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PELGRAFF
They took away his life.
Thirty-eight seemed too old to find a new one -- even if on a new planet.
Cashiered from the New Brittain Police Force, Alan McLean tries rusticating, but the Press won't leave him alone. He's the story of the year and to hell with his wants or needs.
When Colleen Yrden finds him to offer employment, McLean sees a way out. She's different than the others. She's beautiful, yes, but more important than that, she believes in him. That's something worth dying for.
Only one The job lies on another planet, and a civil war rages on Pelgraff. Accepting could really cost McLean his life. But he'll do it -- for her.
You'll want to read Pelgraff because everyone wants to believe in redemption. Pick up your copy now.
Thirty-eight seemed too old to find a new one -- even if on a new planet.
Cashiered from the New Brittain Police Force, Alan McLean tries rusticating, but the Press won't leave him alone. He's the story of the year and to hell with his wants or needs.
When Colleen Yrden finds him to offer employment, McLean sees a way out. She's different than the others. She's beautiful, yes, but more important than that, she believes in him. That's something worth dying for.
Only one The job lies on another planet, and a civil war rages on Pelgraff. Accepting could really cost McLean his life. But he'll do it -- for her.
You'll want to read Pelgraff because everyone wants to believe in redemption. Pick up your copy now.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2010
5 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
D.A. Boulter
28 books8 followersD.A. Boulter hates talking about himself in the 3rd person. Finds it annoying.
Since my early school days, Science Fiction and Fantasy have intrigued me, starting with Heinlein, whose Starship Troopers I read in the middle 60s, long before I knew about the social and political themes it carried. My seminal year, though, came in 1974 when I got my hands on a copy of Frank Herbert's "Dune", which fascinated me with its depth and breadth. At that moment I knew SF&F had hooked me.
However, it took another ten years before I seriously considered writing my own material and another ten after that before I began writing in earnest. Now, with the advent of e-readers, I find myself in the very strange position of being a published author, rather than someone who wrote for himself only. It gratifies me that many have read and enjoyed my works. Thank you.
I've worked as a cook, a first-aid attendant, weather observer, radar operator and tech. I've worked in the city, in the woods, and in the Arctic. Just now, I find myself on the West Coast of Canada, with my feline companion -- one of a line of cats who have shared my writing moments (and interrupted them as well).
Since my early school days, Science Fiction and Fantasy have intrigued me, starting with Heinlein, whose Starship Troopers I read in the middle 60s, long before I knew about the social and political themes it carried. My seminal year, though, came in 1974 when I got my hands on a copy of Frank Herbert's "Dune", which fascinated me with its depth and breadth. At that moment I knew SF&F had hooked me.
However, it took another ten years before I seriously considered writing my own material and another ten after that before I began writing in earnest. Now, with the advent of e-readers, I find myself in the very strange position of being a published author, rather than someone who wrote for himself only. It gratifies me that many have read and enjoyed my works. Thank you.
I've worked as a cook, a first-aid attendant, weather observer, radar operator and tech. I've worked in the city, in the woods, and in the Arctic. Just now, I find myself on the West Coast of Canada, with my feline companion -- one of a line of cats who have shared my writing moments (and interrupted them as well).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 3, 2011
I enjoyed this book more than the author's first book, Courtesan. The story flowed much better. It is written in the first person, which takes a bit of getting used to, as it doesn't quite fit in with the military theme of the book. However, it does work well in showing how the hero changed from being rather bigoted towards the aliens he was protecting, to becoming their friend and hero.
The ending was a bit of a letdown, which makes me think the author is planning a sequel.
For some reason, the author did not use page breaks between chapters, which was the only blot on the formatting for me.
I will definitely keep my eye on Mr DA Boulter for future works.
The ending was a bit of a letdown, which makes me think the author is planning a sequel.
For some reason, the author did not use page breaks between chapters, which was the only blot on the formatting for me.
I will definitely keep my eye on Mr DA Boulter for future works.
August 27, 2025
I have loved the first 4 books in the series, and was looking forward to following the story onward. Unfortunately, this one seems to be parallel to the last two, making it full of a story line which is obvious after reading the others. Occasionally it seemed to contradict the earlier books. About half way through, I got tired of going to sleep before I got my nightly allotment of reading time and gave up on it.
Perhaps it got better and I missed another great Boulter book, but I was eager to catch a few of Sharon Lee's masterpieces that I have missed.
I gave it 3 stars because it's up to Mr. Boulter's usual work level. I just didn't care for this one.
Perhaps it got better and I missed another great Boulter book, but I was eager to catch a few of Sharon Lee's masterpieces that I have missed.
I gave it 3 stars because it's up to Mr. Boulter's usual work level. I just didn't care for this one.
August 4, 2016
I received PELGRAFF, by D.A. Boulter, as a review copy submitted to “Red Adept Reviews” by the author.
Overall: 5 Stars
Plot/Storyline: 5 Stars
The plot of this novel wasn’t quite what I expected, based on the blurb. Pelgraff is a first-person war novel. It’s all the wars of Earth rolled into one on a faraway planet, in an age where war is unthinkable. If you like war stories, you will love Pelgraff.
The novel begins with a bang; a lot of characterization and setting were crammed in the first twenty pages, without seeming heavy. The first act of the novel introduces more characters and sets up plenty of tension, between various sets of characters as well as with the war itself. The rest of the novel is nonstop action, but the author tucks these excellent moments in between battles, revealing character, letting plot details emerge, painting the world of Pelgraff with yet another vivid hue.
As I said, this is a war novel, but it’s not a fairy tale. Never having been in war, I can only compare it to books and movies I’ve seen, but it compares favorably. There is gain and loss, there is attrition and unexpected aid. In an age where war is extinct, McLean and his troops fight because it is the right thing to do.
The end of the novel was not a surprise, but it was still entertaining. The open ending left me eager to believe that McLean’s story carried on without me.
Character Development: 5 Stars
The novel is told from Alan McLean’s POV, but the other characters are all well-developed too.
McLean suffers nightmares that adapt organically to the new horrors of war, giving insight into his deepest fears; he’s very aware that he’s a flawed person. His racism toward the Pagayans softened organically as time went on; I really enjoyed how that was handled.
Colleen’s on a mission, as is her son, and nothing can distract her from it; I didn’t expect her to have such a deep character. Reporter Moira James has already clashed with McLean, but on Pelgraff, she experiences more than one change of heart. Tro Cirret was an excellent character, tough but fair, and rightly suspicious. Other minor characters, of which there were many, did a fabulous job of filling out McLean’s world: Tro Prenon, Danner, Talbot, Tra Telmi, Jane Tammerin, even Sophie the cat. Pelgraff felt real because the characters felt real.
Writing Style: 5 Stars
I love the way Alan’s personality colors the tone of this first-person POV novel. Hard-boiled and crisp, with an old soldier’s wry humor and a mastery of saying much with few words. I couldn’t put the book down; I read it straight through, and a lot of my interest was because of the engaging writing style.
Weapon names, troop movements and strategic locations pepper the text without obscuring the action. Dialogue was short and to the point. The level of description was sufficient without being overwhelming; the characters were the stars, and the settings played excellent backdrops.
Editing: 4 3/4 Stars
The only issue I noticed was a regular use of run-on sentences.
Overall: 5 Stars
Plot/Storyline: 5 Stars
The plot of this novel wasn’t quite what I expected, based on the blurb. Pelgraff is a first-person war novel. It’s all the wars of Earth rolled into one on a faraway planet, in an age where war is unthinkable. If you like war stories, you will love Pelgraff.
The novel begins with a bang; a lot of characterization and setting were crammed in the first twenty pages, without seeming heavy. The first act of the novel introduces more characters and sets up plenty of tension, between various sets of characters as well as with the war itself. The rest of the novel is nonstop action, but the author tucks these excellent moments in between battles, revealing character, letting plot details emerge, painting the world of Pelgraff with yet another vivid hue.
As I said, this is a war novel, but it’s not a fairy tale. Never having been in war, I can only compare it to books and movies I’ve seen, but it compares favorably. There is gain and loss, there is attrition and unexpected aid. In an age where war is extinct, McLean and his troops fight because it is the right thing to do.
The end of the novel was not a surprise, but it was still entertaining. The open ending left me eager to believe that McLean’s story carried on without me.
Character Development: 5 Stars
The novel is told from Alan McLean’s POV, but the other characters are all well-developed too.
McLean suffers nightmares that adapt organically to the new horrors of war, giving insight into his deepest fears; he’s very aware that he’s a flawed person. His racism toward the Pagayans softened organically as time went on; I really enjoyed how that was handled.
Colleen’s on a mission, as is her son, and nothing can distract her from it; I didn’t expect her to have such a deep character. Reporter Moira James has already clashed with McLean, but on Pelgraff, she experiences more than one change of heart. Tro Cirret was an excellent character, tough but fair, and rightly suspicious. Other minor characters, of which there were many, did a fabulous job of filling out McLean’s world: Tro Prenon, Danner, Talbot, Tra Telmi, Jane Tammerin, even Sophie the cat. Pelgraff felt real because the characters felt real.
Writing Style: 5 Stars
I love the way Alan’s personality colors the tone of this first-person POV novel. Hard-boiled and crisp, with an old soldier’s wry humor and a mastery of saying much with few words. I couldn’t put the book down; I read it straight through, and a lot of my interest was because of the engaging writing style.
Weapon names, troop movements and strategic locations pepper the text without obscuring the action. Dialogue was short and to the point. The level of description was sufficient without being overwhelming; the characters were the stars, and the settings played excellent backdrops.
Editing: 4 3/4 Stars
The only issue I noticed was a regular use of run-on sentences.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews