What do you think?
Rate this book
V.I.P.E.R.
10,000 years ago, humanity was almost wiped out. Now they've returned to claim their inheritance.
After a series of attacks by mysterious ships threatens the Imperium’s plans to expand, the Admiralty sends out Kaia Marinoch to investigate. A newly minted Lieutenant Commander and one of the Imperium’s first special forces Viper operatives—a blend of starship captain and commando—she is given the Imperium’s most advanced warship and sent off to confront their enigmatic foes.
From clashes with her XO to dealing with Admirals who want to scrap the V.I.P.E.R. Initiative, the maiden cruise of the warship SIN Assured is filled with more dangers to Kaia's career than just death.
Still in mourning after the murder of her sister at the hands of pirates, Kaia must learn to temper her anger and prejudice against her non-Human Zahex crew as she battles competing pirates and corporate interests. She soon finds that things in the Opherian Expanse are not as expected. Now she just has to make it back alive!
After a series of attacks by mysterious ships threatens the Imperium’s plans to expand, the Admiralty sends out Kaia Marinoch to investigate. A newly minted Lieutenant Commander and one of the Imperium’s first special forces Viper operatives—a blend of starship captain and commando—she is given the Imperium’s most advanced warship and sent off to confront their enigmatic foes.
From clashes with her XO to dealing with Admirals who want to scrap the V.I.P.E.R. Initiative, the maiden cruise of the warship SIN Assured is filled with more dangers to Kaia's career than just death.
Still in mourning after the murder of her sister at the hands of pirates, Kaia must learn to temper her anger and prejudice against her non-Human Zahex crew as she battles competing pirates and corporate interests. She soon finds that things in the Opherian Expanse are not as expected. Now she just has to make it back alive!
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2024
9 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 4, 2024
V.I.P.E.R.
Stewardess Briya Marinoch marveled at the sights the cruise ship “Heavenly Star” passed through on their routine tour. Arlox, on the other hand, admitted that the Jargat system, an extensive Ancestral Empire graveyard and part of the tour, gave him the creeps! It featured abandoned space stations and all sorts of debris. As he commented, Erinne, the navigator, thought she saw something out there, but figured it had to be her nerves as they talked about ghosts. Then Briya startled as she also saw something that blotted out the stars. Were pirates stalking them? Arlox called Captain Naethan to the bridge as they warmed up the main drives just in case they had to take evasive action. The Captain decided to head away from the area to be safe; and he sent Briya to reassure their passengers. But as she passed the viewport, she let out a horrible shriek as the ship shuddered with a hull breach and the attack began!
Lieutenant Commander Kaia Marinoch, one of the newly trained special forces Viper operatives, a cross between starship captain and commando, is given one of the new type advanced warships for this intelligence mission. Her sister had been killed in a pirate attack and they need to gather more information on what went wrong. Examining the wreckage, however, Kaia realized it was not pirates because the weapons technology used against them was far too advanced. With all eyes on her in this maiden cruise, Kaia can’t afford to make mistakes. It doesn’t take long to discover a definite problem in the Opherian Expanse. But will she be able to get her warship and crew back alive to report on what they have uncovered and how much time they have left to confront it head-on?
Stewardess Briya Marinoch marveled at the sights the cruise ship “Heavenly Star” passed through on their routine tour. Arlox, on the other hand, admitted that the Jargat system, an extensive Ancestral Empire graveyard and part of the tour, gave him the creeps! It featured abandoned space stations and all sorts of debris. As he commented, Erinne, the navigator, thought she saw something out there, but figured it had to be her nerves as they talked about ghosts. Then Briya startled as she also saw something that blotted out the stars. Were pirates stalking them? Arlox called Captain Naethan to the bridge as they warmed up the main drives just in case they had to take evasive action. The Captain decided to head away from the area to be safe; and he sent Briya to reassure their passengers. But as she passed the viewport, she let out a horrible shriek as the ship shuddered with a hull breach and the attack began!
Lieutenant Commander Kaia Marinoch, one of the newly trained special forces Viper operatives, a cross between starship captain and commando, is given one of the new type advanced warships for this intelligence mission. Her sister had been killed in a pirate attack and they need to gather more information on what went wrong. Examining the wreckage, however, Kaia realized it was not pirates because the weapons technology used against them was far too advanced. With all eyes on her in this maiden cruise, Kaia can’t afford to make mistakes. It doesn’t take long to discover a definite problem in the Opherian Expanse. But will she be able to get her warship and crew back alive to report on what they have uncovered and how much time they have left to confront it head-on?
November 4, 2024
This is a genre I love and the synopsis appealed to me , especially as it seemed to be the start of a series .
The book started well with newly promoted Lieutenant Commander Kaia Marinoch given command of a new type of warship and sent out to find out just who is attacking their ships - the latest ship one in which her twin sister was killed .
Pirates have been the presumed killers but on inspecting the wreckage Kaia realise that the previous inspection reports were totally wrong - the weapons used being beyond their capability .
Just who or what is out there - it is up to Kaia and her crew to find out !!
I found the premise of the book a real hook , it drew me in BUT the variety of species and Kaia's own enhancements needed more explanation/backstory ................. she was very prejudiced against certain crew members because of their race which could have
been detrimental to crew performance ; but also almost overfamiliar with others ???
She often overruled her XO in matters where the XO was bringing correct procedure to her attention , undermining her in
front of junior officers - is this the behaviour of a newly promoted officer trying to make her mark ?
Overall this is an entertaining first book in a new series and I look forward to reading book 2 with perhaps more backstory
about VIPER
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
The book started well with newly promoted Lieutenant Commander Kaia Marinoch given command of a new type of warship and sent out to find out just who is attacking their ships - the latest ship one in which her twin sister was killed .
Pirates have been the presumed killers but on inspecting the wreckage Kaia realise that the previous inspection reports were totally wrong - the weapons used being beyond their capability .
Just who or what is out there - it is up to Kaia and her crew to find out !!
I found the premise of the book a real hook , it drew me in BUT the variety of species and Kaia's own enhancements needed more explanation/backstory ................. she was very prejudiced against certain crew members because of their race which could have
been detrimental to crew performance ; but also almost overfamiliar with others ???
She often overruled her XO in matters where the XO was bringing correct procedure to her attention , undermining her in
front of junior officers - is this the behaviour of a newly promoted officer trying to make her mark ?
Overall this is an entertaining first book in a new series and I look forward to reading book 2 with perhaps more backstory
about VIPER
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
December 22, 2024
This was a strong opening chapter in the Inheritance of the Fallen series, it had that element that I wanted and enjoyed from the first page. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed from the first page. V. H. Balaban has a strong writing style and enjoyed this world.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews