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The Union Chronicles #1
Zero Point
At the edge of the Planetary Union, Volya Frye, a desperate salvage operator in need of some good news, makes a curious discovery: a derelict vessel with no indication of origin and signs of foul play. What's more, the ship itself shouldn't exist, at least according to what Frye knows about interstellar travel. Before they can unravel the mystery of the ship, however, Frye and his crew find themselves caught up in a conspiracy that involves some of the most powerful people in the galaxy, and threatens to take what little Frye has left - including his life. Set in a time long after mankind has settled the galaxy, Zero Point weaves a tale of technology, intrigue, and conspiracy, while touching on the timeless themes of greed, corruption, and abuse of power, coupled with a search for freedom and justice.
- GenresScience Fiction
270 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 11, 2015
Volya Frye and his crew are junkers. They scour known space looking for wrecks to salvage and sell for scrap. The living has never been good and, in recent years, its gotten much tougher. Starships are getting safer, fusion drives more stable, and there is more competition. So when Frye and his crew stumble across a sleek, state-of-the-art ship abandoned and drifting in space it seems too good to be true. They file a salvage claim and begin the long trek back to civilization.
It is, of course, too good to be true. Within hours they are picked up by the Planetary Union's Marshall's service. Arrested for piracy and murder the crew's future looks bleak. Somehow, Frye escapes and begins a desperate quest to save his skin and unravel the mystery. Who set them up? Why were they set up? Teasing out these answers leads to corporate espionage, political corruption, and just plain murder.
The book clearly has a good hook. I love a good mystery, and the author didn't over-share or lead me. I felt the story developed genuinely which is a huge plus. Frankly, it could've been set in any time period - fantasy world, 20th century, whatever - and it would've worked. That's a good thing. The book also gets a huge plus for the secret Futurama references. (Frye at one point disguises himself as a courier. Awesome).
There are two things that detracted from my enjoyment of the book. First, the author was clearly bringing a very libertarian bent to the story. I don't mind authors with political viewpoints. I don't even mind if it bleeds into the story, but this went a bit far. The "good" space civilization was a parody of what one might imagine life in Texas to be like - everyone has a gun which you are allowed (nay, encouraged) to use in self defense, the government is totally hands off on everything, and etc. Meanwhile, the Union is populated by sheeple who let petty, corrupt government bureaucrats dictate every little detail of their lives. (Read the book, you'll see what I mean.) Next, the characters just didn't do it for me. They felt a bit stale and cardboard rather than living, breathing people.
Three and a half stars, rounded down to three. A good, surprising book from an author I'd never heard of before. I picked it up for free and (based entirely on the cover) was looking for some solid star-ship battles. Instead I found a mystery that kept me intrigued the whole way through.
It is, of course, too good to be true. Within hours they are picked up by the Planetary Union's Marshall's service. Arrested for piracy and murder the crew's future looks bleak. Somehow, Frye escapes and begins a desperate quest to save his skin and unravel the mystery. Who set them up? Why were they set up? Teasing out these answers leads to corporate espionage, political corruption, and just plain murder.
The book clearly has a good hook. I love a good mystery, and the author didn't over-share or lead me. I felt the story developed genuinely which is a huge plus. Frankly, it could've been set in any time period - fantasy world, 20th century, whatever - and it would've worked. That's a good thing. The book also gets a huge plus for the secret Futurama references. (Frye at one point disguises himself as a courier. Awesome).
There are two things that detracted from my enjoyment of the book. First, the author was clearly bringing a very libertarian bent to the story. I don't mind authors with political viewpoints. I don't even mind if it bleeds into the story, but this went a bit far. The "good" space civilization was a parody of what one might imagine life in Texas to be like - everyone has a gun which you are allowed (nay, encouraged) to use in self defense, the government is totally hands off on everything, and etc. Meanwhile, the Union is populated by sheeple who let petty, corrupt government bureaucrats dictate every little detail of their lives. (Read the book, you'll see what I mean.) Next, the characters just didn't do it for me. They felt a bit stale and cardboard rather than living, breathing people.
Three and a half stars, rounded down to three. A good, surprising book from an author I'd never heard of before. I picked it up for free and (based entirely on the cover) was looking for some solid star-ship battles. Instead I found a mystery that kept me intrigued the whole way through.
May 23, 2014
"When government speaks about 'the people' as abstract, but refuses to acknowledge individuals, that is when you know you live in a totalitarian state."
Probably deserves 3.5. A science-fiction twist on the little people fighting back against big business and big government. A little heavy on libertarian philosophy, but it fits the story line and doesn't slow the action too much.
The usual string of improbably coincidences and luck, but fewer than normal glaring science errors.
A fun read.
Probably deserves 3.5. A science-fiction twist on the little people fighting back against big business and big government. A little heavy on libertarian philosophy, but it fits the story line and doesn't slow the action too much.
The usual string of improbably coincidences and luck, but fewer than normal glaring science errors.
A fun read.
March 13, 2014
Space Towing
When a salvage captain gets set up by an unknown party, he will do whatsoever it takes to clear his name. A fun adventure that reminds me a lot of the early Honor Harrington novels.
When a salvage captain gets set up by an unknown party, he will do whatsoever it takes to clear his name. A fun adventure that reminds me a lot of the early Honor Harrington novels.
July 31, 2014
Loved It !
For a very good read and lots of excitement , twists and turns this book delivers. A new and exploding cliffhanger that leaves you champing at the bit to get your hands the next Chronicle. Loved the first Chronicle can't wait for the next Chonicle.
For a very good read and lots of excitement , twists and turns this book delivers. A new and exploding cliffhanger that leaves you champing at the bit to get your hands the next Chronicle. Loved the first Chronicle can't wait for the next Chonicle.
May 17, 2014
While the science and the characters were worth a 4 star rating...I dropped it to 3 because I could have done without the libertarian diatribe interwoven into the narrative.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews