ARC Review: The Blackheart: A Military Space Opera Novella by Thom Bedford

31/03/2025military fiction, Science-Fiction, Space Fantasy, Speculative-Fiction, Surreal FictionLeave a Comment

Book Details:

Author: Thom Bedford
Release Date: April 5, 2025
~~Series~~:
Genre: Military Space Opera, Science Fiction
Format: E-book
Pages: 100 pages
Publisher: –
Blurb:
Spend an evening on a warship in this military space opera novella!
SABOTAGE AND SUSPICION
After narrowly escaping an explosion from a botched sabotage attempt, Captain Felysta Sandorn of the Combined Systems Alliance receives orders to lead a small fleet of agile warships to hunt down and destroy a pirate group. On arrival to the neutral system, however, not everything is as it seems, as they encounter archaic vessels and subdued, nervous behavior.

The year is 2815 and the galaxy teeters on the brink of war, but not everyone can be trusted. Is Felysta’s target a ragtag band of pirates as she’s been told? Or is it an organized fleet sent by the supposed Free Planetary Union, an emerging galactic empire? Only time will tell.
THE PIRATES OF WAN-NAKHON
This military space opera novella brings deception, suspense, and epic fleet combat to the genre, with detailed world-building, politics, and a hint of romance. All the best parts of science fiction.
For fans of franchises like Star Wars or the darker side of Star Trek, and fans of authors like Jack Campbell or John Scalzi.

Review

The Blackheart by Thom Bedford is everything I expected from a military sci-fi space opera: it had layered world-building, strong yet complex leadership, high-stakes conflict, and tons of morally charged choices. As a writer and editor, I can’t help but appreciate the precision and pacing in the prose. This book knows exactly when to go full-throttle and when to pause for introspection.

Captain Felysta Sandorn is a standout protagonist. She is commanding, strategic, and quietly compassionate beneath all that steel. Her dynamic with her XO, Jameson, adds just the right dose of philosophical tension, especially as rumors of the Free Planetary Union gain traction. Their contrasting perspectives on duty versus morality create a compelling undercurrent throughout the story.

The tension builds steadily, from the ominous return to Exeter Station to the explosive confrontation with a mysterious rogue fleet. There’s a real sense of tactical choreography in the action scenes, and I especially enjoyed the dialogue’s realism, they were crisp, military, and always character-revealing.

What held me back from giving it a full five stars was the fact that just a touch more emotional vulnerability from Felysta could have elevated her arc to perfection. We see glimpses of it, but I wanted more, more heart to balance all the head and command. Still, Author Bedford delivers a smart, sophisticated, and thoroughly entertaining sci-fi adventure that kicks off a promising series. Think The Expanse meets Mass Effect, but with a voice that’s very much his own. I’ll definitely be following this series to see where the crew of the Blackheart goes next.

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NA (Until Release Date)

Book Review: Herald Petrel by Strange Seawolf

28/07/202405/08/2024Science-Fiction, Space Fantasy4 Comments

Book Details:

Author: Strange Seawolf
Release Date: July 1, 2024
~~Series~~:
Genre: Science-Fiction, Space Opera
Format: E-book
Pages: 457 pages
Publisher: –
Blurb:
Another spaceship, another explosion. Harold Galahad would love to wake from this particular nightmare that is so eerily similar to the events that cost him his beloved wife and destroyed his soul. But the only way out is by saving the ship and its entire crew.
If you ask Harold Galahad, he isn’t fit to lead a crew or command a ship. But nobody is asking Harry.
Instead, he finds himself back on the bridge, on a ship stranded in space, no help in sight, only kept alive by remnants of a gradually failing life support system.

His crew? A nurse running out of tentacles and eyes to care for all the wounded, a chief engineer who knows all about her systems but struggles with people, a chief of security who thinks everything can be solved with paragraphs from the Company’s handbook, a cursing chief of logistics, an anxiety-ridden communications officer, and a first officer who stays mysterious and feigns ignorance. This ship needs a captain to avert a complete disaster that includes the death of everyone on board.
Can Galahad overcome his trauma? Can he find solutions where there are none? And worst of all, can he unravel all the mysteries surrounding the ship, its crew and the system they all work for?
If you enjoy a complex tale that brings a human element to all species that travel space, combined with a multi-layered mystery, and starring a broken hero, Herald Petrel by Strange Seawolf will deliver.

Warning: Contains adult language and a considerable amount of swearing — it is a cargo space ship in a desparate situation, after all.

Review

Herald Petrel by Strange Seawolf is an insanely gripping space odyssey that brilliantly blends the trauma and heroism of the protagonist, Harold Galahad, with the high-stakes drama of a ship teetering on the brink of disaster.

From the opening pages, where Harold is introduced grappling with the ghosts of his past losses, to the climactic moments of life-and-death decisions, Author Seawolf maintains a taut narrative that kept me thoroughly engaged. The author’s portrayal of Harold’s internal battles and eventual redemption is both compelling and emotionally relatable. The secondary characters were also very well-developed and thoroughly likeable, with their unique quirks and challenges, making the dynamics very rich.

One of the best things about this book was the way the author has weaved a multi-layered mystery within the narrative. The suspense is palpable, driving the story forward with a relentless pace that ensures there’s never a dull moment. Moreover, the author’s world-building is out-of-the-world, with detailed descriptions of the ship’s mechanics and the vastness of space that enveloped me in a fully realised universe. The integration of various species and their interactions adds a rich touch to the narrative, highlighting the novel’s underlying themes of unity and understanding across differences.

Herald Petrel is an amazing science fiction read, offering a story that is as much about overcoming personal demons as it is about the thrill of space exploration. It is a heart-pounding adventure that delivers in spades, making it a must-read that will leave you thinking long after the last page is turned.

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Book Review: Burn Of The Abyss by Dimitry Pavlovsky

08/02/202208/02/2022Action, Adventure, Dimitry Pavlovsly, Robert Uttaro, Science-Fantacy, Space FantasyLeave a Comment

Book Details:

Author: Dmitry Pavlovsky
Release Date: 26th December 2021
Genre: Science-Fiction, Space-Opera, Action, Space-Adventure
~~Series~~:
Format: E-book
Pages: 276 pages
Publisher: Lulu.com
Blurb:
The Great Barrier is an irradiated wasteland of magnetars, black holes and supernovae, spanning millions of light years in every direction. Igniting behind the last of the generation ships that clawed their way to these new stars, it slammed the doors shut on them, cutting off their only way back. Now, after centuries of colonial fragmentation, infighting and isolation, an ancient ship of unknown origin has washed up on the cosmic shores of the barrier.

And a long forgotten mystery has reopened its wounds. With time running out before the ship is sucked back into a stellar ocean of deadly radiation, a retired intelligence officer is forced to assemble a first response team consisting of a disillusioned field medic, a pair of space divers with serious trust issues and an assassin with an exotic battle chassis for a body. But to complete the team, he’ll need someone to pilot their decommissioned subship “The Abyss”. And the only choice he has left is a washed up racer, who’d rather be anywhere else but back in the pilot’s seat.

Review

Burn Of The Abyss by Dimitry Pavlovsky is a new sci-fi and space adventure novel that will take you in the depths of outer space and leave you wanting for more!

I enjoyed this book as it remained me of the classical space-fantasies that were written with careful attention to detail. Author Dimitri has done an excellent job in creating realistic characters, the world and a good storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from the beginning till the very last page.

The writing is good, the characterisation is realistic and well-done and the pacing is great throughout the book along with the tension. I would definitely recommend this book to all science-fiction readers and to those who are looking to explore books by new authors.

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Book Review: Transference by B.T. Keaton

30/04/202007/05/2020B.T. Keaton, Mystery, Science-Fiction, Science-Fiction Fantasy, Space Fantasy, ThrillerLeave a Comment

Author: B.T. Keaton
Release Date: 13th January 2020
Genre: New Adult Fiction
~~Series~~:
Format: E-book
Pages: 394
Publisher: Ingleside Avenue Press
Blurb:
When everything you believe about civilization is a lie, the ultimate power is truth.
Eighty years from now mankind has discovered the secret of eternal life. Human souls can be moved from one body to another through the process known as transference. Control of this new technology has fallen under the dominion of Jovian, a powerful prophet and head of the Church which governs every aspect of existence.
Banished to a mining colony on a distant planet for lawlessness is Barrabas Madzimure, the king of thieves. Only when Barrabas faces execution does he claim that another man committed his infamous crimes decades earlier. The authorities are suspicious. Is he the Madzimure of legend and a potential threat to Jovian’s new world order, or just another victim of transference?
The story of a grim personal mission, Transference takes the reader on a heart-racing journey through rebellion, revenge, self-sacrifice, and the soul’s search for identity.

REVIEW

★★★★

Transference by B.T. Keaton made for a very thrilling story, with an unpredictable protagonist with a complex personality, coupled with a fast-paced plot-line made for a really compelling read. I was looking forward to reading this book right since the time I had a look at its blurb and to my great relief, the book was every bit as good as I had expected it to be.

The writing was really good and this book a very smooth and quick read. After reading this thrilling sci-fi, I am looking forward to reading more book by the author, hopefully soon!

If you like suspenseful and fast-paced sci-fi adventure stories then this book is definitely for you! It is totally worth it so do give it a read.

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Book Review: Oddity Of The Magicus Eye: Mokuura (Part #2) by Patrick Malum

06/11/201907/11/2019Epic Fantasy, Patrick Malum, Science-Fiction Fantasy, Serial, Short-Stories, Space Fantasy2 Comments

Author: Patrick Malum
Release Date: 18th October 2019
Genre: Science-Fiction Fantasy, Young Adult, Space Fantasy, Serials,
Series: Oddity Of The Magicus Eye (Part #2)
Edition: E-book
Pages: 96
Publisher:
Blurb:
The epic space fantasy serial continues!

Following the events of PATTERNS, the two children of Etheron are in terrible danger. A dark force swells in the heights of the Forty-Ninth Council, putting the galaxy in turmoil. The fate of everyone depends on one broken man.

ODDITY OF THE MAGICUS EYE is a monthly space fantasy from exciting new author, Patrick Malum. Be sure to first check out Part 1, also available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited, and visit the official Oddity website for more.

REVIEW

★★★★

Oddity Of The Magicus Eye: Mokuura by Patrick Malum is the second episode in the serialised epic fantasy series Oddity Of The Magicus Eye and the sequel to Oddity Of The Magicus Eye: Patterns (Part #1).

This book was every bit as fun as the first one and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from start to end. The book picked up where the last one left off and the reader is thrust into the action-filled world of Etheron. I enjoyed the plot as well as the narration and felt that my connections with the main characters deepened quite a bit as I read this part. So I have a lot of hopes and expectation from the next instalment in this series.

The best part about this episode-based series is that the author doesn’t repeat the plot points over and over again as is normally the case in book series. Being short episodes it is a given that either the reader is keeping up with the release of all parts and reading them monthly, or reading in all in one go, so there’s no unnecessary narration dedicated to the ‘catching-up’ of the earlier part(s).

I’d again recommend this book as well as the series so far to all space-fantasy, epic fantasy and sci-fi readers.

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Book Review: Oddity Of The Magicus Eye: Patterns (Part #1) by Patrick Malum

30/10/2019Fantasy, Patrick Malum, Science-Fiction Fantasy, Serial, Space Fantasy, Young AdultLeave a Comment

Author: Patrick Malum
Release Date: 26th September 2019
Genre: Science-Fiction Fantasy, Young Adult, Space Fantasy, Serials,
Series:
Edition: E-book
Pages: 75
Publisher: WordBuzz Publishing
Blurb:
Sixteen-year-old Elenah Lockwood dreams of what lies beyond her boring world of Etheron. With a mind fuelled by amazing, fantastical stories of the vast and sprawling galaxy, she needs only one thing: an opportunity.
Her older brother, Teveran, is destined to go where she cannot and lead the greatest fleets of the revered and indomitable Forty-Ninth Council. But there’s war and unrest, and it frightens him more than anything.
And then there’s the kind and unassuming butler, Gilgan, who has seen the worst of what the galaxy has to offer and is now seeing signs of the very worst happening again. All is not well on Etheron — and in the galaxy — for a sickness swells in the murky galactic depths and it all begins with the Forty-Ninth Council.
The day the Council descends on Etheron begins like any other day . . .
PATTERNS is the first episode of ODDITY OF THE MAGICUS EYE, the monthly space fantasy from the emerging young author Patrick Malum. Prepare for a tale of war, galactic politics, and ancient magic told like nothing else before it.

REVIEW

★★★★

Oddity Of The Magicus Eye: Patterns by Patrick Malum is the first episode in the serialised fantasy series Oddity Of The Magicus Eye. This is a very quick read and proved to be a complete entertainer. I enjoyed each and every bit of it.

I enjoyed this book from start to end. It moved pretty fast and the tension was evident throughout all chapters making it a page-turner that I wanted to read in a single sitting. The plot was really good and the ending was perfect. I am now eagerly waiting to start with the next episode!

The writing was on point and complemented the plot well. The characterization wasn’t over-complicated and I really appreciated it because the characters were all pretty relatable and likeable (enough for me to have enjoyed reading and knowing more about them.)

Another thing I’d like to mention here is that I was really impressed by the author’s taste in designing this book, something that is always lacking in self-published books. The editing was also in place as was the proof-reading. The book looks gorgeous and compels the reader to pick it up because of how neat and professional it looks. It screams amazing things right from the cover and coupled with that intriguing blurb, the author has got the recipe for a really good book which is equally good on the outside as it is on the inside.

I’d recommend this book to all sci-fi and fantasy readers as it’ll appeal to everyone who loves adventure and action coupled with space and magic. And the fact that it is in the form of short monthly episodes makes it all the more appealing.

You can also read this review on Goodreads and Amazon