The Black Guardians

Black Guard #4

by C.R. Daems

Although book 4 is part of the Black Guard series, it can be read as a Standalone novel.Outpost and their allies, Lariw and Valhall, are close to solidifying the Helix Alliance, their first step in achieving their decades-old goal of annihilating Jax.The Alliance, which Jax refuses to join, will allow the Outpost led alliance navy to hassle Jax' merchants with the intention of eventually provoking an incident that will lead to war – a war Jax cannot win against a larger alliance navy. A nightmare scenario, since Outpost secretly intends to commit genocide against the Jax.The Jax Military Committee decides to sends General Noam, their most innovative member, on a sabbatical to devote his efforts to finding a solution to their dilemma. He returns two years later with a radical idea – but can it be developed in time, can it be kept a secret, can the Jax navy adjust, and most important, will it work?It's a all or nothing -- survive or perish -- gambit.

Genres: Science Fiction

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2022

About the author

I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and joined the military right out of high school. I served twenty-two years in the United States Air Force as a certified internal auditor. While in the military service, I lived in seven states and two foreign countries, and obtained two degrees: a BS in mathematics and an MS in computer science.

After I retired from the Air Force, I secured a position with Digital Equipment Corporation, located in Bedford, Massachusetts, as a software course developer and instructor. I worked twenty-two years at DEC and held positions as a course developer, course development manager, software engineer, and software engineering manager.

Today, I’m retired and live in Tucson, Arizona, with my wife of fifty-three years. My daughter and two grandchildren live in Maryland. I began writing several years after I retired, when I was seventy. My first two attempts remain in my desk drawer—good ideas, but poorly written. Subsequently, I co-authored, with Jeanne Tomlin, three fantasy novels: Talon of the Raptor Clan, Scales of Justice, and All My Friends Have Wings (young adults). Talon of the Raptor Clan was sold to ePress-online Books and came out in July 2009. Since then I have written two additional novels: The Laughing Hounds (urban fantasy) and The Riss Gamble (science fiction).

My hobbies for the past forty years have been kung fu and tai chi.

Reviews

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable story until the one major irritation. The fight with the ’Crouching Tiger’ about three quarters of the way through the book did not work. The author appeared to be trying to incorporate more drama into the action, but he did this by making the ‘Jax’ commanders involved stupidly incompetent.
The Jax have an extremely professional military and they only have a handful of cruisers so why would they put an arrogant idiot in charge of one and then compound the issue by not explaining how the Besra stealth cruisers should be used. Then the commander of the Bresa unit just sat on a ship being blown apart, even though he was expressly told he could defy the Captain of the ship if he was not using the Besra to protect Jax’s interests.
To make matters worse the author also has to make Admiral Noam inept by allowing a second cruiser be destroyed using a tactic he already knew about and was even predicting could happen. It is also ridiculous that the commander of the ’Crouching Tiger’ wasn’t given explicit instructions about the Besra unit.
I can understand why this might not bother some people, but I’m afraid it started to take the edge off the book for me. Up until this point I was definitely going to give five stars. Fortunately the story ends strongly so I was still happy to give four stars.

[Beach Bum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a continuation

This is not a continuation of the black guard series, but it does have similarities and the author brings them into the story at a very high level now and again
The premise is very similar to other series the author has written about a young girl/woman who turns out to be a natural at the assignment she is given and then turns the tables on the enemy
Overall highly entertaining and enjoyable

[Jackie McKeown · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow! totally nonstop and wonderful action

The T-Rex clique are great personalities and the thought processes are mind boggling. Can’t wait for the future adventures of Quinn and her merry band of flying “assassins” And our darling Black Guard Dragon makes a few appearances! Think of the mischief they could cause if turned loose! Can’t wait for the next installment!!!

[lee baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I hoped for, but happy with what I got

I was looking forward to a continuation of the previous 3 books, that may still happen. What is here is the navy version which I totally enjoyed. As stated this book could be a stand alone but there are minor contributions from the first 3.
If you read this a stand alone, I suggest you read one through three.

[Niaka Gruneberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

need more please!!

Waiting was hard but so glad an additional story in this universe wish it was from Sapir but Quinn is t too bad she just doesn’t feel as solid a heroine as Sapir still. Looking forward to more adventures.

[Larinda Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

At first I wasn't happy because it wasn't the usual Black Guards Dragons, but then I realised that it was a new group of guardian pilots. This is a good way to continue the series without getting stale.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story from the Helix clustwr

Wasn't sure if I would like a story not centered on Sapir, but Kat quickly grew on me. Loved the creation of the Black Guardians, and the space battles we're excellent.

[Aleea J. Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Fine JAX Heroine

It's important to love what you do in life. Mr. Daems has found another child on JAX whose abilities are honed to be a fine warrior. Looking forward to the next installment.

[Les · Rating 2 out of 5]

disappointing

The Black Guardians are supposed to be the Black Guard in space flying experimental new mini cruisers , the problem is that there is no Captain Sapir. The "leader" of our warriors is Kat Quinn who is young cocky and a very good pilot but has no personality , in fact none of the new characters are more than names and there is next to no background , it is probably because the characters are young that the book reads like a young teens adventure and has huge credibility issues , it looks like there may be a book five and if it was on KU I would maybe read it but I wouldn't pay for what aren't long stories.

[Sophie Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Amazing Story

I simply just devour anything produced by this author and this continuation of the Black Guard series is another. Highly recommended.

[Melanie Haneline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining read

I was extremely happy to see Captain Sapir having cameos in this Book . Very entertaining And highly recommended for all readers.

[Nayda Kahlbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different but as good as the Black Guard series

I love how they integrated the new Navy Guard Pilots spin off to the Black Guard including cameo appearance of Captain Sapir.

[Jonathan Wormald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine addition and a new direction

Anybody who loves space opera will enjoy this naval story that is the fourth book in a series that heretofore was about elite professional bodyguards.