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Toccata System #3
Prodigal Storm
Two weeks ago, the AI that raised LJ forced her to murder the man she loved. But Conor survived. He wants nothing to do with the woman who tried to kill him, and yet LJ's got the only crew brash enough to chase after his father--who's a step away from twisting every AI in the Toccata System to serve his greed. Conor's desperate, and he's got a scheme of his shut down Toccata's AIs, permanently. If the price is a voyage with LJ and her crew of ex-assassins, he'll pay. LJ wants to leave the past behind. But she's not just another AI-trained she's the worst of them all, and the proof of her cruelty stands before her. As mutiny and betrayal chase them across the sea, LJ and Conor must work together to survive--and if LJ can't face the sins of her past, she'll doom everyone she loves to a future that's made of chains.
- GenresScience FictionNovella
212 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2019
About the author
Kate Sheeran Swed
44 books72 followersKate Sheeran Swed loves hot chocolate, plastic dinosaurs, and airplane tickets. She has trekked along the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu, hiked on the Mýrdalsjökull glacier in Iceland, and climbed the ruins of Masada to watch the sunrise over the Dead Sea. She holds degrees in music from the University of Maine and Ithaca College, as well as an MFA in Fiction from Pacific University. Her stories are forthcoming or have appeared in the Young Explorer's Adventure Guide Volume 5, Daily Science Fiction, Electric Spec, and Andromeda Spaceways. You can find her on Twitter @katesheeranswed.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 18, 2020
Well, that’s it, my friends. This is the last book in the Toccata System trilogy and I am very sad to see this series come to a close, but it was such a nice, quick, little series to race through, too. “Prodigal Storm” introduces us to another of STASIS’ orphans, and this one had to—she thinks—murder the love of her life in order to free both her and her sister from their murderous AI of a mother. In the final book, LJ and Conor have to work together to keep Conor’s father from bringing about the enslavement of all the AI’s once again. But can his wounded son take down his own father? Can Conor and LJ work together given what LJ did to him? Such delicious interpersonal angst awaits in this final book! But unlike the previous two books, “Prodigal Storm” is not a novella, it is technically a full length novel and, while the title may give you the impression it is, it’s also NOT a retelling or reimagining of a classic novel like the other two books were. It has some flavors of Treasure Island, but it’s not really “based” on that classic like the other books were. I kind of missed the retelling aspect though, as Swed has done those so wonderfully in the previous books, but I really enjoyed the interpersonal conflict of this book regardless.
LJ and Conor have wonderful pain and angst toward each other—of course they have to given what LJ did to Conor and WHEN. Like really, the timing of her initial betrayal was just the worst in terms of making things hurt for Conor. So these two have a lot to work out in order to achieve their bigger goal of stopping Edward Keyes once and for all. So that is the vast majority of this book, an interpersonal look at LJ and Conor, and LJ and her assassin sisters. I liked getting to see more of the STASIS orphans and how different they were from one another, how each were tormented in their own way. Except for Fay, and you really need to read her companion story to understand her particular brand of anger. I actually really loved her short story, so definitely read it ahead of going into “Prodigal Storm” as I think it’ll make some of the scenarios a bit more clear. Will it spoil things? Eh, maybe, but I felt better having read it first. Do you have to read it first to enjoy this book? No, the reveal will still be utterly satisfying once you get to it. While we get more of the other sister assassin’s, we also get some high seas pirates and a new, sassy AI who I really enjoyed, so get ready for a book full of high stakes and fun. So all in all, the things I loved from the first books are still present, but with a heavy dose more interpersonal drama.
I did find myself missing the original crew though. They do eventually show back up but I loved Astra and Claire and Isabelle so much from the other books that I just couldn’t love LJ and Conor as much. I kept looking for my established favorites, missing their banter and wanting to see more of them…. It unfortunately kept me from falling so hard and so fast for the new characters and the new trouble they were in as they raced across the ocean to Edward Keyes secret island. Don’t get me wrong, I like Conor and LJ and loved how they knew they shouldn’t still have feelings for one another, but I think I loved the other characters more, probably because of how the author wove in her retellings with the far future and sci-fi elements of her new world, and this book didn’t have that.
