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Randal Sloan
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Defenders of the Rim: Beginnings: A Far Future SciFi Thriller Kindle Edition

by Randal Sloan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,091 ratings
The Galactic Empire is in Grave Danger and unaware of what's coming! Can a group of young heroes find a way to save the galaxy and survive?

Young Lieutenant Jarra Carsean, newly graduated from the Rim Patrol Officer Candidate School, is given a small ship and a crew of misfits, straight out of District Specialist Training. Can their young team come together and survive their first mission, a mission that becomes a much more difficult and risky endeavor than anyone suspects it will be? What they discover has huge ramifications for the whole galaxy and they will have to use every skill their team has to survive.

Jarra carries with her a big secret that might well jeopardize her team or it may save them all and the Galactic Empire too.

>>The first in the Far Future Sci-Fi Thriller series, Defenders of the Rim: Beginnings is a far future sci-fi thriller in a world that combines science that just might be possible many years in the future with a Galactic Empire, rebels and aliens.



Sign up for my Reader's List at http://randalsloan.com/farfuture/
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  1. Book 1 of 8
    Far Future
  2. Print length
    179 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    June 29, 2017
  5. File size
    3.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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There are 8 books in this series.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B073L7NN66
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ NVision Books (June 29, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 29, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 179 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,091 ratings

About the author

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Randal Sloan

Randal Sloan

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I am the author of two future Sci-Fi thriller book series that speculate at just what might be possible. Years ago when I started university studies, I was in a physics program, ready to split the atom and study the wonders of our awesome universe. But alas, I wound up in engineering for more practical reasons, paying the bills. From there I moved on to computers and software development, but I have always tried to keep up with scientific developments and space exploration. Some of those ideas that just may be possible led to the books you're seeing.

I have over the last few years tried a number of interesting things, such as writing an iPhone app, trading stock options, and building a therapy pool at my home, but now I have returned to my first love - writing, something I started in the fourth grade of elementary school. Although that book never made it past my handwritten pages, due to the power of self-publishing suddenly it's possible to share some of my joy of writing with you.

Join in with me as I envision the future. I hope you have as much fun with it as I do!!

To keep up with all that is going on, sign up for the Reader's List at http://randalsloan.com/nearfuture/ (just copy and paste into your browser). You'll get a newsletter to keep you up to date and more, including free stuff that hopefully will keep you wanting more.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,091 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's engaging story with lots of action and suspense, well-developed characters, and fast-paced narrative. They find it to be a fantastic read that serves as a very good beginning for a new series. The writing quality receives mixed reviews, with some customers finding it well written while others say the bad writing can't be helped.

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48 customers mention "Story quality"43 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging story with lots of action and suspense, noting that the events of the storyline change to keep readers connected.

"...The author's writing style is concise and always relevant to developing the story line...." Read more

"Sometimes I really don't like doing these. The story is ok. The outline hardly beyond young adult. The writing full of holes, but I still enjoyed it." Read more

"...The characters are interesting and will developed. The story line is futuristic, fast moving, complicated, and violent racing to the unexpected..." Read more

"While the story is intriguing and the grammatical errors practically zero, there is a question of procedure and flow...." Read more

24 customers mention "Character development"18 positive6 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them interesting, with one customer noting how easy it is to fall in love with the main character.

"...The author's characters are very likeable, and as a reader one just wants them to prevail over the adversities thrown in their path...." Read more

"...The characters are interesting and will developed...." Read more

"...My biggest gripe is that the protagonists are a little too perfect...." Read more

"This book has good character development and interactions...." Read more

17 customers mention "Readability"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a fantastic read, with one customer noting that the good guys are exceptionally well-developed.

"...'s Near Future series and find that I always have a good feeling after reading his books...." Read more

"...Main heroine is somewhat over the top but very likeable. Other characters are well written and at the mercy of the main characters decisions...." Read more

"...Good guys are SUPER good and bad guys inefficient to the point of barely being able to close the Velcro tabs on their boots...." Read more

"...Maybe you will, probably not, but it's fun trying! A good read that will have you looking for the next installment!" Read more

10 customers mention "Series start"10 positive0 negative

Customers find this book to be a very good beginning for a new series, with the second book being great as well.

"This is a very good beginning for a new series by this author...." Read more

"...reads to me, a will written fantasy Sci-Fi thriller novel, book one in the series. The characters are interesting and will developed...." Read more

"A good little start to an apparent space opera trilogy or series...." Read more

"Great story, couldn't put it down. Loved it. The second book is great, too. Great characters, great plot, great first book in a series...." Read more

9 customers mention "Pacing"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing, describing it as fast-paced and easy to read.

"...The book is a very fast paced read, and the story line is very direct...." Read more

"...The story line is futuristic, fast moving, complicated, and violent racing to the unexpected conclusion leading to the next novel in the series...." Read more

"A fast paced and interesting space opera. Main heroine is somewhat over the top but very likeable...." Read more

"*Beginnings* is a well-written, fast paced story in a new science-fiction series. Characters come to life and are credible...." Read more

23 customers mention "Writing quality"15 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it well written and very well done, while others note that the bad writing cannot be helped.

"...The author's writing style is concise and always relevant to developing the story line...." Read more

"While the story is intriguing and the grammatical errors practically zero, there is a question of procedure and flow...." Read more

"...The plot is rather straight forward, simplistic and solutions to problems happened too easily in book one...." Read more

"This book was well written and free. It was certainly written better than anything I could write...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and a Feel Good Story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very good beginning for a new series by this author. I have read all of the author's Near Future series and find that I always have a good feeling after reading his books. The author's characters are very likeable, and as a reader one just wants them to prevail over the adversities thrown in their path. The book is a very fast paced read, and the story line is very direct. The author's writing style is concise and always relevant to developing the story line. I am certainly looking forward to the author's next book, whether be in this Far Future series or the Near Future series
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars The precept it great
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Sometimes I really don't like doing these. The story is ok. The outline hardly beyond young adult. The writing full of holes, but I still enjoyed it.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful fantasy reading 📚
    Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Due to eye issues Alexa reads to me, a will written fantasy Sci-Fi thriller novel, book one in the series. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story line is futuristic, fast moving, complicated, and violent racing to the unexpected conclusion leading to the next novel in the series. I would recommend this novel to readers of Sci-Fi fantasy. Enjoy reading 🔰 2021 👑👠😀
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite ready for prime time.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    While the story is intriguing and the grammatical errors practically zero, there is a question of procedure and flow. I find it hard to believe that an 18 year old person has that kind of know how. Beating people with vast more experience and knowledge is improbable. Not challenging a cheater, specially one in the military, just wouldn't happen. It always works out for them? Maybe in a Fairy Tail, not in real life. If you want this story to have better teeth, we need real world situations. I love space epics, just not this one. The author does have potential.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Glen S
    5.0 out of 5 stars A nice read...
    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book has good character development and interactions. The story moves well with the right amount of mystery and suspense making it difficult to put down. Some authors put so many details into situations that readers begin to question ‘do I need to know this?’ This book is not like that at all. If you are looking for an enjoyable book, give this one a try.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Nana
    4.0 out of 5 stars Defenders of the Rim: Beginnings:
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I actually liked the premise of this science fiction story. Some readers may think that it is just to simple of a beginning, but readers need to give this writer a chance. There are definitely the bad guys and a group of hero’s, with the beginnings of personal relationships and friendships between the characters. So the second book in the story will tell. The rebellion is a real entity and the newly minted young Lieutenant is willing to take the challenge. It just so happens that she and her cousin have more at stake than her fellow recruits know.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced and interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A fast paced and interesting space opera. Main heroine is somewhat over the top but very likeable. Other characters are well written and at the mercy of the main characters decisions. A fun and fast read with lots of action.
    Helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good space opera
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A good little start to an apparent space opera trilogy or series.

    Everything's pretty standard, royals in control of space empire, a space navy with marines, and so on.

    My biggest gripe is that the protagonists are a little too perfect. Their flaws mostly revolve around trying to be humble enough while everyone fawns over them. Combine that with villains that you could easily picture twirling their moustache.

    But still, I'll continue on to the second book and see if there's any real character development in the offing.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amba Jane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with adventure and suspense.
    Reviewed in Japan on July 4, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is the kind of book I really love....it's so engrossing that you want to hurry, but you try to make yourself slow down so that you don't get to the end too fast. The focus is more on military engagements and shows the military life of this setting while developing a solid character one enjoys watching grow. I highly recommend this book to fans of the sci-fi.
    Report
  • mark
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good sci-fi
    Reviewed in Australia on July 25, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyable read
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Bookman
    Reviewed in Canada on May 2, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Good action, good read,needs a bit of work in the dialog and story line but overall a very enjoyable read.
    Report
  • ian
    5.0 out of 5 stars Jolly good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 18, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I found it refreshing and easy to read. The names are simple. Remember a character called xxxxxx but another one called xxxxxxa. Sounds great when it is being written but the reader has to remember who is who. Frankly I speak English, so I remember human names best. The story is different, more smooth. You get the gist quickly. I like this style of writing. The plot is there. It reminds me of ee doc Smith. Also a bit of history, plots within plots. Shotgun and Japan. I am happy to buy and read book 2 to see how it all pans out.
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  • Vovchara
    1.0 out of 5 stars Sci-fi of the most irrelevant kind
    Reviewed in Germany on August 7, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book is an example "How ... not ... to write a sci-fi" The most important part in any speculative fiction is a world building, careful world building. You don't go "... full retard" when it comes to things like technology or character abilities. It is even more counterintuitive, but the most important part in imaginative world building aren't abilities, but restrictions.
    Those are things like character not be able to get somewhere in time or phone home in time to prevent any kind of trouble. Those are things like emerging in a star system only to find an enemy already leaving and not be able to catch up, because of restrictions of sub-light travel and need to emerge from FTL to far away from any planet. Those are things like lack of FTL communication to warn of the next possible target.
    Same applies to a character, it is a lot more interesting to read about a midshipman on his/her first cruise than a butter bar getting a starship command right out of the academy.
    There are tons of things you can do to prevent the story to be a bland regurgitation of old tired tropes.
    Report

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