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Sovereign Earth #2
Galaxy Bound
The Centauri Gate has opened, and humanity has taken its first steps into the unknown. When an Earth freighter is destroyed in Centauri space, Zara Ortega and the crew of the Black Rain are sent to investigate, accompanied by an Earth military officer and a Centauri diplomat. It’s apparent something is wrong, and when they chase down the leads, they end up facing off against heavily armed warships that should not be there. Soon they are in another desperate race to survive. They seek shelter in a Centauri colony near Proxima. But those following them mount a brutal assault, and they pay a high price to flee. They need to get word out, or it means war.
- GenresScience Fiction
226 pages, Paperback
Published September 12, 2021
About the author
Vidar Hokstad
3 books24 followersI've been writing for myself for about 30 years, and had a blog for my technical work for many years as well, but started writing for publication much more recently.
I grew up in Norway, but have lived in London since 2000. I live with my son.
My blog is here - I'd import it to Goodreads, but the Goodreads blog sync mangles the formatting badly.
I grew up in Norway, but have lived in London since 2000. I live with my son.
My blog is here - I'd import it to Goodreads, but the Goodreads blog sync mangles the formatting badly.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 19, 2021
I received free copy of a book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
As the first book, The Year Before the End, Galaxy Bound is also very action packed, which starts right in the first chapter of the book and doesn't stop till the very end. It's that sort of a sci-fi novel, that sucks you right in straight from the beginning, which resulted with me finishing the book in a day. But despite all the action scenes, what I really loved about it is the world building. The worlds and universe are so vividly described, you can picture everything the crew of the Black Rain see through their spaceship. The details also continue with spaceships itself and absolutely everything else, and for moments, I felt like I was right there with the crew themselves.
Talking about the descriptions itself, I do remember what bothered me a little with the first novel are technical details, that resulted in a small part of the book being a bit like a manual, but none of that was present in Galaxy Bound, which as a consequence allowed the story to flow and I enjoyed it a lot more. That doesn't mean the technical details weren't there, but there was just the right amount of information you need to get the grasp of technology being used.
The other thing I loved a lot is the introduction of new characters, especially the Centauri diplomat, who was written really well and I enjoyed getting to know him. He seems complex, with a lot of depth, and with a lot to offer with progression of the series. I wish he will be present in future books as I wish to get to know him a lot more. But when it comes to the Black Rain crew, I still wish to get more background story from all of them, specially Zara Ortega, who seems to be such an amazing character with lots of stories to tell. I do believe, however, after reading the first two books, that their story will evolve further and I'll get to know them a bit more in every book further on.
To conclude, even though I really enjoyed the first book in the series, I do think Galaxy Bound was better with the whole flow of the book and it was a huge step in the right direction. I can only be excited of what future instalments in the series will bring.
As the first book, The Year Before the End, Galaxy Bound is also very action packed, which starts right in the first chapter of the book and doesn't stop till the very end. It's that sort of a sci-fi novel, that sucks you right in straight from the beginning, which resulted with me finishing the book in a day. But despite all the action scenes, what I really loved about it is the world building. The worlds and universe are so vividly described, you can picture everything the crew of the Black Rain see through their spaceship. The details also continue with spaceships itself and absolutely everything else, and for moments, I felt like I was right there with the crew themselves.
Talking about the descriptions itself, I do remember what bothered me a little with the first novel are technical details, that resulted in a small part of the book being a bit like a manual, but none of that was present in Galaxy Bound, which as a consequence allowed the story to flow and I enjoyed it a lot more. That doesn't mean the technical details weren't there, but there was just the right amount of information you need to get the grasp of technology being used.
The other thing I loved a lot is the introduction of new characters, especially the Centauri diplomat, who was written really well and I enjoyed getting to know him. He seems complex, with a lot of depth, and with a lot to offer with progression of the series. I wish he will be present in future books as I wish to get to know him a lot more. But when it comes to the Black Rain crew, I still wish to get more background story from all of them, specially Zara Ortega, who seems to be such an amazing character with lots of stories to tell. I do believe, however, after reading the first two books, that their story will evolve further and I'll get to know them a bit more in every book further on.
To conclude, even though I really enjoyed the first book in the series, I do think Galaxy Bound was better with the whole flow of the book and it was a huge step in the right direction. I can only be excited of what future instalments in the series will bring.
