Star Marque Rising

by Shami Stovall

Overview

The future is governed through a genetic hierarchy--superhumans at the top, humans and defects at the bottom. Welcome to an all-new military science fiction novel from critically-acclaimed author Shami Stovall.

Clevon Demarco, a genetically modified human, has a cocksure attitude and the combat skills to back it up. With his unparalleled skills, he makes his living as a ruthless gunrunner on a shady space station near the edges of the quadrant. Stronger, faster, and wittier than most sad sacks, no one even comes close to Demarco's abilities--until he crosses paths with the captain of the notorious Star Marque, Endellion Voight.

Captain Voight arrests Demarco and offers him a choice: go to a prison planet for his crimes, or join her starship, the Star Marque, working as mercenaries for the superhumans. But she didn't pick him at random. She has a plan to become a planet governor; a title no human has held since the superhumans won the war. It doesn't matter the cost--assassinations, extortion, blackmail--she's determined to claw her way to the top.

All Captain Voight needs is Demarco's help to carry out her machinations, and she'll give him everything he's ever wanted in return.

A fast-paced space opera for those who enjoy Old Man's War by John Scalzi, Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds, or anything by Robert A. Heinlein.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780998045207
Publisher:	Capital Station Books
Publication date:	02/19/2019
Series:	Star Marque , #1
Pages:	436
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.97(d)

About the Author

Shami Stovall grew up in California's central valley with a single mother and little brother. Despite no one in her family having a degree higher than a GED, she put herself through college (earning a BA in History), and then continued on to law school where she obtained her Juris Doctorate. As a child, Stovall enjoyed every portal fantasy, space opera, and magic series she could get her hands on, but the first novel to spark her imagination was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. The adventure on a deserted island opened her mind to ideas and realities she had never given thought before-and it was the moment Stovall realized that story telling (specifically fiction) became her passion. Anything that told a story, especially fantasy series and military science fiction, be it a movie, book, video game or comic, she had to experience. Now, as a professor and author, Stovall wants to add her voice to the myriad of stories in the world. Everything from sorcerers, to robots, to fantasy wars--she just hopes you enjoy. See all future releases with: https: //sastovallauthor.com/newsletter/ Or contact her directly at: [e-mail]

Editorial Reviews

04/29/2019

Rife with action, intrigue, and plenty of backstabbing, Stovall’s space opera takes readers on a bumpy ride through a distant future where genetically modified cyborg humans face off against even more genetically modified superhumans. When tough guy Clevon Demarco is chosen to join the crew of cyborg enforcer starship Star Marque, captained by ruthless Cmdr. Endellion Voight, he accepts without a second thought. Enforcers are usually “fighting the filth of the outer colonies,” but ambitious Endellion has other plans: she wants to become the first human governor of a planet, in contradiction of superhuman tradition. As readers observe her progress through Demarco’s unwitting eyes, it’s hard to believe neither he nor the rest of her crew realizes that her determination masks a deadly ruthlessness. Although the setting and characters lack depth, action fans will enjoy the violence and scheming that drive this story of guile and dark ambition. (BookLife)

Publishers Weekly

"Action fans will enjoy the violence and scheming that drive this story of guile and dark ambition." - Publishers Weekly

"A great read for any who are new or old fans of the space opera genre and a worthy addition to any with a science fiction library." - Portland Book Review

"Tightly written, succinct, stunning, and at times moving, Star Marque Rising is a fascinating read... The pace of the book is fast and characterization thorough. Without elaborate wordplay, Stovall manages to communicate the humane side of her characters. The snappish relationships between Demarco and some crew members; Lysander and Sawyer on the Star Marque is wryly depicted, and various missions they attend to during their time on the star ship itself makes fascinating reading as both an action adventure and an intellectually stimulating premise. A thrilling read!" - The Prairies Book Review

"The protagonist has been so skillfully crafted that it's impossible not to love him... Star Marque Rising is so much more than a traditional science fiction novel, and this is all due to Stovall's skillful and creative writing. This shows true talent from the author to blend layered character development, action, and back stories without giving away too much of the plot at once; this novel is a truly captivating read. Even those who generally do not overly gravitate toward sci-fi will be hooked and left on the edge of their seat begging for more." - Entrada Reviews

"Stovall's Star Marque Rising is to Moby Dick what House, MD is to Sherlock Holmes. At its core, Moby Dick is a story about obsession, and the destruction it can wreak, and so is Star Marque Rising. It trades the vastness of the ocean for the vastness of space and a mobile white whale for an elusive stationary governorship. Endellion, though, is every bit as ruthless and blindly obsessed as Ahab. The story ends with the possibility of a sequel, and I really hope we get one. I want to know where this story is going! Recommended for those who enjoy space opera/ sci-fi along the lines of Star Wars and Ender's Game." - San Francisco Book Review

"The best modern sci-fi I've read since Wool by Hugh Howey." - Abbey Reads

From the Publisher