Audacious (Kris Longknife #5)

Audacious by Mike Shephard is the fifth book in his space opera featuring Kris Longknife.

As all of Kris Longknife's assignments, she is being sent somewhere to be kept out of trouble. And like all assignments, that is not the real mission. The problem is that no one ever tells Kris what the real reason is for her being in what feels like the wrong place at the wrong time.  

The planet of New Eden is controlled by the descendants of three Earth nations - a precarious balance that no one outside of the government really understands. Partly because of the inordinately high price to subscribe to any media source. Most citizens cannot afford to pay it. 

There are factions at work who want to overthrow the government and are using the lack of media as a kind of shield to get things started. Kris has to figure out a way to get information out of this frustrating planet. 

The one thing that might help is that Abbey, Kris's maid / bodyguard / maybe-a-spy is from New Eden. She may have sources - only she left more than a decade ago and never looked back.

The Kris Longknife series is a swashbuckling good read. 

Shephard, Mike (2007). Audacious. New York: Ace Books.

Resolute (Kris Longknife #4)

Resolute by Mike Shephard is the fourth book in his space opera series featuring Kris Longknife. 

To get the trouble-making (for some) Kris Longknife out of the way, she is assigned to a planet on the Rim. The planet Chance is one not many people have even heard of. She is to take over the guarding of two jump gates. 

When Kris arrives, with Jack, Penny and Abby, the station she is assigned to has been mothballed. The ship they arrived on is more a floating museum than a proper Navy ship. And she has no personnel - everyone from Chance has been retired and moved back to the planet. 

With her usual "luck" five Greenhaven ships enter the far star gate. Greenhaven has been commandeering planets since the alliance with Earth broke down. Now Kris has just a few days to invent a way to defend Chance space.

Shephard has created a badass character in Kris Longknife. This series is every entertaining. 

Shephard, Mike. (2006). Resolute. New York: ACE Books.

Defiant (Kris Longknife #3)

Defiant by Mike Shepherd is the third book in the Kris Longknife science fiction series. 

After returning to Wardhaven following a daring rescue of her best friend, Kris learns that her position has been taken - likely the consequences would be worse if not for being one of those damn Longknifes. 

What is available is a squadron of fast attack boats called mosquitos. They are untried in combat but may be an idea for planetary protection from invasion - something that is more likely since the galaxy wide alliance has ended.

A theory that Kris and her crews will be able to test when war ships enter Wardhaven space. 

Shepherd has written and entertaining space opera series featuring an audacious character with a band of friends who help keep her alive. 

Shepherd, Mike. (2005). Defiant. New York: Ace Books. 

Deserter (Kris Longknife #2)

Deserter by Mike Shepherd is the second book in the Kris Longknife science fiction series. 

Kris is back on the planet of Wardhaven putting a new ship through its tests when she gets a call saying that Tom has been taken. He was on vacation on a cruise halfway across the galaxy. 

Taking leave for a week, Kris - along with her bodyguard and the new dresser her mother hired when Kris's grandfather became king, making Kris a princess - race to a far off planet to rescue Tom. All of which may be a trap.

Mike Shepherd has created a great character in a fun space opera series. I will be reading them all. 

Shepherd, Mike. (2004). Deserter. New York: Ace Books.

Mutineer (Kris Longknife #1)

Mutineer by Mike Shephard is the first book in the science fiction series featuring Kris Longknife. 

Born into the Longknife legacy – daughter to the planet’s Prime Minister and granddaughter to two war heroes – Kris has chosen another path. She will not run for office like her father and brother. She is joining the Space Navy of the Society of Humanity as an ensign. No special favors from on high like those who refer to her family as “those Longknifes would expect of her. 

And it looks like maybe she is getting all the worst assignments in the Navy. Her first deployment being a hostage rescue in a cabin that makes Fort Knox look like a piggy bank. 

Shephard’s first in the Kris Longknife series is a great space opera. I will be reading the entire series (currently twenty volumes). 

Shephard, Mike. (2021). Mutineer. New York: Ace Books