If you’re looking for a quick sci-fi series with complex AI and even more complicated characters and masterful reimaging’s of classic literature, I cannot recommend The Toccata System books nearly enough. Swed’s writing is a treat, as are all her characters. The previous books in the series were an easy 5 stars for me, but because I just wasn’t as invested in Conor and LJ this time this book is a 4 star for me. What? You thought after all that it could possibly be any lower? Get out of here! I genuinely loved the imagery that Swed paints in this island landscape, and NOA was a delight. My qualms are small and only exist because of how much I loved the other two books (seriously, “Phantom Song” is my ultimate favorite). So if you love complicated romances with your science fiction, definitely read “Prodigal Storm”!
LJ and Conor have wonderful pain and angst toward each other—of course they have to given what LJ did to Conor and WHEN. Like really, the timing of her initial betrayal was just the worst in terms of making things hurt for Conor. So these two have a lot to work out in order to achieve their bigger goal of stopping Edward Keyes once and for all. So that is the vast majority of this book, an interpersonal look at LJ and Conor, and LJ and her assassin sisters. I liked getting to see more of the STASIS orphans and how different they were from one another, how each were tormented in their own way. Except for Fay, and you really need to read her companion story to understand her particular brand of anger. I actually really loved her short story, so definitely read it ahead of going into “Prodigal Storm” as I think it’ll make some of the scenarios a bit more clear. Will it spoil things? Eh, maybe, but I felt better having read it first. Do you have to read it first to enjoy this book? No, the reveal will still be utterly satisfying once you get to it. While we get more of the other sister assassin’s, we also get some high seas pirates and a new, sassy AI who I really enjoyed, so get ready for a book full of high stakes and fun. So all in all, the things I loved from the first books are still present, but with a heavy dose more interpersonal drama.
I did find myself missing the original crew though. They do eventually show back up but I loved Astra and Claire and Isabelle so much from the other books that I just couldn’t love LJ and Conor as much. I kept looking for my established favorites, missing their banter and wanting to see more of them…. It unfortunately kept me from falling so hard and so fast for the new characters and the new trouble they were in as they raced across the ocean to Edward Keyes secret island. Don’t get me wrong, I like Conor and LJ and loved how they knew they shouldn’t still have feelings for one another, but I think I loved the other characters more, probably because of how the author wove in her retellings with the far future and sci-fi elements of her new world, and this book didn’t have that.
If you’re looking for a quick sci-fi series with complex AI and even more complicated characters and masterful reimaging’s of classic literature, I cannot recommend The Toccata System books nearly enough. Swed’s writing is a treat, as are all her characters. The previous books in the series were an easy 5 stars for me, but because I just wasn’t as invested in Conor and LJ this time this book is a 4 star for me. What? You thought after all that it could possibly be any lower? Get out of here! I genuinely loved the imagery that Swed paints in this island landscape, and NOA was a delight. My qualms are small and only exist because of how much I loved the other two books (seriously, “Phantom Song” is my ultimate favorite). So if you love complicated romances with your science fiction, definitely read “Prodigal Storm”!
November 13, 2019
I want to say a massive thank you to Kate Sheeran Swed for reaching out to me and sending me ebook copies of all the books in this. I am so grateful to her because these books have been so enjoyable and Kate is such a lovely woman. I highly highly recommend you check out this series!!!
Prodigal Storm is the last in the Toccata System and neatly wraps up the overriding plot. As with the previous two books this book focuses on two other characters who have been featured in the first book; Connor and LJ. LJ is an Satis girl just like Astra and Connor is the son of Edward Keyes; the man who taught Satis to love and then ripped her heart out. You may remember them from Parting Shadows when LJ killed Connor because Astra couldn't do it; we pick up with them not long after this experience, with LJ back at the bar with the other Satis girls and Connor recovering from his near-death experience. I really enjoy the fact that each book is told from different characters perspectives; it makes the stories so interesting and unique because they all have such distinct personalities and motivations.
I also enjoyed the fact that we got to know of the Satis girls and what they've been through and what Satis "saved" them from; I started really liking Bethany, then hating her, and then liking her again!!
This book as a solid wrap up to the trilogy and really brought things full circle; when I realised who Fay was and how it linked back to the start of Parting Shadows I just had to praise Kate's brain and genius for how they linked all the stories together. Kate writes really well and we got some very good action scenes towards the latter half of the book which were thrilling to read.
The only reason i've marked it four stars and not five is because I just wish it was longer so we could get to know some of the characters a bit more and so they could have been further developed BUT I do get that these are intended to be short novellas. I always just want more 😂😂
I really recommend you get into these books; they're so easy to read and they flow so well. All the praise to Kate!!
Prodigal Storm is the last in the Toccata System and neatly wraps up the overriding plot. As with the previous two books this book focuses on two other characters who have been featured in the first book; Connor and LJ. LJ is an Satis girl just like Astra and Connor is the son of Edward Keyes; the man who taught Satis to love and then ripped her heart out. You may remember them from Parting Shadows when LJ killed Connor because Astra couldn't do it; we pick up with them not long after this experience, with LJ back at the bar with the other Satis girls and Connor recovering from his near-death experience. I really enjoy the fact that each book is told from different characters perspectives; it makes the stories so interesting and unique because they all have such distinct personalities and motivations.
I also enjoyed the fact that we got to know of the Satis girls and what they've been through and what Satis "saved" them from; I started really liking Bethany, then hating her, and then liking her again!!
This book as a solid wrap up to the trilogy and really brought things full circle; when I realised who Fay was and how it linked back to the start of Parting Shadows I just had to praise Kate's brain and genius for how they linked all the stories together. Kate writes really well and we got some very good action scenes towards the latter half of the book which were thrilling to read.
The only reason i've marked it four stars and not five is because I just wish it was longer so we could get to know some of the characters a bit more and so they could have been further developed BUT I do get that these are intended to be short novellas. I always just want more 😂😂
I really recommend you get into these books; they're so easy to read and they flow so well. All the praise to Kate!!
November 8, 2019
A fantastic finish to a thrilling series!
I love, love, love this whole series, and this finale did not disappoint! I can't say too much without spoilers (for this or previous books), but it was so satisfying to see these characters have their own book. Also: robo pirates! If you're looking for a fun scifi adventure, definitely read through this entire trilogy.
I love, love, love this whole series, and this finale did not disappoint! I can't say too much without spoilers (for this or previous books), but it was so satisfying to see these characters have their own book. Also: robo pirates! If you're looking for a fun scifi adventure, definitely read through this entire trilogy.
March 31, 2020
What a finale to a fantastic series!
This book is loosely inspired by Treasure Island, keeping along with the theme of the series as SciFi classic retellings. Our main protagonist here, LJ, had some lines that made me LOL as well as possibly the most angsty romance of them all. I absolutely adore Conor Keyes, so I was thrilled to have him back <3 This book is also populated by a crew of SATIS sisters who are all quirky, deadly, and so fun to read about together.
Once again Swed has proven to be the SciFi queen. This book wrapped up the series very nicely, and I am happy with where things landed. Overall, I highly recommend this series to SciFi lovers!
This book is loosely inspired by Treasure Island, keeping along with the theme of the series as SciFi classic retellings. Our main protagonist here, LJ, had some lines that made me LOL as well as possibly the most angsty romance of them all. I absolutely adore Conor Keyes, so I was thrilled to have him back <3 This book is also populated by a crew of SATIS sisters who are all quirky, deadly, and so fun to read about together.
Once again Swed has proven to be the SciFi queen. This book wrapped up the series very nicely, and I am happy with where things landed. Overall, I highly recommend this series to SciFi lovers!
April 24, 2021
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
If you've read what I had to say about the first two books in this trilogy and have yet to make up your mind about starting them, skip down to the "What did I think" heading, because there's just no way to explain the setup to this without ruining the first book for you (and possibly the second).
WHAT'S PRODIGAL STORM ABOUT?
A little over two weeks ago, Astra, the assassin raised by the revenge-driven AI, SATIS, had failed to carry out her mission to kill Conor. Conor is the child of the man who broke SATIS's heart (after giving her the ability to have a broken heart). But because SATIS was careful, she had a large number of assassins as backups—including the woman acting as Conor's bodyguard.
LJ (known to Astra and Conor as Laura), had carried out the mission, even though she loved Conor. She's now holed up in a bar, trying to move on with her life. Her closest friend is Viv, SATIS's liaison to humanity, who'd been a person of contact for nearly all the assassins. Now, Viv is trying to bring them to the bar she manages so they can get help in getting over SATIS's death and hopefully find a way to live normal lives from here on out.*
* I got a real Orphan Black-sestra vibe from this gathering.
Little did any of them know that Conor had been saved by SATIS before she "died." Now he's on their planet, on a mission to take down his father's AIs before they take over the Toccata system. The "sisters" band together to help him with this—even if several of them remember all too well that they'd been raised to kill him, and now they're working with him. It's not an easy transition.
I hope that made sense, it's hard to summarize in a few paragraphs—I assure you, it makes a lot of sense when Swed spends several pages describing it.
A BROKEN TREND
Parting Shadows was inspired by Miss Havisham, Phantom Song was influenced by The Phantom of the Opera, but if Prodigal Storm is based on a classic work of literature, I didn't recognize it (so I'm really hoping it wasn't, I don't want to be announcing my ignorance like this). I get that the needs of the story matter more than keeping up the literary allusions, but I missed that.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT PRODIGAL STORM?
I've had a really difficult time deciding what to say here, because it feels like I'm giving too much away about any/all of the books in the series—particularly this one.
The ending to the AI storyline was good—there were some good battle scenes, some interesting character development, and some fun new characters. I've got no complaints there. But what's even better is seeing the "sisters" come together, building on the damaged (at best) childhoods that almost all of them had, thanks to SATIS), and turning it into something positive.
That's not an easy road to travel by any means, and there are more than a couple of setbacks in these pages But there's reason to hope throughout, too. This is a book about healing—even when it's hard. It's a story about forgiveness (and seeking it). It's about the power of family (natural or adoptive*). And it's about cleaning up the messes our parents have created.
* Again, see Orphan Black.
All in all, a solid conclusion to this series and reason enough to keep an eye out for new works by Swed. You should give the series a try.
---
If you've read what I had to say about the first two books in this trilogy and have yet to make up your mind about starting them, skip down to the "What did I think" heading, because there's just no way to explain the setup to this without ruining the first book for you (and possibly the second).
WHAT'S PRODIGAL STORM ABOUT?
A little over two weeks ago, Astra, the assassin raised by the revenge-driven AI, SATIS, had failed to carry out her mission to kill Conor. Conor is the child of the man who broke SATIS's heart (after giving her the ability to have a broken heart). But because SATIS was careful, she had a large number of assassins as backups—including the woman acting as Conor's bodyguard.
LJ (known to Astra and Conor as Laura), had carried out the mission, even though she loved Conor. She's now holed up in a bar, trying to move on with her life. Her closest friend is Viv, SATIS's liaison to humanity, who'd been a person of contact for nearly all the assassins. Now, Viv is trying to bring them to the bar she manages so they can get help in getting over SATIS's death and hopefully find a way to live normal lives from here on out.*
* I got a real Orphan Black-sestra vibe from this gathering.
Little did any of them know that Conor had been saved by SATIS before she "died." Now he's on their planet, on a mission to take down his father's AIs before they take over the Toccata system. The "sisters" band together to help him with this—even if several of them remember all too well that they'd been raised to kill him, and now they're working with him. It's not an easy transition.
I hope that made sense, it's hard to summarize in a few paragraphs—I assure you, it makes a lot of sense when Swed spends several pages describing it.
A BROKEN TREND
Parting Shadows was inspired by Miss Havisham, Phantom Song was influenced by The Phantom of the Opera, but if Prodigal Storm is based on a classic work of literature, I didn't recognize it (so I'm really hoping it wasn't, I don't want to be announcing my ignorance like this). I get that the needs of the story matter more than keeping up the literary allusions, but I missed that.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT PRODIGAL STORM?
