Avenger is the first book in the Sovereign Stars science fiction series by Blair C. Howard and is a thrilling military space opera. In the distant future, humans discovered a way to travel through a network of wormholes, and they began colonizing all the habitable planets they found in the galaxy. Centuries of peace meant that military training exercises were more akin to a game of wits than preparation for war. When an unknown alien enemy attacks without warning, the military is ill-prepared and far outgunned. The enemy wants to eradicate all of humanity, and the only hope for survival comes in the form of the antiquated weapons on a soon-to-be-decommissioned warship and the legendary psychic gifts that the heroes of their history supposedly possessed.

I am a huge science fiction buff and Avenger was the perfect blend of all my favorite space adventures and alien combat stories with plenty of original ideas added. Blair C. Howard delivered a riveting plot through vivid descriptions and a large cast of well-developed characters. The world-building was excellent, and the dialogue was impressive because it was realistic and every character had their voice. They were all likable and made the stakes that much higher as humanity faced the threat of total annihilation. I can’t wait to find out what happens next in the Sovereign Stars series! This book will not disappoint science fiction fans who enjoy a fast-paced space adventure with epic battles in space and close combat on the ground.

The first book in Blair C. Howard’s Sovereign Stars Series, Avenger, delivers a strong premise and equally strong characters. It was the year 2058 when humanity triumphed in colonizing the galaxy and enjoyed centuries of populating new territories without encountering alien life. As man’s galactic conquest remains unchallenged, he becomes too greedy for his own good and that results in generations of warfare that caused humanity to face near-extinction. Starship captains and generals manage to restore order, and mankind enters a golden age in the year 3278. But the peace is about to be broken by a superior alien race with sophisticated weaponry that humans can’t even begin to dent. Thus begins humanity’s struggle to fight for freedom, as told by Krista, an Artificial Intelligence in the old battle cruiser, Avenger.

Rarely do you get to read a space opera that is a vibrant illustration of what humanity and its military system will look like in the far-flung future and how man will succumb to near extinction as a result of his own folly. Blair C. Howard has a visionary take on the double-edged nature of conquering the stars. His vision for such a future shows the promise of scientific advances and how it can similarly provide ramifications. Howard reveals an engaging story backdrop at the very start. The political and military drama escalate as soon as the alien enemy enters the scene. Given that they are far superior in military technology, there is mounting pressure for humanity to exhaust all means for the benefit of surviving. Avenger will surely find its way onto your want-to-read list, as its intense storyline and compelling characters deserve your reading time.

Avenger is the first novel in the Sovereign Stars series by Blair C Howard. A military space opera of epic proportions, the story is set in the year 3278 when the human race has evolved and spread its presence all over the universe. Humans have left earth and colonized other planets where they didn’t find alien life. The United Sovereign Fleet are the peacekeepers, and so far, they have been successful at it. However, things are about to change as an advanced spacecraft fleet attacks one of the kingdoms of humans on a planet. Captain Richard Morian is given the mission to save the kingdom, rescue and protect a far-off prince, and stay alive at the same time. Before he knows it, Richard has to make some serious decisions that may have dire consequences.

The way author Blair C Howard talks about the Avenger fleet is almost poetic. Avenger is a sensational space opera packed with action and enough suspense to make readers beg for more. Definitely the science fiction novel of the decade, the story opens with a bang and keeps the momentum until the end. The pace of the story is perfect and only gets better as more and more vital characters are introduced. While Captain Richard is the apparent protagonist of the story, Danis, Prince Felder, Prince Elio, and more prove to be just as charismatic and entertaining. The chapters are short, but that does not deter the reader from reading on. The suspense stays alive, and the hurdles in Richard Morian’s way are always exciting. I love the camaraderie between the “soldiers,” the intricate story, and the promise of more. I highly recommend this novel!

Avenger is the first book of the Sovereign Stars Series by Blair C. Howard. In the distant future, humans have mastered interstellar travel, enabling them to colonize even the remotest corners of the galaxy. After a relatively long period of peace since The Purge, humanity faces its biggest threat yet when an unidentifiable alien civilization sends a swarm of advanced warships to destroy the Persei System fleet. Now, it is up to Captain Richard Morian of the Avenger to take command of the task force assigned to tackle the alien swarm. Morian sends his sister, Danis, with a team to rescue Price Elio of the Oslo System, who had been kidnapped on a diplomatic mission to Pricus City. With an unexpected mutiny on his ship, can Captain Morian prevent the swarm from destroying the human race in its entirety?

Fans of epic sci-fi space operas such as Frank Herbert's Dune or Star Trek will find much to love about Avenger, the first book of the Sovereign Stars Series. Filled with action, political intrigue, mystery, and fascinating space battles involving futuristic weaponry, author Blair C. Howard crafts a captivating sci-fi military thriller that keeps your eyes glued to the pages until the end. The plot moves at a blistering pace, containing unexpected twists and turns you never see coming. Captain Richard Morian's struggles to keep command of his ship in the face of overwhelming odds make him a dynamic protagonist you can't help but root for. Overall, I had an absolute blast reading Avenger, and recommend it to anyone who savors sci-fi focused on war.