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

By: Elliott Kay

Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon

Length: 13 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

DIE HARD…In Space! The student loan wars

I picked up Elliot Kay’s rollicking “Good intentions” on a whim, thinking perhaps it would make for an entertaining break from my usual interest in Sci-fi and fantasy, and was pleasantly surprised when beneath the highly adult themed overtures of the book was a very well written, character and plot development driven book.

Shocked by this turn of good fortune I got the sequel “Natural consequences” and was even more impressed by his ability to tell a fantastic story while seducing his readers with all the sensuality you would expect from Sherrilyn Kenyon or some such other author.

Seeing as I had gone two for two with him I dared to take a chance on this book. Now, anyone who reads Sci-fi and fantasy will be quick to point out that THESE TWO GENRES ARE NOT THE SAME! No matter how readily the guild and (publishers) may want to and continue to classify them both in the same category.

The “Sci” in Sci-fi denotes “Science”, meaning the author has to make a plausible case for scientific origins of events and technology in both story and character. Unlike “Fantasy” fictions in which spell casting and magic can be easily explained through less ornate imagination.

This is why many Fantasy fiction writers don’t or can’t do good sci-fi. The science has to be plausibly explained to be good and this is not something that can be done easily or as easily as explaining a spell.

I say all this to preface my trepidations when I came across this book, as my only experience with Mr. Kay had been with the two fantasy books above so I was unsure if I wanted to sully my experience with a bad sci-fi book. Based on the strength of his prior works, I cashed in my confidence points and spent the point on this book, and boy am I glad I did.
What a story.

This is a very well written and developed Military sci-fi. Yes you will find some familiar themes like the reluctant hero thrust into uncertain situation, acting with valor and honor and with a bit of luck, overcome the bad guys almost single handedly. This was “Die hard” in space

I loved it.

It was enjoyable, and driven by excellent plotlines and characters, and anyone with student loans may even find greater sympathy and enjoyment from this series.
Great work Elliot Kay, looking forward to your next series.

Author and narrator purposely weaken protagonist

The story was great, but the protagonist is unrealistically emotional and weak. For someone who is solely responsible for saving thousands, he's made pathetic, and it gets very irritating. It's as if the writer can't tell the difference between an honorable and humble soldier and someone who backs into saving the world. I'll probably listen to the next in the series, but if the main character doesn't grow some callous, it will be my last listen in the series.

Excellent

With an insightful and satisfying Book 1, Elliott Kay addresses important issues in

this powerful story. Bravo!

I really liked it

I think it was a fun fast paced book with good characters and a well built world that while sometimes seems a little Rambo is really entertaining.

Pretty good

Similar to many other books, young recruit overcomes great odds to save the day. Still, interesting and well paced.

Completely enjoyable

This certainly is just sci-fi genre fiction, but listening to this book will make you appreciate how rare it is to read a straightforward story in good prose style. The characters were engaging, the story was compelling, and the narration was excellent. I particularly liked the voice of Casey the pirate. The action was walloping, and described in fine form, and you can easily follow it on the audio recording. This book would make a great screenplay. I was so happy to find out about this series on Audible. Looking forward to the next installment.

good first book in the series. The rest are better

It's a bit rough in the middle but it all works out for Tanner in the end. this is by far the hardest book in the series but you need it to set up the rest and the rest of the books in the series are absolutely awesome.

Solid space navy fare.

Against impossible odds. The least experienced, lowest rated, usual screwup, sad sack... In WW II, this guy was named Audie Murphy. The author still managed to pull me along and keep me willing to accept the miracles.

The good guys do still win, if not in the end, at least in installments. They don't live happily ever after, but they do win, in short bursts, when it counts.

Love these books!

This story really grabbed my attention and reminded me why it is worthwhile to try new unknown authors. I had to read the rest of the trilogy to find out what happened. The narration was well done.

extraordinary performance

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the narrator did an excellent job. I would listen to this again. I look forward to the next book in the series.