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I was born in Gibraltar and raised on a yacht around the coasts of the Atlantic. I’m an author, martial artist, and introvert. In between the necessary making of money to allow the writing of more books, I can usually be found stowing away on a spaceship, halfway to the further galaxy.
I write sci-fi and UF adventure set on planets and in places parked just a little off-parallel with this one. Most of my characters have been broken at least once and got back up to eviscerate someone with the broken edges.
Science-fiction and urban fantasy are my favourite genres to write in. I grew up on a rich diet of Anne McCaffrey, Tolkien, Dorothy Dunnett, and Jack Higgins, and finally started to write my own books aged fourteen. I can't point the finger at any one book or author that set me in my current direction, but I blame my tendency to write characters who favour drastically practical solutions on some mix of those. If I can toss in a bit of gender- and genre-bending, so much the better. Status quo is boring.
Reviewed by Steven Robson for Readers' Favorite
The Cortii Series by J. C. Steel is a collection of four books, with a supplemental addition that provides some linkage to the common threads of the main plot. The net result is a sweeping epic reminiscent in some aspects of the classic Dune series, where the galactic spotlight shines on a rich, diverse, and at times deadly mix of humanoid and alien species. The main player in this dance between stars appears to be The Federated Planets Alliance (FPA), although the actual show stealer is one of the premium organized groups of paid mercenaries; a genetically manipulated species known as the Cortii, trained to become elite tools for hire. Based on the planet Corina, the Cortii train in groups of 25 known as Cortia, and when ready to become active, they are led by a Cortiora. Khyria Ilan becomes Cortiora of Wildcat Cortia, and we follow her path through incredible worlds and adventures, from the rigorous and deadly training regime of Book 1, through various missions in Books 2 and 3, to an ultimate showdown of unimagined power in Book 4. Marking this accumulation of mission experience indelibly are the ever-present powers of Abilities, who control mental resources to astonishing levels; Khyria being one of the ultimate vessels, carrying telepathy, empathy, and kinetic strength beyond the scale. The real excitement of this extraordinary tale comes not so much from the scope of the external worlds, but from the compelling voyage inward as you explore the perniciously layered complexity of the power resident within Khyria. A voyage that will leave no one untouched.
J. C. Steel’s The Cortii Series is not just a typical science fiction story of slashing lasers and black and white combatants; there is a cerebral depth running through these books that is amazingly evocative in its strength and quality. Such is its power that you can’t resist the surge of emotion when the main characters are faced with peril; when Khyria is laid out on a slab being attacked by adepts of the Order in turn, I felt genuine and real consternation for her position beyond what I would normally expect. Another bone-jarring moment came from Anst’s realization that if he didn’t link with Khyria to help Tavia, then he would be thrust into the role of Cortertia; the delicious irony of this washed over me on many levels. The Cortii Series is a superbly woven story of powers real and futuristic, melded into the politics, religions, and machinations of humanoids in a disturbingly real manner, that will be a perfect read for those seeking science fiction that will make you think. A great series; I really enjoyed it.
