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lorune's review
3.0
Its more of a 2.5 stars book then a 3, very little background story, feels like the whole book is just a 250 page introduction story, it remains to be seen if the rest is any good.
crasscasualty's review
3.0
Sometimes you just need some sci-fi starring a bad-ass lady. There is not enough of it in the this world.
lynseyisreading's review
4.0
A missing brother, a kidnapping and a prison break, all wrapped around excellent writing, fleshy characters and snappy dialogue? What's not to like?
I couldn't help but find small hints of my beloved Firefly characters among the rag-tag crew of the Sphynx. Although this would be a much more serious version of it. The stakes are high for main character Aly. Her brother is missing and he's all she has in the universe. She joins, albeit not quite willingly, a crew with like-minded goals and a similar grudge against the Admin. They, too, have people they care about missing, and it's suspected they may be in the same place. So while they may not quite be allies, the enemy of my enemy is my friend and all that jazz.
I really enjoyed Aly. She's a little stilted in the emotions department, something I hope to see her work on in future books, but she sure as heck is tough and capable. Her past activities (she was a smuggler) may make her moral compass seem a little wonky also, but it's not a black and white world and even though she's no angel, she's someone you'd definitely want at your back/side or front in a fight.
If I were to be critical of anything, I really would have liked a little more romance. Although there's a foundation for it here, it's blink-and-you'll-miss-it in terms of actual action.
Still, a strong start and I'll be moving on to book two, Contract of Betrayal
4 Stars ★★★★ A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn't help but find small hints of my beloved Firefly characters among the rag-tag crew of the Sphynx. Although this would be a much more serious version of it. The stakes are high for main character Aly. Her brother is missing and he's all she has in the universe. She joins, albeit not quite willingly, a crew with like-minded goals and a similar grudge against the Admin. They, too, have people they care about missing, and it's suspected they may be in the same place. So while they may not quite be allies, the enemy of my enemy is my friend and all that jazz.
I really enjoyed Aly. She's a little stilted in the emotions department, something I hope to see her work on in future books, but she sure as heck is tough and capable. Her past activities (she was a smuggler) may make her moral compass seem a little wonky also, but it's not a black and white world and even though she's no angel, she's someone you'd definitely want at your back/side or front in a fight.
If I were to be critical of anything, I really would have liked a little more romance. Although there's a foundation for it here, it's blink-and-you'll-miss-it in terms of actual action.
Still, a strong start and I'll be moving on to book two, Contract of Betrayal
4 Stars ★★★★ A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
sidetracked's review
1.0
Weak plot, blank characters and a poorly developed universe unfortunately defined the reading experience for me. I will not continue this trilogy since by the end of book one I was more tempted to give up on the book, than to be interested in the following chapters in the main character's adventures.
justasking27's review
4.0
This book had me at its dedication: "For all of my readers. May these books bring you hours of perfect, undiluted, sublime escapism." Here was a book for me.
Aly Erickson only wants her brother back, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Luckily for her she falls in with just the crew who is able to help her do that, and possibly take revenge on her ex-boss who got her into this position. Yes, there are gun fights and bloodshed, but nothing gratuitous or gross. A delightful few hours of escapism, indeed.
Aly Erickson only wants her brother back, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Luckily for her she falls in with just the crew who is able to help her do that, and possibly take revenge on her ex-boss who got her into this position. Yes, there are gun fights and bloodshed, but nothing gratuitous or gross. A delightful few hours of escapism, indeed.
librarygirlreads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
midwinter's review
1.0
Weak plot, blank characters and a poorly developed universe unfortunately defined the reading experience for me. I will not continue this trilogy since by the end of book one I was more tempted to give up on the book, than to be interested in the following chapters in the main character's adventures.
conalo's review
4.0
What a fun and enjoyable story. Lots of action and some real kick butt characters!!! I really love a book that keeps you involved and interested throughout the story and this one really lives up to that.
4.5 stars for a great story and I can't wait to continue on with this rest of the trilogy. Recommended for anyone who loves a good space opera/military sci-fi story!!!
4.5 stars for a great story and I can't wait to continue on with this rest of the trilogy. Recommended for anyone who loves a good space opera/military sci-fi story!!!
gs_jennsen's review
5.0
Thrilling Roller-Coaster Ride of Military Sci-Fi Adventure
I am generally cautious about novels written in first-person, especially first-person present narratives - but Contract of Defiance executes on it brilliantly. It took only paragraphs for me to stop "noticing" the POV and start being "in" the story. One of the most difficult aspects of first-person narratives is conveying details about the larger world, but Salyer somehow manages to pull this off and make it look easy.
Aly Erikson is one of the toughest characters I've ever read, male or female, all the more so because she's entirely unassuming about it. This is her life, these are her skills; she knows nothing else. Salyer's military background really shows in Aly's professionalism and military tactics and combat.
But as compelling a character as Aly is, what truly intrigued me about this book was the larger story just in the background - a story of people fighting to not merely survive, but to live - live the lives they choose - under the thumb of a brutally oppressive regime. I can't wait to read Books 2 and 3, because I can't wait to see these people rise up and fight for their freedom. Contract of Defiance is a thrilling, action-filled military sci-fi adventure. It's a story about loyalty, betrayal and impossible choices. But it's also a story about the human spirit.
I am generally cautious about novels written in first-person, especially first-person present narratives - but Contract of Defiance executes on it brilliantly. It took only paragraphs for me to stop "noticing" the POV and start being "in" the story. One of the most difficult aspects of first-person narratives is conveying details about the larger world, but Salyer somehow manages to pull this off and make it look easy.
Aly Erikson is one of the toughest characters I've ever read, male or female, all the more so because she's entirely unassuming about it. This is her life, these are her skills; she knows nothing else. Salyer's military background really shows in Aly's professionalism and military tactics and combat.
But as compelling a character as Aly is, what truly intrigued me about this book was the larger story just in the background - a story of people fighting to not merely survive, but to live - live the lives they choose - under the thumb of a brutally oppressive regime. I can't wait to read Books 2 and 3, because I can't wait to see these people rise up and fight for their freedom. Contract of Defiance is a thrilling, action-filled military sci-fi adventure. It's a story about loyalty, betrayal and impossible choices. But it's also a story about the human spirit.
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