Book Review and Giveaway: Free Space by Sean Danker

This is not as intriguing as book one, but face-paced and enjoyable.

Free Space (Admiral)
by Sean Danker

File Size: 1537 KB
Print Length: 313 pages
Publisher: Ace (May 2, 2017)
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B01KGZVXC2
Genre: Sci Fi, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

In the follow-up to Admiral, the intergalactic war has ended and hostilities between the Evagardian Empire and the Commonwealth are officially over, but the admiral is far from safe. . . .
I’d impersonated a prince, temporarily stopped a war, escaped a deadly planet, and survived more assassination attempts than I could conveniently count. After all that, there shouldn’t have been anything simpler than a nice weekend with a charming Evagardian girl.
However, some corners of the galaxy aren’t as genteel as the Empire, and Evagardians aren’t universally loved, which is how I ended up kidnapped to be traded as a commodity.
Their timing couldn’t have been worse. I'm not at my best, but these people have no idea whom they're dealing with: a highly trained, genetically engineered soldier in the Imperial Service who happens to be my date.

Review:
The Admiral, an assassin and disguise expert, and Salmagard, a highly trained, genetically engineered soldier, saved each other in their first adventure. Now they are hoping to enjoy some ‘down’ time. Unfortunately, the Admiral is poisoned even before they meet for their date. And that’s just the beginning of their troubles.

They pick up a carrier to do some sightseeing and meet two Imperials, Sei and Diana, when they share the ride. The car is diverted and the four end up kidnapped. Admiral and Sei are separated to be traded while the women are retained for other uses. But their captors do not know what they’ve gotten themselves into as Salmagard and Diana will find a way to escape and go after their dates.

The Admiral and Sei are sold at auction and shipped off site. They awaken on a planet where the people are living in an old earth style community. It appears to be a religious cult led by a man who clearly, to the Admiral’s view, has nefarious plans. The Admiral doesn’t know how he is going to get himself out of this predicament.

This sequel to Admiral kicks off with a good hook and keeps on moving at a fast pace. The cult world is a bit strange and confusing but it provides a backdrop of thought as Salmagard begins to see that her strict training may not have provided all she needs to know of reality and politics. Neither side is full of all the “right” as clearly there are those who abuse power no matter what side they supposedly serve. And in the end, most will serve their own purposes rather than honor the loyalty that may have been expected.

The intrigue and mystery in this was not as intense as in book one. This fills out more of the backstory for the Admiral and Salmagard and I liked the new characters, Sei and Diana. Although this story is almost completely focused on the kidnapping and escape, I did enjoy the fast-paced action and the continued irreverent and pragmatic attitude the Admiral displays even when facing death…again. This made for a fast, fun read. The rather abrupt ending leaves an opening for new intrigue which I hope would be more apparent in the next book.

I received the title through NetGalley. It qualifies for 2017 NetGalley Challenge, Mount TBR and “F” in Alphabet Challenge.

GIVEAWAY:

One PRINT COPY from the publisher - US Only

ENTRY FORM HERE

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For 3 Extra Bonus entries

(a) comment on the review, OR

(b) Visit the Author's website and tell me something you learned or like there.

* This contest is open to US for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) May 13, 2017. Winner will be announced in the Sunday Post on May 14, 2017.
Winners are asked to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Book Review: Trajectory Book 1 (New Providence) by Robert M. Campbell #RRSciFiMonth

This is a character driven, engaging space mystery.

Trajectory Book 1 (New Providence)
by Robert M. Campbell

File Size: 445 KB
Print Length: 236 pages
Publication Date: November 29, 2015
ASIN: B018R7TV5W
Genre: Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Four mining ships are making the slow return to Mars from operations in the asteroid belt. Back on the planet, a group of students discover a mysterious object in space in an impossible orbit. The crew of the Lighthouse space station are shocked by a devastating accident that throws their routine into chaos as they strive to get their ships safely home.

Cut off from Earth, the sub-surface Martian Colony of New Providence suddenly finds itself in peril from something hostile and unknown. Is it alien? Is it an AI from Old Earth? After five generations enduring the harsh conditions on Mars, will the 50,000 citizens of New Providence survive this new and terrifying threat?

