Tales from the Sophyan Empire

In a war between democracy and civil rights, which side to you choose?

After generations of conflict and economic turmoil, the Sophyan Empire stands as a beacon of peace and prosperity.  It is a society based upon the assurance of civil rights, not just for humans, but for all sentient beings.  Yet there is a catch: it’s an interstellar union in which power and the right to rule is held in the hands of a few.  Those who oppose this hegemony also oppose treating sentient aliens with equal rights, and fight for democracy by targeting innocent civilians.  It is up to the crew of the HMS Hunter to balance their duties and beliefs as they fight to protect their society.

Part military sci-fi, part space opera, and part espionage thriller, Strings on a Shadow Puppet is filled with compelling characters, dark conspiracies, and enough fast paced combat to keep any action junkie on the edge of their seat, Strings on a Shadow Puppet will keep you turning the pages until the last plot twist is revealed.

In a war between democracy and civil rights, which do you choose?

“The ability to control one’s own future is not a privilege, it’s a right!” The image of the figure who spoke was carried across all the comms channels by a hacker signal. It was an extreme ectomorph, tall and ultra thin, with slanted eyes, swirling dotted tattoos, an extended cranium and high curling hair.…

“The ability to select one’s own government,” it continued, “is not a privilege, it’s a right. Democracy is the only form of government that ensures these privileges remain rights — inalienable human rights. Rights that cannot be controlled by the privileged few, nor shared with bug-eyes, slimies or others whose alien ways corrupt human society! I am the Dalang, Speaker of the Wayang Liberation Front, and this is not the last you will hear from me! Long live the Federalist Revolution!”

Audio Teaser – Opening Scene:

Opening of Strings on a Shadow Puppet

Free Sample Chapters –

First several chapters for Kindle Format

American (Letter) size pdf files:

StringsOnAShadowPuppterSampleForLetterSizedPaper

International (A4) sized pdf files:

StringsOnAShadowPuppterSampleForA4SizedPaper

To see the first review, go to Smart Girls Love Science Fiction, or see what readers say on Amazon and Goodreads.

Set in a post-human diaspora universe, with multiple intelligent alien species and faster-than-light travel. The book focuses on the adventures of a small, elite Naval Intelligence crew with a newly appointed CO of uncertain background. They serve the strongest state in their part of the galaxy, a state which thirty years before underwent a centralization of their government. Once a confederation, the Sophyans are now ruled by a single strong executive leader (the Emperor) and a Senatorial body made up of and officially recognized Hierarchy. Yet, it is also defined as a government whose primary purpose is defending the rights of its citizens regardless of age, gender, religion, philosophy, or species.

Sophyan Empire

 

Yet not everyone agrees that such protection is best put in the hands of a few, and not everyone agrees that all species should be seen as equal. Some will stop at nothing to fight agains such tyranny…

Strings on a Shadow Puppet is on sale now in paperback and for kindles at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and most book sellers near you.