Review: Woe to the Victor by Nathan H Green

 

The Book:

Earth’s been destroyed, but the fight’s not over! Award-winning writer Nathan H. Green, author of The Galileo, and Treason’s Temple, brings his degree in aerospace engineering to space combat in this action packed, hard science-fiction thriller.

It’s Earth’s last day and Captain Lewis Black drifts though space, watching it burn.

The pilots under his command are dead. The war with the Maaravi is lost. Air hisses into space from around the stump of his severed arm.

In the distance a Maaravi ship approaches. Whether to torture him for information, capture him as a prisoner, or take him as a trophy, he’ll have one last chance to hurt them.

Natasha Palmer, lead engineer on the failed Reaper missile program, knows humanity’s last, desperate, plan won’t work. She’s got one chance to change that, but it will mean a leap of faith beyond all others.

Humanity is vanquished, but some battles bring only woe to the victor.

My Thoughts:

Another Military SF and another finalist in SPSFC3. Again I can see why. This books is pure action but is so well written that I found it compelling. The whole backstory into the alien attackers is fascinating and the futuristic warfare very convincing. But there was a poignancy to it, the tragedy of Earth’s situation, the human cost. 

If you’re a fan of the genre this is one for your list!

I’ve noticed that quite a few excellent Military SF books have been turning up in the SPSFC contests. I wonder if this is because mainstream publishing is steering clear of the military genre. I’m so glad that these authors have chosen to self publish because their books are really very good.

Review: The Scorching: Just Press Play by Nick Snape

The Book:

On an Earth devastated by The Scorching climate event, the Drathken land their giant plantships with the promise of healing the planet. Joshua Nkosi vlogs and jokes his way through an easy life guarding a deep-sea mining operation while watching old vids. That is until, he and his modded octopus partner, Marc, get caught up in a plot to steal radiation rich materials from the seabed, fuelling the terrorists’ plan to destroy a Drathken plantship, and ultimately put an end to the alien/human alliance.

Nkosi and his sarcastic tentacled buddy are forced to enter the Burnout Zone, only to come face to face with humanity’s stark future when the hunt for the terrorist’s lab takes a devastating twist. As conspiracies deepen and the jokes fly, Nkosi and Marc enter a dark journey of discovery—one they decide humanity desperately needs to listen to.

My Thoughts:

This is another quality piece of SF from Nick Snape, set in the same world as ‘The Scorching: The World in My Hands’ which I have reviewed below. That book was a hard act to follow but this one, although quite different, didn’t disappoint. In fact far from it.

There is a lot of action, lots of excitement, and an underlying mystery to be solved. But it is the characterisation that really sets this one apart. Especially Marc!!! Marc had to be my new favourite character ever!

The other thing I loved about this book was the emotional ride it took me on. A good book makes you feel and resonates with you long after you turn the last page, and this book is a little bit heartbreaking, and I love that about it.

Nick is a relatively new author on my radar but I’m so glad I discovered these books. He writes fantasy too and I’ll be exploring some of that next.

Review: Children of the Black by WJ III Long

 

The Book:

As humanity's bloodiest conflict ends, those left behind struggle to carve a path free of its shadow, but old hates die hard. Under the weight of this new future, a former soldier and a young psionic girl fight to scrounge up enough credits to keep their meager lives on track when a figure from the past offers them a way out. All they have to do is find the remains of a once-promising enemy research project, one whose failure still shakes the souls involved to this day.

Success would mean an end to all their problems, but in this universe, few things are as deceptive as an easy gig.

My Thoughts:

One of last year’s finalists in SPSFC3 and reading it I can see why. This is a space opera with a strong military vibe. There’s lots of action as would be expected but what sets this one apart is the humanity of the characters especially the relationship between the main character, Claude and the young blind girl, Vision. This really gives us an insight into the more human side of this former soldier and these characters all really come to life.

This really is an excellent book and one I strongly recommend, especially if you are looking for Military SF that gives you that something extra.

SPSFC4 - Adding to my TBR (10)

I’ve maybe made it halfway through the entries for this year’s SPSFC4 Contest (Self Published Science Fiction Competition) and the list of books I want to read is getting longer by the day and now stands at 20. So this seems a good point for the timely reminder that these choices I’m making are very subjective and a reflection largely of my personal taste. There are plenty of books in the contest that haven’t made it onto my list simply because they’re not my thing. But they might be yours! So do check out all the entries and build your own TBR pile!

The Finding Machine by Lucy Lyons

This one sounds absolutely delightful. I like the idea of a mystery with a SF twist. I enjoyed the opening and loved the characters. I do wonder if the SF element will be sufficiently developed for this to go far in the competition, but that will be the judges’ decision. For me this sounds like something I’ll really enjoy so it’s straight onto the list for me.

The Martian Incident by Ryan M Patrick

Interesting. Americans being attached by EU soldiers on Mars! I really had to check this one out! The first chapter was good and I enjoyed what I read. I can’t wait to read more. I think the Martian colony setup here is going to be really rather intriguing.

SPSFC4 - Adding to my TBR (9)

Another two amazing sounding books from this years batch of SPSFC4 (Self Published Science Fiction Competition) entries have just been added to the list. There are so many unique concepts being explored! So much excellent Self Published SF out in the world! I’m feeling spoilt for choice!

Mendelson’s Return by Cristovao Correia

This looks great. I particularly like that it is set in Portugal. It’s always refreshing to find a European setting for a SF book. So I read the blurb and opening with interest. Superheroes and law enforcement. So far so good. The opening really drew me in. Onto the list it goes.

Saint Elspeth by Wick Walker

Here we have a combination of post apocalypse and alien invasion and this one sounds particularly interesting. I’m really intrigued by the setup and a solid first chapters makes this a definite YES!. 

SPSFC4 - Adding to my TBR (8)

WOW! Just WOW! I’m finding so many amazing sounding books among this years entries into SPSFC4 (Self Published Science Fiction Competition). Today’s additions both have really unique concepts and look so interesting.

The Widow’s Tithe by TR Peers

The blurb for this one is very strong. An excellent concept. I checked out the opening with high expectations and I wasn’t disappointed.  

Transference by Ian Patterson

There’s a really original idea at the heart of this one. That always attracts my attention. I love things which are that little bit unique. In this case people taking on the sickness from others! The opening chapter is excellent, powerful writing and a protagonist that I was quick to connect with. Can’t wait to read this one in full!!

SPSFC4 - Adding to my TBR (7)

Another two amazing sounding books have just been added to my TBR pile from my fellow contestants in SPSFC4 (Self Published Science Fiction Competition). Have you read either of these? What did you think?

Afterburn by D Andrews

This sounds like a really interesting concept. And another main character called Kara. I’ve already got one of those on my list! But this story is very different. The opening is dramatic and gripping. I felt a real empathy for Kara and look forward to reading more.

Nothing Larger than these Stars by E. Marie Robertson

Oooh – corporate conspiracy on an interplanetary scale. I love the sound of this. The opening chapter is well written, the characters engaging and I’m ever so intrigued by the set up. This is definitely one for the list.