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18th out of 31 books
—
25 voters
The Honour of the Knights (The Battle for the Solar System #1)
by
Stephen J. Sweeney (Goodreads Author)
When starfighter pilot Simon Dodds is enrolled in a top secret military project, he and his wingmates begin to suspect that there is a lot more to the theft of a legendary battleship and an Imperial nation's civil war than either the Confederation Stellar Navy or the government are willing to let on. Within weeks of being reassigned to the Confederate border system of Temp...more
Paperback, First Edition, 348 pages
Published
January 24th 2009
by Stephen J Sweeney
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A really fun book!
Loved the storyline and world building and the numerus action scenes were wll written and quickly drawn me in. Only real complaint is that some of the characters are a bit forgettable and could do with padding out a bit. Still, it is a great book, the world building alone makes it worth checking out.
Just added the sequel to my "to read list" too and I'm looking forward to reading it!
Loved the storyline and world building and the numerus action scenes were wll written and quickly drawn me in. Only real complaint is that some of the characters are a bit forgettable and could do with padding out a bit. Still, it is a great book, the world building alone makes it worth checking out.
Just added the sequel to my "to read list" too and I'm looking forward to reading it!
All in all I guess the best recommendation that can be given to a book is that I enjoyed, was entertained and intrigued enough by the book to buy the second one in the series. It was pretty much a fighter (ATAF) pilot story and the only real land-based scenes take place at the beginning on the Dodds' apple farm. Everything else is on a ship, space station, etc. so it's very much about the characters and the story unfolding. Even after reading the book I really don't know enough about the enemy o...more
Simon Dodds is on leave from his duty as a Confederation Stellar Navy fighter pilot working for his father running an apple orchard. It's not all good. He is on forced leave after a court martial for trying to be a hero and disobeying orders. His reckless actions resulted in the death of 2 civilians.
A dying Stellar Navy Pilot inexplicably winds up on his doorstep with gunshot wounds, and begs not to tell the navy or authorities about him just before he dies. Very mysterious.
In the middle of the...more
A dying Stellar Navy Pilot inexplicably winds up on his doorstep with gunshot wounds, and begs not to tell the navy or authorities about him just before he dies. Very mysterious.
In the middle of the...more
I’m not a literary expert, but I read enough to know a good book when I find one. This is a good book. I liked it, and will recommend to readers of my type who want to try a Sci-Fi book.
At times observation of the characters fluxed between intrusive and apathetic. But, I found it relatively effortless to put myself into the shoes of a male fighter pilot from my reading seat at home as I sipped my hot chocolate and listened to Bat for Lashes warbling in the background. It was more like I was a by...more
At times observation of the characters fluxed between intrusive and apathetic. But, I found it relatively effortless to put myself into the shoes of a male fighter pilot from my reading seat at home as I sipped my hot chocolate and listened to Bat for Lashes warbling in the background. It was more like I was a by...more
I really really wanted to like this book. It's self-published, in itself, a brave move. The author was employed at Lehman Brothers before its collapse in 2008 and this is an alternative direction for him as a career. I applaud his courage and fortitude at going it alone in this manner, but I can't help but feel that what we're left with is significantly sub-standard and that if this is his best effort, he needs desperately to get back into banking. Once again, it feels like the old stereotypical...more
I am not a sci-fi fan but I read this book as it was picked as one of our monthly group reads. I struggled with this book the whole way through but I think this was simply because of its genre. This is a difficult review to write as there was nothing wrong at all with what the author has done here but I simply couldn't get properly involved in the story as I wasn't interested before I started, which is maybe a bad mind set to start off a book with.
The story was very good although there were a f...more
The story was very good although there were a f...more
I want to first preface this review by stating that I read the first edition of this ebook because it was available for free on my Kindle... the author does suggest that anyone interested in reading the entire trilogy should read the revised edition.
That being said, I would not recommend this book. Its premise is intriguing... intergalactic war, fighter pilots, and action scenes dominate the narrative, (think Battlestar Galactica crossed with Top Gun) but lackluster writing skills and the inab...more
That being said, I would not recommend this book. Its premise is intriguing... intergalactic war, fighter pilots, and action scenes dominate the narrative, (think Battlestar Galactica crossed with Top Gun) but lackluster writing skills and the inab...more
I am all for self published novels and am willing to download the sample before I decide to purchase, so I have little time for those that bitch in their reviews about grammatical errors and typos. I am no English Teacher and only read books to relax so I am willing to give authors a good bit of slack on this issue as long as the book has a good story.
This book has a great story that had me hooked from the start. Its not perfect and in some places a bit predicable yet once it gets pass introduc...more
This book has a great story that had me hooked from the start. Its not perfect and in some places a bit predicable yet once it gets pass introduc...more
This was a pretty good read... A "hero" book, but instead of a single hero, it's a team.
I also really like how well the suspense was handled, how the plot elements were slowly revealed. You KNEW there was something going on, but not exactly what.
Putting my science fiction geek hat on, what I didn't like how the space travel was handled. Whereas David Weber gets detailed in mechanics of space travel, delta-v, etc, this book really skimped on that and made it hard for me to accept. It "felt" lik...more
I also really like how well the suspense was handled, how the plot elements were slowly revealed. You KNEW there was something going on, but not exactly what.
Putting my science fiction geek hat on, what I didn't like how the space travel was handled. Whereas David Weber gets detailed in mechanics of space travel, delta-v, etc, this book really skimped on that and made it hard for me to accept. It "felt" lik...more
An excellent science fiction novel of the space opera variety, Stephen J. Sweeney's The Honour of the Knights combines an intriguing plot that avoids many of the genre's cliches while retaining a convincing sense of authenticity with strong characterization and dialogue. Unlike many novels of this type, Mr. Sweeney's protagonist is far from perfect, with flaws grounded in reality that ring true without coming across as mere contrivances to create conflict for the sake to plot. My only criticisms...more
Definitely had potential but the story didn't really start to become cohesive until about 85% in. The real down points I felt were the random dream sequences; unless they are central to the plot but their significance not revealed yet, then fair enough. However, it did throw me out of the story and confuse me on more than one occasion until I realised it was a dream sequence. Also, quite predictable but who knows what may come in future releases.
I might give a sequel a go if it gets written desp...more
I might give a sequel a go if it gets written desp...more
Okay, the mystery that Sweeney weaves into this story is killing me! I can't believe that you don't find out before the end of the first book! I won't say more about what the mystery is so that I don't give it away. Of course I'm going to have to find the second book now as soon as I clear out my reading pile a little bit. Good book, worth reading for the science fiction fan. A little bit cheesy at times, butI've read mush cheesier and still liked it. I think that since the writer is still young...more
I have to admit it took me a few chapters before I really warmed to this one. I almost gave up after a few pages, but am glad that I persevered. As the plot developed and the pace and scale increased substantially towards the end of the book, I was hooked and ended up reading the last 1/3 of the book in a single sitting. Some of the technology mentioned/used in the book was somewhat more glossed-over than I would like, but that is not an unusual feature of scifi writing.
The books ends on a high-...more
The books ends on a high-...more
I got the free version for Kindle and I was quite pleasantly suprised by this one. I hear that the 2nd edition (that you pay for) is better so it's probably worth buying if you can.
The Honour of the Knights is more of an action sci-fi than an in depth space opera. Lots of big space battles and gung ho fights that don't tax the brain too much. That might sound damning but it's part of the books charm. Sometimes it's all you need.
The writing is done fine, sometimes it feels as the characters are...more
The Honour of the Knights is more of an action sci-fi than an in depth space opera. Lots of big space battles and gung ho fights that don't tax the brain too much. That might sound damning but it's part of the books charm. Sometimes it's all you need.
The writing is done fine, sometimes it feels as the characters are...more
The story of a space fighter pilot and his crew caught in the centre of a war between 2 rival empires. They are trained to fly the next generation of fighter craft but not told how or why these craft have been developed. They are then caught up in a mission to retrieve stolen data and save the home fleet from disaster. Well written and executed, read this in a couple of days and will be looking out for the next book in the series due out in November 2011.
I picked this book up as a freebie on Amazon. And boy am I glad that I did. What an amazing flyboy novel that spans the galaxy. Towards the end of the book I couldn't help but turn page after page, devouring the images as the tension mounted up to the climax. Sweeney is to be applauded for his vivid writing and the emotions that he coaxes from the reader, involving them wholly in the story.
The Honour of the Knights is a very readable book. More so if you're a scifi fan who is conversant with com...more
The Honour of the Knights is a very readable book. More so if you're a scifi fan who is conversant with com...more
Although my copy of this novel is only the first edition, I still really enjoyed it.
I want to say this has a Star Wars feel to it, which it does, however it's nothing like it.
The main story follows Confederation Stellar Navy pilot Dodds as he attempts to rejoin his unit after being suspended.
Along the way we meet his team, superiors and family as he progresses from suspended pilot, to being included in a secret testing, to doing menial duties, to becoming a hero against overwhelming odds!
On top...more
I want to say this has a Star Wars feel to it, which it does, however it's nothing like it.
The main story follows Confederation Stellar Navy pilot Dodds as he attempts to rejoin his unit after being suspended.
Along the way we meet his team, superiors and family as he progresses from suspended pilot, to being included in a secret testing, to doing menial duties, to becoming a hero against overwhelming odds!
On top...more
I really wasn't sure what to give this book. I was thorn between 2 or three stars. In the end I gave it three because it's not really a bad book. I'm just not sure that I like it that much.
My main problem with the book is that the story is really based on lies, deception, treason and deceit and I really do not like that in books or films.I just find it annoying or even depressing.
My main problem with the book is that the story is really based on lies, deception, treason and deceit and I really do not like that in books or films.I just find it annoying or even depressing.
I loved this book.
Stephen Sweeney is a really good writer. The world building is amazing and I quickly found myself immersed in the world that Honour of the Knights is set in. There are also some pretty unique ideas in the book and plenty of twists and turns to keep the readers interest. The space battle scenes are especially fun to read.
Stephen Sweeney is a really good writer. The world building is amazing and I quickly found myself immersed in the world that Honour of the Knights is set in. There are also some pretty unique ideas in the book and plenty of twists and turns to keep the readers interest. The space battle scenes are especially fun to read.
I quite enjoyed this book, picked up the first edition for free on my Kindle, and I would be interested in paying to read the others in the series. Good story, with more than enough excitement to keep my attention. There were a few typos, but I would expect that the second edition would have those cleared up, overall very enjoyable book!
Was a fun, quick book to read, and it was free from amazon (still is)! Bought the 2nd edition of this which adds more to the story (20,000 words more) and am currently reading through it, enjoying the updated writing style. Looking forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy.
(First Ed.) 3.5 Stars. Though I agree with others that the writing is a bit amateurish in a few places, I still found the story and characters quite compelling. I'll likely continue in the series, even though the author urges me to read the second ed. to do so. (Nice try, Steve. I'll keep the freebie and take my chances.)
An enjoyable futuristic space adventure. The characters are likeable, or intriguing in the case of Chaz! I liked the fact that not everything gets solved, that it's all a bit messy like life!
A reasonable SF read, but very cliched. Somehow the period set out in the book did not feel genuine. Some advances in technology were in place but other aspects did not ring true.
Great book for all those who like to read space adventure. The battles between the star fighters were well written and exciting. The action was great. I really like the charactors and their stories flow smoothly. I highly recommend this book.
Good effort. Story is compelling and eaay to read. Just enough questions about what has gone on and the backgrounds of the individual characters, like Chaz to make you want more.
Decent space-fighting romp with pretty good main characters. The book could use some editing and I hope secondary characters get fleshed out better in the sequels because it's the secondary characters that truly enhance the tapestry of a wholly-imagined world. The action was exciting and filled with intrigue, and I found myself ready to follow the Knights on their next adventure. Good work, and I look forward to the sequels.
Pretty decent sci-fi. Occasional plot holes distract from the main story at times, and hard to say if it's worth retail price, but definitely worth it from a used-book shop.
Sep 28, 2012
Weenie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
amazon-freebie,
sci-fi
The author's note ominously stated that this was a first edition, which had since been superseded by a second edition...for a second, I was tempted to not bother with this free download.
Suffice to say that I'm sure if I'd read the second edition of this book, I would have probably awarded it 5 stars - an excellent little action-packed space opera, with great pace, interesting characters and exciting battles.
Spotted various typos (probably edited out of the newer edition) but this didn't spoil my...more
Suffice to say that I'm sure if I'd read the second edition of this book, I would have probably awarded it 5 stars - an excellent little action-packed space opera, with great pace, interesting characters and exciting battles.
Spotted various typos (probably edited out of the newer edition) but this didn't spoil my...more
This was okay- when you thought it should have been done it kept going. They used the word whilst- ALOT. To me that got pretty annoying.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Edition available for free | 1 | 5 | Mar 17, 2011 08:01am |
Stephen Sweeney was born in Brighton, UK in 1977 to Terry and Emma Sweeney and has spent many years thereafter making up stories about stuff that doesn't exist.
He attended Worth School in West Sussex before studying Environmental Biology at Oxford Brookes University.
He currently lives in London where he works in the City performing various IT related bits and pieces (although he's worse than usele...more
More about Stephen J. Sweeney...
He attended Worth School in West Sussex before studying Environmental Biology at Oxford Brookes University.
He currently lives in London where he works in the City performing various IT related bits and pieces (although he's worse than usele...more
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