the path of a Stellar Corsair. Benning will have to take the fights to her foes and teach them what it means to cross a warrior without conscience or empathy. Her enemies will learn to fear the Drone Captain!
- GenresScience FictionSpace
486 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2022
112 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Kyle Johnson
31 books52 followersKyle Johnson is a kids gymnastics and martial arts instructor who teaches outside of Chicago. He's worked on cruise ships, traveled the world, climbed glaciers, ziplined between mountains, and even danced in the end of a rainbow.
Currently, his main hobbies include helping his wife raise their two kids, because after that, who's got time for hobbies?
Currently, his main hobbies include helping his wife raise their two kids, because after that, who's got time for hobbies?
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 4, 2025
This is second in a series that builds over time. Read in order.
You know more or less what this is going to contain. It ramps the action up a bit and Benning gets a little more gruesome in her "hostile persuasion". And we get movement on the behind-the-scenes arc as well. In a good way, I think.
This maintains the five stars and was a fun continuation of the story. Not least because the antagonists make more sense and Benning gets some key background by the end.
A note about Steamy/Chaste: There are still no intimate relationships and nothing sexual happens. There's some story elements that are not steam and not sexual in context and are, as I said, gruesome. But not steamy. I'd give it the chaste tag, but it's not really relevant. So neither tag on this one.
You know more or less what this is going to contain. It ramps the action up a bit and Benning gets a little more gruesome in her "hostile persuasion". And we get movement on the behind-the-scenes arc as well. In a good way, I think.
This maintains the five stars and was a fun continuation of the story. Not least because the antagonists make more sense and Benning gets some key background by the end.
A note about Steamy/Chaste: There are still no intimate relationships and nothing sexual happens. There's some story elements that are not steam and not sexual in context and are, as I said, gruesome. But not steamy. I'd give it the chaste tag, but it's not really relevant. So neither tag on this one.
March 8, 2022
One of the top sci-fi LitRPGs around.
The MC as a high functionating sociopath who lacks basic human characteristic due to her history is very unique. Not just plot progress, but the character progress is as intriguing as well.
The world building is quite fun. Great mix of LitRPG and Progression Fantasy that has a bit of everything, spaceship fights, arena battles with an interesting and novel plot plus some very good writing!
The MC as a high functionating sociopath who lacks basic human characteristic due to her history is very unique. Not just plot progress, but the character progress is as intriguing as well.
The world building is quite fun. Great mix of LitRPG and Progression Fantasy that has a bit of everything, spaceship fights, arena battles with an interesting and novel plot plus some very good writing!
March 20, 2022
Benning Kidd now commands her own ship but her enemies are increasing in number, strength, and audacity.
Kidd takes her ship and crew to a different system to try and work on other aspects of her growth but her old issues with Nikita Mosin follow her. Bounty hunters are chasing her down and her arena fights aren't getting any easier. But her enemies stoop to a new low with nanobot disassemblers.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book were the discussions regarding morality and, at the end, about one's place in society. Who determines what is good and evil? Is it solely based on the perceptions of others or does one's own moral compass override that? How does one react to the realisation that you are bred as cattle, to be fed and nurtured until your body is needed by a citizen or noble? Whst does Kidd's apparent sociopathy have to do with her repressed memories and will any remedies be found for her lack of empathy or interest in the lives of others? I look forward to these questions, and others, being answered in the next volume.
There were a few small spelling mistakes but nothing too glaring in this volume. LitRPG is rife with terrible editing so it's nice to read a well-polished work in the genre.
The story moved along at a fast pace and I found myself looking forward to picking up the book to continue the adventure. A steady mix of epic space battles and arena fights along with intrigue and planning made for a fun read. There were a few niggles in the back of my mind though, such as how strong Kidd seems to be considering her fairly low level (taking over the nanites as they're in the process of disassembling her?). Yeah she's exceptional but... anyway, just niggles really. Overall, I loved this book and I look forward to the next volume in the series.
