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The Blighted Stars?

Back in the March of 2023, some of you might remember I completed a review of Velocity Weapon, the first of three books – Velocity Weapon, Catalyst Gate and Chaos Vector – in the Protectorate Series by Megan O’ Keefe, a new writer who made quite an impact with her debut offering. So much so, that I kept an eye out since then, waiting for something fresh.

And here it is. The Blighted Stars - the first book in The Devoured Worlds space opera that’s sure to please.

Here’s the blurb to give you a taster:

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When a spy and her mortal enemy crash-land on a dying planet, she must figure out how to survive long enough to uncover the deadly, galaxy-spanning conspiracy that landed them there. The Blighted Stars is the first book in an epic new space-opera trilogy from the author of the Philip K. Dick-nominated Velocity Weapon.

She's a revolutionary. Humanity is running out of options. Habitable planets are being destroyed as quickly as they're found, and Naira Sharp thinks she knows the reason why. The all-powerful Mercator family has been controlling the exploration of the universe for decades, and exploiting any materials they find along the way under the guise of helping humanity's expansion. But Naira knows the truth, and she plans to bring the whole family down from the inside.

He's the heir to the dynasty. Tarquin Mercator never wanted to run a galaxy-spanning business empire. He just wanted to study geology and read books. But Tarquin's father has tasked him with monitoring the settlement of a new planet, and he doesn't really have a choice in the matter.

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So, what did I think? Here’s a copy of my verified review on Amazon (Because yes – I do buy my own copies of those books I read and review, as I feel it’s important to show authors – everywhere – I support their hard work:

An absolutely thrilling story, taking the concepts found in shows like Altered Carbon and Orphan Black – Echoes, one step further and expanding them into a whole new universe. A place where Earth is dying, and mankind is spreading out into the stars, and where human life – for the elite and their lackeys – is extended by printing. (A facility whereby a person’s personality and consciousness can be downloaded into a matrix and stored against the time of their passing. And when death occurs, they can then be uploaded into a newly-printed replica of their body, thereby continuing their life as before. (A superb concept).

But, as you can imagine, things are not what they seem. An insidious threat emerges from the unlikeliest of sources that not only jeopardizes mankind's ability to extend life, but their very existence too.

I loved it. The story has a steady pace throughout. There's great character development - and then some - and a poignant poke-in-the-eye about what it really means to be human. It's bittersweet too - just the way the best stories should be.

Can't wait for what comes next.

If you like, you can also read the review of Amazon itself

Verified Review

Here.

 

And finally, if you think the story might appeal, then stay tuned for more, as I will be completing an in-depth review of the entire series for Amazing Stories (Once I get through the other two books – The Fractured Dark and The Bound Worlds), sometime over the next month or so.

Until then. . .

Happy reading.

 Do YOU Want to Know More?

I recently treated myself to THIS little gem again, and, as always, thoroughly enjoyed the vibe Paul Verhoeven managed to capture in his offering of what is, one of the greatest Sci-Fi classics ever produced: Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers.

Yes, it is almost B-Movie-ish in places. Tacky. Slapstick, even.
But the overtones Verhoeven manages to convey encapsulates what Heinlein was trying to convey in his original story perfectly. What do I mean?

Well, let's remind ourselves of the original book plot.

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Set approximately 700 years in the future, the book depicts an Earth ruled by a world government run by military veterans The society is depicted as affluent, and futuristic technology shown as coexisting with educational methods from the 20th century. The rights of a full citizen, to vote and hold public office, are not universally guaranteed, and rather must be earned through Federal Service. Those who do not perform this service (of which only military service has been described) retain the rights of free speech and assembly, but can neither vote nor hold public office. Those of either sex, above the age of 18, are permitted to enlist; only those who complete their service receive the right to vote. Important government jobs are reserved for federal service veterans. This structure arose ad hoc after the collapse of the "20th century Western democracies", driven in part by an inability to control crime and juvenile delinquency, particularly in North America, and a war between an alliance of the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia, against the "Chinese Hegemony".

Two extraterrestrial civilizations are depicted, respectively, as the "Pseudo-Arachnids" (or "Bugs"), and the "Skinnies". The "Bugs" are described as communal beings originating from the planet of Klendathu, and consist of multiple castes; workers, warriors, brains, and queens, similar to those of ants and termites on Earth. The warriors are the only ones who fight, and are unable to surrender in battle. It also is implied that the Bugs are technologically advanced, possessing such technologies as spaceships. The "Skinnies" are depicted as less communal than the Arachnids, yet more so than humans. The events of the novel take place during an interstellar war between the Terran Federation and the Arachnids. At the opening of the story, Earth is not at war, yet such a declaration has come when Rico has completed his training. The "Skinnies" are initially allies of the Pseudo-Arachnids, but switch to alliance with humans, midway through the novel. Faster-than-light travel exists in this future: spacecraft use the "Cherenkov drive", and can travel "Sol to Capella, forty-six lightyears, in under six weeks".

Starship Troopers is narrated by the main protagonist Juan "Johnny" Rico, a member of the "Mobile Infantry". It is one of the few Heinlein novels which intersperses his typical linear narrative structure with a series of flashbacks. These flashbacks are frequently to Rico's "History and Moral Philosophy" course in school, in which the teacher discusses the history of the structure of their society. Rico is depicted as a man of Filipino ancestry. He is from a wealthy family, whose members had never served in the military. Rico's ancestry is depicted as inconsequential, society having finally abandoned racial and gender-based prejudice. 

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You see? The subject matter is quite deep. Provocative, even. Buuut, by presenting it the way he did, Heinlein was able to treat a controversial set of circumstances in a matter-of-fact way. A way that people could relate to and accept. And Verhoeven adopted a similar, nationalistic, almost propaganda-led, social media guided approach. So much so that, despite the initial critical backlash after its release, Starship Troopers (the film) has gone on to become a cult classic. One to be enjoyed again and again.

But that's just my opinion.

What do you think?

 You Just Can't Miss This!

"In a dystopian future where a community exists in a giant silo that extends 144 stories underground, 10,000 people live in a society bound by regulations they believe are meant to protect them."

Having never read the books, I went into this series blind. (A bit like the characters caught living in the silo, really, eh). And I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed season 1.

Lots of cliffhangers. Plenty of action and intrigue. Just enough sprinkling of clues to keep you as glued as it kept you guessing. And through it all, that underlying thread that you were being lied to 

. . . or at the very least, misdirected. As the blurb to the series highlights, the citizens of the silo believe the regulations that so restrict their everyday lives were placed there to protect them. But they have no records about humanity - or indeed, their society - dating back more than 120 years. Begging the question . . . WHY?

The end of season 1 seemed to suggest that the truth was the polar opposite to what the citizens of the silo have been told, and season two reinforces that belief by granting you a peek into what might be the reality of the situation.

"The Silo" is in fact, one of 50 other silos, all governed by a mysterious entity that brokers no rivals. And if people step out of line?

Ah, you'll have to find out yourselves by delving into one of the best sci-fi series to come along since The Expanse (in my opinion).

Check it out and let me know what you think.

 Something for the Weekend?

Or indeed, to start 2025 off on the right note. . .

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If you’re stuck for ideas as to what to read now we’re into 2025, then I can’t recommend a bit of Taylor Whitesides enough. And in particular, his Kingdom of Grit series.

Not only do you get a huge tome of a book each time (in excess of 700 pages) – a proper read, in my humble opinion – but those pages are filled to the brim with action, adventure, romance, intrigue, and non-stop fun.
Better still, you get a magic system built on . . . Dragon poo!

(Yes, that’s right. Excess essence of Dragon)

I honestly can’t think of a series I’ve enjoyed as much, especially as his concept ‘works’ so well in the world he’s built.

But don’t take my word for it. Take a gander at the blurbs, and then go & read the reviews I left. (And, if you’re still interested, keep an eye-out for a forthcoming write-up in Amazing Stories, where I delve into this series in depth).

You won’t regret it.

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The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn

Ardor Benn is no ordinary thief - a master of wildly complex heists, he styles himself a Ruse Artist Extraordinaire.

When he gets hired for his most daring ruse yet, Ardor knows he'll need more than quick wit and sleight of hand. Assembling a dream team of forgers, disguisers, schemers and thieves, he sets out to steal from the most powerful king the realm has ever known.

But it soon becomes clear there's more at stake than fame and glory - Ard and his team might just be the last hope for human civilization.

See my review here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/RNR0VHWYX2MW4/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B0763NWX6M

The Shattered Realm of Ardor Benn

Ardor Benn saved civilisation from imminent destruction, but his efforts brought war to the kingdom. It is believed that the rightful rulers have all been assassinated. However, a young heir might have survived.

An ancient organisation known as The Realm is behind the chaos, working from the shadows. Under the anonymity of masks, information is distributed sparingly. Ard's been hired to infiltrate them, but he's got competition from an old friend. One who's set to prove she's better than the self-proclaimed 'Ruse Artist Extraordinaire.'

If Ard can't find the heir, then his world may again approach ruin. Stopping the complete and utter collapse of civilization is quickly becoming Ard's specialty.

See my review here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R2O4FEGWTE45CT/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07MDXCMZD

The Last Lies of Ardor Benn

Ardor Benn has takes his lies to a new level, infiltrating high society so he can steal a priceless resource. But now that he's on the inside, he finds himself poring over ancient texts, searching for answers to his deepest questions. He discovers something is coming. Something world-ending.

Now, an old enemy is extorting him for one last job. Steal a live dragon. He doesn't know how, and he doesn't know why. But he's got a feeling that it's a job he has to take. Only problem is, Ard's running short on time and shorter on lies. And his personal ambitions are alienating all of his allies.

With no one else to rely on, he'll have to trust the one person nobody else does: himself.

See my review here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R15E4LRNYZPQM4/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B089NH3G68

 The Battle of Port-en-Bessin
A WWII Commando Adventure

The early hours of 6 June, 1944, saw Sergeant Richard—Lion—Hart of 47 (Royal Marine) Commando, leading his men ashore at JIG Green Sector, on the beaches of Normandy.

Their objective: To establish a foothold on enemy territory, and then march west, across country, to the strategically placed and heavily fortified harbor town of Port-en-Bessin. A location that would serve the Allies as a temporary marshalling area for fuel, weapons and supplies until Cherbourg had fallen.

On paper, a straightforward—if hazardous—endeavor. Yet war is seldom straightforward. The Germans had been preparing for this moment for four years. And, as history has shown time and again; “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” An idiom that Sergeant Hart and members of 47 Commando subsequently learned to their cost.

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Don’t forget. . .

What you are about to read in this and subsequent World War II Commando Adventures is a work of fiction. Nonetheless, its foundations are built upon the exploits of those men whose heroic efforts helped liberate Europe from the threat of Nazi domination.

But for their sacrifice, the world about us would have been very different.

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If YOU would like to join 47 on their advance through Normandy

just follow the link

Amazon Buy Link