Scornful Stars

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Description

Now a captain, Sikander Singh North commands the destroyer Ardent, assigned to Zerzura, a haven for piracy and the next playing-board in the Great Game. The Aquilan Commonwealth and the Empire of Dremark vie for the allegiance of local ruler Marid Pasha, a competition with stakes that reach far beyond the sector's pirate-infested limits. Sikander must stop the pirate attacks while charting his course between the ambitions of corrupt planetary ruler, a dubious alliance with a beautiful shipping magnate, and the inexperience of Ardent's crew...a situation that only grows more complicated when an old enemy returns.

Reviews

Praise for Scornful Stars

"Scornful Stars is a well-written, compelling, if cynical, tale of interstellar military power and colonialism, politics, piracy, and corruption contrasted with duty, a book well worth reading, especially today."-- L.E. Modesitt, Jr., author of the bestselling Reculce Saga

Praise for Valiant Dust

Kirkus Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Reads November 2017

The Verge--Science fiction and fantasy books to read this November

"New and extraordinary . . . Go read this!"--David Weber

"Fans of C.S. Forrester's Horatio Hornblower will delight in discovering Baker's Sikander North."--RT Book Reviews, starred review

"Baker's military background only serves to raise this adventure above the rest."--Kirkus

"This new series gets a grand start with fine attention to the details of starship engagements and operations, plus plenty of action as well as depth of character."--Booklist

"Valiant Dust is an excellent example of military SF at its best." --Mike Stackpole, bestselling author of Rogue Squadron

"Interesting characters, high attention to detail, diverse cast, [and] nuanced politics."--Sci-Fi Fan Letter

"In the finest tradition of Honor Harrington, Black Jack Geary, and Nicholas Seafort . . . an exciting new entry that fans of the genre won't want to miss." --Dayton Ward, bestselling author of 24: Trial by Fire

"Intelligent space opera with lots of vivid action . . . sociological novel which examines the problems (on both sides) of a 3rd World aristocrat in a 1st World navy whose hierarchies are equally rigid." --David Drake, author of the Hammer's Slammers series

"Intensely satisfying. Bravo! I look forward to more exploits of Sikander North!" --Ed Greenwood, creator of Forgotten Realms(TM)

"An excellent mix of military action and political intrigue." --Eric Flint, author of the 1632 series

Author Bio

Richard Baker is a former United States Navy officer and a well-known game designer as well as the author of several novels, including the New York Times bestseller Condemnation and the highly acclaimed The Last Mythal trilogy. His game design credits include the Alternity Science Fiction roleplaying game, and the Axis & Allies Naval Miniatures Game - the bestselling naval wargame.