April 30, 2022
Captain Zara Ortega’s mission continues. She and her crew need to investigate an attack on an Earth ship. Follow them on their galaxy-bound journey.
Galaxy Bound is the second installment of the six-volume Sovereign Earth series. Written by Vidar Hokstad, the plot is set entirely in outer space. The story starts where the first volume ended.
Captain Zara Ortega, or Zo, and her crew are commissioned to investigate an attack on an Earth ship. This time, they are joined by two other members. The first to join the team is Lieutenant Monique Salinger. She represents Vanguard II, the massive space station constructed in the system. Another personality to join the investigating team is the alien named Soka’li Em-Sckirrrne Three or Soka for short. He is a diplomat representing the Centauri. All in all, the investigating team is composed of seven humans and one alien.
As soon as everyone is ready and all equipment secured, the team board the spaceship, Black Rain. They proceed to the area where the wreckage of the attack took place. Each member takes on a specific role as they perform the hazardous salvage work. But, while the team is on it, some spaceships come into view. They recognize these ships as those of the Centauri Empire. This puzzles Soka because he’s not aware of any other team deployed to investigate the incident. And so, as the newcomers approach, Soka call on them only to get a hostile reply.
The Black Rain: Fight of Flight
Sensing danger, therefore, the Black Rain team prepares their weapons. Indeed, the Centauri ships intend to attack them. Even as they maneuver through the battle, the group plans an escape route. Soka tries to contact his government to seek help and to inquire about the attacking group. Unfortunately, his request is denied. He’s even accused of being a traitor. Because of this, the Black Rain team is left to fend for themselves.
From this first incident onwards, they have to deal with a series of life-threatening challenges. They seem to be forever hunted by an unknown enemy. Thankfully, the Black Rain team earns sympathy from one community. A representative of the group encourages them with these words:
Fly along with the Black Rain and learn more about their ordeal and how each one copes with the challenges. Read the Galaxy Bound.
Galaxy Bound: The Book and the Author
Written by Vidar Hokstad, Galaxy Bound is action-filled science fiction. The author takes his readers on a wild ride through fierce battles in outer space. From beginning through to the end, the suspense factor is high, leaving the readers on the edge of their seats. Vidar also skillfully describes each scene and action that makes the readers feel like they’re right there on the spot.
As I have commented in my review of the first installment of the series, the author’s imagination is wild, in a positive light. Aside from his adeptness in describing the scenes, the author also seems to be knowledgeable about spacecraft. I should say, the book is well-researched and organized. And, I commend him for this.
Moreover, Vidar builds up his characters well. He gives each one a distinct and well-defined persona. But, I like Clarisse’s character the most. Her brave stance on body parts augmentation is unthinkable. I can’t imagine the effects of brain enhancement.
Another thing that Vidar features in the book is his acknowledgment of the LGBTQ sector of society. Although he does not directly say it, he implies it in the behavior of some of the characters.
Meanwhile, on the technical side, I notice several typographical and grammatical errors in the book. Thus, I suggest the author submit it for a new round of proofreading before any reproduction is made. For this flaw alone that I withhold a perfect score to Galaxy Bound. In the meantime, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. But, I still highly recommend this book to readers 16 years old and above.
NOTE: The above review is also posted at The Catalyst.
Galaxy Bound is the second installment of the six-volume Sovereign Earth series. Written by Vidar Hokstad, the plot is set entirely in outer space. The story starts where the first volume ended.
Captain Zara Ortega, or Zo, and her crew are commissioned to investigate an attack on an Earth ship. This time, they are joined by two other members. The first to join the team is Lieutenant Monique Salinger. She represents Vanguard II, the massive space station constructed in the system. Another personality to join the investigating team is the alien named Soka’li Em-Sckirrrne Three or Soka for short. He is a diplomat representing the Centauri. All in all, the investigating team is composed of seven humans and one alien.
As soon as everyone is ready and all equipment secured, the team board the spaceship, Black Rain. They proceed to the area where the wreckage of the attack took place. Each member takes on a specific role as they perform the hazardous salvage work. But, while the team is on it, some spaceships come into view. They recognize these ships as those of the Centauri Empire. This puzzles Soka because he’s not aware of any other team deployed to investigate the incident. And so, as the newcomers approach, Soka call on them only to get a hostile reply.
The Black Rain: Fight of Flight
Sensing danger, therefore, the Black Rain team prepares their weapons. Indeed, the Centauri ships intend to attack them. Even as they maneuver through the battle, the group plans an escape route. Soka tries to contact his government to seek help and to inquire about the attacking group. Unfortunately, his request is denied. He’s even accused of being a traitor. Because of this, the Black Rain team is left to fend for themselves.
From this first incident onwards, they have to deal with a series of life-threatening challenges. They seem to be forever hunted by an unknown enemy. Thankfully, the Black Rain team earns sympathy from one community. A representative of the group encourages them with these words:
“If you ignore injustice, you share equal guilt with those who perpetrate it.”
Fly along with the Black Rain and learn more about their ordeal and how each one copes with the challenges. Read the Galaxy Bound.
Galaxy Bound: The Book and the Author
Written by Vidar Hokstad, Galaxy Bound is action-filled science fiction. The author takes his readers on a wild ride through fierce battles in outer space. From beginning through to the end, the suspense factor is high, leaving the readers on the edge of their seats. Vidar also skillfully describes each scene and action that makes the readers feel like they’re right there on the spot.
As I have commented in my review of the first installment of the series, the author’s imagination is wild, in a positive light. Aside from his adeptness in describing the scenes, the author also seems to be knowledgeable about spacecraft. I should say, the book is well-researched and organized. And, I commend him for this.
Moreover, Vidar builds up his characters well. He gives each one a distinct and well-defined persona. But, I like Clarisse’s character the most. Her brave stance on body parts augmentation is unthinkable. I can’t imagine the effects of brain enhancement.
Another thing that Vidar features in the book is his acknowledgment of the LGBTQ sector of society. Although he does not directly say it, he implies it in the behavior of some of the characters.
Meanwhile, on the technical side, I notice several typographical and grammatical errors in the book. Thus, I suggest the author submit it for a new round of proofreading before any reproduction is made. For this flaw alone that I withhold a perfect score to Galaxy Bound. In the meantime, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. But, I still highly recommend this book to readers 16 years old and above.
NOTE: The above review is also posted at The Catalyst.
August 17, 2021
Galaxy Bound
is the second book in the Sovereign Earth Cycle book series. Six books are planned by self-published author Vidar Hokstad. I reviewed the first book,
The Year Before the End
, back on July 1. Coincidentally Book 2 came out the same day.
At the opening of the new book the gate between the Sol system and Alpha Centauri has been completed and is operational. The alien civilization responsible for the ring technology has established diplomatic relations with humanity and trade through the gates has begun.
The aliens call themselves the Kriii'nai Empire but are often referred to as "The Centauri" by humans, while they in turn call us "Earthers".
While trade relations have started, they are not going smoothly. Accusations of attacks on ships from the Sol system have led Earth and the Kriii'nai to agree to send a small civilian vessel to investigate. As part of the agreement a Sol system military officer and a Centauri diplomat are assigned to the vessel. This is the mission that Captain Zara Ortega and crew were offered at the end of Book 1, along with their ship the Black Rain.
As with Book 1 this is an action packed thrill ride, this time through the gate and into Centauri space. Along the way we learn more about the Empire, and are introduced to bits and pieces of it's culture and technology, which I expect we'll learn more about as the series continues.
Character development is more thorough in this book as Hokstad grounds us in the alien culture. The Centauri diplomat Soka is likely the most well developed character in the series so far and it's quite fun to see the story line through his eyes. As with the first book the action comes at you so fast that you don't really get time to feel like you know the Black Rain crew in the same depth that you get to know Soka.
The story line is tighter in this book as Hokstad did much of the heavy lifting for world building in Book 1 and so can proceed apace. It's an enjoyable story and makes for a great summertime read. I did like it a bit less than the first book - I think because the storyline didn't feel like it advanced the series as much as I'd hoped it would.
If you are a fan of action packed science fiction series, check out the first two books of the Sovereign Earth Cycle series. Book 3 is expected to be released later this year.
I give Galaxy Bound Three Stars ⭐⭐⭐.
At the opening of the new book the gate between the Sol system and Alpha Centauri has been completed and is operational. The alien civilization responsible for the ring technology has established diplomatic relations with humanity and trade through the gates has begun.
The aliens call themselves the Kriii'nai Empire but are often referred to as "The Centauri" by humans, while they in turn call us "Earthers".
While trade relations have started, they are not going smoothly. Accusations of attacks on ships from the Sol system have led Earth and the Kriii'nai to agree to send a small civilian vessel to investigate. As part of the agreement a Sol system military officer and a Centauri diplomat are assigned to the vessel. This is the mission that Captain Zara Ortega and crew were offered at the end of Book 1, along with their ship the Black Rain.
As with Book 1 this is an action packed thrill ride, this time through the gate and into Centauri space. Along the way we learn more about the Empire, and are introduced to bits and pieces of it's culture and technology, which I expect we'll learn more about as the series continues.
Character development is more thorough in this book as Hokstad grounds us in the alien culture. The Centauri diplomat Soka is likely the most well developed character in the series so far and it's quite fun to see the story line through his eyes. As with the first book the action comes at you so fast that you don't really get time to feel like you know the Black Rain crew in the same depth that you get to know Soka.
The story line is tighter in this book as Hokstad did much of the heavy lifting for world building in Book 1 and so can proceed apace. It's an enjoyable story and makes for a great summertime read. I did like it a bit less than the first book - I think because the storyline didn't feel like it advanced the series as much as I'd hoped it would.
If you are a fan of action packed science fiction series, check out the first two books of the Sovereign Earth Cycle series. Book 3 is expected to be released later this year.
I give Galaxy Bound Three Stars ⭐⭐⭐.
June 7, 2022
Galaxy Bound is the second book of the Sovereign Earth series. We again follow the adventures of captain Zara Ortega and the crew of the Black Rain to a distant star system where they are to meet an alien species, the Centauri.
An action packed book filled with vivid descriptions that suck you right into the storyline. New alliances are made, while old an old nemesis re-emerges.
The author provides an interesting and imaginative look into gender bending masculine and feminine role reversals in the alien culture with wonderfully complicated male/female roles.
This second book is once again so detailed and the details so technical that it seriously has the potential to make a blockbuster feature film. Would love to see this story on the big screen someday.
I gave this book five stars because I really enjoyed the read. My only reservation (and this stems from my editing background) is that there were a few grammatical errors, but I quickly glossed over them in favor of continuing on with the story. Most of these would probably not be evident to the casual reader.
Definitely recommend this book to any sci-fi lover!
An action packed book filled with vivid descriptions that suck you right into the storyline. New alliances are made, while old an old nemesis re-emerges.
The author provides an interesting and imaginative look into gender bending masculine and feminine role reversals in the alien culture with wonderfully complicated male/female roles.
This second book is once again so detailed and the details so technical that it seriously has the potential to make a blockbuster feature film. Would love to see this story on the big screen someday.
I gave this book five stars because I really enjoyed the read. My only reservation (and this stems from my editing background) is that there were a few grammatical errors, but I quickly glossed over them in favor of continuing on with the story. Most of these would probably not be evident to the casual reader.
Definitely recommend this book to any sci-fi lover!
August 8, 2021
This story is really shaping up into a fun adventure in space! Zo and her crew are liberated after the unfortunate incident on Vanguard station and tasked to investigate a destroyed Earth ship in Centauri space. Evidence points to Centauri aggression, but the ramifications of such an act would destroy the tenuous relationship between the two species. To shore up that fledgling interpersonal situation, the crew is assigned a Centauri diplomat. Now they’re in uncharted waters and without a paddle. Can the captain and her crew fulfill their mission and make it back to Sol alive?
After some heavy world building in book one, Hokstad proves he can navigate dialogue as well as ship specifications. The interplay between the crew members is always enlightening and entertaining. We get a rapidly shifting POV that allows us into all their heads. Plus, we get the “alien” perspective from Ambassador Soka. This author is really coming into his own as the series progresses.
After some heavy world building in book one, Hokstad proves he can navigate dialogue as well as ship specifications. The interplay between the crew members is always enlightening and entertaining. We get a rapidly shifting POV that allows us into all their heads. Plus, we get the “alien” perspective from Ambassador Soka. This author is really coming into his own as the series progresses.
February 23, 2023
A good sequel to The Year Before the End, readable and engaging like the first book. Unfortunately it shares the same problems with its predecessor. I noticed poor vocabularic spread throughout the book, general typing and grammatical errors and low character development for most of the Black Rain crew. These issues pulled me out of the book at times, but despite them, it's an enjoyable space opera romp and worth a look for fans of the genre. With a bit more editing, this would be a five-star book.
October 31, 2021
The story became a bit repetitive but I was happy to go with the flow as it was engaging. I would have liked some more character development. There was some romantic tension, though some more backstory would have added more depth to the story, especially as this is book 2. A solid 3 star read. I’ll be happy to pick up book 3.
February 25, 2022
Full disclosure, I was given a copy of this book by Hokstad. My thoughts on it, however, are sincere.
I really like what Hokstad is doing with this series, with each passing book I'm getting more drawn into the world and his characters. Some of the writing is occasionally stilted, but his English is infinitely better than my Norwegian and it's no barrier to enjoyment. Digging this series.
I really like what Hokstad is doing with this series, with each passing book I'm getting more drawn into the world and his characters. Some of the writing is occasionally stilted, but his English is infinitely better than my Norwegian and it's no barrier to enjoyment. Digging this series.
April 28, 2023
This was another brilliant, faced paced book following Captain Zo and her crew. I really enjoyed the twists and sense of adventure, along with learning about the aliens on the other planets. The only negative thing I could say about this series so far is that the slow burn romance between Zo and Clarice, is going way too slowly!
September 24, 2021
This second installment, Galaxy Bound, in the Sovereign Earth series was just as good as the first. The author, Vidar Hokstad, really knows how to tell a story and it was a pleasure to read more about the crew of the Black Rain. This series is full of adventure and one you don’t want to miss out.
This book picks up where book one left off. Captain Zara and the crew of the Black Rain have accepted a mission. There have been attacks on Earth ships by the Kriii’nai Empire, aka the Centauri as humans call them. However, the Centauri insist that they have not been involved. This is where the crew of the Black Rain (recently upgraded courtesy of the government with all the latest and greatest tech) come in. They are sent to investigate and in addition to their crew they have one diplomat from Earth and one from the Kriii’nai Empire. Of course things are not as they first appear and they must discover the truth before hostilities break out between them.
I loved the continued world building and the introduction of alien characters. The attention to detail about Kriii’nai society was a real boon to the story and the character of Soka, the Centauri diplomat, was so well done. The character fit the plot and was well thought out. I have this image of what he looks like and how he dresses (literally wears dresses) all from the vivid descriptions. I hope we will see more of him in the future.
As in the first book, there is lot of action. However, it was never detrimental to the characters or world building. This a sure sign of a well thought through and executed plot. In addition, the author left us with somewhere to go after this installment and I am excited to see where Captain Zo and her crew are headed next.
This book is a great marriage of action Sci-Fi and Space Opera and the perfect pick for lovers of both. I highly recommend.
I received a free copy, from the author, in exchange for my honest review. For more of my reviews, and author interviews, see my book blog at www.thespineview.com.
This book picks up where book one left off. Captain Zara and the crew of the Black Rain have accepted a mission. There have been attacks on Earth ships by the Kriii’nai Empire, aka the Centauri as humans call them. However, the Centauri insist that they have not been involved. This is where the crew of the Black Rain (recently upgraded courtesy of the government with all the latest and greatest tech) come in. They are sent to investigate and in addition to their crew they have one diplomat from Earth and one from the Kriii’nai Empire. Of course things are not as they first appear and they must discover the truth before hostilities break out between them.
I loved the continued world building and the introduction of alien characters. The attention to detail about Kriii’nai society was a real boon to the story and the character of Soka, the Centauri diplomat, was so well done. The character fit the plot and was well thought out. I have this image of what he looks like and how he dresses (literally wears dresses) all from the vivid descriptions. I hope we will see more of him in the future.
As in the first book, there is lot of action. However, it was never detrimental to the characters or world building. This a sure sign of a well thought through and executed plot. In addition, the author left us with somewhere to go after this installment and I am excited to see where Captain Zo and her crew are headed next.
This book is a great marriage of action Sci-Fi and Space Opera and the perfect pick for lovers of both. I highly recommend.
I received a free copy, from the author, in exchange for my honest review. For more of my reviews, and author interviews, see my book blog at www.thespineview.com.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews