Heroes Die Young (Paperback)

~ T. M. Hunter (Author)
Key Phrases: storage pass, Mister West, Jungle Juice, The President (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A derelict freighter abandoned in outer space is too much for space pirate Aston West to pass up and he can't fight the urge to pilfer its valuable cache of illegal weapons. However, the ship's one last occupant has other ideas and fights to maintain her hold on the weaponry. After attack craft return to finish the ship off, Aston has no choice but to save her from certain destruction. Who is she? What are the weapons for? Why was the freighter destroyed? For every answer he finds, he discovers more questions, and his life is put in jeopardy every time he stops to catch his breath. Aston's life motto of never getting involved is put to the test, and he must decide whether to become a hero for a people in need, or continue on his path of self-preservation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Champagne Books (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1897445784
• ISBN-13: 978-1897445785
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,172,847 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read , November 13, 2008

By	W. Lamb - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Enjoyed the book! Characters and story are believable and flow together with some twists & turns for a really good read. Great "space opera", like Star Wars or Star Trek the characters in the story are first, & the technology and alien landscapes just provide the colorful back drop. Fun and interesting. Only 4 stars because it goes by too fast. More Aston West please :)

5.0 out of 5 stars Reluctant Hero, October 18, 2008

By	Joyce Scarbrough (Mobile, AL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read Heroes Die Young with a sense of dread from the beginning, because I could tell from the size of the book that it wasn't going to take me nearly as far into the life of the main character--Aston West--as I wanted to go. Aston is such an engaging guy who keeps getting heroism dropped into his lap no matter how hard he tries to avoid it, and although he does his best to convince us that he's a cad, his true character shows through in everything he does.

Heroes Die Young is a fast-paced trip into Aston's world of space in the future that is sure to make the heart of any fan of Star Trek or Star Wars beat with joy. The plot is easy to follow without being simplistic or predictable, and the author's attention to detail puts the reader right in the middle of the action. I just hope Mr. Hunter gets the sequel done in hyperspeed.

5.0 out of 5 stars A memorable reluctant hero....., October 18, 2008

By	Laurel Johnson (Kansas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amidst a glut of forgettable fictional protagonists, why did I find Aston West to be memorable? He's a science fiction character, of all things, not my preferred genre, but I haven't stopped thinking about him since the last page of Heroes Die Young. West is a space scavenger, just short of being a pirate. He tries to slide by without exerting himself or getting involved, and the reluctant hero enjoys sipping Vladirian liquor a bit too much. In fact, if not for Jeanie, his personal onboard computer, West and his starship would have been blasted to space dust long ago.

As the story begins, West is making a cargo run to the Toris system. His cargo hold is empty, except for one container of blue organic crystals he's being paid to deliver. When he encounters a disabled Rulusian freighter with a full cargo bay and no life signs, West imagines scavenged riches for the taking. West instructs Jeanie to upload the contraband cargo while he explores the freighter. Inside he finds horror, a crew dead from blasters, the scent of burnt bodies in the air, and a female warrior brandishing a disintegrator cannon. Rione Sc'lari is ship's captain and the lone surviving member of her crew. West reluctantly takes her aboard his ship and, from that point forward, all hell breaks loose. He's forced to deal with ruthless ambassadors, underhanded politicians, and attack cruisers bent on blowing him to bits. And yes, as he joins the battle to thwart forces determined to destroy the citizens of an entire system, Aston West becomes a quietly efficient hero. He goes on the attack because he has to, with self-effacing humor, Jeanie, and a handful of dissidents at his side.

This book was great fun to read, exciting and believable. Aston West is an appealing character, and the plot engaging. Author T.M. Hunter is a name to remember for you sci fi fans out there.