Last update : 12/20/24
Author : Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Length : 14h36
Narrated by : Mark Boyett, Khristine Hvam
Category : Science-fiction
Possibility of free reading : YES
Captain Axel Finn has dedicated his life to running salvage missions with his alien crew and their war bot. This diverse group has sought refuge on his ship, escaping their turbulent pasts. However, beneath Axel's gentle demeanor lies a truth unknown to his crew—he is not the peace-following, adventure-seeking giant they admire. His pacifist approach, intended to protect them, has led them to financial hardship and attracted dangerous foes.
Compelled into a hazardous salvage mission, the crew discovers an alien relic from another galaxy.
Hoping to find treasure to settle their debts, they instead unearth an artifact of the Wrath, an alien species known for obliterating entire worlds. To understand the significance of their find, Axel turns to Rangnar Soki, a renowned bounty hunter famous for hunting the Stewards, legendary warriors who once opposed the Wrath. As the artifact's mystery unfolds and hunters draw near, an old adversary threatens to ignite the galaxy.
Axel faces a dire choice: embrace his legacy and unleash his inner monster or see everything he loves destroyed.
Galaxy In Flames Book 1: The Last Steward by author @greatwaveink 🤩
— Star Wars Publishing News (@JoshuaAndrews72) June 20, 2024
Venture into the vast reaches of space with "The Last Steward", the first book in the Galaxy in Flames series by Nicholas Sansbury Smith, brought to vivid life by the narrations of Mark Boyett and Khristine Hvam. Spanning 14 hours and 36 minutes, this audiobook takes you on a high-stakes journey alongside Captain Axel Finn and his diverse alien crew as they navigate a galaxy teeming with danger and mystery.
Take advantage of the free trial period to begin this epic saga, with the freedom to cancel your subscription at any time. Rest assured, the adventures of Captain Finn and his crew remain yours to revisit as often as you wish, even if you decide not to continue the subscription.
For detailed information on managing or cancelling your subscription, please refer to the guide located at the bottom of this page. Prepare for a journey across the stars in "The Last Steward", where courage meets legacy in the backdrop of a galaxy in flames.
Nicholas Sansbury Smith's "The Last Steward," the first book in the series "Galaxy in Flames," combines breathtaking space opera with adventure and a complex play of dynamics between characters. Performed by Mark Boyett and Khristine Hvam, this audiobook sets you on a course through the galaxy.
The story is told through the eyes of Captain Axel Finn and his eclectic crew, who crew a salvage ship. Renowned for the ship's pacifist captain, Axel has all but run his small team into ruin while trying to avoid the dangerous entanglements of the galaxy. Their fortunes change when they uncover an ancient alien relic linked to the fearsome species known as the Wrath. This sets off a chain of events that will force Axel to confront his legacy: will he embrace his warrior past or protect his newfound family from destruction?
Mark Boyett and Khristine Hvam give a voice-rich performance and bring out several character nuances. Boyett's approach to Axel is genuinely unique: both the inner turmoil and outward strength of this duality within the character shine through. Now, Hvam faces the challenge of bringing voice to all alien species and human characters. This adds much richness to the listening experience. The performances guarantee that each of the characters in the audiobook—the war bot and the alien crew members—stand out uniquely and very appealingly.
"The Last Steward" is an exciting book, as its plot and characters interact constantly. The novel develops action, humor, and emotional complexity simultaneously, in a way that touches the listener within the particular genre of science fiction. Some critics have expressed that the book sustains tension and is thrilling over a somewhat long runtime, although it does take some time to establish all elements of the story at the start and hence requires a bit of listening to make sense.
Space opera and science fiction adventure fans will find the universe in "The Last Steward" is compelling and rich with detail. The listener is never let go, as Nicholas Sansbury Smith creates an epic with more information that the listeners can relate to. Mark Boyett and Khristine Hvam do an excellent job narrating, adding another layer of reasons for genre aficionados to listen to this audiobook by Nicholas Sansbury Smith (Audible.com, Nicholas Sansbury Smith Official Site). Whether you're drawn to the prospect of epic space battles, mysterious alien artifacts, or the exploration of personal legacies, "The Last Steward" really hits the spot every way and kickstarts an exciting new series within the "Galaxy in Flames" story.