The future is governed through a genetic hierarchy—superhumans at the top, humans and defects at the bottom. Welcome to an all-new military science fiction novel from critically-acclaimed author Shami Stovall.
Clevon Demarco, a genetically modified human, has a cocksure attitude and the combat skills to back it up. With his unparalleled skills, he makes his living as a ruthless gunrunner on a … ruthless gunrunner on a shady space station near the edges of the quadrant. Stronger, faster, and wittier than most sad sacks, no one even comes close to Demarco’s abilities—until he crosses paths with the captain of the notorious Star Marque, Endellion Voight.
Captain Voight arrests Demarco and offers him a choice: go to a prison planet for his crimes, or join her starship, the Star Marque, working as mercenaries for the superhumans. But she didn’t pick him at random. She has a plan to become a planet governor; a title no human has held since the superhumans won the war. It doesn’t matter the cost—assassinations, extortion, blackmail—she’s determined to claw her way to the top.
All Captain Voight needs is Demarco’s help to carry out her machinations, and she’ll give him everything he’s ever wanted in return.
A fast-paced space opera for those who enjoy Old Man’s War by John Scalzi, Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds, or anything by Robert A. Heinlein.
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Star Marque Rising is a Science Fiction story to sink your teeth into. It is a long book that gives you time to be completely enthralled and entangled with the characters, always giving you an unexpected twist when you least expect it.
Demarco is a genetically modified human, looking for a way out of Capitol Station (which is not the best place to be for anyone!) Going into the ring is his ticket out of there, but things don’t quite go his way. He ends up being taken by enforcers, and propositioned by their Captain, and not in the usual way. He ends up agreeing with her, and is taken on as a Starfighter.
So much action, excellently paced, and a bunch of characters you will grow to know… or do you? I have to say Endellion was never my favourite character, and I really hope there is a second book (or maybe more), as I would love to read further into this, and see where Demarco, Sawyer, and the others go from here.
A gripping tale guaranteed to keep your attention. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
Shami Stovall‘s Star Marque Rising is a perfectly written complex space opera full of thrills and action, intrigue and maneuvering. I don’t know who I prefer, Clevon Demarco or Endellion Voight but they arnd the rest of the cast are superb. Add in fantastic universe-building with its genetic hierarchy and the result is perfect military space opera sci-fi. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
This book shows the difference between growing up, becoming a man and becoming a leader by taking us through the experience of a punk turned enforcer turned captain. The influence of mentors and role models is also shown with stark clarity. For a space opera, this book delivers lots of action with characters who, at second glance, show surprising depth, along with life lessons rarely illustrated so lightly. This is worth re-reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
OMG This is EXACTLY the kind of science fiction I love to read! I usually read romance, but it’s nice to branch out into other genres once in a while to freshen my brain.
Clevon Demarco is a smart-ass genetically modified human who lives by his wits on the fringes of the criminal element on a space station. All he wants is to escape and be able to live on a real planet somewhere. ANYWHERE. So he tries to make a fast buck by cage fighting…in death matches. But his criminal partners aren’t about to let him keep his prize money, and so he runs away…right into the arms of an enforcer squad, who promptly arrest his ass. On the enforcer ship, he’s given a choice to either become one of them or go to prison.
And so the criminal becomes a cop. His commanding officer dreams of becoming the first human to govern a planet. Superhumans rule. Regular humans are ruled. And so Clevon finds himself working for someone who shamelessly uses her squad’s victories for her own self promotion.
It’s a dark gritty tale of a futuristic world where the strong bully the weak and honor and nobility have taken a backseat to practicality. Everyone’s just trying to get by as best they can. This story is peopled with characters both good and bad – and there’s a fine line between hero and villain. Personalities and attitudes abound, and it’s a stellar fun read where you ride an emotional roller coaster and want to cheer for and throttle your favorite character even while you can’t wait to see what they do next to get out of the scrape they’re in.
It’s a mix of Blade Runner meets Firefly. The hero is a full-blown snarky bad-boy who seems to always do the right thing in spite of his better sense, by means fair (seldom) or foul (usually). This book will totally suck you in, so if you start, don’t plan on getting anything else done.
Needs deeper development of characters and society
Great start to what I hope to be a long series. Loved the characters, the end of the book made you want to start book to straight away (hurry up please) I will keep checking every day in the hope it is realest soon
A great blend of character-based and action-driven plot.
good space opera
Great!
Very different characters. It was interesting to watch the main character develop a moral compass. Rather violent.