Title: The BlackheartAuthor: Thom Bedford
Publication: April 5, 2025
Genre: Science Fiction
Find it here: Amazon
Rating: 4/5★
Spend an evening on a warship in this military space opera novella!
SABOTAGE AND SUSPICION
After narrowly escaping an explosion from a botched sabotage attempt, Captain Felysta Sandorn of the Combined Systems Alliance receives orders to lead a small fleet of agile warships to hunt down and destroy a pirate group. On arrival to the neutral system, however, not everything is as it seems, as they encounter archaic vessels and subdued, nervous behavior.
The year is 2815 and the galaxy teeters on the brink of war, but not everyone can be trusted. Is Felysta’s target a ragtag band of pirates as she’s been told? Or is it an organized fleet sent by the supposed Free Planetary Union, an emerging galactic empire? Only time will tell.
THE PIRATES OF WAN-NAKHON
This military space opera novella brings deception, suspense, and epic fleet combat to the genre, with detailed world-building, politics, and a hint of romance. All the best parts of science fiction.
For fans of franchises like Star Wars or the darker side of Star Trek, and fans of authors like Jack Campbell or John Scalzi.
Set in the 29th century in the year of 2815 in a galaxy poised for war. The story introduces us to Felysta Sandorn, captain of the Blackheart. After receiving the order to persue and eliminate a group of space pirates, she has no doubts this will be a speedy assignment. But after arriving to the system the pirates are located in, she is met with nervous interactions from the locals and timeworn crafts. She instantly feels that something definitely isn’t right here.
Felysta Sandorn was a great character to be introduced to. I liked her sense of command and the interactions with her crew, especially with Jameson, since they had such different world views. The worldbuilding was topnotch and the author’s writing, especially the space battles were incredible to read. It made for a very immersive and exciting reading experience. However, I would’ve liked a little more character building in general but this is just a minor thing compared to the whole of the novella. I really did enjoy reading this story.
The Blackheart by Thom Bedford might be a quick read as a novella, but it packed quite a serious sci-fi punch in just 100 pages. It was action-packed, tension-filled and kept me as a reader on the edge of my seat. I would definitely recommend it!
About the author:
Thom grew up in suburban Cheshire, England with his parents and brother. Since childhood he has had a propensity for creativity, whether it be writing, building models, painting, designing graphics and technology, or programming.
After studying Computer Science at The University of Manchester, he started working as a Software Developer. Following in his father’s footsteps, he worked as a Technical Consultant in London for several years, then in Data Warehousing back in Manchester.
In his spare time, Thom still writes (obviously), builds models, paints, and programs, but nowadays he also listens to a lot of music, watches films, reads, and enjoys playing video games.
His love for science fiction comes from blockbuster films like Starship Troopers, Star Wars and Star Trek. B-movies like Wing Commander, Pitch Black, and Iron Sky. TV shows like Battlestar Galactica, The Expanse, and Stargate. Video games like Homeworld, EVE-Online, and Stellaris. Books like Jack Campbell’s Lost Fleet series, Jasper T. Scott’s Dead Space series, and David Weber’s Honor Harrington series. In other words, sci-fi—particularly space opera—in any media.
Thom currently lives in Cheshire, England, with his wife Helen and their two cats.
Ooh this sounds really good! I love when a novella is able to tell a full fledged story😁
Space operas are so fun!
I love that a novella can be so action-packed and keep you on the edge of your seat!