In a stylish, smart, new military SF series, Richard Baker begins the adventures of Sikander North in an era of great interstellar colonial powers. Publishing November 7th with Tor Books, Valiant Dust combines the intrigues of interstellar colonial diplomacy with explosive military action. Read an excerpt below, but first let Editor Jennifer Gunnels explain why she’s so excited about this book:

Valiant Dust grabbed my attention for two reasons. First, few military sf novels look to that period of history between the Great Game and the colonial power jockeying prior to the Great War. Second, the main character, Sikander Singh North, gives the reader a great action hero in addition to giving us the point of view of the colonized. What results is this wonderful mix of action, wherein rail guns and broadsides shred the ships (yes, I’m a little bloodthirsty), as well as the invitation to dive into nuanced characters who ask some difficult questions about power.

I’ve loved working with Richard Baker on Valiant Dust, and I think I’ve fallen a little in love with Sikander and the crew of the Hector. I hope that readers enjoy their adventures as well.

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