Thursday #Review - Free Space (Evagardian #2) by Sean Danker #Science Fiction @AceRocBooks

Series: Evagardian # 2
Format: E-Galley, 320 page
Release Date: May 2, 2017
Publisher: Ace Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Science Fiction / Military

In the follow-up to Admiral, the Admiral and others are kidnapped by criminals as peace talks approach that could end the intergalactic war for good.

The Admiral managed to escape an unknown and very dangerous planet, but the danger is far from over. He’s a man who knows too much, so the Empire must silence him at all costs. Barely surviving an assassination attempt, the Admiral reestablishes contact with Salmagard, a member of the Evagardian navy, and one of the one people who knows what he’s been through.

The Admiral and Salmagard take refuge in the lawless Free Trade system where there’s a thriving market built on galactic resentment for the Empire—only to discover that the system’s grievances extends to Evagardian’s citizens, making the Free Traders an even greater threat to their lives…

Story Locale: NA

Series Overview: The galactic war is over, but that doesn’t mean peace comes along with it. The Admiral navigates the system, never knowing who to trust, and with no one trusting him.

Free Space is the second installment in author Sean Danker's Evagardian series. The story once again dives into the life of a character who is being called Admiral by the author. The label was given to him while he and (3) others were abandoned on a dead ship on a planet filled with disasters just waiting to spring on them. Admiral had a helluva a time escaping with his life, but life isn't any easier this time out. What does change, a bit, is that we get more background information on how Admiral came to be. I do hope we get more in the next installment.

The Admiral knows things that others, most likely the Evagardians, would rather not get out. As the synopsis clearly states, he has survived more assassination attempts than anyone, and single-handedly brought two warring factions to the peace table. Which leads to some intriguing questions. So, as the story opens, and after the Admiral again faces another assassination attempt, this time with poison, we see another side to his character. It is his first date with Ensign Tessa Salmagard who is a trained negotiator, but really one of the characters who stood out in the Admiral, and once again in Free Space. 

There is something different about this story from the Admiral. There are actually (4) key players in this story. They are Admiral, Salmagard, Diana, and Sei who are both combat veterans. As the Admiral and Salmagard travel to Free Trade Space for what he hopes is a romantic time at Red Yonder, the group are kidnapped and separated. The men are sold to one faction, while the women find themselves in a place where they need to act fast if they are going to save Admiral and Sei. While the Admiral is good at certain things, it is Tessa and Diana that holds this story up for all to see. Diana is something science fiction aficionados will take an interest in.

As with the previous book, there are underlying reasons for everything that that this author does. With yet another stunning ending, readers will have to wait another year to figure out what happens next. Can the Admiral once again escape a bad situation? Will Tessa be able to help him, or will she face even more disciplinary actions? One way or the others, I am looking forward to yet another wild ride filled with action, adventure and plenty of surprises. Bring it on, Danker! 

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#Monday Review - Admiral by Sean Danker (Science Fiction)

Series: Evagardian # 1
Format: Hardcover, 320
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Publisher: ROC
Source: Publisher
Genre: Science Fiction

“I was on a dead ship on an unknown planet with three trainees freshly graduated into the Imperial Service. I tried to look on the bright side.”  

He is the last to wake. The label on his sleeper pad identifies him as an admiral of the Evagardian Empire—a surprise as much to him as to the three recent recruits now under his command. He wears no uniform, and he is ignorant of military protocol, but the ship’s records confirm he is their superior officer. 

Whether he is an Evagardian admiral or a spy will be of little consequence if the crew members all end up dead. They are marooned on a strange world, their ship’s systems are failing one by one—and they are not alone.

Admiral is the first installment in author Sean Danker's Evagardian series. Admiral is a militaristic science fiction story that features the narrative of a lead character named Admiral. The story begins when "Admiral" wakes up in his sleeper pod to find that he has been stranded on a dead Ganrean trade ship with three others. He soon discovers that he has been given the label of Admiral, and that the other three survivors are all recent graduates of the Evagardian Academy headed for the Julian, the Empresses' own flagship.

The graduates are Lt. Deilani, who sees the Admiral as either a Spy, a fraud, or someone not to be trusted. She does almost everything in her powers to push his buttons and get to admit who he really is without any success. Ensign Nils, who mostly follows his orders and is the most brilliant engineer you will find. He skills are more than impressive. Private Salmagard is a negotiator who recognizes who recognizes the Admiral, but doesn't give away who she thinks he really is. She follows his lead all the way without much if any hesitation. 

The one thing the crew can agree on, however, is that this unknown Admiral has some skills. He knows the ins and outs of the situation and has the leadership to put things into motion. He's not just a stationary subject that dictates to others while sitting around reading a book, or feeding his face with the short supply of food. Each of the characters brings their own goods along with them. Deilani knows her medical sciences, Nils is MacGyver in space, while Salmagard isn't afraid to get her hands dirty and is probably my favorite character. There might even be a bit of a romantic connection had the author leaned that way.

With the four facing life or death consequences from being stranded on a dead ship with no other surviving crew members, the mystery behind who the Admiral is remains something that will remain a secret until perhaps the sequel or mayhap a prequel? The four not only have to deal with a dead ship that is slowly tearing itself apart, but a planet that has a strange green atmosphere and alien life forms. They have to deal with the reality that they are putting their trust in someone they really don't know. They have to trust that he will somehow lead them to safety, and not leave them behind to the planet that is home to some very interesting alien life. They have to also deal with the fact that they are on a hostile planet where anyone could capture them and use them as cannon fodder to get what they want from the Evagardian's. Admiral is an intriguing book that reminds me of the original Aliens or the Martian. I shall definitely be reading the sequel called Free Space. 

  

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