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Astral Prime #4
Prime Guardian: Mission 4
Magic and technology don’t mix. Now, the one exception to that rule is up for grabs.
The ancient solution to get magic and tech to coexist lies within an alien structure older than any race in the galaxy. Now, the balance of power threatens to tip. As factions reinforce their fleets for a war to claim the ultimate technological prize, Hiroko finds herself trapped between three races—one of them her own—in a quest where even victory promises disaster.
Down beneath the planet’s surface, Cedric delves into the workings of the mysterious alien technology that works like magic. Discovering the key to the untapped power it possesses may be Astral Prime’s only hope.
Prime Guardian is the fourth book in the Black Astral Prime series. It hearkens back to location-based space sci-fi classics like Babylon 5 and Star Deep Space Nine. Astral Prime builds on the rich Black Ocean universe, introducing a colorful cast of characters for new and returning readers alike.
Come along for the ride as a minor outpost in the middle of nowhere becomes a key point of interstellar conflict.
The ancient solution to get magic and tech to coexist lies within an alien structure older than any race in the galaxy. Now, the balance of power threatens to tip. As factions reinforce their fleets for a war to claim the ultimate technological prize, Hiroko finds herself trapped between three races—one of them her own—in a quest where even victory promises disaster.
Down beneath the planet’s surface, Cedric delves into the workings of the mysterious alien technology that works like magic. Discovering the key to the untapped power it possesses may be Astral Prime’s only hope.
Prime Guardian is the fourth book in the Black Astral Prime series. It hearkens back to location-based space sci-fi classics like Babylon 5 and Star Deep Space Nine. Astral Prime builds on the rich Black Ocean universe, introducing a colorful cast of characters for new and returning readers alike.
Come along for the ride as a minor outpost in the middle of nowhere becomes a key point of interstellar conflict.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2018
8 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Morin
193 books616 followersI am a creator of worlds and a destroyer of words. As a fantasy writer, my works range from traditional epics to futuristic fantasy with starships. I have worked as an unpaid Little League pitcher, a cashier, a student library aide, a factory grunt, a cubicle drone, and an engineer--there is some overlap in the last two.
Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.
I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.
My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.
Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.
I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.
My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 11, 2020
Just as fun as the other books in this series, while ending the exploration/discovery phase and set up lots of possibilities for the books to come. Yes, this is space opera fluff - and I really enjoy it!
December 2, 2018
Cracking finish to the new Black Ocean story and I am ready for the next missions. Not going to be for everyone but it tickles my neurones.
June 21, 2019
Prime Guardian
Prime Guardian opens with Hiroko Fuijida looking out her window at all the ships allayed against her from three races — Zhee, eyndor, and human — who all want the alien technology left behind by the very powerful aliens who created these three races as well as the stuunji on board her station who does not have a ship in the mess outside.
It will take only a small spark to set off a shooting war.
Hiroko is being pressured by all three alien races as well as the members of the Earth Navy to give up the alien technology. Only she doesn’t want to because the recipient race would become masters of the universe as it is kn own.
One of her crew members has revealed himself to her as Cedric The Brown, a powerful mage on the run from the Convocation of Wizards and Earth authorities. He has locked himself inside the alien structure on the planet and is working to make sense of everything that is there.
The duplicitous humans on board the Astral Prime, as YT-77 has been renamed, and the wolf-like eyndor, keep sabotaging Hiroko’s efforts to keep everything from blowing up, litereally. The praying mantis-like Zhee are trying to sit out and not get caught in the cross-fire.
Eventually everything does blow up. Astral Prime has to find a way to defend itself.
Some characters get their just rewards while others try and get away. And Cedric, he has to come to some resolution as to who he is and what he has done in the past all the while learning to control his ever-more powerful wizardly powers as well as the stuff he has learned from what the vaieen left behind.
And don’t forget to watch for the sly humor that is embedded in the story.
If you like good characterization, interesting aliens that are not cookie-cutter copies of any other ones out there as well as engaging space battles where the final outcome is not foreordained, then this is a book for you. And watch for the release of Astral Prime 5 - Systemic Treachery, the next book in this adventure in the Black Ocean universe.
