3.5
Fearless
ByPublisher Description
“Fast-paced, gripping hard SF with death in hard vacuum waiting at every turn.” — Arthur C. Clarke Award winner Adrian Tchaikovsky
AD 2118. Humanity has colonised the Moon, Mars, Ceres and Europa. Captain Ellisa Shann commands Khidr, a search and rescue ship with a crew of twenty-five, tasked to assist the vast commercial freighters that supply the different solar system colonies.
Shann has no legs and has taken to life in zero-g partly as a result. She is a talented tactician who has a tendency to take too much on her own shoulders. Now, while on a regular six-month patrol through the solar system, Khidr picks up a distress call from the freighter Hercules…
This is the first book in Allen Stroud’s epic science fiction trilogy, The Fractal Series, which features the novels: ‘Fearless’, ‘Resilient’ and ‘Vigilance’.
FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
AD 2118. Humanity has colonised the Moon, Mars, Ceres and Europa. Captain Ellisa Shann commands Khidr, a search and rescue ship with a crew of twenty-five, tasked to assist the vast commercial freighters that supply the different solar system colonies.
Shann has no legs and has taken to life in zero-g partly as a result. She is a talented tactician who has a tendency to take too much on her own shoulders. Now, while on a regular six-month patrol through the solar system, Khidr picks up a distress call from the freighter Hercules…
This is the first book in Allen Stroud’s epic science fiction trilogy, The Fractal Series, which features the novels: ‘Fearless’, ‘Resilient’ and ‘Vigilance’.
FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
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3.5
“Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5/5 stars
Fearless by Allen Stroud is set in AD 2118, where humanity has expanded its reach across the solar system, colonising the Moon, Mars, Ceres, and Europa.
At the heart of this space opera is Captain Ellisa Shann, a fearless (pun intended) search and rescue captain commanding the Khidr, a ship tasked with saving massive commercial freighters. But don’t expect a typical captain, Shann, a double amputee, thrives in zero-g environments, using her tactical brilliance to navigate both the stars and the challenges she faces.
While on a routine six-month patrol, Shann and her crew pick up a distress call from the freighter Hercules. What follows is a suspenseful adventure filled with action, intrigue, and a mystery that, while exciting, doesn’t quite reach the nail-biting intensity I’d hoped for. Shann’s leadership is put to the test as the situation unfolds, and it’s a ride filled with zero-gravity danger, space politics, and the looming threat of disaster.
What I liked:
* Captain Ellisa Shann: Ellisa is a complex, resilient character. She has a no-nonsense attitude, a razor-sharp mind, and a backstory that makes her stand out. Her adaptability in a zero-gravity environment, due to her physical condition, is such a refreshing twist in the sci-fi genre. You can’t help but admire her tenacity.
* Space Rescue Missions: The setting and concept of a search-and-rescue ship in space is so cool! The scenes where the crew tackles rescues and other tense situations are well-written and gripping.
* Realistic World-Building: From colony politics to the challenges of space travel, Stroud does a great job of building a believable future. It’s easy to imagine yourself in the vastness of space, where isolation and survival are constant themes.
While Shann is a standout, some of the secondary characters weren’t as convincing or memorable as I’d hoped. They lacked the depth needed to truly pull me into the story on a more emotional level. The central mystery surrounding the freighter Hercules didn’t pack the punch I was expecting. It’s still fun, but it wasn’t the edge-of-your-seat suspense I was looking for.
Fearless is a solid space adventure with a strong lead character and an intriguing premise. It’s perfect for fans of sci-fi who enjoy rescue missions, space politics, and a dash of suspense. While the supporting characters and mystery could have been more fleshed out, the world-building and action keep the story moving at a fun pace.
If you love sci-fi with a fierce female captain and a compelling space setting, Fearless is worth the journey!
Thank you to Flame Tree Publisher for sending me this title in exchange for an honest review.”
About Allen Stroud
Allen Stroud is an acclaimed science fiction writer, academic and former Chair of the British Science Fiction Association. He’s the author of the highly-regarded space opera Fearless and the official Elite: Dangerous tie-in Lave Revolution. Allen also works on game design, roleplaying games, short stories, and screenwriting. His soundtrack The Fractal Series complements the Fearless universe blending story and music for fans of plausible science fiction, Alastair Reynolds, and Arthur C. Clarke.
Other books by Allen Stroud
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