Loved it - 4 stars
Kidd takes her ship and crew to a different system to try and work on other aspects of her growth but her old issues with Nikita Mosin follow her. Bounty hunters are chasing her down and her arena fights aren't getting any easier. But her enemies stoop to a new low with nanobot disassemblers.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book were the discussions regarding morality and, at the end, about one's place in society. Who determines what is good and evil? Is it solely based on the perceptions of others or does one's own moral compass override that? How does one react to the realisation that you are bred as cattle, to be fed and nurtured until your body is needed by a citizen or noble? Whst does Kidd's apparent sociopathy have to do with her repressed memories and will any remedies be found for her lack of empathy or interest in the lives of others? I look forward to these questions, and others, being answered in the next volume.
There were a few small spelling mistakes but nothing too glaring in this volume. LitRPG is rife with terrible editing so it's nice to read a well-polished work in the genre.
The story moved along at a fast pace and I found myself looking forward to picking up the book to continue the adventure. A steady mix of epic space battles and arena fights along with intrigue and planning made for a fun read. There were a few niggles in the back of my mind though, such as how strong Kidd seems to be considering her fairly low level (taking over the nanites as they're in the process of disassembling her?). Yeah she's exceptional but... anyway, just niggles really. Overall, I loved this book and I look forward to the next volume in the series.
Loved it - 4 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2022
Meaty
The book isn’t quite five stars but it’s better than four stars hard to determine where exactly to put it but I’d round up for a good author. This is a midi book nice lengthy excellent story excellent progression a great ending. In fact it’s perhaps a little bit too meaty. By that I mean we get a little bit too much action when we might want more character development and growth not in stats from the action sequences but in actual world events. Roughly 70% through the book I found myself going man another action dogfighting ship sequence. Entertaining at first but after a while it was a bit repetitive until the last sequence in the book. Overall great book loved the ending hurry up and get there but one or two dogfight sequences could’ve been stripped away or toned down so that they were faster to get through.
I do have one other issue with the book it’s a nagging issue really using the first and last name of every character all the time even when they are having conversations with people they know. When I talk to someone I know I don’t use the first and last name all the time you usually just use the first name if it’s someone you’re not associating with all the time but some of the time you might use their last name but you rarely continue to use both all the time. It actually breaks up the flow of the book it happened so much you’re like why don’t they just call her Kidd. Clearly this character knows her. You notice the main character does so with her a guy she doesn’t use the full name of the AI so it’s clear that you can just interact with a character on a single name basis why not do that for most characters that are familiar with one another. It’s just a nagging gripe but still it needs to be mentioned.
The book isn’t quite five stars but it’s better than four stars hard to determine where exactly to put it but I’d round up for a good author. This is a midi book nice lengthy excellent story excellent progression a great ending. In fact it’s perhaps a little bit too meaty. By that I mean we get a little bit too much action when we might want more character development and growth not in stats from the action sequences but in actual world events. Roughly 70% through the book I found myself going man another action dogfighting ship sequence. Entertaining at first but after a while it was a bit repetitive until the last sequence in the book. Overall great book loved the ending hurry up and get there but one or two dogfight sequences could’ve been stripped away or toned down so that they were faster to get through.
I do have one other issue with the book it’s a nagging issue really using the first and last name of every character all the time even when they are having conversations with people they know. When I talk to someone I know I don’t use the first and last name all the time you usually just use the first name if it’s someone you’re not associating with all the time but some of the time you might use their last name but you rarely continue to use both all the time. It actually breaks up the flow of the book it happened so much you’re like why don’t they just call her Kidd. Clearly this character knows her. You notice the main character does so with her a guy she doesn’t use the full name of the AI so it’s clear that you can just interact with a character on a single name basis why not do that for most characters that are familiar with one another. It’s just a nagging gripe but still it needs to be mentioned.
February 16, 2022
true to form
First, understand the MC is broken. Largely emotionless, with the occasional exception of rage. This makes for a somewhat ‘flat’ novel.
The book also leans heavily on stats and equipment/skill descriptions. Which pleases my inner 11yr old but doesn’t add *that* much to the narrative…for me.
Also, one of the skills used by the MC didn’t *feel* right. She was supposed to be heavily nerfed after use, but seemed to operate just fine.
The Epilogue really saves the book. It reframes many of the plot points enough to make reading the next book more interesting.
If you like spaceship combat, then you will be pleased. If you want emotional growth in your MC…look elsewhere.
First, understand the MC is broken. Largely emotionless, with the occasional exception of rage. This makes for a somewhat ‘flat’ novel.
The book also leans heavily on stats and equipment/skill descriptions. Which pleases my inner 11yr old but doesn’t add *that* much to the narrative…for me.
Also, one of the skills used by the MC didn’t *feel* right. She was supposed to be heavily nerfed after use, but seemed to operate just fine.
The Epilogue really saves the book. It reframes many of the plot points enough to make reading the next book more interesting.
If you like spaceship combat, then you will be pleased. If you want emotional growth in your MC…look elsewhere.
January 22, 2023
This first book had several issues that I was able to ignore to some extent, but I found them a bit more of a problem in this book.
The ‘Physical Universe’ created by the author doesn’t work, it could only exist as a virtual world, for most readers this doesn’t seem to be a problem, but I couldn’t help thinking this is unbelievable.
The constant ‘respawning’ with very little consequences takes away most of the threat of dying, making a lot of the action almost pointless. I know in the ‘bigger’ story there is a reason behind the constant ‘respawning’, but there are also hundreds of pages of what become fairly tedious incidents.
However, like the first book I found ‘Benning’ held my interest and I felt compelled to continue with the story.
The ‘Physical Universe’ created by the author doesn’t work, it could only exist as a virtual world, for most readers this doesn’t seem to be a problem, but I couldn’t help thinking this is unbelievable.
The constant ‘respawning’ with very little consequences takes away most of the threat of dying, making a lot of the action almost pointless. I know in the ‘bigger’ story there is a reason behind the constant ‘respawning’, but there are also hundreds of pages of what become fairly tedious incidents.
However, like the first book I found ‘Benning’ held my interest and I felt compelled to continue with the story.
November 27, 2024
I really enjoyed the first half of the first book. The universe was quite interesting. The author is a good writer and does a great job of having clarity of events. I always know where the MC is and what she is doing.
The thing is that there is nothing more. Basically the MC is just this unbelievable captain, gladiator, hacker (too many characters wrapped into one) with no other goal than getting rich and getting xp. She is hunted for a veiled / thin reason. She overcomes all obstacles. She has no relationships beyond transactional. She was likeable at first being a new born who got to explore the universe with us but then she just becomes a sociopath. No save the cat.
Writing is hard and improving a series as it goes it is even harder.
The thing is that there is nothing more. Basically the MC is just this unbelievable captain, gladiator, hacker (too many characters wrapped into one) with no other goal than getting rich and getting xp. She is hunted for a veiled / thin reason. She overcomes all obstacles. She has no relationships beyond transactional. She was likeable at first being a new born who got to explore the universe with us but then she just becomes a sociopath. No save the cat.
Writing is hard and improving a series as it goes it is even harder.
March 2, 2022
Excellent Science fiction
I usually try and get books that have an actual ending which I thought this series was but unfortunately there is another one to go. I read so much that I tend to forget about something I read a year ago. Hopefully not in this case. It's bloody brilliant. The main character learns an awful truth about herself and I can't wait to find out what she does about this (if I remember to look out for the next instalment) go get the first one and read this excellent Science fiction.
I usually try and get books that have an actual ending which I thought this series was but unfortunately there is another one to go. I read so much that I tend to forget about something I read a year ago. Hopefully not in this case. It's bloody brilliant. The main character learns an awful truth about herself and I can't wait to find out what she does about this (if I remember to look out for the next instalment) go get the first one and read this excellent Science fiction.
February 17, 2022
Book two
Mistakes: I only found one mistake in this book. I posted it on Goodreads.
Plot: The MC is trying to figure out who she is while fighting a huge conspiracy against her.
Characters: I know that others have stated they don't like the MC. I find her to be extremely likable and very practical when dealing with enemies. When you have enemies that won't stop coming the only answer is to be so brutal that fear will stay their hands.
8/10
Mistakes: I only found one mistake in this book. I posted it on Goodreads.
Plot: The MC is trying to figure out who she is while fighting a huge conspiracy against her.
Characters: I know that others have stated they don't like the MC. I find her to be extremely likable and very practical when dealing with enemies. When you have enemies that won't stop coming the only answer is to be so brutal that fear will stay their hands.
8/10
March 30, 2022
good
Overall a good read, fun and straightforward story. MC is more psychopath than sociopath, and more than a bit hypocritical, and it fits well with the story. If food, it’d be chain restaurant level.
Overall a good read, fun and straightforward story. MC is more psychopath than sociopath, and more than a bit hypocritical, and it fits well with the story. If food, it’d be chain restaurant level.
January 8, 2023
This is a dissertation in morality.
The details of choice, the focus on obsession, the questions about good and evil, it is all just perfect. This whole thing is just fun and still gives you those hmmm moments.
The details of choice, the focus on obsession, the questions about good and evil, it is all just perfect. This whole thing is just fun and still gives you those hmmm moments.
November 18, 2024
Still entertaining, but I found myself having to skip some of the nastier moments. Benning is undeniably a sociopath at this point. And yet I still feel I have to root for her because the universe she finds herself in is even worse somehow.
March 3, 2022
Great read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action and space drama.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action and space drama.
Read
March 18, 2022Great book
Stellar work once again from Kyle Johnson! Lots of action and adventure, arena and space combat. Looking forward to the next one!
Stellar work once again from Kyle Johnson! Lots of action and adventure, arena and space combat. Looking forward to the next one!
July 15, 2023
Excellent Series
This story of a gal who’s career path is that of a Starship Captain and a Gladiator was a fantastic entertaining read.
This story of a gal who’s career path is that of a Starship Captain and a Gladiator was a fantastic entertaining read.
November 14, 2024
This is a great series so far. Glad the whole memory gimmick is done, I want to root for a sociopath that has her memories and knows her true history! 👍🏽👍🏽
May 5, 2025
Favorite quote:
“What is the point of all this “green”? The open spaces bothered her - she found herself by such a waste of space”
“What is the point of all this “green”? The open spaces bothered her - she found herself by such a waste of space”
June 1, 2025
More is revealed; some mysteries are explained. I'm liking the intrigue.
July 11, 2025
Great book loved the story and the book narration can’t wait to listen to the next one I highly recommend it 👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😀
May 9, 2024
DNF at 44%. I really wanted to like this book, dubious science and all, but the ease with which the MC hacks her way out of any situation was a continual turn-off. It felt like a lazy and unimaginative way to resolve problems standing in the MC's way.
I thought the MC was an interesting character in the first book but it just feels contrived and farcical when she tortures people, reminds us she's a broken toy because she doesn't enjoy torture and then needs to philosophize over the nature of evil after it came up while she was beating a woman with a hammer.
I thought the MC was an interesting character in the first book but it just feels contrived and farcical when she tortures people, reminds us she's a broken toy because she doesn't enjoy torture and then needs to philosophize over the nature of evil after it came up while she was beating a woman with a hammer.
December 6, 2022
terrific
Benning Kidd , our favourite sociopath is heading down her path crushing those who betray her, her gladiatorial and starship captain paths are growing but she can't shake the feeling that there is something she's missing.
Benning Kidd , our favourite sociopath is heading down her path crushing those who betray her, her gladiatorial and starship captain paths are growing but she can't shake the feeling that there is something she's missing.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews