First Duty

by Marva Dasef

Nyra Hutchings, a young woman born into a life of servitude on a repressive factory planet, is desperate for a different life. When she's accepted into the Space Service Academy, run by the organization that enslaves her planet, she discovers the truth behind generations of rebellion. Now, she must decide what to believe, where her first duty lies, and fight for more than her life against impossible odds. Space Opera/SF Romance.

Genres: Dystopia

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2007

About the author

Lots of interesting and economical books in scifi, fantasy, etc. for sale. Hell, I give 'em away. Just ask."

I have seven books in audio format.

I spent 35 years making a lot of money from writing. Probably more than most authors earn in their lifetime. But that was writing technical manuals and documentation. What that experience did was teach me how to write. This is not something many other writers learn to do until they decide to write their first fiction book.

I'm a professional writer. What this means for the reader is they won't get clumsy, ungrammatical, misspelled prose which appears to be the norm of most newbie fiction writers.

There. I've said it. I'm a better writer than most. Whether you like my stories is an entirely different thing. At least with my books, you won't have to suffer through poor writing to find out whether you like the book or not. If you like erotica, then I'm not the writer for you.

Reviews

[Eduardo Suastegui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, Ultimate Duty is a compelling adventure story with personal growth and struggle at its core. It overcomes its marginal faults (and it has some, such as at times stilted dialog and characterization that feels light in spots) through protagonist I wanted to follow and cheer on. Primarily, though, the story's appeal to me came from the struggle of a young woman raised to know and pledge allegiance to a system whose integrity and principles she comes to question. When presented with the choice to join the opposition, which way will she go? That central tension kept me reading and enjoying Ultimate Duty (3.5 stars rounded to 4).

[Nicole/Books Complete Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun book!! Well, sad too. Nyra is from a planet where the only way out of the normal life is to go into politics or in the Space Service Academy. She chooses to join the Academy. Nyra seems to fall in love with the wrong guys, yes I say it in the plural!! With the revolution, well rebellion going on, Nyra must choose between her duty to the Academy and what she feels is right. What does Nyra choose? You'll have to read the story to find out!!

[Suzette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know the author! Yes, it's true. She's a sweet friend of mine from the Query Tracker forum.

[Byron 'Giggsy' Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

a young adult science fiction debut Heinlein would be proud of. In Nyra Hutchings, Dasef creates a character whom undergoes the right recipe of experiences, that we can believe she now has the knowledge and heart to lead the rebellion against the authoritarian interplanetary system. Now we just need the sequel to see how far Nyra can change the dystopian world she lives in.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 3 out of 5]

No sex, which was a definite plus, but the story felt a little rushed to me. Worth a read.

Second read through, I figured out that the story isn't rushed--there is just 0 fluff. This would be a good book for people that can't stand when books wander off-topic. Mild-to-moderate swearing. Meant for adults, but the swearing is the only thing that might set an age limit on readers.

[Marva · Rating 5 out of 5]

My book, so of course I liked it.


Merged review:

Another of my books. Now out on Amazon in ebook format.

[Marva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm the author. Of course I love it.

[Teresa Mccullough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written.