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Hawk: Hellfire
Sometimes, it is necessary to die.
Lazarus Hawk, ex-soldier and ex-mercenary, convicted of a crime of terror he did not commit, and sentenced to life on an airless prison moon from which there is no escape, has been offered a way out. It's a chance. A good chance. To accept the offer, all he has to do is die.
Two thousand years after the Great Diaspora humanity has spread across the Orion Spur, the human domain fractured and diverse, divided into numerous small federations, empires, dictatorships and a thousand unaligned and lonely planets. On one of those small worlds a plant grows, a weed that feeds the addiction of many and the greed and avarice of a few, and kills without favor.
Forced to undertake a mission against his better judgment, Hawk finds himself teaming up with the locals of a small, backward world, and Abbie Renner, a young Guarda officer searching for the source of the drug Hellfire, and prepared to go to any lengths. This time she has gone too far. This time she needs help.
Can Hawk overcome the mistrust and reticence of a small colony world to accomplish the mission he has been forced to undertake in return for his life?
If you like great, classic science fiction, you will love this new work by multi-award-winning author Mike Waller, an action packed dive into the world of a galactic mercenary driven by the ghosts from his past. Grab a copy now and join Lazarus Hawk in his search for justice for a remote colony world.
Lazarus Hawk, ex-soldier and ex-mercenary, convicted of a crime of terror he did not commit, and sentenced to life on an airless prison moon from which there is no escape, has been offered a way out. It's a chance. A good chance. To accept the offer, all he has to do is die.
Two thousand years after the Great Diaspora humanity has spread across the Orion Spur, the human domain fractured and diverse, divided into numerous small federations, empires, dictatorships and a thousand unaligned and lonely planets. On one of those small worlds a plant grows, a weed that feeds the addiction of many and the greed and avarice of a few, and kills without favor.
Forced to undertake a mission against his better judgment, Hawk finds himself teaming up with the locals of a small, backward world, and Abbie Renner, a young Guarda officer searching for the source of the drug Hellfire, and prepared to go to any lengths. This time she has gone too far. This time she needs help.
Can Hawk overcome the mistrust and reticence of a small colony world to accomplish the mission he has been forced to undertake in return for his life?
If you like great, classic science fiction, you will love this new work by multi-award-winning author Mike Waller, an action packed dive into the world of a galactic mercenary driven by the ghosts from his past. Grab a copy now and join Lazarus Hawk in his search for justice for a remote colony world.
- GenresScience Fiction
402 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 2020
8 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Mike Waller
10 books9 followersMike Waller is an Australian Author of Science Fiction and Space Opera. Mike has always believed that one day humanity will outgrow its troubled childhood and head for the stars, and that the story of humankind will be told not by the great and powerful, but by the adventures of ordinary people who do extraordinary things.
Mike currently lives on the Sunshine Coast in Australia.
Mike currently lives on the Sunshine Coast in Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 29, 2021
ADULT Sci-fi Adventure🚀💫and Mystery💪🔪🔫
This long but absorbing novel started out a little slow but finally got going at about 30%. At first I was confused a bit because there are two different "human stars" of the book and they had two separate stories going on. What did one have to do with the other?
Then it started to come together when the common thread was a completely addictive drug called Hellfire🌿, which the Confederation is trying hard to eradicate. Abbie💃🔪🔫, main character, is working in secret to get closer and closer to The source of Hellfire🌿. It has led them to the remote planet🌎 inhabited by human colonists for generations in mostly medieval conditions..
Hawk🐺💪🔪🔫, the main character, is a mercenary💪🔪🔫 hired to overthrow the government of the primitive planet🌎 ruled by an outworlder dictator. He doesn't know about The Hellfire drug🌿, but he does find out that slavery is rampant on The planet.🌎
Abbie💃🔪🔫, the other character, is a woman in law enforcement, and is following the trail of hellfire🌿 to the same planet🌎. The two characters have two different reasons for why they are there, but is it possible the Confederation is lying to them both? They don't meet until halfway through the book.
