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Black Guard #2
Evolution
Dragon Sapir is back, and the Jax Military will never be the same.
The Jax Contract Committee has released Rivka to take assignments, and her first involves her in a plot by several Systems within the Helix collection of systems to destroy the Jax. As the plot spreads, she is given assignments to combat the threat. Soon she becomes the JCC's problem solver for ill-advised and potentially ruinous contracts the JCC is forced to accept, including one by the United Freelands who is seeking revenge on her for their embarrassing defeat on Suryah.
Rivka has become the agent of change, an essential evolution if the Jax is to survive.
The Jax Contract Committee has released Rivka to take assignments, and her first involves her in a plot by several Systems within the Helix collection of systems to destroy the Jax. As the plot spreads, she is given assignments to combat the threat. Soon she becomes the JCC's problem solver for ill-advised and potentially ruinous contracts the JCC is forced to accept, including one by the United Freelands who is seeking revenge on her for their embarrassing defeat on Suryah.
Rivka has become the agent of change, an essential evolution if the Jax is to survive.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2015
44 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
C.R. Daems
51 books284 followersI was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and joined the military right out of high school. I served twenty-two years in the United States Air Force as a certified internal auditor. While in the military service, I lived in seven states and two foreign countries, and obtained two degrees: a BS in mathematics and an MS in computer science.
After I retired from the Air Force, I secured a position with Digital Equipment Corporation, located in Bedford, Massachusetts, as a software course developer and instructor. I worked twenty-two years at DEC and held positions as a course developer, course development manager, software engineer, and software engineering manager.
Today, I’m retired and live in Tucson, Arizona, with my wife of fifty-three years. My daughter and two grandchildren live in Maryland. I began writing several years after I retired, when I was seventy. My first two attempts remain in my desk drawer—good ideas, but poorly written. Subsequently, I co-authored, with Jeanne Tomlin, three fantasy novels: Talon of the Raptor Clan, Scales of Justice, and All My Friends Have Wings (young adults). Talon of the Raptor Clan was sold to ePress-online Books and came out in July 2009. Since then I have written two additional novels: The Laughing Hounds (urban fantasy) and The Riss Gamble (science fiction).
My hobbies for the past forty years have been kung fu and tai chi.
After I retired from the Air Force, I secured a position with Digital Equipment Corporation, located in Bedford, Massachusetts, as a software course developer and instructor. I worked twenty-two years at DEC and held positions as a course developer, course development manager, software engineer, and software engineering manager.
Today, I’m retired and live in Tucson, Arizona, with my wife of fifty-three years. My daughter and two grandchildren live in Maryland. I began writing several years after I retired, when I was seventy. My first two attempts remain in my desk drawer—good ideas, but poorly written. Subsequently, I co-authored, with Jeanne Tomlin, three fantasy novels: Talon of the Raptor Clan, Scales of Justice, and All My Friends Have Wings (young adults). Talon of the Raptor Clan was sold to ePress-online Books and came out in July 2009. Since then I have written two additional novels: The Laughing Hounds (urban fantasy) and The Riss Gamble (science fiction).
My hobbies for the past forty years have been kung fu and tai chi.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 9, 2025
Very good
This was another well written military scifi book. I like the strong characters, and all of the various worlds. I hope book 3 is still going to be written.
This was another well written military scifi book. I like the strong characters, and all of the various worlds. I hope book 3 is still going to be written.
November 19, 2017
This is the second book in the Black Guard series and it didnot disappoint me one bit. Loved the way the storyline continued from where it left last.
The plot continues to revolve around the least favourite child turned Dragon Black Guard Rivka. And just like this title, the story has evolved. Some critics say it is more of a melange of stories now. Personally, I consider them as episodes in the life of the protagonist.
If I say I love Daem's writings, it will be an understatement. This story has violence but it is not graphic. You won't feel uncomfortable while reading. Such is the power of expression. It is very easy to go bersek in descriptions, however, the author has ensured that descriptions are apt and express what they ought to in every scene. There is a freshness in narration. It definitely is a continuation of book one but at the same time it has its own flavour. The imageries that this story creates goes with the flow of narration. There are no jerks, no breaks. It is like one continuos piece of written music. The language is simple anx this story can appeal to any sensibilities whatsoever.
Rivka is amazing as a Dragon. Hats off to the author for etching a strong woman as the central character. This fiesty lady is one woman every parent would want their daughter to grow up to be. The other characters are supportkng cast and their attributes and role are well etched too.
To sum up, this is definitely a must-read series. Whether you read them in isolation, in sequence or random order, the storylines have the power to keep you hooked on till the end. If you have read even one, you will feel like reading the other immediately. This story in book two is excellently amazing like the first part.
P.S - An amazing evolution of the least favourite chikd. Loved the story. Daems you are an awesome writer. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
Thank you Kim from SBPRA for introducing me to an amazing series. This review is my honest opinion after reading.
The plot continues to revolve around the least favourite child turned Dragon Black Guard Rivka. And just like this title, the story has evolved. Some critics say it is more of a melange of stories now. Personally, I consider them as episodes in the life of the protagonist.
If I say I love Daem's writings, it will be an understatement. This story has violence but it is not graphic. You won't feel uncomfortable while reading. Such is the power of expression. It is very easy to go bersek in descriptions, however, the author has ensured that descriptions are apt and express what they ought to in every scene. There is a freshness in narration. It definitely is a continuation of book one but at the same time it has its own flavour. The imageries that this story creates goes with the flow of narration. There are no jerks, no breaks. It is like one continuos piece of written music. The language is simple anx this story can appeal to any sensibilities whatsoever.
Rivka is amazing as a Dragon. Hats off to the author for etching a strong woman as the central character. This fiesty lady is one woman every parent would want their daughter to grow up to be. The other characters are supportkng cast and their attributes and role are well etched too.
To sum up, this is definitely a must-read series. Whether you read them in isolation, in sequence or random order, the storylines have the power to keep you hooked on till the end. If you have read even one, you will feel like reading the other immediately. This story in book two is excellently amazing like the first part.
P.S - An amazing evolution of the least favourite chikd. Loved the story. Daems you are an awesome writer. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
Thank you Kim from SBPRA for introducing me to an amazing series. This review is my honest opinion after reading.
May 14, 2020
An good second installment
This was not what I was expecting in a second installment. The action was just as good as the first. The situations and the solutions were also well thought out. It follows the same format of the first book, with lots of little actions over time and character development continues in C.R. Daems usual fashion. What threw me was the fact that the main character is heading towards a Buddhist pathway. There is nothing wrong with this and in fact the explanations and justifications behind it are well thought out and it does not seemed forced or unnatural. I actually really enjoyed it and couldn't help but think that the Black Guard are very much becoming the Shaolin Monks of this science fiction series. Actually this would be a very cool way in which the Guard to evolve. Can't wait for book 3
This was not what I was expecting in a second installment. The action was just as good as the first. The situations and the solutions were also well thought out. It follows the same format of the first book, with lots of little actions over time and character development continues in C.R. Daems usual fashion. What threw me was the fact that the main character is heading towards a Buddhist pathway. There is nothing wrong with this and in fact the explanations and justifications behind it are well thought out and it does not seemed forced or unnatural. I actually really enjoyed it and couldn't help but think that the Black Guard are very much becoming the Shaolin Monks of this science fiction series. Actually this would be a very cool way in which the Guard to evolve. Can't wait for book 3
July 1, 2021
Tis review is in two parts: plots, and, writing.
This is, really, a collection of short stories.
The overall contect, and some characters provide continuity. The plots and situations in these stories are, for the most part, quite ingenious and interesting. Easily worth a 3.5 ...or...a 4.
The writing, character development, and personal insights are both rubbish and repetitive. Some of the minor scenes are copied, almost exactly, from story to story. Much of the language used is, boringly, repetitive.
Someone should count the huge number of instances of the use of the word: “family”.
Most of the characters are cardboard cutouts, little to no descriptions or insights into who they are or what they feel.
The author needs a writing partner, desperately! Writing gets a score of 1. A shame, as, these stories have great potential.
This is, really, a collection of short stories.
The overall contect, and some characters provide continuity. The plots and situations in these stories are, for the most part, quite ingenious and interesting. Easily worth a 3.5 ...or...a 4.
The writing, character development, and personal insights are both rubbish and repetitive. Some of the minor scenes are copied, almost exactly, from story to story. Much of the language used is, boringly, repetitive.
Someone should count the huge number of instances of the use of the word: “family”.
Most of the characters are cardboard cutouts, little to no descriptions or insights into who they are or what they feel.
The author needs a writing partner, desperately! Writing gets a score of 1. A shame, as, these stories have great potential.
December 11, 2019
Much like book one; a series of connected short stories in the life of Dragon Sapir. I particularly like the nascent exploration of Buddhism as applied to the military mindset. I hope it continues.
The narrative seems rushed and choppy at times - as if the author couldn't wait to expel the flood of ideas. As a result, some motivations must be deduced and some interesting characters are only depicted in broad strokes.
I could read these stories all day, but it falls short of demanding to be read.
The narrative seems rushed and choppy at times - as if the author couldn't wait to expel the flood of ideas. As a result, some motivations must be deduced and some interesting characters are only depicted in broad strokes.
I could read these stories all day, but it falls short of demanding to be read.
October 22, 2019
Excellent
An excellent new series from an exciting author and one that I'm planning to follow from now on. I'm glad I "discovered" this books at last but they will definitely go on my list.
An excellent new series from an exciting author and one that I'm planning to follow from now on. I'm glad I "discovered" this books at last but they will definitely go on my list.
April 16, 2020
Excellent Reading
I very much enjoyed this book. The story and characters were interesting. My only concern is that at the conclusion of the book it indicated a book 3. That was 5 years ago but I haven't seen any such book (Black Mamba). I keep hoping it will be written soon.
I very much enjoyed this book. The story and characters were interesting. My only concern is that at the conclusion of the book it indicated a book 3. That was 5 years ago but I haven't seen any such book (Black Mamba). I keep hoping it will be written soon.
June 25, 2019
Wonderful!
These books are such fun and totally engaging! I’ve read other Daems books and don’t know why it took me so long to read this one.
These books are such fun and totally engaging! I’ve read other Daems books and don’t know why it took me so long to read this one.
June 12, 2025
Can't wait for more
October 7, 2021
Already through book three, see book three for complete review.
October 3, 2023
Excellent. Very good story.
December 22, 2024
Unexpected series
I absolutely love this author, I came across these books by accident, and I'm so glad I did. The female leads are amazing. Strong, intelligent and fierce. Brilliant combo. The writing is fascinating. I will continue this series and start on this authors other books.
I absolutely love this author, I came across these books by accident, and I'm so glad I did. The female leads are amazing. Strong, intelligent and fierce. Brilliant combo. The writing is fascinating. I will continue this series and start on this authors other books.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews