Scrapyard Ship by Mark Wayne McGinnis

Scrapyard ship is a near future novel involving a salvaged starship of unknown origins, and a massive threat to the security of the Earth.  I have read a number of these types, and It is a very good example.  The characters are what differentiates this book from its peers.  The action, and pace are very quick, and I got very caught in finding out what happened next.

The only complaint I have about the book is that I could tell the generally tell the broad plot outline from the type of book it was.  That being said there is nothing wrong with following a trope if you do it well and the author does it very well.

The main Character Jason Reynolds is a navy seal who has found himself in a bit of trouble because his sense of justice and honor sometimes outvotes his common sense.  The story starts with him under house arrest at his old family scrapyard with a shiny new ankle bracelet after an incident with some pirates.  When his daughter comes to visit they both end up finding out that there is an ancient starship hidden on the property the hard way.  It turns out that his father didn't disappear years ago, but has instead been fighting a long war against an alien menace that is now coming for earth.  Very shortly the invasion arrives and Jason must scramble to get those he cares about to safety.  Before he can get to her his ex-wife, who he still has feelings for, is captured and the alien Craing have made a fatal mistake.  Before her capture Jason was not sure he would take up the challenge from the father who abandoned him, but now the aliens have made it personal, and unlike his father he is not afraid to discover everything his new ship can do.

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy military science fiction, and ancient alien benefactors.  There are a lot of boarding actions, space battles, and hand to hand combat scenes for the military science fiction fan and plenty of clever capabilities that the crew unlocks on their salvaged ship along the way for the fan of the ancient alien technology.

The book can be found at www.amazon.com in print or as an e-book.

Path of the Fury/In Fury Born by David Weber Book Review

This story is a mix of greek mythology, and military science fiction.  It takes place in a future star empire of mankind.  Humans now possess faster than light starships, weapons that can destroy worlds, and bioenhancement technology that would make greek gods take notice.  Well it would if anyone could find them.

This story starts out with Tisiphone, the fury, being breifly awoken several times by a bright spark in her mind until finally she is awoken fully from her slumber to find herself horribly alone.  She can find no trace of the gods or closer to home her sister selves.  What she does see is the bright spark that awoke her flaring and dying.  Its need for vengance has woken her from her slumber, and when she examines it she sees that the mortal it belongs is worthy of her help.

Alicia DeVries was once an elite member of the Imperial Cadre, A group of technologically enhanced special forces soldiers, and one of the best they ever trained.  Due to political reasons she finds herself retired long before she planned, and moves to a new colony world with her extended family.  The pirates came when she was out hunting one of the large predators on her world, and she came home to find her outpost being raided and her family dead.  With just a hunting rifle she manages to take out the entire raiding party, but is badly injured in the process.

This is when Tisiphone finds her and offers her vengance, at the possible cost of herself.  When Alicia accepts the pirates will wish they had never set foot on her world, and the galaxy may never be the same. 

Though the topic is grim, the book does have its light moments.  Tisiphone really doesn't get the implications of modern technology, and this leads to some funny situations.  The Empire is also not prepared for things like Tisiphone, and the author plays this up to lighten the mood at several points.

This is a great adventure story that really explores the difference between vengeance and justice, and the lengths that grief will drive people to.  I recommend this novel to anyone who likes space battles and paranormal entities.  It can be found at www.amazon.com in print, or in the collection In Fury Born as an Ebook or in print.  In Fury Born is this book together with more stories about Alicia to give you better background.