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Refusing Excalibur
The First Civilization collapsed without cause and without warning a thousand years ago, leaving behind a galaxy at war as would-be galactic empires attempt to rebuild the First Civilization in their own image.
Victor Selan fought one of those empires and lost. Abandoned after the defeat of his homeworld, Victor is rescued by the Old Man, an enigmatic figure in possession of a fully operational First Civilization starship.
A starship that the Old Man wants Victor to command. All he has to do in return is agree to reunify the Galaxy.
Victor Selan fought one of those empires and lost. Abandoned after the defeat of his homeworld, Victor is rescued by the Old Man, an enigmatic figure in possession of a fully operational First Civilization starship.
A starship that the Old Man wants Victor to command. All he has to do in return is agree to reunify the Galaxy.
- GenresScience FictionAmazon
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2016
85 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Zachary Jones
4 books32 followersMy life story is quite dull and not worth writing about. I'm just a guy who wants to make a living writing novels I like to read.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 17, 2016
Due to the price of ebooks and the fact that they leave very little imprint (i.e. Don't take up valuable and limited space) I tend to be a little more open to authors and books than I normally would be. Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised; sometimes not.
This book falls right in the middle. It wasn't a bad book but it tried to do too much and much of what that was was derivative.
Perhaps the thing that annoyed me most was that characters who perform absolutely evil actions in the book are then expected to deserve our sympathy - and the author pulls this not once but twice.
This book falls right in the middle. It wasn't a bad book but it tried to do too much and much of what that was was derivative.
Perhaps the thing that annoyed me most was that characters who perform absolutely evil actions in the book are then expected to deserve our sympathy - and the author pulls this not once but twice.
May 21, 2016
Just finished the book and loved it I just couldn't put it down. From start to finish it was action packed.
July 15, 2017
So-So Story Undercut By Lifeless, Limp, Amateurish Writing
"Refusing Excalibur," authored by Mr. Zachary Jones, has a so-so story, that is severely undercut by the lifeless, limp, amateurish writing. The end result is a plodding, uninspired snoozer of a read.
Far into the future, humanity is spread among hundreds of worlds, originally settled by humans of the First Civilization. That "golden age" of humanity collapsed millennia in the past, with the accompanying peace, high technology, all lost. Wars, conflict, genocide, are the ever increasing tide among the spacefaring worlds. One conflict finds a ruthless empire engaged in a decade-long war with a democratic republic, which culminates in the destruction of republic world, the genocide of its population. One survivor, a starship captain, Victor, is forced to watch by the emperor, his family, his world, scorched from existence. Victor is left in orbit in a survival pod, as a reminder to those who refuse the emperor, of the consequences. The lone survivor awakens on a highly advanced ship, is offered its captaincy by a hologram, in order to save the galaxy, refuses, and awakens again on a free planet, with a full wallet. It moves on, into abrupt time shifts, mercenary work, making money, sword fights, and "explanations" of the hologram and its ship.
The author makes the MC, Victor, a lame, unsympathetic, and in general, lifeless protagonist. It's not because he is burnt out by his grief, emotionally overwrought by the loss of his child, wife, family, planet. Nor is Victor in an icy cold rage, bent on revenge. No, the author makes him a cardboard figure, flotsam that aimlessly meanders through the story. Character after character "smirks," without respite. The "old man" hologram, present at the story beginning, disappears, only to return near the end, to establish a cliffhanger conclusion. Mr. Jones, uses the "f-word" relentlessly with one character, apparently in a vain attempt to show the character's coarseness, and his own edginess. It is so pervasive, so unending, that it is indicative of a juvenile amateurism writing style. The nymphomaniac lesbian princess, bedding every female she runs across, is also another example of the adolescent teenager level of writing. It has nothing to do with story development, or character depth; it's all about trying to be "hip." Doesn't work.
The listed proofreader does a mediocre job. Why the weird font change for italicizations is annoying. The listed editor is incompetent, and this reviewer hopes for the author's sake, the abysmal "work," was pro bono. The overall sense of the book is a poor man's mishmash of "Arthurian, Camelot" legend themes, sliced together with the "Andromeda" tv show from years ago.
The book is not recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
"Refusing Excalibur," authored by Mr. Zachary Jones, has a so-so story, that is severely undercut by the lifeless, limp, amateurish writing. The end result is a plodding, uninspired snoozer of a read.
Far into the future, humanity is spread among hundreds of worlds, originally settled by humans of the First Civilization. That "golden age" of humanity collapsed millennia in the past, with the accompanying peace, high technology, all lost. Wars, conflict, genocide, are the ever increasing tide among the spacefaring worlds. One conflict finds a ruthless empire engaged in a decade-long war with a democratic republic, which culminates in the destruction of republic world, the genocide of its population. One survivor, a starship captain, Victor, is forced to watch by the emperor, his family, his world, scorched from existence. Victor is left in orbit in a survival pod, as a reminder to those who refuse the emperor, of the consequences. The lone survivor awakens on a highly advanced ship, is offered its captaincy by a hologram, in order to save the galaxy, refuses, and awakens again on a free planet, with a full wallet. It moves on, into abrupt time shifts, mercenary work, making money, sword fights, and "explanations" of the hologram and its ship.
The author makes the MC, Victor, a lame, unsympathetic, and in general, lifeless protagonist. It's not because he is burnt out by his grief, emotionally overwrought by the loss of his child, wife, family, planet. Nor is Victor in an icy cold rage, bent on revenge. No, the author makes him a cardboard figure, flotsam that aimlessly meanders through the story. Character after character "smirks," without respite. The "old man" hologram, present at the story beginning, disappears, only to return near the end, to establish a cliffhanger conclusion. Mr. Jones, uses the "f-word" relentlessly with one character, apparently in a vain attempt to show the character's coarseness, and his own edginess. It is so pervasive, so unending, that it is indicative of a juvenile amateurism writing style. The nymphomaniac lesbian princess, bedding every female she runs across, is also another example of the adolescent teenager level of writing. It has nothing to do with story development, or character depth; it's all about trying to be "hip." Doesn't work.
The listed proofreader does a mediocre job. Why the weird font change for italicizations is annoying. The listed editor is incompetent, and this reviewer hopes for the author's sake, the abysmal "work," was pro bono. The overall sense of the book is a poor man's mishmash of "Arthurian, Camelot" legend themes, sliced together with the "Andromeda" tv show from years ago.
The book is not recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
February 11, 2017
I really liked the book. It has a great story line and lots of action and twists and turns. I would have given the book a rating of five (5) if it had not been for a couple things. First there were a couple times when the story just shifted 2 or 3 years ahead and no explanation of what happened in between. A chapter would end and then pick up 2 or 3 years later. The story was about the main character, Victor, also called Capt Blackhand, and finally the Guardian, who was after revenge after seeing his home planet with his wife and kid on it destroyed. He sought revenge against the man who did it. In the end he became the savior of the universe by stopping wars.
The other thing that took away from the story for me was the graphic gore and gruesome killings in some parts of the story. The main character, Victor, even had a hand chopped off. But there were other battles where people's heads and arms was cut off.
The science fiction in the book was OK. I assumed after a while that the "jump points" were actually worm holes but the writer never said such. Space ships were continually in the story moving to jump points and emerging in a different galaxy or star system. The writer did not try to explain the mechanics of the "jumps".
Read the book, you'll enjoy it.
The other thing that took away from the story for me was the graphic gore and gruesome killings in some parts of the story. The main character, Victor, even had a hand chopped off. But there were other battles where people's heads and arms was cut off.
The science fiction in the book was OK. I assumed after a while that the "jump points" were actually worm holes but the writer never said such. Space ships were continually in the story moving to jump points and emerging in a different galaxy or star system. The writer did not try to explain the mechanics of the "jumps".
Read the book, you'll enjoy it.
February 10, 2020
Brutal in parts and repentant in the end
The story starts off with a man a man that's bitter angry over the great loss he had. The man becomes a mercenary and builds a great reputation. But in the end the reputation the money he earned the bitterness was not worth it. Read the book my recommended. I think it's going to help you see he have Syfy has a different form of emotion.
The story starts off with a man a man that's bitter angry over the great loss he had. The man becomes a mercenary and builds a great reputation. But in the end the reputation the money he earned the bitterness was not worth it. Read the book my recommended. I think it's going to help you see he have Syfy has a different form of emotion.
August 14, 2020
Not Yet Committed
The storyline has its moments when it draws me in and when it turns me aside. I was intrigued by the “lost tech” theme in the preview and description, but that actually turns out to be a smaller part than anticipated. Decent character development and supporting cast, and acceptable storytelling.
The storyline has its moments when it draws me in and when it turns me aside. I was intrigued by the “lost tech” theme in the preview and description, but that actually turns out to be a smaller part than anticipated. Decent character development and supporting cast, and acceptable storytelling.
February 26, 2021
More fantasy than sci-fi.
This was a fast moving story and could have easily been a series. It took our hero into many tight situations which he readily got out of with the help of futuristic technology and the imagination of the author. I would recommend this book to anyone who has some time to wile away and can easily accept it as entertainment, not serious sci-fi.
This was a fast moving story and could have easily been a series. It took our hero into many tight situations which he readily got out of with the help of futuristic technology and the imagination of the author. I would recommend this book to anyone who has some time to wile away and can easily accept it as entertainment, not serious sci-fi.
July 30, 2017
Fast read with very little slow parts.
Felt sort of like a good scifi action flick; not to deep and characters only partially fleshed out. However, it was definitely entertaining
Felt sort of like a good scifi action flick; not to deep and characters only partially fleshed out. However, it was definitely entertaining
March 26, 2018
Solid storytelling, avoiding sci fi cliches
While this could be the start of a series — it stands on its own two feet narratively. The variblade is an interesting idea, one of several that makes this story stand out.
While this could be the start of a series — it stands on its own two feet narratively. The variblade is an interesting idea, one of several that makes this story stand out.
April 2, 2019
He'll get you in the end
At first I thought that this would be an Arthurian Legend retelling - its not. While the book is long :) the plot moves along and Victor grows along with it.
At first I thought that this would be an Arthurian Legend retelling - its not. While the book is long :) the plot moves along and Victor grows along with it.
May 1, 2020
What a delight!
I don't know if the author plans to write sequels or leave this as a standalone story. But either way, this was a really fun read. The characters are well developed and the story is well paced.
I don't know if the author plans to write sequels or leave this as a standalone story. But either way, this was a really fun read. The characters are well developed and the story is well paced.
May 4, 2020
A GREAT READ
GREAT Read. Action, adventure, mystery, battles in space and exciting ground combat. An interesting crew, and a significant mission of reuniting a long fallen civilization.
GREAT Read. Action, adventure, mystery, battles in space and exciting ground combat. An interesting crew, and a significant mission of reuniting a long fallen civilization.
April 24, 2021
Not quite the expected story... but very good
Great likeable characters, and also nice to read character evolution as good become bad, and bad become well dead basically. Getting to like this authors style.
Great likeable characters, and also nice to read character evolution as good become bad, and bad become well dead basically. Getting to like this authors style.
January 13, 2017
Excellent read!
Very good start with an even better end. Any serious scfi reader will enjoy. Highly recommend as this is a "can't put it down" book.
Very good start with an even better end. Any serious scfi reader will enjoy. Highly recommend as this is a "can't put it down" book.
July 8, 2017
A well-written piece of space opera. Looking forward to more from this author.
August 3, 2017
A First Class Science Fiction Saga
A very interesting tale, well told with lots of action and adventure. The characters are fully developed and make for a well cast story.
A very interesting tale, well told with lots of action and adventure. The characters are fully developed and make for a well cast story.
September 8, 2017
A very good book
I enjoyed the action and the story. I look forward to the other books to follow. The guardian is a flawed but heroic person. I liked him.
I enjoyed the action and the story. I look forward to the other books to follow. The guardian is a flawed but heroic person. I liked him.
December 30, 2017
Hope is a four-letter word
A stunning exploration of forgiveness in space. It brings together characters who grow and develop through pain and many trials. A most enjoyable read.
A stunning exploration of forgiveness in space. It brings together characters who grow and develop through pain and many trials. A most enjoyable read.
June 3, 2018
Gripping
Well written action pack book,story of lost,gain,challenging the status quo to change and unite humanity,hope. Looking forward to more in the series.
Well written action pack book,story of lost,gain,challenging the status quo to change and unite humanity,hope. Looking forward to more in the series.
October 20, 2018
4 stars. Good book with interesting characters and story-line. Will likely read a sequel if written
April 20, 2019
Well written fun story.
September 27, 2019
Enjoyed the storyline and Zacharys style of writing. Plan to read it again in a year or two!
Looking forward to his next book - if there is another!
Looking forward to his next book - if there is another!
April 17, 2020
Great military sci-fi
A great sci-fi military story. I will likely read more of these. Good action. The hero doesn’t always win, but he wins in the end. Good mixture of characters.
A great sci-fi military story. I will likely read more of these. Good action. The hero doesn’t always win, but he wins in the end. Good mixture of characters.
October 2, 2020
Give Me Moar!
I’d love to see a follow-up to this book! Zach Jones is one of my favorite authors and this book simply confirms it for me. Eagerly awaiting more of this story.
I’d love to see a follow-up to this book! Zach Jones is one of my favorite authors and this book simply confirms it for me. Eagerly awaiting more of this story.
February 15, 2017
I didn't know what to expect; the title is just a little bit misleading. But, I am a long-time fan of anything related to the King Arthur stories, so Excalibur caught my attention. And, though not a King Arthur story in the slightest, from the very beginning of this space adventure, the story easily drove my desire to continue turning the pages. Beginning to end, I was never bored. A most worthy read!
October 10, 2016
Similar to the premise of Battlestar Galactica, Earth is the lost world of origin of the entire human species throughout the galaxy. Once an advanced culture colonizing space and booming with amazing technology, Earth is now lost to space and time. But the other humans remember the stories, and artifacts of the so-called "First Civilization" circulate among the upper-class families. In this time, a thousand years after the jump gate to Earth has closed, the ruling family of one planet sees its duty to reunite humankind and declares war on those who don't concede. Yet another man loses his entire planet to war and shifts about the worlds seeking vengeance.
Our protagonist, Victor, is the product of a world at war with an enemy for decades, an officer in the space-faring navy who took the lives of his enemies for the good of his own people. Quite possibly the only survivor of his planet, he turns to a life of mercenary work, killing for money and seeking out the opportunity to exact revenge upon the man who ordered genocide. Throughout the story, his PTSD wrestles with his desire to change the galaxy.
Excalibur is a First Civilization relic, a ship of profound technological ability with an AI guardian known only as "the old man." The AI seeks out someone to fly this beacon of strength with intentions of ending the lethal division of the human-inhabited planets by reuniting all humankind under a common power.
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Our protagonist, Victor, is the product of a world at war with an enemy for decades, an officer in the space-faring navy who took the lives of his enemies for the good of his own people. Quite possibly the only survivor of his planet, he turns to a life of mercenary work, killing for money and seeking out the opportunity to exact revenge upon the man who ordered genocide. Throughout the story, his PTSD wrestles with his desire to change the galaxy.
Excalibur is a First Civilization relic, a ship of profound technological ability with an AI guardian known only as "the old man." The AI seeks out someone to fly this beacon of strength with intentions of ending the lethal division of the human-inhabited planets by reuniting all humankind under a common power.
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2016
A very good read
Excellent story line, well developed. As has been mentioned the use of the word smirked is over used and actually inappropriately used at times. Funny but I have seen this in 2 other books I have read recently. Zachary Jones has a lot of potential. I look forward to more from him.
Excellent story line, well developed. As has been mentioned the use of the word smirked is over used and actually inappropriately used at times. Funny but I have seen this in 2 other books I have read recently. Zachary Jones has a lot of potential. I look forward to more from him.
January 16, 2017
Not what I Thought...
Confusing title. It throws you off, takes you someplace you won't expect. But you won't be disappointed in where it does take you. I hope this is just the first in a series. Because Zachary Jones tells a good story. I hope to see more of his writing soon.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
Confusing title. It throws you off, takes you someplace you won't expect. But you won't be disappointed in where it does take you. I hope this is just the first in a series. Because Zachary Jones tells a good story. I hope to see more of his writing soon.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
June 26, 2016
An Author to keep an eye on.
Refreshing Military SciFi, interesting characters and an excellent story line that was surprising in its depth and substance. The twists and turns kept me glued to the book all day.
Refreshing Military SciFi, interesting characters and an excellent story line that was surprising in its depth and substance. The twists and turns kept me glued to the book all day.
July 26, 2016
Goodwood book exciting read
The story line was good. The fact the plot was not obvious from the start was worth it. This book is suited for all, we'll worth the time to write a review and say bug this book this author knows how to write.
The story line was good. The fact the plot was not obvious from the start was worth it. This book is suited for all, we'll worth the time to write a review and say bug this book this author knows how to write.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews