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Stars in Shadow #1
Nepenthe Rising
The most lethal pirate crew in the galaxy just met their match.In the far future, two major factions are locked in a galactic cold war. As tensions mount between the technocratic Union and the genome-harnessing Concordance, both sides anxiously watch for a chance to conquer the other.The Nepenthe is a pirate vessel, loyal to neither. Led by the enigmatic Captain Dangard, her rough and ready crew includes the cat-like alien Commander Creull, Zeno the immortal synthetic, the dashing Garrett Strand, and Duncan Hauk, a promising young recruit. Hired by a cryptic employer, the crew waylays a transport ship carrying a mysterious passenger. In due time, this incident sparks the beginnings of an interstellar conflict that could threaten the state of known space.The first of an epic new sci-fi series, Nepenthe Rising delivers what today's fans detailed world-building, thrilling action, and mind-blowing adventure on a grand scale.
- GenresScience Fiction
458 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 10, 2018
I received an free advanced copy of this book from the author and this review is entirely voluntary.
While it's easy to see Whedon's influence, John Triptych delivers a well written and entertaining story in Nepenthe Rising. The depth of his characters and world make this an intriguing view on what the future may hold. His attention to detail and effort to keep the future tech realistic will satisfy even the most exacting science fiction fans.
Well worth reading, and I'm looking forward to the next book.
While it's easy to see Whedon's influence, John Triptych delivers a well written and entertaining story in Nepenthe Rising. The depth of his characters and world make this an intriguing view on what the future may hold. His attention to detail and effort to keep the future tech realistic will satisfy even the most exacting science fiction fans.
Well worth reading, and I'm looking forward to the next book.
Read
May 17, 2026Rating: minus 1 on a scale of minus 15 to plus 5.
This made possible by YouTube channels - Doctor Who/Never Cruel or Cowardly, Heather Cox Richardson, Imperial War Museums, AllShortsPolitics, Alex Fleev, Aid Thompsin, Supertanskiii, Nicole Chilaka-Ukpo, Kyiv Post, Squire, Jessie Gender, Viva La Dirt League, Brandon Fisichella,
aidan knight, Red Glasgow, Atun Shei Films, The Great War, Russian Media Monitor, Maggie Mae Fish, Keffals, Welcome to Ukraine, ScaredKetchup, Bitchuation Room, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, Belinda Strnad, Ember Green, Lena Down Under, New Enlightenment with Ashley, Trump Report,
The Interesting Times, Ship Happens, Sailing Melody, The Narrowboat that James Built, Whitenoiz CA, What Vivi did next, Wes O'Donnell, Econ Lessons, Jake Broe, Eileen, LuckyBlackCat, Mia Mulder, The Juice Media, The Great War, Tini Basu, NFKRZ, Eugene Documentaries,
Deerstalker Pictures, Capital Lumber Log Yard, Boat Time, May, Cruising Crafts, Scallydandling About the Books, Jess Owens, Reads with Rachel, Subha Reads, Kirkpattiecake, Petticoats and Prose, The Military Show, Prime of Midlife, MechWest Show, Tom Powell Jr,
Just in Time Worldbuilding, Tale Foundry, TimeGhost History, Riverboat Jack, Electro Swing, Real Vintage Dolls House, Princess Weekes, Jack Edwards, Cruising the Cut, Paul Warburg, NanyaCim, Silicon Curtain, Times Radio, The Burning Archive, Puddles Pity Party, Anna Cramling, Tod Maffin, Malinda,
Kozak Muzon, Vidya Mitra, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Matriarchetype, Cindy's Villa, HBomberGuy, Lily Simpson, Political CUSTARD, CBC News, Cossack and Caucasus Sword Dance, Roisin's Reading, Ro Ramdin, TheShadesofOrange, Asturia Quartet, Kathy's Flog from France, RFU News, Anka Daily News,
Some More News, Julie Nolke, JohnTheDuncan, Democratic Penguins. Republic, Kat Blacque, Spacedock, Springtime for Elon, OrangeRiver, Planet D, Dark Brandon, Grumpy Old Crone, Activist Witch, Diary of a Ditch Witch, Mercado Media, Letterkenny, Honest2Betsy, Stanzi, TallGirl6234, No Justice MTG, Turn Left.
An idiot whilst insulting an interesting essayist, complained to her that I list trans creators. It appears no cure have been discovered for the Snowflake (arrogant, self-important, poorly socialised, US baby-man). A trigger warning then.
The channels which I list include the archaeologist, tall, het, marine biologist, Indian, aviation modeller, lumber yard worker, pensioner, asexual, parent, primatologist, military historian, singer, miniatures painter, writing advisor, sociologist, miniatures set builder, bi, oils painter, sewist, socialist, Irish, botanist, intersex, physicist, WOC, news presenter, older, sword dancer, trans, physically challenged, Ukrainian, farmer, miniatures gamer, writer, queer, architect, mathematician, lesbian, Canadian, redhaired, model, psychologist, witch, military boardgamer, chess master, married and other creators known as Women.
Almost as threatening are the other LGBTQI+, logician, astrophysicist, Danish, philosopher, other BIPOC, wood worker, military analyst, reenactor, military board gamer, language historian, diorama builder, miniatures painter, Kenyan, short, neurodivergent, boater, Narrowboat trader, linguist, zoologist, chemist, ship builder, Scottish, military modeller, train modeller, game historian, modeller, paleontologist, geologist, science educator, culture critic, book reviewer, tailor, fashion historian and other creators known (outside the US) as Human Beings.
Should the voices not be stilled, seek emergency therapy and\or immediately adopt a healthy hobby (that excludes assault against women, the LGBTQI or others which is mental illness) and\or repeat several times daily "I'll not be the bell@nd today".
My feelings towards these vicious dullards remind me of the 13 Ukrainian marines defending Snake Island when Putin's navy demanded their surrender. Their response "Russian warship, go f@ck yourself ". Slava Ukraini. Slava Heroyam. Crimea is Ukraine.
Once more, unto the book. I remember liking this writer but know not why. This book gave me mixed feelings. First there are many aliens, which I enjoy reading perhaps, aliens are cool.
The core characters are not badly drawn, though their interactions and dialogue feel off. Pirates as the good guys is fine. Pirates as a family is bizarre. The characters should be able to fight alongside fellows whom they despise, just as real people do. I agree with the "When someone tries to kill you, kill them back" mindset.
The different factions of humans, aliens and AI's feel plausible. If a crew mate is behaving strangely and suddenly you are having shipwide computer problems, does no one mention it to their fellows? When crew are murdered and the ship's computer can not locate them, there are no alarms?
Pirates careful to avoid collateral damage when hijacking a ship is a nice thought but ahistorical. Ignoring not countering a potential trap because the crew voted to attempt to rescue 2 crewmembers was a stretch.
The lack of artificial gravity puzzled me. This far in the future, why not go for it. I admit that he handles the rotating wheel design for artificial gravity fairly well. I do not recall if inertia is addressed.
The general quality of Unlimited selections is so poor, I question my positive ratings. Am I pleased with the books or am I relieved that some editing seem to have occurred and no overtly racist, sexist or other problematic elements are remembered?
I watch SciFi in lieu of print for the first time. I investigated YouTube for film and TV suggestions and found the myriad other channels on accident.
I stumbled upon my first literary criticism channel after finding lifestyle, history, science and other channels. The wonderful Lindsay Ellis was that first critic.
She had been targeted by the Snowflake movement (men insecure in their sexuality, afraid to admit their fantasies or threatened by a woman with education, the ability to analyse fiction or to express a reasoned judgement regarding anything probably).
She was a presenter on a PBS literature program, who addressed the "Male Gaze" in one of her analyses. How emotionally disturbed must be the thousands of men who persecuted her for several years and attacked her colleagues and friends.
Something like a decade later, she was targeted by the cocktail activist crowd (middle class women with nary a political action or interaction involving the Poors, choosing to spend their valuable time congratulating each other on their liberal worldviews over brunch).
Her sin was criticism of the poor acting, casting, scene setting of "The Last Airbender".
Defending a badly produced movie by a brown producer defeated the Racism.
I despise the cocktail activist and the closeted Snowflake.
I rediscovered the splendid Ms Ellis on the Nebula site and she has returned to YouTube, for which many are grateful.
Have earned a YouTube visit. This next is courtesy of Doctor Who/Where I Stand, Dark Side of Russia, British Museum, Britta Bohler, 9 News Australia, Jason Jay Smart, Octopus Lady, Chem Thug, Nini Music, miniatures, 60 Minutes Australia, Unleashed -Hardigan,
Eugenia from Ukraine, Skip Intro, Wednesday, Ukraine Matters, ThePrimeChronus, CBC News, Guard the Leaf, Mynameismarines, Books and Things, The Dadvocate, Double Down News, Amodelwhosread, Jen the Librarian, Ellie Dashwood,
Ms Modeller, Dungeons and Discourse, The Ministry of Miniatures, Legendary Tactics, The Enemy From Within, Songs Sped Up, ConeOfArc, Tank Museum, TierZoo, Reads with Rachel, Lindsay Nikole, Bizarre Beasts, History with Kayleigh, Delamer, DreamLoop Cinema, Leanne Morgan,
Terrible Writing Advice, Fun Size Reader, Amie's Literary Empire, Caolan Robertson, According to Alina, Just in Time Worldbuilding, Claus Kellerman POV, Russian Media Monitor, Main Street Report, Kings and Generals, Ukraine Today, NerdForge, Miranda Mills, Sons of Liberty, Savy Writes Books, Emma Thorne, Alex Fleev.
Consider treating this site as hostile. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. As example, I wrote a short, negative six or seven sentence review of Powers of the Earth by Travis Corcoran. Originally blurbed as akin to a Heinlein classic, it is instead a poorly written rehash "Atlas Shrugged" set on the Moon.
Travis self-described as libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without millions), employee of an unnamed US agency, and advocate for the return of chattel slavery (an opinion quite popular in the US), veteran, admirer of Putin, employee of an unnamed US agency,
Advocate for the return of chattel slavery (popular US position among white Americans generally. New forced labour prisons are being built for certain federal detainees, the unhoused, including destitute van and auto residents and families with no outcry, though with the brutality lauded.
These are under control of two agencies which have not been required to account for deaths in custody or the missing thousands. The Border Patrol prides itself on their open display of torture, sexual assault of men, women and children. They and ICE seem to consider these a perk of their employment with gleeful approval of Christians.
These facilities also now are to include industrial furnaces for disposal of biologicals. No detail of these agency actions have been challenged by either major Party, media or citizens in general. The origins of the Nazi death camp are being mirrored in the US.)
He also claims US veteran status and a special fondness for Putin (another popular stance with the investor class, US governments and US working class).
Travis and six other patriots were upset by my judgement of the book. They sent a year long deluge of unhinged comments demanding my response. I found a story glorifying the overthrow of the US government with the aid of the military in order that a rich twat not pay tax to be both dangerous and unhealthy. The irony pains my communist soul.
The final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr. After referencing the contents of the last message exchange with a Goodreads friend, he proudly declared that They had "won" (?).
They and many allies had launched a tsunami of vile sexual, racist and other anti-human comments against apparently every female creator I listed and it continues still.
They failed to establish relationships with the astrophysicist, boater, writer, fashion historian or other female creators.
Despite that failure They did add to the world's overabundance of ugliness and did deliver to a multinational audience a wonderful self-portrait of the snowflake (the viciously self-important, emotionally stunted US man-child).
On balance, quite a Victory. That stream differed only in length to others until the Australian Intervention. They will never ask "Are we the baddies?". If the above behaviours are disturbing, there are BookTubers to suggest healthier, useful, true reader forums.
Another break have been earned. This next was made possible by YouTube's Doctor Who/Without Reward, Sarah C M Paine, Fiona Hill, Akino, Ana Fern, Dr Fatima, Lynn Saga, Kings and Generals, Patrick(H)Willem, Timothy Snyder, Hetty and the Jazzalato Band, Veritas et Caritas, Yarmak music,
Acollierastro, Star Talk, Horses, History of Everything, Paranormal Scholar, Smack the Pony, Amadeus Quartet, Tanya Fiona, Answer in Progress, Evie Lupine, Kyiv Independent, Military History Visualised, Books N Cats, Red Trans, Books and Things, Christina Talks, Ukraine Matters,
Think that Through, Hoots, Red Viburnam Song, British Warplanes, Patty Gurdy, Marsh Family, Kat Abughazaleh, Feral Historian, North 02, The Octopus Lady, Chem Thug, Munecat, Pinsent Tailoring, Miranda Mills,
J Draper, Karolina Zebrowska, Shannon Makes, Engineering Knits, Knitting Cult Lady, Snappy Dragon, Bernadette Banner, Gemma Dyer, Kady 2.0, Kroum Batchvarov, Central Crossing, Supertanskiii, Russian Dude, Venom Geek Media, LetterKenny.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The comment gangs are endemic to the Speculative Fiction, Romance and Romantasy spaces on Goodreads. There activities include the hacking, stalking, doxxing, threat and more.
Amazon do not acknowledge the incident, do not discipline the mental member, do not punish the writer who leads Them nor dismiss the employees who enable Them.
The Australian Intervention. My very limited message history was given over to these nutcases, which allowed Pine Gap Centre to request that Australian Security interrogate the one friend whom I messaged occasionally. The attempt at my history failed.
Only after we shared our experience, did Amazon develop concern. They offered no acknowledgement but after several years, my page format and options were suddenly restored to normal, all Lurkers I'd not been Allowed to remove were disappeared, all comments removed from other's view, periodic bricking of my Kindle seem have ended and the rest.
A BookTuber uploaded one review to Goodreads, to have it deleted and her membership threatened because of "Hate Speech". That is the standard American response to criticism of the racism, the misogyny, the ableism or other anti-human expression. According to media, those do not exist in the US.
As proof, she received her first Goodreads comment, which suggested that she "should die".
Another BookTuber challenged an obvious Amazon double billing, which resulted in the blocking of access to her cloud library and bricking of her Kindle.
A seventh EBay ex-employee who had been Chief of Global Security or something like, was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce site was deemed unkind to EBay. The couple were awarded millions of pounds.
US data corporations have developed twisted cultures which rival that of hedge funds. Things to consider.
I suggest a few precautions with regards to Amazon. Remove any personal information from profile and avoid messaging. Remove lurkers, those who never post. They are likely gang monitors or employee dummies.
Given Amazon's penchant for Alteration to customer pages, the screenshot of the odd, ugly or threatening is very useful. For Goodreads, these should suffice.
Kindle are the more dangerous. Do Not use Kindle Email, Calendar, Files or Contacts. Amazon Sign Into customer email without permission or notice. Make of that what you will.
Do Not "purchase" Amazon ebooks. You own only your device and if Kindle that is conditional. If purchased, download immediately. There are BookTubers to suggest other ebook and e-reader sources or alternatives to ebooks altogether.
All Silk searches should be innocuous and non-critical.
I recommend a scan of YouTube channels, which address US life, culture such as it is and a hopefully growing call for societal change. They are some of them frightening but all are illuminating.
I discovered that there is a US phenomenon called the Sundown Town, which has existed for many decades. Any non-white within town limits after Sundown will be tortured and killed. They continue to exist and are spreading, with "White Only" signs openly displayed. This is a uniquely "American" heritage.
US mainstream news outlets do not report on these, no provincial government have or do act against these and no federal agency have ever intervened as far as my limited search uncovered.
"Race Theory" was exported to Europe from the English colonies as early as the late 1600's and the first "scientific"thesis was written by an Enlightenment noble of the court of Frederick the Great in 1746-7 (?). The German Empire nurtured this science. See this thought in the Namibian genocide. The National Socialist Party adopted this Imperial inheritance and absorbed the entire body of US "Race Science" and "Manifest Destiny". A bastardisation of Nietzsche followed. I refer to Nazi Germany not the US, though the similarities are stunning.
This trend has not been opposed by the Democratic Party then to now. From Canada to Australia readers should expect the US disease to appear in a parliament near you. The UK seem to have already succumbed.
This is a dangerous pool of employees and members which include those who proudly claim no empathy, no recognisable morality, are driven by fear of loss of minimal status rather than striving for bettering of all. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be safe. May we all find good reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite channels.
National Centre for Military Intelligence, Timothy Snyder, Sarah C M Paine, Katy Montgomerie, Stanzi, AllShorts Politics, Raw News and Politics, Jormungandr, I'm Rosa, Heather Cox Richardson, Emma Thorne, Vlad Vexler, No Justice MTG, Tom Nicholas, Tad Stoermer, Gary's Economics, Truth to Power, Dwarkesh Patel,
Man Carrying Thing, Queen Penguin, What a Day, WokeGardener, Lilly's Life, Jay Exci, Skip Intro, Times News, Chris Norlund, Professor Tim Wilson, Sabine Hossenfelder, Dr Ben Miles, Brigitte Empire, Eugene Documentaries, Steve Shives, Jessie Gender, Springtime for Elon, Caerhl Irey, Global Updates with Sosan,
Reese Waters, Lee Francis, Leesa Katherine, Three Arrows, Evie Lupine, Leena Norms, Your True Shelf, The History Chap, kgb detected, Natasha's Adventures, Ives Toys, Isaac Arthur, Jonathan Pie, Pat Mandziy, CoachD, Ben and Emily, Bobbing Along,
C M Alongi, Business Basics, Reese Waters, Haropones, Grace McGuire, Tibees, Jabzy, The Kavernacle, Monte Mader, JimmyTheGiant, Mrs Betty Bowers, Miniminuteman, Jess of the Shire, Fredo Rockwell, Octopus Lady, Atlas Globe, Joe Blogs, The Burning Archive, Imaho Vlogs, Kozak Siromaha.
I wish you a glorious morning, a splendid afternoon, a pleasant evening, a cosy night and may we all continue learning.
Those who Look Away are Accomplices.
Project 2025
This made possible by YouTube channels - Doctor Who/Never Cruel or Cowardly, Heather Cox Richardson, Imperial War Museums, AllShortsPolitics, Alex Fleev, Aid Thompsin, Supertanskiii, Nicole Chilaka-Ukpo, Kyiv Post, Squire, Jessie Gender, Viva La Dirt League, Brandon Fisichella,
aidan knight, Red Glasgow, Atun Shei Films, The Great War, Russian Media Monitor, Maggie Mae Fish, Keffals, Welcome to Ukraine, ScaredKetchup, Bitchuation Room, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, Belinda Strnad, Ember Green, Lena Down Under, New Enlightenment with Ashley, Trump Report,
The Interesting Times, Ship Happens, Sailing Melody, The Narrowboat that James Built, Whitenoiz CA, What Vivi did next, Wes O'Donnell, Econ Lessons, Jake Broe, Eileen, LuckyBlackCat, Mia Mulder, The Juice Media, The Great War, Tini Basu, NFKRZ, Eugene Documentaries,
Deerstalker Pictures, Capital Lumber Log Yard, Boat Time, May, Cruising Crafts, Scallydandling About the Books, Jess Owens, Reads with Rachel, Subha Reads, Kirkpattiecake, Petticoats and Prose, The Military Show, Prime of Midlife, MechWest Show, Tom Powell Jr,
Just in Time Worldbuilding, Tale Foundry, TimeGhost History, Riverboat Jack, Electro Swing, Real Vintage Dolls House, Princess Weekes, Jack Edwards, Cruising the Cut, Paul Warburg, NanyaCim, Silicon Curtain, Times Radio, The Burning Archive, Puddles Pity Party, Anna Cramling, Tod Maffin, Malinda,
Kozak Muzon, Vidya Mitra, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Matriarchetype, Cindy's Villa, HBomberGuy, Lily Simpson, Political CUSTARD, CBC News, Cossack and Caucasus Sword Dance, Roisin's Reading, Ro Ramdin, TheShadesofOrange, Asturia Quartet, Kathy's Flog from France, RFU News, Anka Daily News,
Some More News, Julie Nolke, JohnTheDuncan, Democratic Penguins. Republic, Kat Blacque, Spacedock, Springtime for Elon, OrangeRiver, Planet D, Dark Brandon, Grumpy Old Crone, Activist Witch, Diary of a Ditch Witch, Mercado Media, Letterkenny, Honest2Betsy, Stanzi, TallGirl6234, No Justice MTG, Turn Left.
An idiot whilst insulting an interesting essayist, complained to her that I list trans creators. It appears no cure have been discovered for the Snowflake (arrogant, self-important, poorly socialised, US baby-man). A trigger warning then.
The channels which I list include the archaeologist, tall, het, marine biologist, Indian, aviation modeller, lumber yard worker, pensioner, asexual, parent, primatologist, military historian, singer, miniatures painter, writing advisor, sociologist, miniatures set builder, bi, oils painter, sewist, socialist, Irish, botanist, intersex, physicist, WOC, news presenter, older, sword dancer, trans, physically challenged, Ukrainian, farmer, miniatures gamer, writer, queer, architect, mathematician, lesbian, Canadian, redhaired, model, psychologist, witch, military boardgamer, chess master, married and other creators known as Women.
Almost as threatening are the other LGBTQI+, logician, astrophysicist, Danish, philosopher, other BIPOC, wood worker, military analyst, reenactor, military board gamer, language historian, diorama builder, miniatures painter, Kenyan, short, neurodivergent, boater, Narrowboat trader, linguist, zoologist, chemist, ship builder, Scottish, military modeller, train modeller, game historian, modeller, paleontologist, geologist, science educator, culture critic, book reviewer, tailor, fashion historian and other creators known (outside the US) as Human Beings.
Should the voices not be stilled, seek emergency therapy and\or immediately adopt a healthy hobby (that excludes assault against women, the LGBTQI or others which is mental illness) and\or repeat several times daily "I'll not be the bell@nd today".
My feelings towards these vicious dullards remind me of the 13 Ukrainian marines defending Snake Island when Putin's navy demanded their surrender. Their response "Russian warship, go f@ck yourself ". Slava Ukraini. Slava Heroyam. Crimea is Ukraine.
Once more, unto the book. I remember liking this writer but know not why. This book gave me mixed feelings. First there are many aliens, which I enjoy reading perhaps, aliens are cool.
The core characters are not badly drawn, though their interactions and dialogue feel off. Pirates as the good guys is fine. Pirates as a family is bizarre. The characters should be able to fight alongside fellows whom they despise, just as real people do. I agree with the "When someone tries to kill you, kill them back" mindset.
The different factions of humans, aliens and AI's feel plausible. If a crew mate is behaving strangely and suddenly you are having shipwide computer problems, does no one mention it to their fellows? When crew are murdered and the ship's computer can not locate them, there are no alarms?
Pirates careful to avoid collateral damage when hijacking a ship is a nice thought but ahistorical. Ignoring not countering a potential trap because the crew voted to attempt to rescue 2 crewmembers was a stretch.
The lack of artificial gravity puzzled me. This far in the future, why not go for it. I admit that he handles the rotating wheel design for artificial gravity fairly well. I do not recall if inertia is addressed.
The general quality of Unlimited selections is so poor, I question my positive ratings. Am I pleased with the books or am I relieved that some editing seem to have occurred and no overtly racist, sexist or other problematic elements are remembered?
I watch SciFi in lieu of print for the first time. I investigated YouTube for film and TV suggestions and found the myriad other channels on accident.
I stumbled upon my first literary criticism channel after finding lifestyle, history, science and other channels. The wonderful Lindsay Ellis was that first critic.
She had been targeted by the Snowflake movement (men insecure in their sexuality, afraid to admit their fantasies or threatened by a woman with education, the ability to analyse fiction or to express a reasoned judgement regarding anything probably).
She was a presenter on a PBS literature program, who addressed the "Male Gaze" in one of her analyses. How emotionally disturbed must be the thousands of men who persecuted her for several years and attacked her colleagues and friends.
Something like a decade later, she was targeted by the cocktail activist crowd (middle class women with nary a political action or interaction involving the Poors, choosing to spend their valuable time congratulating each other on their liberal worldviews over brunch).
Her sin was criticism of the poor acting, casting, scene setting of "The Last Airbender".
Defending a badly produced movie by a brown producer defeated the Racism.
I despise the cocktail activist and the closeted Snowflake.
I rediscovered the splendid Ms Ellis on the Nebula site and she has returned to YouTube, for which many are grateful.
Have earned a YouTube visit. This next is courtesy of Doctor Who/Where I Stand, Dark Side of Russia, British Museum, Britta Bohler, 9 News Australia, Jason Jay Smart, Octopus Lady, Chem Thug, Nini Music, miniatures, 60 Minutes Australia, Unleashed -Hardigan,
Eugenia from Ukraine, Skip Intro, Wednesday, Ukraine Matters, ThePrimeChronus, CBC News, Guard the Leaf, Mynameismarines, Books and Things, The Dadvocate, Double Down News, Amodelwhosread, Jen the Librarian, Ellie Dashwood,
Ms Modeller, Dungeons and Discourse, The Ministry of Miniatures, Legendary Tactics, The Enemy From Within, Songs Sped Up, ConeOfArc, Tank Museum, TierZoo, Reads with Rachel, Lindsay Nikole, Bizarre Beasts, History with Kayleigh, Delamer, DreamLoop Cinema, Leanne Morgan,
Terrible Writing Advice, Fun Size Reader, Amie's Literary Empire, Caolan Robertson, According to Alina, Just in Time Worldbuilding, Claus Kellerman POV, Russian Media Monitor, Main Street Report, Kings and Generals, Ukraine Today, NerdForge, Miranda Mills, Sons of Liberty, Savy Writes Books, Emma Thorne, Alex Fleev.
Consider treating this site as hostile. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. As example, I wrote a short, negative six or seven sentence review of Powers of the Earth by Travis Corcoran. Originally blurbed as akin to a Heinlein classic, it is instead a poorly written rehash "Atlas Shrugged" set on the Moon.
Travis self-described as libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without millions), employee of an unnamed US agency, and advocate for the return of chattel slavery (an opinion quite popular in the US), veteran, admirer of Putin, employee of an unnamed US agency,
Advocate for the return of chattel slavery (popular US position among white Americans generally. New forced labour prisons are being built for certain federal detainees, the unhoused, including destitute van and auto residents and families with no outcry, though with the brutality lauded.
These are under control of two agencies which have not been required to account for deaths in custody or the missing thousands. The Border Patrol prides itself on their open display of torture, sexual assault of men, women and children. They and ICE seem to consider these a perk of their employment with gleeful approval of Christians.
These facilities also now are to include industrial furnaces for disposal of biologicals. No detail of these agency actions have been challenged by either major Party, media or citizens in general. The origins of the Nazi death camp are being mirrored in the US.)
He also claims US veteran status and a special fondness for Putin (another popular stance with the investor class, US governments and US working class).
Travis and six other patriots were upset by my judgement of the book. They sent a year long deluge of unhinged comments demanding my response. I found a story glorifying the overthrow of the US government with the aid of the military in order that a rich twat not pay tax to be both dangerous and unhealthy. The irony pains my communist soul.
The final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr. After referencing the contents of the last message exchange with a Goodreads friend, he proudly declared that They had "won" (?).
They and many allies had launched a tsunami of vile sexual, racist and other anti-human comments against apparently every female creator I listed and it continues still.
They failed to establish relationships with the astrophysicist, boater, writer, fashion historian or other female creators.
Despite that failure They did add to the world's overabundance of ugliness and did deliver to a multinational audience a wonderful self-portrait of the snowflake (the viciously self-important, emotionally stunted US man-child).
On balance, quite a Victory. That stream differed only in length to others until the Australian Intervention. They will never ask "Are we the baddies?". If the above behaviours are disturbing, there are BookTubers to suggest healthier, useful, true reader forums.
Another break have been earned. This next was made possible by YouTube's Doctor Who/Without Reward, Sarah C M Paine, Fiona Hill, Akino, Ana Fern, Dr Fatima, Lynn Saga, Kings and Generals, Patrick(H)Willem, Timothy Snyder, Hetty and the Jazzalato Band, Veritas et Caritas, Yarmak music,
Acollierastro, Star Talk, Horses, History of Everything, Paranormal Scholar, Smack the Pony, Amadeus Quartet, Tanya Fiona, Answer in Progress, Evie Lupine, Kyiv Independent, Military History Visualised, Books N Cats, Red Trans, Books and Things, Christina Talks, Ukraine Matters,
Think that Through, Hoots, Red Viburnam Song, British Warplanes, Patty Gurdy, Marsh Family, Kat Abughazaleh, Feral Historian, North 02, The Octopus Lady, Chem Thug, Munecat, Pinsent Tailoring, Miranda Mills,
J Draper, Karolina Zebrowska, Shannon Makes, Engineering Knits, Knitting Cult Lady, Snappy Dragon, Bernadette Banner, Gemma Dyer, Kady 2.0, Kroum Batchvarov, Central Crossing, Supertanskiii, Russian Dude, Venom Geek Media, LetterKenny.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The comment gangs are endemic to the Speculative Fiction, Romance and Romantasy spaces on Goodreads. There activities include the hacking, stalking, doxxing, threat and more.
Amazon do not acknowledge the incident, do not discipline the mental member, do not punish the writer who leads Them nor dismiss the employees who enable Them.
The Australian Intervention. My very limited message history was given over to these nutcases, which allowed Pine Gap Centre to request that Australian Security interrogate the one friend whom I messaged occasionally. The attempt at my history failed.
Only after we shared our experience, did Amazon develop concern. They offered no acknowledgement but after several years, my page format and options were suddenly restored to normal, all Lurkers I'd not been Allowed to remove were disappeared, all comments removed from other's view, periodic bricking of my Kindle seem have ended and the rest.
A BookTuber uploaded one review to Goodreads, to have it deleted and her membership threatened because of "Hate Speech". That is the standard American response to criticism of the racism, the misogyny, the ableism or other anti-human expression. According to media, those do not exist in the US.
As proof, she received her first Goodreads comment, which suggested that she "should die".
Another BookTuber challenged an obvious Amazon double billing, which resulted in the blocking of access to her cloud library and bricking of her Kindle.
A seventh EBay ex-employee who had been Chief of Global Security or something like, was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce site was deemed unkind to EBay. The couple were awarded millions of pounds.
US data corporations have developed twisted cultures which rival that of hedge funds. Things to consider.
I suggest a few precautions with regards to Amazon. Remove any personal information from profile and avoid messaging. Remove lurkers, those who never post. They are likely gang monitors or employee dummies.
Given Amazon's penchant for Alteration to customer pages, the screenshot of the odd, ugly or threatening is very useful. For Goodreads, these should suffice.
Kindle are the more dangerous. Do Not use Kindle Email, Calendar, Files or Contacts. Amazon Sign Into customer email without permission or notice. Make of that what you will.
Do Not "purchase" Amazon ebooks. You own only your device and if Kindle that is conditional. If purchased, download immediately. There are BookTubers to suggest other ebook and e-reader sources or alternatives to ebooks altogether.
All Silk searches should be innocuous and non-critical.
I recommend a scan of YouTube channels, which address US life, culture such as it is and a hopefully growing call for societal change. They are some of them frightening but all are illuminating.
I discovered that there is a US phenomenon called the Sundown Town, which has existed for many decades. Any non-white within town limits after Sundown will be tortured and killed. They continue to exist and are spreading, with "White Only" signs openly displayed. This is a uniquely "American" heritage.
US mainstream news outlets do not report on these, no provincial government have or do act against these and no federal agency have ever intervened as far as my limited search uncovered.
"Race Theory" was exported to Europe from the English colonies as early as the late 1600's and the first "scientific"thesis was written by an Enlightenment noble of the court of Frederick the Great in 1746-7 (?). The German Empire nurtured this science. See this thought in the Namibian genocide. The National Socialist Party adopted this Imperial inheritance and absorbed the entire body of US "Race Science" and "Manifest Destiny". A bastardisation of Nietzsche followed. I refer to Nazi Germany not the US, though the similarities are stunning.
This trend has not been opposed by the Democratic Party then to now. From Canada to Australia readers should expect the US disease to appear in a parliament near you. The UK seem to have already succumbed.
This is a dangerous pool of employees and members which include those who proudly claim no empathy, no recognisable morality, are driven by fear of loss of minimal status rather than striving for bettering of all. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be safe. May we all find good reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite channels.
National Centre for Military Intelligence, Timothy Snyder, Sarah C M Paine, Katy Montgomerie, Stanzi, AllShorts Politics, Raw News and Politics, Jormungandr, I'm Rosa, Heather Cox Richardson, Emma Thorne, Vlad Vexler, No Justice MTG, Tom Nicholas, Tad Stoermer, Gary's Economics, Truth to Power, Dwarkesh Patel,
Man Carrying Thing, Queen Penguin, What a Day, WokeGardener, Lilly's Life, Jay Exci, Skip Intro, Times News, Chris Norlund, Professor Tim Wilson, Sabine Hossenfelder, Dr Ben Miles, Brigitte Empire, Eugene Documentaries, Steve Shives, Jessie Gender, Springtime for Elon, Caerhl Irey, Global Updates with Sosan,
Reese Waters, Lee Francis, Leesa Katherine, Three Arrows, Evie Lupine, Leena Norms, Your True Shelf, The History Chap, kgb detected, Natasha's Adventures, Ives Toys, Isaac Arthur, Jonathan Pie, Pat Mandziy, CoachD, Ben and Emily, Bobbing Along,
C M Alongi, Business Basics, Reese Waters, Haropones, Grace McGuire, Tibees, Jabzy, The Kavernacle, Monte Mader, JimmyTheGiant, Mrs Betty Bowers, Miniminuteman, Jess of the Shire, Fredo Rockwell, Octopus Lady, Atlas Globe, Joe Blogs, The Burning Archive, Imaho Vlogs, Kozak Siromaha.
I wish you a glorious morning, a splendid afternoon, a pleasant evening, a cosy night and may we all continue learning.
Those who Look Away are Accomplices.
Project 2025
March 11, 2018
Hard Core Sci-fi!💫🚀
If continuous action in outer space💫 is what you crave, then this is the book for you! The book also uses teenagers and children as some of the crew on the pirate ship🚀, Nepenthe. At one point there is a knock down drag out fight between kids wanting to join their crew.
The book📕 is pretty much one continuous space💫 battle or shipboard combat🔫🔪 between battlebots or crewmen, All The way through.
Subject Zero, is Maeve, a teenage girl and the person the pirates attack her transport liner, Tamaishi, for. A tremendous space battle ensues, some of both crews are killed and the liner is fatally damaged. Maeve is captured alive by the pirates, just before her bodyguard can kill her, per instructions.
Great descriptions of crazy looking aliens👹, space ships🚀, weapons, and droids fill the pages of this very well written , action packed, sci-fi adventure.
There are several stories running at the same time throughout the book📕.
The story line with multiple tangents was too busy, and was hard to follow at times.
The book📕 is quite Violent, Older Teens and Adults Only.
Recommend, for lovers of hard core technical sci-fi.
ARC Furnished by HG for a Voluntary and Honest Review.
I also got the book through KU.
If continuous action in outer space💫 is what you crave, then this is the book for you! The book also uses teenagers and children as some of the crew on the pirate ship🚀, Nepenthe. At one point there is a knock down drag out fight between kids wanting to join their crew.
The book📕 is pretty much one continuous space💫 battle or shipboard combat🔫🔪 between battlebots or crewmen, All The way through.
Subject Zero, is Maeve, a teenage girl and the person the pirates attack her transport liner, Tamaishi, for. A tremendous space battle ensues, some of both crews are killed and the liner is fatally damaged. Maeve is captured alive by the pirates, just before her bodyguard can kill her, per instructions.
Great descriptions of crazy looking aliens👹, space ships🚀, weapons, and droids fill the pages of this very well written , action packed, sci-fi adventure.
There are several stories running at the same time throughout the book📕.
The story line with multiple tangents was too busy, and was hard to follow at times.
The book📕 is quite Violent, Older Teens and Adults Only.
Recommend, for lovers of hard core technical sci-fi.
ARC Furnished by HG for a Voluntary and Honest Review.
I also got the book through KU.
July 26, 2020
After reading the very entertaining Duelist, I tried one of the earlier space opera books of the author, Nepenthe Rising, which is set in a different universe trope (opposing interstellar polities currently in an unstable truce, smaller independent but poorer worlds, hence lots of opportunities for space pirates and the like); while the prose read somewhat clunkier than in Duelist, the book had energy and interesting set-up and characters and while there were a bit too many happy coincidences and even Deus-et-Machina stuff, I definitely enjoyed it till the end
December 11, 2018
Much violence without worth, video-game-like.
August 5, 2021
MY OPINION:
The usual stoopid sht.
Dumb stories and awful, trite, non-believable characters.
AND YET: this writer does not make us witness the “hero” putting feet up on the bridge, or “shoveling” yuge bowls of chili, or swigging booze, or vomiting, or “crying and weeping,” or “smelling his own stink.” At least, not a lot.
There’s usually a story going on, and some competent, thoughtful, non-irritating writing. I would have to say, his science-fact and story-telling carry these books forward successfully.
.
Oh…and there’s seemingly a lot of this: “Leave justice to Allah, for he is great."
.
The usual stoopid sht.
Dumb stories and awful, trite, non-believable characters.
AND YET: this writer does not make us witness the “hero” putting feet up on the bridge, or “shoveling” yuge bowls of chili, or swigging booze, or vomiting, or “crying and weeping,” or “smelling his own stink.” At least, not a lot.
There’s usually a story going on, and some competent, thoughtful, non-irritating writing. I would have to say, his science-fact and story-telling carry these books forward successfully.
.
Oh…and there’s seemingly a lot of this: “Leave justice to Allah, for he is great."
.
April 30, 2020
This sci fi has it all. A little intrigue, a little spying, some suspense and of course there are space battles. The characters are really good and you get to know them well. Well, you think you know them well because there are some twist too. I truly enjoyed reading it and hope you do too.
July 9, 2018
Stars in Shadow
Just finished reading book one and am looking forward to the next one. This is an outstanding read with lots of action .
Just finished reading book one and am looking forward to the next one. This is an outstanding read with lots of action .
February 15, 2019
A pirates life? Sure why not, it can’t always be about the good guys you know. Turns out the pirates are nicer than the good guys in the long run.
April 20, 2019
Bought it because of the price
But I ended up really liking it _ nicely plotted good characters very interesting _ I'll give book 2 a go
But I ended up really liking it _ nicely plotted good characters very interesting _ I'll give book 2 a go
July 25, 2021
Excellent start
A new space opera needs a good writer The author has the skill to deliver I enjoyed reading this book and I will continue reading the next installment
A new space opera needs a good writer The author has the skill to deliver I enjoyed reading this book and I will continue reading the next installment
August 16, 2025
The story is fun to read with great character. It's a light story and perfect for summer reading. The action is predicable.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews