What do you think?
Rate this book
Gunslinger Trilogy #1
Gunslinger to the Stars
Not long from now, in our own Milky Way…
The name's Sam Kletchka. Perhaps you've heard of captain of the Star Runner, military contractor for Earthfleet, and interstellar privateer. But before all that, I was a hired gun, freelancing across the galaxy one gunslinging job at a time.
This, my friends, is how I went from being stranded in the armpit of the galaxy to becoming the luckiest human being in the universe. Not that it was easy, of course. I've looked death in the face so often, he's practically an old buddy of mine. But when all your worst enemies are immortal, that's a buddy you want on your side.
Stay frosty, my friends. You never know what you'll find at the next star.
The name's Sam Kletchka. Perhaps you've heard of captain of the Star Runner, military contractor for Earthfleet, and interstellar privateer. But before all that, I was a hired gun, freelancing across the galaxy one gunslinging job at a time.
This, my friends, is how I went from being stranded in the armpit of the galaxy to becoming the luckiest human being in the universe. Not that it was easy, of course. I've looked death in the face so often, he's practically an old buddy of mine. But when all your worst enemies are immortal, that's a buddy you want on your side.
Stay frosty, my friends. You never know what you'll find at the next star.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2017
184 people are currently reading
168 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 12, 2020
Entertaining light adventure
Very reminiscent of 1960's space opera. Add SOLDIER OF FORTUNE magazine and a dash of MAD MAX and you have a very palatable goulash. Just as with the space opera and sci-fi magazines of the 60's, the whole thing is done without cursing or foul language. At one point in the midst of a battle there is this passage, “Oh my heck!” Jane said over the headset. “Sam, are you all right?”
Some names, places and plot elements will be at least a little familiar to some readers. Not direct copies but sort of familiar at the edge of memory. Such as a heroine named Jane Carter. How can you read that name and not think of Edgar Rice Burroughs? Or references to people being in uncanny valley which could mean different things. But if you have not read THE UNCANNY VALLEY by Gregory Miller, I do recommend it.
This one has adventure, derring do, romance, humor, and, of course, aliens including some who are really ugly (by human standards), unfriendly (by most standards) and dangerous (by all standards).
SOLDIER OF FORTUNE meets1960's space opera meets MAD MAX
Very reminiscent of 1960's space opera. Add SOLDIER OF FORTUNE magazine and a dash of MAD MAX and you have a very palatable goulash. Just as with the space opera and sci-fi magazines of the 60's, the whole thing is done without cursing or foul language. At one point in the midst of a battle there is this passage, “Oh my heck!” Jane said over the headset. “Sam, are you all right?”
Some names, places and plot elements will be at least a little familiar to some readers. Not direct copies but sort of familiar at the edge of memory. Such as a heroine named Jane Carter. How can you read that name and not think of Edgar Rice Burroughs? Or references to people being in uncanny valley which could mean different things. But if you have not read THE UNCANNY VALLEY by Gregory Miller, I do recommend it.
This one has adventure, derring do, romance, humor, and, of course, aliens including some who are really ugly (by human standards), unfriendly (by most standards) and dangerous (by all standards).
SOLDIER OF FORTUNE meets1960's space opera meets MAD MAX
December 9, 2018
Very good start. Now I will want to find more of this series. It will be interesting to see what an Immortal is like. With a telepathy in the works it will be funny too. I think it will be a very interesting series. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
April 28, 2024
His name is Sam Kletchka, and he is the owner of the Star Runner. He is also a gunslinger, broke, and now stranded in the armpit of the galaxy, the Gorinal Star Cluster, because the jump gate went dead. It died, stopped working, it just shut down, cutting one ship in half. So he is stuck in this solar system with its only habitable planet, which is a vast desert. It’s a good thing the only spaceport on the planet is at the pole, where they actually have some weather. Every place he has been where there is a spaceport, there is a seedy bar close by, and he was going to have a drink. And just his luck. If he didn’t have bad luck, he wouldn’t have any. The only other human in this part of the galaxy was sitting at the bar. Her name is Jane Carter, and last he knew of her, she had been captured by slavers. He and his boss were supposed to escort a bunch of Setarni, but when the slavers showed up, he cut a deal to save his hide. Long story short, that is how he became the captain and owner of the Star Runner and why she is so mad at him.
The first book in this series is actually a prequel to this series, which is also a short story. You really don’t need the prequel to understand where this story starts. The physical world-building is not enough to even get your imagination primed to fill in the blanks in some spots, while in others, it fills in most of the blanks for you. The ethereal world-building has a twist to it because of the empaths the MCs associate with. The character’s interaction, on one hand, is a little hard to believe, but then the FMC is young and not as jaded as someone like me. The character’s history is part of the story and in more detail in the prequel.
This tale has more than just science fiction and action and adventure. It has betrayal hidden agendas, all hidden in a twist. I give this tale five stars out of five stars.
The first book in this series is actually a prequel to this series, which is also a short story. You really don’t need the prequel to understand where this story starts. The physical world-building is not enough to even get your imagination primed to fill in the blanks in some spots, while in others, it fills in most of the blanks for you. The ethereal world-building has a twist to it because of the empaths the MCs associate with. The character’s interaction, on one hand, is a little hard to believe, but then the FMC is young and not as jaded as someone like me. The character’s history is part of the story and in more detail in the prequel.
This tale has more than just science fiction and action and adventure. It has betrayal hidden agendas, all hidden in a twist. I give this tale five stars out of five stars.
March 28, 2022
Starts off well with a promising protagonist, imaginative alien races, and interesting situations. Then Sam, the Gunslinger, starts doing jobs (murderous attacks) with no idea of what the plan is or why his new boss wants him to attack. Further, they go places where escape would have clearly been impossible, but guess what? Sam gets out alive with little or no injury. This story requires a suspension of disbelief of which I’m not capable.
September 11, 2023
Fun space opera at its best.
Nonstop crazy action from start to finish with aliens of innumerable sorts some pretty normal with others of the what the hell is that variety. Filled with plots and counter-plots lots of gunfights humour by the bucket full and of course, the obligatory romance, climb aboard for this crazy rollercoaster ride in a galaxy no too far away. A great read, Baz.
Nonstop crazy action from start to finish with aliens of innumerable sorts some pretty normal with others of the what the hell is that variety. Filled with plots and counter-plots lots of gunfights humour by the bucket full and of course, the obligatory romance, climb aboard for this crazy rollercoaster ride in a galaxy no too far away. A great read, Baz.
April 5, 2024
Dirty Deeds🐺💪🗡🔫💥 Done Dirt Cheap.
Space Opera🚀💫 Mercenary Gun for Hire🐺💪🗡🔫💥 Adventure .
Plenty of weird aliens👽 , empaths, telepaths, shape shifters, immortals, jump gates and teleporting fill the pages of this fun space adventure.
I got this e-book from Amazon📚 for 99¢.
The next book is $2.99. So won't be reading any more of this series unless it is moved to KU or the price is reduced to 99¢.
Space Opera🚀💫 Mercenary Gun for Hire🐺💪🗡🔫💥 Adventure .
Plenty of weird aliens👽 , empaths, telepaths, shape shifters, immortals, jump gates and teleporting fill the pages of this fun space adventure.
I got this e-book from Amazon📚 for 99¢.
The next book is $2.99. So won't be reading any more of this series unless it is moved to KU or the price is reduced to 99¢.
May 24, 2024
Fast paced & fun
Whilst I find the author's stance on bearing arms ridiculous on this world, the protaganist's reality in this cracking, fast paced, rollicking mini space opera definitely warrants the brilliantly named arsenal our gunslinger possesses.
The world building is imaginative, despite being quite referential, with the references well utilised.
If you like westerns & sci-fi with the merest sniff of romance, this book's for you.
Whilst I find the author's stance on bearing arms ridiculous on this world, the protaganist's reality in this cracking, fast paced, rollicking mini space opera definitely warrants the brilliantly named arsenal our gunslinger possesses.
The world building is imaginative, despite being quite referential, with the references well utilised.
If you like westerns & sci-fi with the merest sniff of romance, this book's for you.
February 9, 2025
Entertaining pulp. But it has a couple of flaws. First being the random rants about morality and politics from the main character. As if the author is trying to explain the character's actions and justifying them. But what's worse is the constant use of modern pop culture references to describe someone or something. In a scifi novel set in the future. Truly lazy and unimaginative writing from the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2019
This was a short fun story with lots of action. While not particularly deep, the characters and story did hold my interest.
If you would enjoy a Star Wars like campy story, then this one is for you.
If you would enjoy a Star Wars like campy story, then this one is for you.
November 2, 2020
Sci fi western.
Author freebie. Its not plagiarism if you steal from everyone. A gun enthusiast is travelling around the galaxy, shooting bad guys and getting a school marm type. Yee-haw.
Author freebie. Its not plagiarism if you steal from everyone. A gun enthusiast is travelling around the galaxy, shooting bad guys and getting a school marm type. Yee-haw.
February 4, 2021
Fun times!
Great story, good,characters, lots of action!
Not what I expected. Not the book I thought the silly title might be. It was really fun to read. I’m glad there is a follow on book, but I’m not paying $3.99 to find out.
Great story, good,characters, lots of action!
Not what I expected. Not the book I thought the silly title might be. It was really fun to read. I’m glad there is a follow on book, but I’m not paying $3.99 to find out.
July 15, 2021
Sam is a self imposed mercenary or gunslinger. He meets Jane another human in an outlying planet. Here he meets Mile An Immortal who has his own agenda and the adventures start Action, empaths, telepaths emotions all combine for an unforgettable read.
April 8, 2024
It's an OK read.
I like the book but I didn't like the way he went about describing things.
Using modern movies to describe a scene just seemed lazy to me.
Using all the pop culture references just didn't work for me.
I'm sure some people will really enjoy this book.
I like the book but I didn't like the way he went about describing things.
Using modern movies to describe a scene just seemed lazy to me.
Using all the pop culture references just didn't work for me.
I'm sure some people will really enjoy this book.
April 29, 2024
I really enjoyed the story and action in this book. We have a couple of earthlings trying to survive and possibly help Earth at the same time. Sam has some interesting weapons which he has named. The larger conspiracy caught me by complete surprise. Cannot wait for the next book in the series.
September 26, 2025
Not bad as a series start.
I liked this first book in the Gunslinger Trilogy; especially the characters and their interactions. Not a bad short read; and next book in the series will be as likeable.
I liked this first book in the Gunslinger Trilogy; especially the characters and their interactions. Not a bad short read; and next book in the series will be as likeable.
November 1, 2020
Unmitigated fun
Light-hearted science fiction that's easy to read and easier to enjoy. Interstellar swashbuckling with just the right amount of humor
Light-hearted science fiction that's easy to read and easier to enjoy. Interstellar swashbuckling with just the right amount of humor
November 7, 2020
Fun, fast-paced and fantastic!
Aliens and a bad boy hero provide plenty of action and his love story is woven in seamlessly. Sam and Jane make a great team!
Aliens and a bad boy hero provide plenty of action and his love story is woven in seamlessly. Sam and Jane make a great team!
October 24, 2022
An entertaining space romp.
April 7, 2024
This is a swashbuckling type of adventure. Not really my cup of tea but it was fun on a certain level.
April 8, 2024
Gun Head
This guy has more guns than machine gun Charlie. Interesting characters human and alien. They say immortals can’t die. They haven’t met my man Sam. Good read. Big D
This guy has more guns than machine gun Charlie. Interesting characters human and alien. They say immortals can’t die. They haven’t met my man Sam. Good read. Big D
April 12, 2024
loved it
I thought this was a great story and I really liked the characters. I thought it was very original and kept me interested throughout the whole story. No dull moments.
I thought this was a great story and I really liked the characters. I thought it was very original and kept me interested throughout the whole story. No dull moments.
April 15, 2024
dnf (ch 6/18). I didn't like the main character and then he encouraged an alien to transform into a sexier woman like "Ivanka Trump in her prime." Anything Trump means I'm done with the book
April 30, 2024
fast, fun and entertaining ride
June 30, 2024
solid, not spectacular
This was a very solid read. Somewhat simplistic, but enjoyable enough. There are some good elements here that could be used to improve the story
This was a very solid read. Somewhat simplistic, but enjoyable enough. There are some good elements here that could be used to improve the story
May 25, 2020
Light read with lot of action and interesting characters. Perfect for quick summer read!
July 1, 2024
Ok, do not read this if your looking for a serious, hard core science fiction story. It is not. But it is a fun space drama
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews