Bravado

Graff #5

by Carrie Vaughn

Teenage Graff dreams of going off-world to explore the universe as a documentarian, but he never imagined the adventures awaiting him when he actually gets the chance to leave.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction

30 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 29, 2025

About the author

Carrie Vaughn is the author more than twenty novels and over a hundred short stories. She's best known for her New York Times bestselling series of novels about a werewolf named Kitty who hosts a talk radio advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged. In 2018, she won the Philip K. Dick Award for Bannerless, a post-apocalyptic murder mystery. She's published over 20 novels and 100 short stories, two of which have been finalists for the Hugo Award. She's a contributor to the Wild Cards series of shared world superhero books edited by George R. R. Martin and a graduate of the Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop.

An Air Force brat, she survived her nomadic childhood and managed to put down roots in Boulder, Colorado, where she collects hobbies.

Visit her at www.carrievaughn.com

For writing advice and essays, check out her Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/carrievaughn

Reviews

[Daren · Rating 4 out of 5]

#5 in the Graff series by author Carrie Vaughn. This is a backstory filler, taking us back to Graff on his home planet as a teenager, and then out into the world where he is placed in a space port with a mentor from home to help him transition into him under-cover duties and life off-planet, before commencing his placement at the Trade Guild Military Academy.

This short story sets out another part of the origin story of Graff, who we have come to know from the other four parts released by Vaughn.

There are some lessons learned, and at the end the first link with a character from Sinew and Steel which was the original short story (albeit second in publication, as a prequel was published second in order!).

This was a quick and enjoyable read, for me it sat around the middle of the series for quality - not quite the best, but better than the weakest, so a return to 4 stars.

[Sierra Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want like twelve more of these things

[ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

randomly found this on the reactor website and was rather enchanted by both the mc and the world it presents. cue my delight at finding out this is the latest installment in a series of stories! and luckily it’s a prequel, so i got no spoilers for the others 🕺🏻

[Olga · Rating 4 out of 5]

A flashback for Graff and how he’s always been a softie for creatures that can’t defend themselves, like lambs and ducklings and kittens. Apparently when he was young he had more bravado than sense, but at least he was brave. 😀

[Fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I made the mistake of reading this piece on Tor/Reactormag as a standalone, only coming to find out this is a part of a series. Even more so, I came to realize I read the first of this series two years ago, which I should have realized sooner because of how much I loved the aspect of Graff's people being able to know all of each other's experiences through a simple touch.

Reading about Graff as a teenager would have so much more of an impact on me if I had read all of his other adventures in this series first. Since I made that mistake and this story feels on its own for me I would give it a 3/5. I added the .5 for this error on my part. I'm sure once I go through the series and circle back to this piece this will be a 4 star or higher.

I really want to know more about this world that Graff comes from, as well as the worlds and stations across the galaxy right as he is experiencing them, now that I know there is more to read!

[Mike Kanner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Vaughn published what seems to be the first chapter of a novel serialization.

There are several issues. First, the plot is not original. A boy is trained and given enhanced abilities to serve a nebulous government. Isn't that the premise of Orson Scott Card's Enders series? Second, the technology is of the 'and then a miracle happened' type. It is named without any explanation. Third, there was no emotional attachment to the characters, who were flat and had nothing to make them interesting.

Bottom line - Vaughn can do better than this. I've read almost all of her series' (Kitty Norville, Cormac, Golden Age and have ordered the second Naturalist Novel already) and I'm still a fan.

Give me another Bannerless or Cormac novel.

[Erica Naone · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating world, familiar emotions

This is mostly a story about being young and learning who you are. It’s set in a science fictional world that I’m fascinated by. The story itself is complete and fascinating, but I would also read a novel about this character or set in this world.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graff installment 5 gives us another prequel around Graff's first leaving his homeworld.

Interesting, but 2 & 3 were definitely the highlights of the series to date. Hopefully future installments will be more like those, but I'll check them out either way.

Thanks to Charles for recommending these to me.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always great to get another Graff story. This time, we get to see their background and how they got out into the universe. I would love it if Vaughn would put out a full length book with these characters.

[Kam Yung Soh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a teenager on a world who shows foolhardy bravery that is noticed, and is sent out to other worlds to watch and learn. Only, the foolhardy bravery keeps showing itself, getting the person in trouble, but which may lead to interesting friendships.

[Thia Reads A Lot · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0*

This story recounts how Graff was chosen to experience the military school on behalf of their community. They meet Ransom at the end. (I've read two other stories with Graff before, can't say I remember too much, but the worldbuilding is interesting.)

[luiloth · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://reactormag.com/bravado-carrie...

[Per · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://reactormag.com/bravado-carrie...

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young Graff goes off world to explore the universe with unexpected consequences of his rash actions. I enjoyed this glimpse into Graff's early years.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am definitely on the Graff bandwagon - the more stories, the better!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://reactormag.com/bravado-carrie...

[Pedro Marroquín · Rating 3 out of 5]

El protagonista se la serie creciendo en su planeta. Entretenido, sin más. C-

[Dua (in reading slump) ✨]

https://reactormag.com/bravado-carrie...