Defiance

Junctionworld, Book 1

By: Bear Ross

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

Bring out the mechs and fire up the chainsword. Ready. Fight!

Mech Pilot Jessica Kramer fights to survive in the armored arenas of Junctionworld, like her father and brother before her. She’s good, but not as good. If she ever hopes to be better, she’ll need to stop getting in her own way.

When she discovers the circumstances behind her famous brother's death were more than just a result of the games, her path turns to vengeance. The deeper she digs, the harder the truth becomes, and the more sinister the plot to eliminate her as well.

Renegade cyborgs, inter-dimensional menaces, and the mysterious forces that destroyed her brother are closing in from every direction. Jessica needs to stay one step ahead or she'll have one foot in the grave. And if she ever hopes to uncover the conspiracy against her family, she’ll have to overcome her personal demons first.

If you’re a fan of Stargate or Battletech, with shades of Gladiator mixed in, you won’t want to miss this thrilling science fiction adventure from debut author Bear Ross.

©2019 Aethon Books (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Strong first outing!

Bear Ross delivers a powerful first book! Defiance breaks the mech mold in a few ways. First, mech pilots (as they are called in this book) are usually alpha male types. Jessica Kramer is an alpha alright, but she's all woman and I love it!

Secondly, this isn't your typical military Sci-Fi, mindless battle. This is a well-thought out arena "competition" taking place in multiple dimensions.

I don't think you'll regret getting this book.

So different in a good way

I've listened to a lot of mech style books/played the videogames, etc. This one is cool and different. It's more like arena battles with crazy overlords. The main character has a good voice and is made better by the reader. Good job all around. Hoping there's a second? Though the book wraps up nicely at the end.

WOO! (Zeller)

Something new for anybeing and everybeing!

There were so many reasons to grab this book.

1) Emily Woo Zeller is one of the best narrators in the business. She brings life to this piece.

2) Bear... what a crazy awesome, killer name. Bear Ross gives Emily amazing source material to work with.

3) Mechs! As a fan of Mechs (Rick Partlow's Wholesale Slaughter series being the latest in awesomeness), I knew from the cover I had to get this and it didn't disappoint.

4) Strong female protagonist. Jessica Kramer is badass and lets you know it.

Great freaking book!

Amazing Mech Battles

Mech Battles, and fun. This reminded me of Alitia Battle angel, I can not wait for more from this series, as this was a great start. With great narration that brought the story to life.

Audible did not have chapter titles for this title at the time of this review.

This title was provided free for review, however, this is my honest thoughts and review.

Intriguing concept, quality performance

Definitely a good story to check out for any fans of the mech genre, and the audio performance was impressive.


Ross kicks off a fun story with a cool setting and themes, and some incredible mech combat. Jessica is a flawed underdog of a main character, cocky and abraisive in many ways, but the reader can’t help loving her guts and pluck. I was rooting for her all the way, both that she’d achieve victory over her opponents and herself.

The plot is a classic once and Bear pulls it off to perfection: two fighters being moved like chess pieces by the arrogant SOBs in control of their lives, with Jessica undergoing some interesting trials and side-quests as the big match looms closer, and we get a knock-down drag-out mech might to end all mech fights.

My only issue is I’d wish for more of a definitive ending, and I don’t know what the next installment holds, now that the formula for the first book has been used. I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

The audible book is perfect and certainly recommended.

Self-Same Recommends! Priority Utmost!

Oh, yeah! First-rate world-building, believable characters and MECHS!!! Junctionworld leaves the gate (in-story pun intended) guns blazing! It revs up with a heart-wrenching beginning then belts out a story of betrayal, self-destruction, oppression, redemption and battle-filled peril! At that, the book did a fine job of balancing character development with action. I totally bought into Jessica Krammer’s personality and struggles to the point that I almost hated her by the end of the first half only to find my heart breaking for her during the second.

Speaking of characters, I LOVED to despise the smug, autocratic aliens: evil, otherworldly sociopaths whose Code is the only thing keeping them from totally dominating their alien slaves. In fact, the supporting cast of aliens almost stole the show: from a simian-ascended cuddly gorilla-like being to a skunky tech nerd. And the battles! Talk about a feast for mech-fighting fans!

If you didn’t pick up the audiobook, you’re missing out! The narrator’s performance (Emily Woo Zeller) was top-notch, with a compelling portrayal of emotional states matched only by a repertoire of alien mannerisms. My hat’s off to both the author and the narrator. I understand this is Bear Ross’ debut novel and he did a great job! Bravo!

Fun story, looking forward to more.

I found the story very engaging. The battle scenes are full of excitement and had some interesting turns.

The story left me wanting to know what will happen next and I look forward to the next installment.

Very glad I gave it a shot.

I follow a few authors of facebook, so I get targeted advertising fairly often for books. Saw the ad for this and thought, "That sounds fun. I'll save it for when I'm in the mood for scifi."

A few days ago i got the scifi itch and decided to roll the dice and go for a book with less than 10 reviews. A very risky gamble, but one Im glad I went for.

This book won't be winning a Hugo, but holy heck is it fun. The book felt like a mix of Gundam, Gladiator, and the cantina scene in Starwars.

Highly recommend for aomeone looking for a bit of fun scifi. I'll be getting any sequels for sure.

Oh, and the narrator killed it.

Where is the movie?!!!

I can not wait for the second and third books. This would make a great movie, someone get on that!!!

Good characters and world

The main character can at times try your patience, but the story and world are great. Fun read.

A great first title from Bear Ross

I read and listen to many books in a year and a lot of these are science fiction. I was a little wary of taking a chance on Junction World Defiance but I took the plunge. I am glad that I did! On a premise of mecha arena fighting a story of a family that fought from the bottom to the top and then plunged into darkness. A strange place of world linking gates to a myriad world with hints of previous wars and future conflicts. A very likeable main character and many aliens all trying to make their way out from under the boot (or manipulator) of the Gate Lords of Junction World. The story moves at a cracking pace and left me wanting more. This is science fiction adventure in the new pulp vein! Well done to Bear Ross! Roll on more adventures.