A book review by Elliot Jackman
Oblivion’s Blade is another blockbuster story in the series about Warden/Shaara. If you haven’t already purchased his first book, Oblivion’s Cloak, then you need to stop reading this and do that right now. You’ve got it? Great, now we can continue…
BY DYLAN MCFADYEN
https://www.dylanmcfadyen.com
Shaara saved the galaxy in book one by stopping a psychotic leader of the human race from releasing diseases on the slave trading races of the galaxy. The problem is, these diseases wouldn’t have targeted slave owners, but every non-human race.
In this new addition to the story, Shaara finds herself in charge of the great warship Warden. Her First Lieutenant Corax saved her from death in the previous story. This allowed her to become the de-facto leader of the Wardens, the mercenary fighting crew upon the Warden starship. Her first order of business is to release all the indentured on the crew to be free. The Wardens soon get a reputation throughout the galaxy for only taking mercenary contracts from clients that have some moral standing. Mainly, they do not condone or do business with slave trading races.
Shaara, Corax, and Warden quickly realize that there is no current defense against this new enemy
One contract accepted puts them face to face with ships that are almost identical to the Warden. Since I know you’ve already read Oblivion’s Cloak by now, you’re aware that the ship was found floating in orbit around a planet after thousands of years by itself. The revelation that there are not only other ships like it, but a fleet of them was astonishing. The encounter with the attacking fleet helped to unleash some heretofore-forgotten memories in the Warden AI. Warden realizes that it is not just an advanced spaceship AI, but it once was different.
the thought of a race having a fleet of Warden-type warships is dizzying
The Warden already has the reputation of practically being unbeatable in combat. The Warden’s reputation is known far and wide, so the thought of a race having a fleet of Warden-type warships is dizzying. The fact that they are already attacking solar systems within this part of the galaxy is horrendous.
Shaara, Corax, and Warden quickly realize that there is no current defense against this new enemy. If the current races of this part of the galaxy stay separated the way they are, there is no hope. There is no way any of the individual races alone could defend themselves against this new threat.
The purveyor of the latest contract happens to be a civilization that does not participate much with the rest of the galaxy. So when Shaara meets back and gives the news that the situation is hopeless, it’s not received well. The only hope is to convene a meeting with all the trading races and get an agreement to create a combined fleet to defend against the new threat. Each on their own would never be able to defend themselves.
Shaara is asked to attend the meeting with the trading corporations of the galaxy as a guest of the Sovestan people by War Minister Damaxii. Damaxxi is the purveyor of the original mercenary contract. They themselves were a guest attendee, thanks to Shaara’s connections. Together, they spend a week trying to convince the largest organizations of races in the galaxy of the dire situation they are in.
Is it possible for Shaara and her nemesis Yazek to become allies?
One of the attendees of the convention is “Captain General Yazek”, who was almost successful in defeating Warden in a battle in Oblivian’s Cloak. Is it possible for Shaara and her nemesis Yazek to become allies?
Oh, and the organization of humans that tried to destroy every race in the galaxy? They are still around. Their new leader, Gaeana, befriends Shaara and seems very sincere about the progress that is being made as a result of this new threat. I don’t know how you feel, but this sounds like a bad relationship to me.
I can’t seem to put my reader down until my vision is blurry and I’m yawning more than I’m breathing.
At this point, I don’t feel I can reveal any more of the story without spoiling it. This story is just as riveting as the first in the series and has so many twists that I know you’ll be as captured in the tale as I was. The story is even longer than book one, which I was very happy about since I can’t seem to put my reader down until my vision is blurry and I’m yawning more than I’m breathing.
Whether you’re a person who seeks out Indy authors like I am or a person who is looking for an exciting read, both personalities are satisfied with Oblivian’s Blade.