The Seventh Shaman

The Seventh Shaman #1

by D.T. Read

No matter how far he runs, he can’t run far enough.

Blamed for the accidental deaths of two family members, Akuleh—Ku to his friends—flees his shamanic society to fight in an interstellar war. An excellent bush pilot, he gets accepted for flight training, even though he’s underage—a quality that makes him the target of abuse from many of his peers.

But when Machitew, death demon of his people’s ancient tales, begins stalking Ku for his own bone-chilling purposes, bad things start happening to the people around him… making it impossible for him to concentrate on both his studies and his flying.

Enemies abound, both within the training squadron and in the black of space, and it quickly becomes apparent that not only is Ku’s nation losing the war, but Ku is also losing his personal battle with Machitew.

Ku will have to rely on his neglected “chanter” background—something he has been derided for in the past—as well as his skillful piloting, if he’s going to save his homeworld… and his soul.

464 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2022

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

This author has published books with 2 different pen names:
- Diann Thornley Read
- D.T. Read

Reviews

[Hanzel]

What is it with Space Opera plus Academy, wherein you read the day to day struggle of your favourite protagonist and his cohorts, mates or wingmen/women and depending on the situation, laugh, curse, cry or wait in anticipation, but somehow in all works out and finally we see them graduate and or promoted and the story goes on.......
Such is the premise for this new space opera by D.T. Read, but this time the universe we are to visit is both scientific and magical in nature, not the usual full born magicks we are used to but a more spiritual one, and it blends well.
Introducing our protagonist Akuleh of Clan Masou, a downtrodden youth, full of issues, but instead of being weighed down by his troubles, he is able to surpass them, thus the story starts.
A wonderful new universe, inch by inch, stride for stride, the author tries to slowly build both the pilots and the universal system they are to protect and fight for. The characters reflect the universal adolescent striving for their future and trying just to survive, the narration was just simple but it packs a lot punch. A truly wonderful read.

[Terry Gene, author]

The military scifi that sizzles with one's culture
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 21, 2023
One of my long standing gripes about military scifi is how the character disappears into the equipment and the explosions. D.T. Read's writing not only centers you in the character and his culture, but brings it forward into the futuristic space cadet (sorry couldn't resist) basic training. The antagonists, recruits from his own culture, and an apparently sadistic drill instructor reach out in believable ways to force Ku to grow. The main antagonist, his cultural demon that followed his people to the stars always hovers in the background.
I'm not ex-military, but I was pulled into the barracks/training sequences.
I'd like to write much more, but if I go further, this review would be loaded with spoilers. Instead, may I leave you with this: Read and enjoy the surprises!

[Dr susan]

Great sci fi adventure

The worldbuilding is inventive, but if you prefer your sci fi pure, fantasy creeps into the story. Although the main character is a teenager, the book is a great read for any age. However, I dislike love triangles, and I hope the author resolves this one in an un-angsty, un-deadly way. I like Ku and his cast of supporting characters. I'm looking forward to book 2.

[Jack Brown]

The Gods on the hunt.

My is from a heavy world but is haunted with visions of death and destruction.
His grandma states that the Gods have a plan for him, but he doesn't believe it.

[Nic Plume]

Great beginning for the series

This story is one of the best I have read in a long time. Great world building with realistic characters. Looking forward To the next one.

[Skybird564]

Great Story

This story brought back a lot of memories from a long time ago. The Ku character underwent an excellent development from teen to commissioned officer with wings.

[Susan Cook]

I really enjoyed this book it grabbed me from the first page, held me to the end and now I am eager to start the next book in the series. This is a coming of age story set in the distant future and amidst a galactic war, with religious zealots as the enemy. The main character, young Ku Masou flees his abusive home life, crashes the plane his deceased father left him, meets a girl who fascinates him and then enlists in the armed forces all within a few days. He was due to be conscripted in four months, on his twentieth birthday, when he officially comes of age but without his beloved plane, he’d rather hasten things. He is accepted for flight training but only under the cloud of probation as his altered papers, giving a false birthdate, don’t fool the military. Basic training is a confusion of harassment, bullying, new friends and constant nightmares. This leaves Ku wondering if he will ever get through it but the more obstacles he faces, the more determined he becomes, to succeed. The story is riveting, the characters are excellent and I believe it will appeal to any reader that likes drama, humour, a taste of magic and a touch of humour.

[Adena Lee]

I am fascinated by the way the author interwove an indigenous culture (Dine maybe?) with space-going technology to create a believably multicultural galactic entity. I am particularly fascinated by the spiritual elements of this culture within this intergalactic society. I am looking forward to reading more and I recommend this series to fans of Rachel Neumeier's Tuyo series and to fans of Robert Heinlein and L. E. Modesitt Jr.

[mark white]

Excellent characters and story

Excellent characters,interaction and story. Can't wait for next instalment and to see what happens next. The rich kids get away with attempted murder.