Renegade Audiobook By Joel Shepherd cover art

Renegade

Spiral Wars, Book 1

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Renegade

By: Joel Shepherd
Narrated by: John Lee
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One thousand years after Earth was destroyed in an unprovoked attack, humanity has emerged victorious from a series of terrible wars to assure its place in the galaxy. But during celebrations on humanity’s new homeworld, the legendary Captain Pantillo of the battle carrier Phoenix is court-martialed then killed, and his deputy, Lieutenant Commander Erik Debogande, the heir to humanity’s most powerful industrial family, is framed for his murder. Assisted by Phoenix’s marine commander Trace Thakur, Erik and Phoenix are forced to go on the run as they seek to unravel the conspiracy behind their captain’s demise, pursued to the death by their own fleet. What they discover about the truth behind the wars and the nature of humanity’s ancient alien allies will shake the sentient galaxy to its core.

©2015 Joel Shepherd (P)2015 Audible, Inc. Space Opera Science Fiction Military Interstellar Fiction Hard Science Fiction
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Engaging Space Opera • Complex Political Intrigue • Spectacular Narration • Exciting Battle Sequences • Immersive Delivery

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Let me begin by saying that John Lee could read a cookbook and give it the subtle impact and nuanced inflection of Richard !!!. So part of my reaction to this book is a result of his performance.

That said, my favorites are Neal Stephenson, Peter F. Hamilton (Void Series), Dan Simmons (Hyperion), Alastair Reynolds (Revelation Space Trilogy, Terminal World), Richard K. Morgan (Altered Carbon) and Charles Stross. (Halting State and Rule 34. -- also Corey's Expanse series.) Although the plot mechanism here is not a complex revelation (no pun intended) the execution is really good.

Military space opera with a pretty standard lead in -- junior command officer has to take over valiant ship and fight his way out of big trouble. A slightly slow start but oddly akin to the beginning of Hamilton's Void. I was totally unprepared for this being so much fun. Don't read it for the new ideas, read it because it is well done. The dialogue, pacing and characters are just that.... a lot of fun. I really hope that this is the first in a series.

(When I read the first book in the "Galbraith" detective series, I almost remarked that it reminded me of another, more sophisticated writer. When I read The Martian I almost stopped because it seemed so simple at first. So this time I'll ask even if it sounds odd....has anyone seen Joel Shepard, Alistair Reynolds and Peter F. Hamilton together in the same place ????)

And by the way, speaking of Richard III -- keep in mind the scene where, left alone with his executioners, the stunned Hastings slowly realizes that Stanley was right all along. Richard is a manipulative, power-hungry traitor, and Hastings has been dangerously overconfident. Always a risk.

Perhaps this Year's Surprise 6 -- but stealthy

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Renegade is Joel Shepherd's Book 1 of the Spiral Wars series. Lt commander Eric Debogande heads 3rd shift on a storied warship that is just coming out of long war with an alien foe that permitted a prior alien race, since defeated, to destroy Earth and rule humanity's diaspora. Even before the cleanup for the ticker tape parade, Eric finds his captain in jail for treason and is subsequently framed for his murder. What follows is a race for the basis of a highly placed cabal cleaning house in space command. Eric and his warship must piece together clues while staying one step ahead of fleet on their tail, along with various alien races with dubious intentions and buried secrets.

The sci-fi elements display faster than light drives necessary for interstellar interactions, while the multiple alien cultures are the main attraction with variety and diversity evident. The real appeal is the complex "geopolitical" intrigue without resorting to the more typical monolithic alien mindset. Under these conditions, old allies and adversaries don't always align correctly leading to confusion, uncertainty, and unique, creative situations. At the same time, humanity is also dealing with internal, divergent interests between "spacers" and "worlders" that is partly the driver for the "evil" cabal Eric is facing off against. One final noteworthy aspect is that while humanity is relatively speaking, the "new kid on the block," they are regarded as one of the more formidable races in the galaxy.

John Lee's narration is another gem of a listen. The range of characters of both genders is excellent, as is both his pacing and tone that meshes well with the back and forth between military action, both in space and marine infantry and political intrigue.

Military sci-fi thriller

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I was surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I just thought it would be another space opera with no beginning or end. Turns out that it is a space opera that has dynamic characters that learn and grow. On top of that the setting is very detailed, the antagonists are despicable, and you find yourself rooting (sometimes out loud) for the good guys.

I especially loved the history of the galaxy that has to be pieced together as the characters travel through various locations.

I couldn't turn it off. It kept me hooked till the end.

Surprised by how much I enjoyed it

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Story has a good mix of action and intrigue. Good characters. Looking forward to more.

Intriguing space adventure

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The book flows well and is intelligently read, I sat straight through the read, much the wife's chagrin.

Renegade Awesome

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