FINALIST for the AMERICAN LEGACY BOOK AWARDS for Science Fiction: Alien/Space

A Thief Turned Spy, Turned Bounty Hunter, Turned Hero!

After surviving an all-out implosion of catastrophic proportions following the failed fusion of twin stars Mira A and B in a class B Supernova, the people of galaxy Proxima Centauri have pressed forward with dreams and hopes of finally living in peace. But for Bounty Hunter Steel Reign, the clock of destiny is speeding ahead at a steadfast pace. While he desires to live a simple life, he’s drawn to the glam of his past. And a mission he can’t refuse. Hunt down a group of rogue super-soldiers before they can plot against King William Derry. Or the kingdom on planet Fabricius will fall.

But consistent work as a Hunter in Proxima Centauri has always been a feast or famine occupation. When the flow of credits slows to a snail’s pace, Reign must find a secondary means of funding to finance his seek-and-destroy assignment by scalping a precious artifact on the open Black Market. That is until his supplier comes up short.

Time For Plan B

This forces Reign to pump the brakes and fall back to Plan B: finding his long-lost sister Olia, who was captured by the space pirate Forge and forced to compete in a deadly game of chance aboard the Eclipse. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the stakes have just been raised when he discovers that she is the only source of an antibody that can offer a cure for the deadly, venomous DX virus lurking in his blood, just waiting to consume him.

To survive, Reign will have to test not only his skills as a legendary assassin but also his patience as he takes on a rogue band of misfits to steal and crew the prototype starship Concord to thwart Forge’s plans once and for all.

Endorsements and Cosby’s works:

“Braxton Cosby’s stories feel personal and well thought-out.” – Tananarive Due, author of My Soul to Keep

“Braxton A. Cosby’s Steel Reign is a multi-layered science fiction novel dealing with the exploits of a bounty hunter who simultaneously hunts down a troop of rogue super soldiers while trying to save his sister’s life and his own. The highly recommended book is full of action and adventure on a grand style and, at moments, surprisingly touching.” – INDIE READER
“Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord is a work of fiction in the science fiction, action, and adventure genres, penned by author Braxton A. Cosby. Written for adult readers due to the use of explicit and sexual language and the inclusion of some scenes of graphic violence, this high octane tale begins with our titular character Steel Reign as he ducks and dives through different professions in order to make his living in the galaxy of Proxima Centauri. Saving Kings and cavorting on the Black Market are only part of the fun as Reign must pull together all of his skills and trades to save the day.
Fans of loveable rogues with plenty of oomph are certain to love Steel Reign for his many gruff yet highly agreeable qualities. One of the things I enjoyed most was the dialogue, which characterizes different figures in the tale instantly and gives a kind of plucky comic-book-esque pitch to the plot. The science-fiction concepts of world-building are pleasingly solid for the storylines and make sense within them, and author Braxton A. Cosby has a great sense of timing for when the plot needs to twist off in a new direction. Despite these many directions, the conclusions come home to roost really well, making for a very enjoyable and satisfying sci-fi read. Overall, I would highly recommend Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord as an accomplished work of adventure fiction for sci-fi and comic book fans alike.” –K.C.FINN FOR READERS’ FAVORITE★★★★★
“Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord by Braxton Cosby begins with an intriguing and haunting scene. The protagonist, Steel Reign is expressing his regret over a massive mistake that he has made. Just from this singular scene, it is clear that he will go to any means to bring back his lost sister, Olia. She is aboard the ship Eclipse and involved in a treacherous game under the space pirate, Forge. Reign does not have the means or credits to find her. His sole plan to acquire an artifact and exchange it for credits has fallen through. He keeps having to devise Plan Bs to reach his sister. Along the way he manages to acquire a ragtag bunch of friends and colleagues: nerdy Gifford, the novice Stink, and Sereas. On top of these struggles, he is also combatting the deadly virus DX that has practically taken his eyes.
Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord manages to hold a quick-paced, thrilling tone, as Reign is thrown from one dangerous situation to another. The prologue also returns in a more meaningful way later in the story as Forge’s sick game becomes clearer.
Throughout the story, a lot of different species and creatures kept cropping up. At first it was a bit jarring and difficult to keep up with, but the descriptions were so fun that I couldn’t resist being drawn in anyway. Take for example the Donthras that are described as being “multi-sexual” and “open to trying anyone and anything” Although there was an underlying intense tone to the story, the moments of levity were perfectly captured and made me laugh out loud.
Reign himself isn’t infallible though- which I personally love in an action/adventure protagonist. So often they seem to fall prey to being all-around superhumans (see: Jack Reacher, Stephanie Plum) but Reign knows his strengths and weaknesses. He even manages to acknowledge that he was the brawns in the sibling relationship and Olia the brains. The pair has had a difficult upbringing but share a very sweet and strong relationship. I felt immediately sympathetic and connected to Reign whenever he reminisced about his sister.
Steel Reign was a solidly entertaining novel- a strangely perfect amalgamation of science-fiction, revenge drama, and ensemble comedy. It hit all the right spots for me and was a great weekend read.” – LITERARY TITAN★★★★
“Steel Reign: Flight of the Starship Concord follows the harrowing journey of the spy, Steel Reign, and his struggle to retrieve his sister, Olia. Reign’s sister is very different from him. Whereas he has all the brawn, Olia has the brains. Reign felt compelled to turn to the life of a thief and spy, while Olia graduated at the top of her class and set down a more traditional path. Now, after getting in a tight spot, Olia is captured by the space pirate, Forge, and is forced to compete in the Arena of Sport. This arena is incredibly deadly, and it takes a lot of luck and skill to stay alive. Reign must save her before it’s too late, but the stakes are raised when he finds out Olia is the only source of a cure for the deadly virus inside of him. Teaming up with the mysterious hacker, Gifford, Reign sets out to free Olia before her luck runs out. Will Reign be able to successfully save his sister in time? Find out!
Opinion: Author Braxton A. Cosby wows me again and again with his books. All of his books have amazing world-building and great attention to detail, with likable characters and vivid plots. Steel Reign is no exception, with its realistic sci-fi universe rife with lots of exciting technology I’ve never heard of before. Even with tech alluded to in other sci-fi books, this author manages to apply those concepts in new ways. For example, his hydrogen-based gun named Martha is a type of weapon I’ve never really read about before. Think of a weapon firing bolts of plasma and you’d be getting close. This book reminds me of the Wanderer series by Simon Goodson and also Randolph Lalonde’s Spinward Fringe series. I recommend this book for ages 13 and up, as there is some killing.” – LITPICK BOOK REVIEWS ★★★★