Prime Guardian opens with Hiroko Fuijida looking out her window at all the ships allayed against her from three races — Zhee, eyndor, and human — who all want the alien technology left behind by the very powerful aliens who created these three races as well as the stuunji on board her station who does not have a ship in the mess outside.
It will take only a small spark to set off a shooting war.
Hiroko is being pressured by all three alien races as well as the members of the Earth Navy to give up the alien technology. Only she doesn’t want to because the recipient race would become masters of the universe as it is kn own.
One of her crew members has revealed himself to her as Cedric The Brown, a powerful mage on the run from the Convocation of Wizards and Earth authorities. He has locked himself inside the alien structure on the planet and is working to make sense of everything that is there.
The duplicitous humans on board the Astral Prime, as YT-77 has been renamed, and the wolf-like eyndor, keep sabotaging Hiroko’s efforts to keep everything from blowing up, litereally. The praying mantis-like Zhee are trying to sit out and not get caught in the cross-fire.
Eventually everything does blow up. Astral Prime has to find a way to defend itself.
Some characters get their just rewards while others try and get away. And Cedric, he has to come to some resolution as to who he is and what he has done in the past all the while learning to control his ever-more powerful wizardly powers as well as the stuff he has learned from what the vaieen left behind.
And don’t forget to watch for the sly humor that is embedded in the story.
If you like good characterization, interesting aliens that are not cookie-cutter copies of any other ones out there as well as engaging space battles where the final outcome is not foreordained, then this is a book for you. And watch for the release of Astral Prime 5 - Systemic Treachery, the next book in this adventure in the Black Ocean universe.
May 29, 2019
Tempers are escalating!
The zheen, eyndar, and Earth Navy ships - along with mining station YF-77 (gotta work on that name) - remain trapped within the amber glowing globe that surrounds the mysterious world of Astral Prime. To make matters worse, the commanders of the individual starships have called in reinforcements and they are arriving in numbers that almost guarantee mutual self destruction.
Meanwhile...
Down on the planet, the station wizard Calvin Ramsay (AKA Cedric the Brown) has appointed himself the guardian of the ancient vaieen complex and is the only defense against one, or all, of the potential combatants from claiming the terrible secrets that still reside there - secrets that could potentially pull star empires apart and result in a galaxy in flames.
MEANWHILE...
A mysterious force has possessed critical players and it has an agenda of its own. And that agenda is NOT concerned with the well-being of any of the other beings that surround it.
Authors J.S. Morin and M.A. Larkin return to the universe of the BLACK OCEAN and the mysterious ASTRAL PRIME in a story that represents some of the best in modern Science Fiction and pays homage to the Space Operas of the past. The characters are passionate...some with avarice...others with a duty to protect. Morin and Larkin handle the varying personalities of humans...and aliens... along with the unique paradigms, masterfully and continue to build and expand upon the BLACK OCEAN universe. With over 30 books in various mainstream and spinoff story arcs, it appears that there is currently no slowing down as they continue to create and entertain in their celestial playground. This is one of those series that simply demands more stories...and...the authors are happy to please.
The zheen, eyndar, and Earth Navy ships - along with mining station YF-77 (gotta work on that name) - remain trapped within the amber glowing globe that surrounds the mysterious world of Astral Prime. To make matters worse, the commanders of the individual starships have called in reinforcements and they are arriving in numbers that almost guarantee mutual self destruction.
Meanwhile...
Down on the planet, the station wizard Calvin Ramsay (AKA Cedric the Brown) has appointed himself the guardian of the ancient vaieen complex and is the only defense against one, or all, of the potential combatants from claiming the terrible secrets that still reside there - secrets that could potentially pull star empires apart and result in a galaxy in flames.
MEANWHILE...
A mysterious force has possessed critical players and it has an agenda of its own. And that agenda is NOT concerned with the well-being of any of the other beings that surround it.
Authors J.S. Morin and M.A. Larkin return to the universe of the BLACK OCEAN and the mysterious ASTRAL PRIME in a story that represents some of the best in modern Science Fiction and pays homage to the Space Operas of the past. The characters are passionate...some with avarice...others with a duty to protect. Morin and Larkin handle the varying personalities of humans...and aliens... along with the unique paradigms, masterfully and continue to build and expand upon the BLACK OCEAN universe. With over 30 books in various mainstream and spinoff story arcs, it appears that there is currently no slowing down as they continue to create and entertain in their celestial playground. This is one of those series that simply demands more stories...and...the authors are happy to please.
June 23, 2019
Beware the lures of power ...
Much of this book deals with the tensions between 4 races (fun to see the stuunji make their bid for freedom) vying for control of what they see as ultimate power, obtainable only by the strongest. Stuck in the middle of an encroaching war, the people on Astral Prime Station--led by Hiroko, whose past tries to impinge on her present when others dig up her secrets--have only strained diplomacy, blackmail and bluffs to shield them, as well as some surprising new friendships.
And an irate wizard who's learning more secrets from the ruins of an ancient alien race than anyone should have access to; a situation he intends to maintain, keeping profiteers as far away as possible and this dangerous knowledge in no one's hands but his own. Calvin/Cedric has to walk a fine line between what could become megalomania and a desire to preserve life, even if it costs him some of his own humanity.
Kane's character, a self-absorbed, petty and ultimately cowardly man who feels entitled to what doesn't belong to him, grows even more fun to dislike as he stoops to his own bit of blackmail--which misfires, much to his chagrin. Yet even as he flees a dire situation, hoping to profit once he makes good his escape, he finds a new advantage in an unexpected ally, along for the ride in a most unexpected place. Definitely look for Kane's return, vitriol in full fervour, in future episodes.
Much of this book deals with the tensions between 4 races (fun to see the stuunji make their bid for freedom) vying for control of what they see as ultimate power, obtainable only by the strongest. Stuck in the middle of an encroaching war, the people on Astral Prime Station--led by Hiroko, whose past tries to impinge on her present when others dig up her secrets--have only strained diplomacy, blackmail and bluffs to shield them, as well as some surprising new friendships.
And an irate wizard who's learning more secrets from the ruins of an ancient alien race than anyone should have access to; a situation he intends to maintain, keeping profiteers as far away as possible and this dangerous knowledge in no one's hands but his own. Calvin/Cedric has to walk a fine line between what could become megalomania and a desire to preserve life, even if it costs him some of his own humanity.
Kane's character, a self-absorbed, petty and ultimately cowardly man who feels entitled to what doesn't belong to him, grows even more fun to dislike as he stoops to his own bit of blackmail--which misfires, much to his chagrin. Yet even as he flees a dire situation, hoping to profit once he makes good his escape, he finds a new advantage in an unexpected ally, along for the ride in a most unexpected place. Definitely look for Kane's return, vitriol in full fervour, in future episodes.
June 16, 2019
J.S. Morin and M.A. Larkin’s Black Ocean: Astral Prime is a wonderful offshoot of the truly fantastic Black Ocean stories set in one setting, mining station YF-77 and the world of Astral Prime, which is surrounded by an amber glowing globe and may hold the key to mysteries that could impact everything. For Trekkers this is like a Deep Space 9 sequel to the main Trek universe, and just as great. Great plots, great universe building with its competing races and the tek/magic mix, and great characters. Prime Guardian: Mission 4 is as wonderful as the preceding tales and a good conclusion to this segment of the story. It’s fantastic following along with Calvin Ramsay, a.k.a., Cedric the Brown, and about as much fun following Hiroko and Kane, et. al. Best to start at book 1 here but overall totally superb. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
August 14, 2018
This last (?) episode of Astral Prime was one of those reads where you couldnt quite predict what was going to happen but kinda knew in the back of your mind how things would eventually turn out in the end, but that didn't stop the authors from keeping things interesting in between.
The diabolical ways the ambassadors lied to each other was hilarious.
Hiroko almost having a breakdown was not.
Kane being fired was a whoop! Him escaping the station was not.
There were so many moments like these...one moment you're feeling good, laughing even, the next you're feeling bad for these characters. But, that's the great thing about this book. The characters are so real. So well written. The authors deserve many accolades for their efforts on writting for these characters!
I've throughly enjoyed reading this series. I hope this is not the end of these characters!
Many thanks to J. S. Morin and M. A. Larkin for the advanced readers copy. In return I offer this completely unbiased review.
The diabolical ways the ambassadors lied to each other was hilarious.
Hiroko almost having a breakdown was not.
Kane being fired was a whoop! Him escaping the station was not.
There were so many moments like these...one moment you're feeling good, laughing even, the next you're feeling bad for these characters. But, that's the great thing about this book. The characters are so real. So well written. The authors deserve many accolades for their efforts on writting for these characters!
I've throughly enjoyed reading this series. I hope this is not the end of these characters!
Many thanks to J. S. Morin and M. A. Larkin for the advanced readers copy. In return I offer this completely unbiased review.
August 15, 2018
Strong conclusion to a fun tale. As always, the world-building in the Black Ocean is very strong, and avoids getting dense and convoluted (it avoids the X-files trap, basically) while still being thoroughly interesting and having a lot of ramifications. I enjoyed how this book sets the scene for further stories (please?) and drew on its roots while becoming its own entity.
I still had a little trouble bonding with this new cast, which overall made it somewhat less enjoyable to me, but the writing was solid and the characters are growing on me. As I said above, definitely looking forward to what happens next.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
I still had a little trouble bonding with this new cast, which overall made it somewhat less enjoyable to me, but the writing was solid and the characters are growing on me. As I said above, definitely looking forward to what happens next.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
May 29, 2019
A very strong "ending" - I say this because I know the story continues, but this has some nice resolves within it. Personally I feel I might have given a combination of the story before this "Shielded Sun" and this one a full on five stars. I gave the previous one only three because as a story in itself it was just lacking. This one has all the pulls you have been waiting for. Very enjoyable and I think the outcomes are setting us up for some more interesting hi-jinks and just the scope of what this all means to this world seems to be much larger than anything else.
August 15, 2018
This episode was sort of a wrap up of the arc started in book 1. I enjoyed the conflicts the characters went through and think that the series has a great base for further episodes. I liked all the characters save for one (he could have remained in the garbage chute!) and will look forward to their further adventures.
I received an advance copy of this book with a request for an honest review : )
I received an advance copy of this book with a request for an honest review : )
July 10, 2018
A very enjoyable resolution to the story line built up over the last few books. There are still plenty of loose ends and unanswered questions to keep the fun coming. While the crew seems to be going their own ways, they will all no doubt continue to be involved in each others lives. This is a worthy addition to the black ocean universe.
August 15, 2018
Review
What an absolute belter of a series.If you liked early black ocean(nonology) your gonna love this quartet!Hope you got more of same on the way cos I'm putting them on permanent pre -order!
What an absolute belter of a series.If you liked early black ocean(nonology) your gonna love this quartet!Hope you got more of same on the way cos I'm putting them on permanent pre -order!
June 4, 2022
All these ran together and I didn't update. But we find the reason there's multiple earths gotta fight extra-universal aliens and the ancients who created us. In the end sacrifice for the many saves the whole universe.
July 30, 2019
I liked this one a lot. This was a good conclusion to this particular story arc.
July 23, 2023
Great book love the story and the book narration can’t wait to listen to the next one I highly recommend this book and the rest of the book series ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍📖
June 13, 2024
Fight a god, become a god? Yeah, things are really getting out of hand on the Shadow Planet.
June 15, 2019
In this, the final part of the first series of Astral Prime, things are not looking good for those aboard the Station.
Hiroko is trying to keep together a very fragile peace between the Eyndar, the Zheen and the ARGO Earth Navy.
Hiroko is a complicated character, obviously one of the main characters who is linked to multiple major streams of the story. We have already had significant character development for Hiroko, but we get a lot more in this part, leading to some brilliant storylines, some which get closure for the satisfaction of the reader, but since she is related to the station and its intergalactic relations, some of these storylines are obviously not closed, leaving them open for another series (although not necessarily relating to her of course)
Kane is not only trying to outwit Hiroko still to take the station, but he his also trying to keep on top of the negotiations as well, and certain illicit shop keepers, who may be more than they seem.
The character of Roland Kane is a really fun one, and in this episode, we finally get a lot more background on where he is from, his relationship to certain other people (no spoilers), and it is kind of fascinating watching this storyline play out.
Probably one of the best characters in this series though so far, especially if you like magic, or the entire ‘Wizardry’ aspect of the story, is Calvin Black, a.k.a., Cedric the Brown. Cedric is obviously a wanted mass murderer by the Convocation, as well as other crimes, such as reading ‘The Tome of Bleeding Thoughts’ (This is like the coolest name ever for a book), whereas Calvin is just a nice wizard who has some experience with astral drives. However, at the end of part 3, the stupid Marines did something really dumb, killing the dragon powering the Vaieen facility, making Calvin very unhappy, and you never want to make a Wizard unhappy, especially one who knows the dark language. So Calvin goes and destroys every weapon they had and tells them to leave or else. He has deemed the planet off limits, and has decided to stay with the dragon for now, utterly horrified that it was destroyed like that.
There is a lot of discussion in this last part about Cedric, his abilities, the Convocation, all sorts of wonderful things.
There are some other brilliant sections in this final chapter of the first series, as we get to cover off on some more of the Eyndar and Zheen background, and even better, the Stuunji. Something that is also really rather clever is that the Rucker Syndicate makes an appearance – again linking the original series to this one.
Overall this is a really engaging story, one that you will not put down once you start (I did it in 2 sessions and that was only because of Children issues!). As far as a spin-off series, this is just outstanding, but totally superior in every way.
For fans of Black Ocean – this is an absolute must!!
Hiroko is trying to keep together a very fragile peace between the Eyndar, the Zheen and the ARGO Earth Navy.
Hiroko is a complicated character, obviously one of the main characters who is linked to multiple major streams of the story. We have already had significant character development for Hiroko, but we get a lot more in this part, leading to some brilliant storylines, some which get closure for the satisfaction of the reader, but since she is related to the station and its intergalactic relations, some of these storylines are obviously not closed, leaving them open for another series (although not necessarily relating to her of course)
Kane is not only trying to outwit Hiroko still to take the station, but he his also trying to keep on top of the negotiations as well, and certain illicit shop keepers, who may be more than they seem.
The character of Roland Kane is a really fun one, and in this episode, we finally get a lot more background on where he is from, his relationship to certain other people (no spoilers), and it is kind of fascinating watching this storyline play out.
Probably one of the best characters in this series though so far, especially if you like magic, or the entire ‘Wizardry’ aspect of the story, is Calvin Black, a.k.a., Cedric the Brown. Cedric is obviously a wanted mass murderer by the Convocation, as well as other crimes, such as reading ‘The Tome of Bleeding Thoughts’ (This is like the coolest name ever for a book), whereas Calvin is just a nice wizard who has some experience with astral drives. However, at the end of part 3, the stupid Marines did something really dumb, killing the dragon powering the Vaieen facility, making Calvin very unhappy, and you never want to make a Wizard unhappy, especially one who knows the dark language. So Calvin goes and destroys every weapon they had and tells them to leave or else. He has deemed the planet off limits, and has decided to stay with the dragon for now, utterly horrified that it was destroyed like that.
There is a lot of discussion in this last part about Cedric, his abilities, the Convocation, all sorts of wonderful things.
There are some other brilliant sections in this final chapter of the first series, as we get to cover off on some more of the Eyndar and Zheen background, and even better, the Stuunji. Something that is also really rather clever is that the Rucker Syndicate makes an appearance – again linking the original series to this one.
Overall this is a really engaging story, one that you will not put down once you start (I did it in 2 sessions and that was only because of Children issues!). As far as a spin-off series, this is just outstanding, but totally superior in every way.
For fans of Black Ocean – this is an absolute must!!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews