Poor Man's Fight: Poor Man's Fight, Book 1

De: Elliott Kay

Narrado por: Timothy Andrés Pabon

High school senior Tanner Malone has bombed the Test, a high-stakes exam that establishes how much he owes for his corporate-funded education. Burdened by a crushing debt that rules out college, Tanner enlists in the navy of Archangel, a star system with four terraformed worlds. But he hasn't factored in the space pirates.

Just as Tanner begins basic training, the government ramps up its forces to confront a band of rowdy raiders who are wreaking havoc in the void. Led by complex and charismatic Captain Casey, the outlaws love a little murder and mayhem, but they are also democratic, egalitarian, and devoted to freeing each new recruit from debt and corporate oppression.

Assigned to the front lines, Tanner soon finds himself caught in the crossfire between ruthless foes, cruel comrades, and unforgiving space. Can he do his duty when good and evil look so much alike?

©2015 Elliott Kay (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

A Sci Fi Thriller

Any additional comments?

Character development is very good if not great, the narrator is great, the story is gripping and hard to put down, and I can't suggest this book enough. I would say it is for high school readers and older. Unlike some books of this genre you get a real sense of what the characters are thinking and grow attached and emotionally invested in the story. Others are as detached from the main character's emotions as if you were reading a field report. The story flows smoothly for the most part but has it's choppy bits when combat occures. I anticipate the release of the next book in the series.

space opera

good book, good narration, got the first 2 books for $11. if you like military grade space opera check it out.

Die Hard in Space

POOR MAN'S FIGHT is an interesting military science fiction story that takes several well-trodden tropes and proceeds to go in some surprising directions with them. Rarely am I ever surprised by a book but this managed to pull off a few twists and turns I did not see coming. It's an interesting combination of Starship Troopers, Die Hard, a pirate story, and a coming of age tale all in one. One that I heartily recommend to those who are interested in space based stories with a focus more on people than science or action.

Tanner Malone is a book smart young lad who has his entire future ahead of him. Unfortunately, due to an inability to handle stress well, he bombs on the Test. The Test being the equivalent of the SAT that meant the difference between whether he would have his student debt wiped out or be able to continue onward to higher education. Like many people denied opportunities, he ends up deciding to try a tour in the military in hopes of getting away from his lack of options back home.

Simultaneously, the charismatic Captain Casey is leading a band of pirates that is marauding band of murderers that specifically target ultra-rich targets then murder the 1% found among them. A burning anger exists within him toward the system and however sympathetic, it motivates him to commit an increasingly brutal series of atrocities. All the while attempting to recruit as many working class spacers as possible into their ranks before driving them to commit atrocities so they can't back out.

Much of the story deals with the fact that Tanner starts as the kind of guy that Casey used to be and other characters have similarities to. I was left with a big question over whether or not Tanner would join the pirates when he finally got a chance to do so. However, the actions of the pirates got increasingly dark and I had to wonder if, instead, it would be illustrating just how different they were at the end. I won't spoil the answer for you but the final third of the book proves to be an extended action sequence that answers that question handily.

Part of what I liked about this book is that it carries a fairly significant amount of social satire. Much of what motivates the protagonists is the awful economy that is slanted against them before they can even try to compete in society. As someone who had significant amounts of student debt myself, I was clearly wrong about it being a good way to finish my education. Whether that's the best way to motivate a protagonist in a rip-roaring action space adventure is anyone's guess but at least it's different.

In conclusion, Poor Man's Fight is a fun little space opera that I think that people looking for a fun read will enjoy. I wouldn't say its an undiscovered classic but it's definitely higher than most Kindle Unlimited fiction I've read and will be picking up the next volume in the series. It's definitely a good afternoon's read.

An excellent story and performance.

I couldn't put it down. The voice acting was superbly immersive. Absolutely loved it.

short and sweet appraisal

an interesting read and a great performance by Timothy Andes. spread the word this is worth your time