Review:
The last remaining humans from earth have colonized Mars. As best they have been able to determine humans were destroyed by AI computers or machines that took control of all facilities on earth. Although the colonists have tablets for information and communication, sharing through an open web or internet is banned. Resources, including water, are scarce on Mars. They use a limited number of space ships to mine outer asteroids to bring desperately needed supplies.

Emma has a father captaining one ship and a boyfriend on another. She and her best friends, Tamra and Greg have discovered movement in space that they believe is suspicious. They report it to one of their professors who passes it on to the Commander of the space station that heads security for the colonists. The discovery is confirmed by the sudden, explosive disappearance of the closest of the four space ships that are returning to Mars. Emma is sent to the space station to help the staff figure out what is happening.

The remaining ships are aware of the explosion and they are warned that the foreign object is matching the trajectory of the next ship in line. The other captains try different tacks hoping to return safely to Mars. The story follows the struggles of the three young people, the station staff and the remaining space crews.

This is an engaging space mystery. The story is character driven with a detailed development of the primary characters and their living circumstances. I was interested in what would happen to the people. I also enjoyed the detail in the world and society created by Mr. Campbell. My only disappointment was that the story ends with a cliffhanger. It does not resolve the current conflict and dilemma. Still, I recommend this to sci fi and mystery readers with the forewarning that you will need book two.

This kicks off my reading for Sci Fi Month #RRSciFiMonth - even though I am more than ½ way through the month! ARGH. I received this as a free download at SciFiExplorations.com.

Book Review: Inquisitor by Mitchell Hogan

This is a fast paced, engaging sci fi.

Inquisitor
by Mitchell Hogan

File Size: 1567 KB
Print Length: 305 pages
Publication Date: June 12, 2015
ASIN: B00Z8XDKGK
Genre: Sci Fi, Space Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

From the Aurealis Award-winning author of A Crucible of Souls.
Inquisitor Angel Xia, former mercenary turned detective, is used to being the hunter. But on another routine murder investigation the bodies begin to pile up, and Angel finds herself a target of sinister powers determined to conceal the truth.
The hunter has just become the hunted.
Betrayed by those she trusted most, and barely escaping assassination attempts, Angel receives a cryptic message from child begging for her help. Framed for horrific crimes, the only chance to clear her name is inextricably linked to a little girl - but the enemy is on her heels.
Running for her life, Angel races to forgotten places at the edges of known space that hold the darkest secrets of humanity…and the greatest threat to its future.
And all will be determined by what she chooses to do next. That is…if she can stay alive.

Review:
Angel is a prestigious Inquisitor, a space detective licensed to hunt down criminals. She is known for her excellent investigative skills and quick reflexes which keep her out of trouble… well not out of trouble but safe through it. She likes her newest partner, Viktor, and hopes he will make it, unlike prior partners. Angel and Viktor are pursing Genevolves who are humans who have been part of gene experiments and then discarded due to flaws. Though they may be flawed, they usually have extra skills or strengths and are formidable foes.

Angel isn’t happy when her boss pulls her off a death that she suspects is murder, not suicide. Her suspicions intensify when she and her partner seem to be targeted. Soon Angel questions who she can trust in her own ranks as she ducks assassins while being contacted by a young girl through a computer contact. Charlotte-Rose claims that only Angel can save her from the monster corporation who kidnapped her and holds her prisoner because of her incredible intellect. Angel knows she shouldn’t get pulled into this crazy rescue scheme, especially as it has the potential for getting too personal. But Angel remembers the orphans she was raised with and her heart and haunted past won’t let her abandon Charlotte.

Angel agrees to follow Charlotte’s crafted plan of escape. But they aren’t going to get away without hot pursuit. Angel is labeled as a rogue agent and she and Charlotte are running from the authorities as well as the powers that are trying to retrieve Charlotte. Angel begins to worry for her own reputation as well as for Charlotte’s intentions as she manipulates plans for her own purposes.

I enjoyed the intrigue and premise of the story. It jumps into action and, for the most part, doesn’t slow down. I was disappointed by some foul language and the other issue I had was the feeling that dangerous scenarios were repeating, one after another. This got to a point where I was ready for the story to move on to reveal what would happen next.

The story raises intriguing AI questions involving maturity, morality and the possibility of choices. There is an ending that leaves an opening for more adventures. I recommend this to readers who enjoy fast paced action and strong, smart female protagonists.

I received this title from NetGalley for an honest review. It is part of my NetGalley Challenge.