I've had a really difficult time deciding what to say here, because it feels like I'm giving too much away about any/all of the books in the series—particularly this one.
The ending to the AI storyline was good—there were some good battle scenes, some interesting character development, and some fun new characters. I've got no complaints there. But what's even better is seeing the "sisters" come together, building on the damaged (at best) childhoods that almost all of them had, thanks to SATIS), and turning it into something positive.
That's not an easy road to travel by any means, and there are more than a couple of setbacks in these pages But there's reason to hope throughout, too. This is a book about healing—even when it's hard. It's a story about forgiveness (and seeking it). It's about the power of family (natural or adoptive*). And it's about cleaning up the messes our parents have created.
* Again, see Orphan Black.
All in all, a solid conclusion to this series and reason enough to keep an eye out for new works by Swed. You should give the series a try.
April 4, 2020
Pirates! But in space!
In this last installment of the Toccata System, we have a story that is [rather loosely] based off Treasure Island. But like with all the books, it's set in the far future, with coding instead treasure, and a crew of female ex-assassins.
While I was a little disappointed in the amount of time Claire, Iz, Henry, and Astra had in this book, I enjoyed LJ and the awkwardness of her relationship (or lack of one) with Conor.
I wish this series wasn't over. One, I'm enjoying seeing classic novels turned into a banger of an adventure tale. Two, I'd love to have the gang just wandering around the Toccata System, just solving mysteries and taking down baddies at this point. Kate? Please?
Click here to see my review on book one.
Click here to see my review on book two.
In this last installment of the Toccata System, we have a story that is [rather loosely] based off Treasure Island. But like with all the books, it's set in the far future, with coding instead treasure, and a crew of female ex-assassins.
While I was a little disappointed in the amount of time Claire, Iz, Henry, and Astra had in this book, I enjoyed LJ and the awkwardness of her relationship (or lack of one) with Conor.
I wish this series wasn't over. One, I'm enjoying seeing classic novels turned into a banger of an adventure tale. Two, I'd love to have the gang just wandering around the Toccata System, just solving mysteries and taking down baddies at this point. Kate? Please?
Click here to see my review on book one.
Click here to see my review on book two.
May 1, 2023
The ending to this trilogy was fabulous, but I wouldn't say no to more adventures with these characters.
Usually I get annoyed by series that have a different MC for each book, but it worked really well here. Both Astra and Claire join up with LJ in this one and all of the stories are tied up nicely. That does make this one less based on Treasure Island than the other two were based on their stories, but it's still there even if you have to look for it a bit more.
Usually I get annoyed by series that have a different MC for each book, but it worked really well here. Both Astra and Claire join up with LJ in this one and all of the stories are tied up nicely. That does make this one less based on Treasure Island than the other two were based on their stories, but it's still there even if you have to look for it a bit more.
November 10, 2019
This is a brilliant story of AI and sci-fi adventure. As the final book in the trilogy this book was amazing. The whole series is well-written and LJ and Coner are wonderful Characters. I love the way this author brings the story alive.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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June 28, 2022This is a fast, exciting read, and a lovely conclusion to a fun series of accessible sci-fi. Swed's writing is amazing, and that's not something I can often say, especially about indie authors.
*No rating because I no longer leave ratings for books by other indie authors.*
*No rating because I no longer leave ratings for books by other indie authors.*
July 30, 2023
Great finish to the series, which I thought just got better as it went along! I'll be looking for more of the author's books to read.
October 9, 2023
Great series.
This whole series was a great read , you just never new what was going to happen next . There was plenty of action and surprises happening when you least expect it.
This whole series was a great read , you just never new what was going to happen next . There was plenty of action and surprises happening when you least expect it.
June 6, 2025
Quite an ambiguous rendition of AI issues. It turns out to be human as well, with a happy ending.
November 12, 2019
A fun, cinematic conclusion to a fast-paced sci-fi trilogy with badass assassins, intriguing tech, and settings ranging from gritty to gorgeous. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series (couldn't devour it fast enough) and loved seeing all the characters from the previous books come together in this one. A happy family they are not, but that just adds to the story's appeal. Highly recommend this sleek series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews