Shadow of Empire

Far Stars Book One

By: Jay Allan

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

The first installment in the Far Star series, a swashbuckling space saga that introduces the daring pirate Blackhawk and the loyal crew of the Wolf’s Claw, from Jay Allan, the author of the bestselling Crimson Worlds saga.

Smuggler and mercenary Arkarin Blackhawk and the crew of the ship Wolf’s Claw are freelance adventurers who live on the fringe of human society in the Far Stars. A veteran fighter as deadly with a blade as he is with a gun, Blackhawk is a man haunted by a dark past. Even his cynicism cannot banish the guilt and pain that threaten his sanity.

Sent to rescue the kidnapped daughter of his longtime friend Marshal Augustin Lucerne, Blackhawk and his crew find themselves drawn into one deadly fight after another. When the Wolf’s Claw is damaged, they are forced to land on a remote planet subsumed by civil war. Pulled unwittingly into the conflict, they uncover disturbing information about secret imperial involvement that could upset the plans of Lucerne.

For the Marshal is determined to forge a Far Stars Confederation powerful enough to eliminate all imperial influence and threats in the sector. He needs a skilled warrior like Blackhawk on his side, but the mercenary, plagued by dark memories from the past, refuses to join the cause. All too soon, though, he and his crew will have to take a stand.

very entertaining looking forward to the next book

very entertaining loved it looking forward to the next book. read the first book before this one.

Great

I really enjoyed this audio book the characters brought out all the action it was a great science fiction story great writing I look forward to book two great narrator h

great book

Enjoyed listening to it and the story was great, only downside for me would be the amount of characters it followed made it sort of confusing sometimes.

very entertaining

very fast pace an enjoyable read. non stop tiller. keeps you on the edge of your seat

Jay Allen's worst work

Contrived nonsense, but good narration. Jay Allen's "Black Hawk" book was far superior to this outing. Astra is grating and an unlikable spoiled brat. Black Hawk in this story is so full of clichés that he becomes inconsistent and unbelievable.