DO NOT READ FIRST

Chris Reher has fashioned an interesting futuristic conflict: an alliance of space-age militaries (Terrans, muscular anthropomorphoid Centauri, reptilian Caspians, etc.) fighting to put down a violent rebellion that is using ferocious, animalistic shock-troops called 'Ruacs' to disrupt the Commonwealth Union of Planets. Meanwhile, spies, pirates, smugglers, and drug dealers abound in the Galaxy.
To be honest, I am unsure why this book is considered a "prequel" - other than introducing the main protagonist in the series (human 'Kite' starfighter pilot 'Nova Whiteside') before her assignment to the most active site of the war (the 'Targon' sector) and explaining some aspects of her personality. The vocabulary/prose is capable, the plotting is two-dimensional but adequate, and the character interactions are intuitive - but the political/societal implications in Reher's Universe are faaaaar too complex to be dealt with adequately in the midst of this character-development plot (Whiteside is sexually assaulted by fellow soldiers, raped by a superior officer, captured by Rebels after being betrayed, falls in love with and starts a sexual relationship with a philosophizing pacifist Bellican citizen - 'Djari' - that she meets in the POW camp, and struggles with the sudden deaths of seven friends in a terrorist attack). See what I mean? That's pretty overwhelming for a "table-setting" effort.
In toto, 'Sky Hunter' isn't bad but tries to do too much.

Likewise disappointing: Emily Woo Zeller reads the book with her characteristic exemplary diction, timbre, cadence, and pacing - but with a ridiculously overdramatic tone (actually SHOUTING some dialogue) and limited voice-acting repertoire. Podium Audio could have cast the book better.

If you decide to read this 3.5/10 star installment in the 'Targon Tales' series, you should read at least 'The Catalyst' first - to give you a sense of Reher's imaginative reality before deep diving into the characters.
It wasn't horrible as a 'Plus' selection, I suppose - but I can't recommend spending a Credit on this particular book. Better options beckon.

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Harlequin does scifi

This started out as a fun, promising military scifi with a strong female lead. Pretty soon, it was a Harlequin style novella in space with a weak cliché as the central character.

An entire chapter was dedicated to a sexual assault straight out of Central Casting, which the character just could not stop carrying on about until I gave up.

Fun drinking game... Have a shot every time a character "smirks" and you might be drunk enough to keep going.

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Dull and generic

This book follows the sad standard formula for a female protagonist in a science fiction novel. A naive head turning beauty with indomitable spirit, a sappy romantic encounter, misogynistic soldiers, with incompetent and corrupt leadership.

I wouldn't say this is a military novel. At best the war is a backdrop. The book refers to all ranged weapons in the most generic way possible. They're all simply guns. No manufacturers or makes or models. No military jargon. No military tactics. No military unit designations. (pilot and ground pounder are the most complicated description) The main character could easily have been a civilian shuttle pilot and the story wouldn't have to be altered at all.

Skip this unless you haven't paid any extra to listen to it like me.

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1 person found this helpful