ARC Provided by Hidden 💎Gems
This ebook was $4.99 on Amazon at the time of this review.
Opinions expressed here are entirely my own fault.
The book ends in a cliffhanger😱, paving the way for another scfi adventure🚀💫 starring🌟 Hawk🐺💪🔪🔫
This long but absorbing novel started out a little slow but finally got going at about 30%. At first I was confused a bit because there are two different "human stars" of the book and they had two separate stories going on. What did one have to do with the other?
Then it started to come together when the common thread was a completely addictive drug called Hellfire🌿, which the Confederation is trying hard to eradicate. Abbie💃🔪🔫, main character, is working in secret to get closer and closer to The source of Hellfire🌿. It has led them to the remote planet🌎 inhabited by human colonists for generations in mostly medieval conditions..
Hawk🐺💪🔪🔫, the main character, is a mercenary💪🔪🔫 hired to overthrow the government of the primitive planet🌎 ruled by an outworlder dictator. He doesn't know about The Hellfire drug🌿, but he does find out that slavery is rampant on The planet.🌎
Abbie💃🔪🔫, the other character, is a woman in law enforcement, and is following the trail of hellfire🌿 to the same planet🌎. The two characters have two different reasons for why they are there, but is it possible the Confederation is lying to them both? They don't meet until halfway through the book.
ARC Provided by Hidden 💎Gems
This ebook was $4.99 on Amazon at the time of this review.
Opinions expressed here are entirely my own fault.
The book ends in a cliffhanger😱, paving the way for another scfi adventure🚀💫 starring🌟 Hawk🐺💪🔪🔫
September 22, 2020
I loved this book. The story is original and compelling, the characters believable. Mike Waller's writing style is smooth and easy to read.
The story basically involves a mercenary organizing a campaign to overthrow a petty dictator on a small colony world, and in the process helping destroy the worst drug plague to ever hit the Confederation of Allied Planets. Lots of action, good characters and a very, very satisfying ending.
Thoroughly recommended.
I received a free review copy of this book in return for an honest voluntary review.
The story basically involves a mercenary organizing a campaign to overthrow a petty dictator on a small colony world, and in the process helping destroy the worst drug plague to ever hit the Confederation of Allied Planets. Lots of action, good characters and a very, very satisfying ending.
Thoroughly recommended.
I received a free review copy of this book in return for an honest voluntary review.
January 7, 2021
We are proud to announce that HAWK: Hellfire by Mike Waller is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
September 14, 2020
A rocket-paced Space Action-Adventure, HAWK: HELLFIRE is unremittingly suspenseful, with well-designed characterizations and plenty of action to satisfy any adrenaline or Space Opera fan. I hope author Mike Waller will decide to bring "Hawk" back again, because I'm sure this hard-driving character has lots of space adventures to come.
July 16, 2022
A real live space opera.
I would like to see "Hawk" in a series. He has all the elements of a imperfect hero. If this were a movie a Clint Eastwood clone would be the perfect choice to star.
I would like to see "Hawk" in a series. He has all the elements of a imperfect hero. If this were a movie a Clint Eastwood clone would be the perfect choice to star.
July 25, 2020
This is not the first book I have read from this writer, and they just keep getting better.
Hawk is something of an anti-hero, a man who has followed his own conscience his whole life. He has been a mercenary and a soldier, and now is attempting to live a normal, responsible life. Then he gets framed and convicted for a crime of terrorism he did not commit. After some years in prison he is rescued, on the condition he carries out a mission for a somewhat dubious employer, who wants him to organize the overthrow of a despotic regime on a small, out of the way planet. With no choice he agrees, but with conditions of his own.
Once on the planet he finds himself teeming up with his old mercenary buddies, a young Guarda police office named Abbie Renner who is busy trying to track down the nasty drug 'Hellfire', and a motley assortment of locals keen to get control of their world back from a dictator.
One thing I loved about this book is it is the first I have ever read where a spaceship actually becomes a valid character in the story, complete with a personality of its (her) own.
This is an action packed book which kept me hooked from first page to last. It is superbly written and totally believable, a glance into a slightly dystopian view of the far distant future. The only regret I have is I had to put it down to sleep.
Hawk is something of an anti-hero, a man who has followed his own conscience his whole life. He has been a mercenary and a soldier, and now is attempting to live a normal, responsible life. Then he gets framed and convicted for a crime of terrorism he did not commit. After some years in prison he is rescued, on the condition he carries out a mission for a somewhat dubious employer, who wants him to organize the overthrow of a despotic regime on a small, out of the way planet. With no choice he agrees, but with conditions of his own.
Once on the planet he finds himself teeming up with his old mercenary buddies, a young Guarda police office named Abbie Renner who is busy trying to track down the nasty drug 'Hellfire', and a motley assortment of locals keen to get control of their world back from a dictator.
One thing I loved about this book is it is the first I have ever read where a spaceship actually becomes a valid character in the story, complete with a personality of its (her) own.
This is an action packed book which kept me hooked from first page to last. It is superbly written and totally believable, a glance into a slightly dystopian view of the far distant future. The only regret I have is I had to put it down to sleep.
July 26, 2020
I LOVED this new book, HAWK Hellfire! Hellfire is a devastating, illegal street drug in the far future. Krystian (Hawk) Hauken’s mission has nothing to do with drugs - he thinks. Guarda officer, Abigail (Abbie) Renner’s mission has everything to do with drugs and nothing to do with Hawk - she thinks. Unfortunately, drug lords don’t care what anyone thinks...
Absolutely great story and characters, realistic dialogue and satisfying ending. I’m hoping to read more about Hawk and Abbie in the future!
Absolutely great story and characters, realistic dialogue and satisfying ending. I’m hoping to read more about Hawk and Abbie in the future!
July 23, 2020
This author's writing is so smooth, with nothing to distract, only more and more story! Our hero in this one is Hawk, a man with a family yet is also a mercenary of a kinder sort. We don't see much of this life as the story explodes open because he is ripped from them and sent to a hell-like place. I can't say any more but the rest of the book exposes how much of a good guy hero our Hawk really is. Plenty of action with bad guys, cops, drug runners, paramilitary, by now you should be getting the gist. To quote another reviewer - I absolutely loved it!
October 30, 2021
4 Stars - Very good character-driven Military Sci-Fi
I am quite happy I picked a review copy of this book up although it is not quite my usual genre. While I do enjoy Sci-Fi immensely, I don't tend to read anything with a focus on military stuff - it was just the good reviews that made me curious.
And they are absolutely right: this is really, really good!
The book tells the story of Hawk, a mercenary who is incarcerated for a crime he has not commited and who is saved from prison by some quite dubious characters who want him to handle a military operation on a far away planet that is not under the jurisdiction of the Confederation - he is just to topple a tyrant and establish the old democratic ruler again. In exchange they offer him a new identity and very genrous pay. It is needless to say that all of this not only appears too good to be true - it sure is! How things play out eventually and how the drug Hellfire is connected to all of this is for the reader to find out.
What made this outstanding for me were the characters (which are always the make-or-break-aspect of a good book for me). We have several storylines that intertwine and come together beautifully to tell the whole story. The main character Hawk is particularly great, I thought. He has fought as a soldier in a war, which has made him somewhat jaded but also quite aware of what killing does to a person. And while he does accept that he is really good at his job, he also tries to keep unnecessary killing to an absolute minimum. He is fundamentally a good guy, but offers enough complexity beyond that. Then we have Abbie, a police officer who is trying to destroy the distribution network for the drug Hellfire and who is tough as nails. And the many minor characters make for a well rounded cast of believable and intersting characters.
I have a strong dislike for stories in which the plot dictates how the characters act, no matter how much or little that fits with the personality they are supposed to have. So I was very pleasantly surprised that there is absolutely none of that in here. The whole plot progresses very naturally through the decisisions the characters make, which are always plausible and reliable. The characters also have flaws and sometimes make mistakes, out of a lack of expericence, for example. (It is another pet peeve of mine when even the most outlandishly laid-out plans work out perfectly just because they serve the plot, no matter how unlikely that seems or how suited the characters are for a task.)
To be quite honest, the military operation that the plot centers around was only partly interesting for me. I very much enjoyed Hawk's approach of meticoulously researching the situation at hand, his careful and systematic planning and resourcefulness. The operation itself was not terribly interesting to me, but that is just a matter of personal taste and nothing I can fault the book for. I think it was well written for what it is.
And while there is a conclusion to the story in this book, the ending sets up further stories in this universe. And I would definitely be interested to read more!
I have received a review copy via BookSirens and voluntarily provide my honest opinion. Thank you very much!
I am quite happy I picked a review copy of this book up although it is not quite my usual genre. While I do enjoy Sci-Fi immensely, I don't tend to read anything with a focus on military stuff - it was just the good reviews that made me curious.
And they are absolutely right: this is really, really good!
The book tells the story of Hawk, a mercenary who is incarcerated for a crime he has not commited and who is saved from prison by some quite dubious characters who want him to handle a military operation on a far away planet that is not under the jurisdiction of the Confederation - he is just to topple a tyrant and establish the old democratic ruler again. In exchange they offer him a new identity and very genrous pay. It is needless to say that all of this not only appears too good to be true - it sure is! How things play out eventually and how the drug Hellfire is connected to all of this is for the reader to find out.
What made this outstanding for me were the characters (which are always the make-or-break-aspect of a good book for me). We have several storylines that intertwine and come together beautifully to tell the whole story. The main character Hawk is particularly great, I thought. He has fought as a soldier in a war, which has made him somewhat jaded but also quite aware of what killing does to a person. And while he does accept that he is really good at his job, he also tries to keep unnecessary killing to an absolute minimum. He is fundamentally a good guy, but offers enough complexity beyond that. Then we have Abbie, a police officer who is trying to destroy the distribution network for the drug Hellfire and who is tough as nails. And the many minor characters make for a well rounded cast of believable and intersting characters.
I have a strong dislike for stories in which the plot dictates how the characters act, no matter how much or little that fits with the personality they are supposed to have. So I was very pleasantly surprised that there is absolutely none of that in here. The whole plot progresses very naturally through the decisisions the characters make, which are always plausible and reliable. The characters also have flaws and sometimes make mistakes, out of a lack of expericence, for example. (It is another pet peeve of mine when even the most outlandishly laid-out plans work out perfectly just because they serve the plot, no matter how unlikely that seems or how suited the characters are for a task.)
To be quite honest, the military operation that the plot centers around was only partly interesting for me. I very much enjoyed Hawk's approach of meticoulously researching the situation at hand, his careful and systematic planning and resourcefulness. The operation itself was not terribly interesting to me, but that is just a matter of personal taste and nothing I can fault the book for. I think it was well written for what it is.
And while there is a conclusion to the story in this book, the ending sets up further stories in this universe. And I would definitely be interested to read more!
I have received a review copy via BookSirens and voluntarily provide my honest opinion. Thank you very much!
March 29, 2021
A detective who lost her brother to a horrific drug; determined to do whatever it takes to find the drug's source and put an end to it. An ex-military, ex-mercenary framed for a terrorist act, hired to restore a backwater planet's rightful government in order to secure mineral rights. A boy raised in a prison camp with far too much familiarity with casual violence and death. This story is the adventure that ties them all together.
The first few chapters flip between the Guarda Officer, Abigail Renner, The Mercenary (aka Security Consultant), Hawk, and the local boy forced to grow up far too fast, Mongke. It took a little bit for the story to come together for me, but once it did - what a wild ride! This is classic space opera with a military sci-fi feel. The ship's AI, the planets, the conflicts all played into familiar tropes, but in a way that was comfortable, not rote and predictable. Couple really good twists actually. Most of the action takes place on the primitive planet, but with plenty of high tech toys. Hawk is working with diverse groups of people to attain his ostensible objective: to restore the rightful government with minimal casualties. This is not the goal of all under him and as he pieces together the story, not all it what it seems to be and some pertinent facts might have been left out.
Very enjoyable read, standalone novel - although in some ways it reads as an origin novel and leaves wide open the possibility for future missions. This story arc is completed in a very satisfying and poetic manner - no cliff hanger. This was my first book by Mike Waller, but will not be the last, happy to have discovered this author.
The first few chapters flip between the Guarda Officer, Abigail Renner, The Mercenary (aka Security Consultant), Hawk, and the local boy forced to grow up far too fast, Mongke. It took a little bit for the story to come together for me, but once it did - what a wild ride! This is classic space opera with a military sci-fi feel. The ship's AI, the planets, the conflicts all played into familiar tropes, but in a way that was comfortable, not rote and predictable. Couple really good twists actually. Most of the action takes place on the primitive planet, but with plenty of high tech toys. Hawk is working with diverse groups of people to attain his ostensible objective: to restore the rightful government with minimal casualties. This is not the goal of all under him and as he pieces together the story, not all it what it seems to be and some pertinent facts might have been left out.
Very enjoyable read, standalone novel - although in some ways it reads as an origin novel and leaves wide open the possibility for future missions. This story arc is completed in a very satisfying and poetic manner - no cliff hanger. This was my first book by Mike Waller, but will not be the last, happy to have discovered this author.
February 22, 2022
Krystian Hauken, call sign Hawk is a disillusioned ex-military man. He gave fourteen years of his life to the Confederacy forces, before retiring/ He became a security consultant, aka mercenary until he decided to settle down with a partner. Now he captains a cargo ship delivering highly dangerous supplies around the universe.
Abigail Renner joined the Attika Guarda after her brother was killed by a new deadly drug called Hellfire. She's determined to find and end the creator and distributor of the drug. She works her way up to becoming Lieutenant in the Hellfire Taskforce. She's given a ship to trail the source of the drug.
Hawk is framed as a terrorist and mass murderer and imprisoned for life, until his services are needed. He's freed to take on a mission to free an outlying planet from an evil dictator to restore the rightful ruler and establish trade, but he isn't sure he trusts his new employer.
Hawk's story isn't all about assembling a team and blowing things up. Walker spotlights key characters, including Abby and their lives that will eventually interconnect to aid Hawk with not only his mission but his future.
Engaging read, spanning several years, with interesting characters that pull you into a futuristic world with wildly different backgrounds. Intrigue, battles and human connection.
For more of my reviews follow my blog at https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/
If you prefer to listen to my reviews, you can find my reviews on Spotify here: https://anchor.fm/wyldheart-reads
Abigail Renner joined the Attika Guarda after her brother was killed by a new deadly drug called Hellfire. She's determined to find and end the creator and distributor of the drug. She works her way up to becoming Lieutenant in the Hellfire Taskforce. She's given a ship to trail the source of the drug.
Hawk is framed as a terrorist and mass murderer and imprisoned for life, until his services are needed. He's freed to take on a mission to free an outlying planet from an evil dictator to restore the rightful ruler and establish trade, but he isn't sure he trusts his new employer.
Hawk's story isn't all about assembling a team and blowing things up. Walker spotlights key characters, including Abby and their lives that will eventually interconnect to aid Hawk with not only his mission but his future.
Engaging read, spanning several years, with interesting characters that pull you into a futuristic world with wildly different backgrounds. Intrigue, battles and human connection.
For more of my reviews follow my blog at https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/
If you prefer to listen to my reviews, you can find my reviews on Spotify here: https://anchor.fm/wyldheart-reads
September 18, 2020
Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Actual rating: 3.25 stars
I don't have too much to say on this book. It's pretty straightforward, for the most part - Hawk is hired to lead a revolution on this backwater planet and out the current dictator in favor of the supposed true leader. There's guns, there's fights, there's escapes, all that good stuff. It's a pretty standard action story with some sci-fi trappings. You could really make this story in pretty much any time period, and it wouldn't change very much about it. There's an attempt at some heart as Hawk bonds with a few of the natives, but none of them are really fleshed-out enough to care about.
Personally, I found our female lead (if you can call her that, she doesn't get much screentime despite being in the prologue) more interesting than Hawk, as he's just your typical damaged-hero-with-a-daughter. I was very annoyed that Hawk internally refers to her as a "girl" constantly, even though she's 29 years old. I would have liked to follow her story more, especially where she's tracking down this drug cartel of sorts and doing general police work.
Overall, this story is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. There isn't a ton of worldbuilding on the planet where all the action takes place (it's just a general poor agrarian society), and the characters are pretty flat, but if you just want a sci-fi action novel, this will do.
Actual rating: 3.25 stars
I don't have too much to say on this book. It's pretty straightforward, for the most part - Hawk is hired to lead a revolution on this backwater planet and out the current dictator in favor of the supposed true leader. There's guns, there's fights, there's escapes, all that good stuff. It's a pretty standard action story with some sci-fi trappings. You could really make this story in pretty much any time period, and it wouldn't change very much about it. There's an attempt at some heart as Hawk bonds with a few of the natives, but none of them are really fleshed-out enough to care about.
Personally, I found our female lead (if you can call her that, she doesn't get much screentime despite being in the prologue) more interesting than Hawk, as he's just your typical damaged-hero-with-a-daughter. I was very annoyed that Hawk internally refers to her as a "girl" constantly, even though she's 29 years old. I would have liked to follow her story more, especially where she's tracking down this drug cartel of sorts and doing general police work.
Overall, this story is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. There isn't a ton of worldbuilding on the planet where all the action takes place (it's just a general poor agrarian society), and the characters are pretty flat, but if you just want a sci-fi action novel, this will do.
March 13, 2022
A single narrator introduces us to a few characters who become pivotal in the events to come. We see inside the thoughts of a couple if them in detail; while we and they do not know the parts they will play--large or small--for individuals and worlds!
A boy enslaved along with his father by a brutal and greedy dictator. A woman who joined the Guarda to find the source of an incurably addictive drug that killed a loved one. And a small-time hauler of dangerous goods (like mining explosives) who wants to provide for his small family. Perhaps unlike most people, these three have determination they weren't fully aware of. Time, pain, and experience, make it sharp. Before long, others will only have to look into their eyes to see it.
This is a cleverly plotted story. Far too generous with unnecessary swearing, not heavy enough on story editing (the author seems to wander a bit at times, over describing, etc.), and a few too many repeated phrases and sentiments. (Again, story editor needed to cut almost 1/4 of the book without losing content.)
Warning: Swearing, some gore, drug use, suicide, slavery, rape, other violence.
3/5 Stars
Thank you to the publisher and HiddenGems for the free preview of this ebook; the review is voluntary.
#HawkHellfire #HiddenGemsBooks
A boy enslaved along with his father by a brutal and greedy dictator. A woman who joined the Guarda to find the source of an incurably addictive drug that killed a loved one. And a small-time hauler of dangerous goods (like mining explosives) who wants to provide for his small family. Perhaps unlike most people, these three have determination they weren't fully aware of. Time, pain, and experience, make it sharp. Before long, others will only have to look into their eyes to see it.
This is a cleverly plotted story. Far too generous with unnecessary swearing, not heavy enough on story editing (the author seems to wander a bit at times, over describing, etc.), and a few too many repeated phrases and sentiments. (Again, story editor needed to cut almost 1/4 of the book without losing content.)
Warning: Swearing, some gore, drug use, suicide, slavery, rape, other violence.
3/5 Stars
Thank you to the publisher and HiddenGems for the free preview of this ebook; the review is voluntary.
#HawkHellfire #HiddenGemsBooks
April 2, 2021
A very well written Sci Fi novel that was an easy enjoyable read. Abbie's brother died from a drug overdose and she joins the Guarda determined to find and punish those responsible. Kyrstian Hauken is fed up of killing, having spent most of his life in the military now all he wants to do is fly his ship and save enough money to support his family.
Of course that is never going to happen! He is falsely convicted of terrorist attack and imprisoned with no hope of parole. His only escape from prison will be to die.
This novel is a well written adventure, and Waller brings the story threads together seamlessly as he evolves the story. My only gripe if any, is that the novel wasn't gripping, there could have been more tension/suspense to keep you hooked.
But none the less a very enjoyable read, enough techno speak to make it interesting and to explain the technology but not too much. Great story, well developed characters, I would read more of Hawks adventures for sure.
I received a Hidden Gems ARC copy and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Of course that is never going to happen! He is falsely convicted of terrorist attack and imprisoned with no hope of parole. His only escape from prison will be to die.
This novel is a well written adventure, and Waller brings the story threads together seamlessly as he evolves the story. My only gripe if any, is that the novel wasn't gripping, there could have been more tension/suspense to keep you hooked.
But none the less a very enjoyable read, enough techno speak to make it interesting and to explain the technology but not too much. Great story, well developed characters, I would read more of Hawks adventures for sure.
I received a Hidden Gems ARC copy and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 25, 2021
I enjoyed this book! There are a number of reasons why it is a cut above the sort of sci-fi thriller adventure that it first appears to be. The characters are more complex and more diverse than you might expect. It is less violent than such books often are. And it has less gender stereotyping than even modern sci-fi still often has. More positively, it was simply a good, enjoyable read. There are imho a few points for improvement. It is plot driven, but the plot is very straightforward. Nothing unexpected happens and almost from the moment that various threads are introduced, it is obvious how they are going to connect. Although the main characters are reasonably complex, the 'baddies' are all very two-dimensional. Nevertheless, this book isn't pretending to be literature, so it is doubtless unfair to criticise it for not being so.
Bottom line; if you want a few hours fun reading, without it being spoiled by violence or sexism, I can definitely recommend this book.
Disclaimer; I received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Bottom line; if you want a few hours fun reading, without it being spoiled by violence or sexism, I can definitely recommend this book.
Disclaimer; I received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 26, 2023
Epic space opera.
When security consultant/ mercenary Kyrstian is falsely convicted and imprisoned for a terrorist attack he didn't commit his life is over, until a mega-corporation offers him a way out, for a price. Abbie joins the Guarda to search for and bring to justice the manufacturers of the drug that killed her brother. With so many worlds out there finding the source world is almost impossible, until it's not and when their paths cross all hell breaks loose. Insanely detailed worldbuilding believable characters and a host of amazing storylines leading to the epic conclusion, one of the best books I've read in a long time, Baz.
When security consultant/ mercenary Kyrstian is falsely convicted and imprisoned for a terrorist attack he didn't commit his life is over, until a mega-corporation offers him a way out, for a price. Abbie joins the Guarda to search for and bring to justice the manufacturers of the drug that killed her brother. With so many worlds out there finding the source world is almost impossible, until it's not and when their paths cross all hell breaks loose. Insanely detailed worldbuilding believable characters and a host of amazing storylines leading to the epic conclusion, one of the best books I've read in a long time, Baz.
July 22, 2020
This is a most exciting journey through space and other places. Complex, deep and very well written, it’s the chance of this lifetime to travel through space, visit planets vastly separate and watch as one man changes the future of people everywhere. Hawk isn’t perfect but he is very likeable. And strong. And moral, though he would argue that! This is one novel that deserves to be read, as I did, uninterrupted by mundane issues. Like eating or sleeping or chores. Do get it and enjoy an exciting and uplifting novel.
March 25, 2021
Who do you get when you cross Jimjoy Wright (of Modessit's Ecological Matter series) with Nolan Garrett (of Peloquin's Cerberus series)? You get an extremely competent altruistic morale black-ops operative like Lazarus Hawk. What do you not do to someone like Lazarus Hawk? You do NOT mess with his family. Somebody messed with him and his family. Boy, does Hawk bring the pain! If you like military science ficton thrillers and anti-heroes with well-armoured hearts, you need to read this.
I received an ARC from Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2021
Good read and can be a lead into a series. I enjoyed the story and the characters. The world building is good and there are no grammar errors. The action was ok but was a little weaker than it could have been and no romance. If it becomes a series, I would continue to follow it; lots of opportunity for expansion. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 21, 2023
I quite enjoyed the story. To me it was about choosing your path and dealing with the obstacles you face with your perception of justice.
It was well written and l did become engaged with the main character. Some nice twists but all in all a good read featuring as good as they get mercenaries.
It was well written and l did become engaged with the main character. Some nice twists but all in all a good read featuring as good as they get mercenaries.
May 22, 2023
What a fun read.
I’m fond of stories about ethical mercenaries. They’re rare characters.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable story about a wrongfully convicted man given an opportunity to right a few wrongs. As escape science fiction, it’s highly recommended.
I’m fond of stories about ethical mercenaries. They’re rare characters.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable story about a wrongfully convicted man given an opportunity to right a few wrongs. As escape science fiction, it’s highly recommended.
June 10, 2023
I liked this story. Good storyline that actually finished at the end of the book. Rare these days. The'hook' being I want to read more of Hawk, and what became of him after he closed off the supply of Hellfire.
Definitely worth a read.
Definitely worth a read.
June 14, 2023
This is a very clever and enthralling story with rich characters who just pull you in. Every time you think you grasped the thread it twists off again and you doubt what’s happening along with Lazarus. Great read, you won’t regret picking up this book.
May 19, 2023
Awesome!!!!
I love all books by this talented author!!!!! Lots of action and amazing characters made me forget about the whole world. Highly recommend this book !!!!
I love all books by this talented author!!!!! Lots of action and amazing characters made me forget about the whole world. Highly recommend this book !!!!
May 19, 2023
A really good book
A really good book with a well drawn plot and character development and all tied up nicely at the end.
A really good book with a well drawn plot and character development and all tied up nicely at the end.
September 19, 2025
AN AWESOME BOOK THAT I COULD HARDLY PUT DOWN. A TRULY WONDERFUL BOOK THAT WILL LINGER IN MY MIND!
March 19, 2022
Disclaimer: Copy received free from Voracious Readers Only
I did like this book. The main character Hawk was fun to read about and most of the characters around him were written fine. You won't find anything super deep in this book but that's fine, the action was great, the pacing worked well, and that's really what I kind of expected from a military sci-fi.
Only reason this doesn't get a higher rating from me is there are some questionable choices made by the author. I nearly stopped reading this book because one of the characters names was "Mongke", it just felt really tone-deaf considering who the character was and I felt uncomfortable reading because of it.
(EDIT: I have learned that Mongke is a traditional Mongolian boys name, I did not know this prior to finishing the book and it unfortunately soured my reading experience because I incorrectly thought there were negative connotations where there were none.)
The book is also pretty obviously male-gazey, with female characters often described by their looks. I don't usually care, but when a 13-year old girl was described with something along the lines of "her young breasts noticeable under the sacking dress she wore" it kinda skeeved me out.
I did like this book. The main character Hawk was fun to read about and most of the characters around him were written fine. You won't find anything super deep in this book but that's fine, the action was great, the pacing worked well, and that's really what I kind of expected from a military sci-fi.
Only reason this doesn't get a higher rating from me is there are some questionable choices made by the author. I nearly stopped reading this book because one of the characters names was "Mongke", it just felt really tone-deaf considering who the character was and I felt uncomfortable reading because of it.
(EDIT: I have learned that Mongke is a traditional Mongolian boys name, I did not know this prior to finishing the book and it unfortunately soured my reading experience because I incorrectly thought there were negative connotations where there were none.)
The book is also pretty obviously male-gazey, with female characters often described by their looks. I don't usually care, but when a 13-year old girl was described with something along the lines of "her young breasts noticeable under the sacking dress she wore" it kinda skeeved me out.
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