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Project Starfighter
The Wade Ellen Asset Protection Corporation rules the galaxy, controlling commerce, passage, and rights. And with an army of advance AI-controlled warships at their disposal, as well as a great number of drones and warbots, little can stand in their way.
At the outskirts of the city of Tira, on the planet Ceradse, Chris Bainfield watches as what remains of the Resistance's first major attempt to fight back against WEAPCO falls from the sky; wreckage and debris tumbling down through the atmosphere, and crashing into the sea.
But unlike others, Chris is not willing to surrender, not willing to give up the fight just yet. He has a plan - to rebuild the Resistance, bring together others, and keep up the battle against the Corporation.
And he will soon find himself teaming up with the most unlikely of allies - a sentient starfighter, known as Athena, formerly belonging to the very company he is trying to take down.
At the outskirts of the city of Tira, on the planet Ceradse, Chris Bainfield watches as what remains of the Resistance's first major attempt to fight back against WEAPCO falls from the sky; wreckage and debris tumbling down through the atmosphere, and crashing into the sea.
But unlike others, Chris is not willing to surrender, not willing to give up the fight just yet. He has a plan - to rebuild the Resistance, bring together others, and keep up the battle against the Corporation.
And he will soon find himself teaming up with the most unlikely of allies - a sentient starfighter, known as Athena, formerly belonging to the very company he is trying to take down.
- GenresScience Fiction
ebook
First published May 30, 2014
24 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Stephen J. Sweeney
13 books37 followersStephen J Sweeney is an author, software developer, and video game designer. He currently resides in England.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 19, 2019
I've been wanting to read “Project Starfighter” for a long time.
As a kid I played the game released by Parallel Realities over and over again. Even then I adored stories set in space and the idea of one man fighting against an entire corporation to save the universe. The game wasn't easy either, as timed missions, heavy artillery from the WEAPCO ships, and literal minefields made completing it difficult at the best of times. But I loved the challenge, playing over and over and over, memorising the dialogue from the cut scenes, and falling in love with the characters – Chris, Phoebe, and Ursula.
I even had a soft spot for the villainous Kline Kethlan, despite the fact that I spent months trying to beat the final mission the first time I played through it. (I played the game so much that eventually I was able to complete the entire story in one day, sans any kinds of cheat codes).
You can imagine my excitement when I discovered that the creator of the game had decided to write a novel based on it. I read the sample chapters years ago, enjoyed them and knew I had to buy the book someday.
I was not disappointed. Yes, the writing and dialogue could have been stronger in parts, and there were some disturbing events that happened to the characters that I could have done without – though not described in explicit detail, which I am thankful for, but overall, the story was told well, every plot point being set up and executed nicely. The novel greatly expanded on the world I'd been introduced to in the “Project Starfighter” game, taking us down onto the planets and interacting with the characters at a personal level. I also loved the fact that Ursula got her own viewpoint chapters – even though we spend a lot of the story with Chris, the novel would not work half so well without Ursula, and I almost felt that she carried the main story at times. The second-to-last scene with her was extremely satisfying, and I had a big grin on my face throughout it.
Another aspect of the story that went in a completely different direction than I was expecting was the introduction of Athena. She was such a soft and lovely character, contrasting nicely with her...military profession, shall we say (to avoid spoilers), and I really started to get really attached to her, and was genuinely upset when one of the other characters didn't accept her as readily. The imagery around her was gorgeous as well, and the moment when she was talking about her namesake and her shield, spear, and helmet stunned me with how meaningful it was.
The direct references to the “Project Starfighter” game delighted me. The story was a whole new world that never forgot where it came from, and I found myself saying the lines out loud – lines that, as I mentioned above – I'd long ago memorised. Lines that came from confrontations with WEAPCO, the mercenaries, or Kline Kethlan, and I had to laugh at the “Humans do it better,” phrase, which was a cheat code for the original game.
The ending was fantastic and didn't let me down in the slightest, topped off with a short, well crafted epilogue that brought me to tears. I'm not quite ready to let go of this world just yet – and since I still have the game, I don't have to. Now when I play through it, I'll have a new version of the story to accompany all the scenes and battles, making it richer and more immersive.
This book took me back to my childhood, my teen years, and I got to relive some of my fondest memories while experiencing something new. I definitely recommend “Project Starfighter” to anyone who loves sci-fi, gaming, or both. 4.5 stars for this truly fantastic escape into a different world.
As a kid I played the game released by Parallel Realities over and over again. Even then I adored stories set in space and the idea of one man fighting against an entire corporation to save the universe. The game wasn't easy either, as timed missions, heavy artillery from the WEAPCO ships, and literal minefields made completing it difficult at the best of times. But I loved the challenge, playing over and over and over, memorising the dialogue from the cut scenes, and falling in love with the characters – Chris, Phoebe, and Ursula.
I even had a soft spot for the villainous Kline Kethlan, despite the fact that I spent months trying to beat the final mission the first time I played through it. (I played the game so much that eventually I was able to complete the entire story in one day, sans any kinds of cheat codes).
You can imagine my excitement when I discovered that the creator of the game had decided to write a novel based on it. I read the sample chapters years ago, enjoyed them and knew I had to buy the book someday.
I was not disappointed. Yes, the writing and dialogue could have been stronger in parts, and there were some disturbing events that happened to the characters that I could have done without – though not described in explicit detail, which I am thankful for, but overall, the story was told well, every plot point being set up and executed nicely. The novel greatly expanded on the world I'd been introduced to in the “Project Starfighter” game, taking us down onto the planets and interacting with the characters at a personal level. I also loved the fact that Ursula got her own viewpoint chapters – even though we spend a lot of the story with Chris, the novel would not work half so well without Ursula, and I almost felt that she carried the main story at times. The second-to-last scene with her was extremely satisfying, and I had a big grin on my face throughout it.
Another aspect of the story that went in a completely different direction than I was expecting was the introduction of Athena. She was such a soft and lovely character, contrasting nicely with her...military profession, shall we say (to avoid spoilers), and I really started to get really attached to her, and was genuinely upset when one of the other characters didn't accept her as readily. The imagery around her was gorgeous as well, and the moment when she was talking about her namesake and her shield, spear, and helmet stunned me with how meaningful it was.
The direct references to the “Project Starfighter” game delighted me. The story was a whole new world that never forgot where it came from, and I found myself saying the lines out loud – lines that, as I mentioned above – I'd long ago memorised. Lines that came from confrontations with WEAPCO, the mercenaries, or Kline Kethlan, and I had to laugh at the “Humans do it better,” phrase, which was a cheat code for the original game.
The ending was fantastic and didn't let me down in the slightest, topped off with a short, well crafted epilogue that brought me to tears. I'm not quite ready to let go of this world just yet – and since I still have the game, I don't have to. Now when I play through it, I'll have a new version of the story to accompany all the scenes and battles, making it richer and more immersive.
This book took me back to my childhood, my teen years, and I got to relive some of my fondest memories while experiencing something new. I definitely recommend “Project Starfighter” to anyone who loves sci-fi, gaming, or both. 4.5 stars for this truly fantastic escape into a different world.
September 23, 2025
too perfect
I felt the writing was a little naive. The story was unreal as everything needed was provided. The concept was like a lot of other books where one person saves the Sol system with a couple of supporters or crew. The hero I found particularly unlikeable, especially when he was nasty to the previous resistance fighters who had spent 60 years fighting whereas he was a mere teen. I wouldn’t read it again and not sure I would pick any more by this author. However on the positive side it was an easy read and filled in some time.
I felt the writing was a little naive. The story was unreal as everything needed was provided. The concept was like a lot of other books where one person saves the Sol system with a couple of supporters or crew. The hero I found particularly unlikeable, especially when he was nasty to the previous resistance fighters who had spent 60 years fighting whereas he was a mere teen. I wouldn’t read it again and not sure I would pick any more by this author. However on the positive side it was an easy read and filled in some time.
July 14, 2024
A really good read
A really great story from start to finish.
I Read this book from start to finish in one sitting,
Always a sign of an author at their best.
A really great story from start to finish.
I Read this book from start to finish in one sitting,
Always a sign of an author at their best.
August 17, 2024
A feel good read.
A well written and enjoy able romp. Plenty of action and a little romance. The evil villains beaten by our small band of heroes.
A well written and enjoy able romp. Plenty of action and a little romance. The evil villains beaten by our small band of heroes.
March 15, 2015
Really enjoyed this book well written with a good story
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews