Valhalla Station (A Space Opera Noir Technothriller): The SynCorp Saga: Empire Earth, Book 1
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Valhalla Station (A Space Opera Noir Technothriller): The SynCorp Saga: Empire Earth, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Chris Pourteau (Author), David Bruns (Author), Bronson Pinchot (Narrator),
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 341 ratings
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The Expanse meets The Godfather in this space opera/sci-fi noir thriller about corporate greed, rebellion, and mankind’s survival among the stars.

Revolution threatens a longstanding peace....

Thirty years after the Syndicate Corporation saved Earth from climate-change extinction, SynCorp’s Five Factions rule the solar system with an iron fist wrapped in a velvet glove. Food, entertainment, safety, security - SynCorp provides it all. In return, the Company requires complete loyalty and obedience to corporate law.

The Soldiers of the Solar Revolution claim life under SynCorp is slavery cloaked in comfort. They launch their rebellion, targeting the pillars of corporate production: Sabotaging refineries on Mars, shattering Callisto’s orbital ring. Meanwhile, brutal pirates siphon off Company resources in the Belt, and hackers tap into citizens’ implants, addicting them to fantasies shaped from their own dreams.

Besieged on all sides, SynCorp’s Five Factions are in retreat. The rebels aim to destroy the Company to free mankind. But does mankind really want to be freed?

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  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 36 minutes
  2. Author
    Chris Pourteau, see all
  3. Narrator
    Bronson Pinchot
  4. Audible release date
    February 11, 2020
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Aethon Audio
  7. ASIN
    B083QNTMWH
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 36 minutes
Author Chris Pourteau, David Bruns
Narrator Bronson Pinchot
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date February 11, 2020
Publisher Aethon Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B083QNTMWH
Best Sellers Rank #310,913 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#970 in Technothrillers (Audible Books & Originals)
#1,210 in Hard Science Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#4,083 in Technothrillers (Books)

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
341 global ratings
SF Thrill Ride
5 Stars
SF Thrill Ride
If you're into space opera, sci-fi adventure, military/techno/conglomerate space action novels, this latest offering by Bruns & Pourteau will be right up your alley and I recommend it. Although I'm not a huge fan of this particular SF subgenre, I enjoyed this book very much. The writing is solid, the plot is interesting, and the world-building (from Earth to Saturn) is fascinating. Strong characters, plenty of tension, plus fast-paced adventure helped me through a few spots where I was tempted to skim. I have to admit, the opening few chapters were a bit confusing, but the action pretty quickly resolved into an intriguing techno thriller of a ride.For a rating, I'm going to say 4 1/2 stars because this is Book 1 in a new SynCorp Saga trilogy and is not quite as 'stand alone' as I like my science fiction books to be. But that's probably just me. You may very well be satisfied with this particular project, knowing the full story arc is yet to come - and very quickly! The authors are going to release Books 2 & 3 within a few months. So your appetite for more military/corporate syndicate SF will find fulfillment soon enough. (Book 2, Masada's Gate, is ready for pre-order.)Also note: you need not have read the first trilogy in this 'universe' which the authors released last year to understand what's going on; but this book does continue the fascinating setting and back-stabbing conflict between the corporate factions and rebellions taking place in our near future solar system. I'd likely give it an R rating for the occasional use of adult language and situations. Disclaimer: I know the authors and received a free ARC of the novel in exchange for an honest review. I liked it enough to buy my own copy of the ebook, however. Like you should.
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Top reviews from the United States

Lyn
5.0 out of 5 stars SF Thrill Ride
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
If you're into space opera, sci-fi adventure, military/techno/conglomerate space action novels, this latest offering by Bruns & Pourteau will be right up your alley and I recommend it. Although I'm not a huge fan of this particular SF subgenre, I enjoyed this book very much. The writing is solid, the plot is interesting, and the world-building (from Earth to Saturn) is fascinating. Strong characters, plenty of tension, plus fast-paced adventure helped me through a few spots where I was tempted to skim. I have to admit, the opening few chapters were a bit confusing, but the action pretty quickly resolved into an intriguing techno thriller of a ride.

For a rating, I'm going to say 4 1/2 stars because this is Book 1 in a new SynCorp Saga trilogy and is not quite as 'stand alone' as I like my science fiction books to be. But that's probably just me. You may very well be satisfied with this particular project, knowing the full story arc is yet to come - and very quickly! The authors are going to release Books 2 & 3 within a few months. So your appetite for more military/corporate syndicate SF will find fulfillment soon enough. (Book 2, Masada's Gate, is ready for pre-order.)

Also note: you need not have read the first trilogy in this 'universe' which the authors released last year to understand what's going on; but this book does continue the fascinating setting and back-stabbing conflict between the corporate factions and rebellions taking place in our near future solar system. I'd likely give it an R rating for the occasional use of adult language and situations. Disclaimer: I know the authors and received a free ARC of the novel in exchange for an honest review. I liked it enough to buy my own copy of the ebook, however. Like you should.
Customer image
Lyn
5.0 out of 5 stars SF Thrill Ride
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2019
If you're into space opera, sci-fi adventure, military/techno/conglomerate space action novels, this latest offering by Bruns & Pourteau will be right up your alley and I recommend it. Although I'm not a huge fan of this particular SF subgenre, I enjoyed this book very much. The writing is solid, the plot is interesting, and the world-building (from Earth to Saturn) is fascinating. Strong characters, plenty of tension, plus fast-paced adventure helped me through a few spots where I was tempted to skim. I have to admit, the opening few chapters were a bit confusing, but the action pretty quickly resolved into an intriguing techno thriller of a ride.

For a rating, I'm going to say 4 1/2 stars because this is Book 1 in a new SynCorp Saga trilogy and is not quite as 'stand alone' as I like my science fiction books to be. But that's probably just me. You may very well be satisfied with this particular project, knowing the full story arc is yet to come - and very quickly! The authors are going to release Books 2 & 3 within a few months. So your appetite for more military/corporate syndicate SF will find fulfillment soon enough. (Book 2, Masada's Gate, is ready for pre-order.)

Also note: you need not have read the first trilogy in this 'universe' which the authors released last year to understand what's going on; but this book does continue the fascinating setting and back-stabbing conflict between the corporate factions and rebellions taking place in our near future solar system. I'd likely give it an R rating for the occasional use of adult language and situations. Disclaimer: I know the authors and received a free ARC of the novel in exchange for an honest review. I liked it enough to buy my own copy of the ebook, however. Like you should.
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14 people found this helpful
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CarrieB
4.0 out of 5 stars Political machinations and maneuvering galore
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
Lots of political intrigue and twisty machinations in this one. The characters in Valhalla Station run the gamut from powerful system-wide leaders to undercover assassins to simple abused housewives just trying to get by. The reader gets a look at each level of the system, how interdependent this type of central government is, and how easily it can be manipulated. Lots of "Butterfly Effect" events going on. The writing is top-notch, the action is non-stop, and the surprises keep coming.

My only gripe about the book is that there are so many different points of view (and such a huge army of secondary characters) that it was difficult to keep track of who was who, and there wasn't much time to care about them. Each new chapter jumps the camera to a different person, and the first few paragraphs I'd be struggling to recall who this person was and what they'd been doing the last time I saw them. It almost felt like I needed to be taking notes.

That being said, I'm looking forward to book 2, Masada's Gate. I want to see Stacks let off of his chain.
9 people found this helpful
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Douglas A.
5.0 out of 5 stars A deeply textured story in a refreshing style of writing
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2019
Verified Purchase
At the end of a good read I look forward to reading the next in the series, but when the book has been exceptionally well written and the story well told, I want the next one NOW! I just finished “Valhalla Station” and I already have book two “Masada’s Gate” pulled up on my reader. The authors have, in a tight narrative, revealed the uneasy cooperation of five factions that control everything in the solar system. It’s not easy to weave together the actions of multiple groups and characters and their actions in many locations throughout the solar system. The authors, (Bruns and Pourteau) have done so in such a way that the whole picture is easily visualized and comprehended. I especially appreciated being able to see through the eyes of the main characters in first person rather than just from those of one main character and everyone else in in third person. Somehow it makes it more real and relatable for me. Valhalla Station has it all; action, intrigue, some romance, Machiavelli style plotting and machinations, well developed characters and a story line that never gets bogged down somewhere. I found this to be an excellent read in my preferred style of writing.
2 people found this helpful
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Mercie4u
3.0 out of 5 stars It's an interesting time out in space, but everything is run by the corporation, it's not really free.
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
When the corporation that runs everything, comes under attack, it's a slow cold slide to its demise. Everyone is sending out their best agents to find and remove the threat. Even the syndicate heads are grooming their heirs, just incase. But no one realized that it would be a take over at this level. The story was an adventurous ride from start to end. The characters were likeable, and I wish I'd gotten to know them a bit more so I could be more invested in their story.
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Paul Plante
4.0 out of 5 stars Valhalla station review
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
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The book really kept my interest level up. The characters seemed real. I could almost identify them with some real personalities of today. Looking forward to the follow on.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
Vallaha Station is a great continuation of the gripping story of SynCorp, the company that took up the management of the solar system when countries proved to be incapable. Although it's a stand-alone novel, I was really glad I had gone back and read the first three books since I feel that gave me far more context as to the story in Vallaha Station. The prose pulled me in and I found it really hard to put the book down. The style sort of reminded me of a Clive Cussler or Tom Clancy novel. The editing was superb. I get tired of finding editorial errors, after editorial errors, in novels nowadays that have obviously been only edited by a spell-check program. So, I purposely was looking for typos and incorrect words mangled by a spell-check program. I'm here to tell you I only found one error! What else can I say? Excellent writing, compelling story, superb editing. Well worth your time.
9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Norma Miles
5.0 out of 5 stars "Never let the truth get in the way of justice."
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
An exceptionally good first book in the new SynCorp Saga which promises to become even better. Told from various perspectives including one in the first person - that of Stacks Fisher, previously met in the superb Optional Retirement P!an -the reader is introduced to the unexpected breaking of the Syncorps supremacy, and the five leaders who, between them, ruled the solar wor!ds. Great story telling, well written, with cafefu!my characterized protagonists, the book, in it's audio version, also has a fine narrator in Branson Pinchet. His pleasant sounding voice is well modulated, adapts freely to give individual and distinctive voicing to the numerous characters and is constantly drawing in the reader for more. His is an excellent melding of voice and text, well performed.

This is one of those few books for which I would like to award a bonus star for excellence and I personally am awaiting the next in the series with great anticipation.
Recommended most highly to all who enjoy S.F. and space adventure.
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Albert Toet
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great set
Reviewed in Australia on September 10, 2019
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Read their other series - this is just as good
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David G.
4.0 out of 5 stars Just the first part of system wide upheaval
Reviewed in Canada on May 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
It took a while to understand how the politics and economics of the solar system work, but once it began to take shape the story moved along well.
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PJ Bookish
5.0 out of 5 stars Beware.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
Beware the corporation, or beware those that would free you from their influence? Both sides have their dark sides yet also have legitimate points to how they see the world.
The different points of view are what make this book such a good read, especially Fischer's. The emotion and reasoning, joined with the action, mean that it's an exciting ride across our galaxy.
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Amazon CustomerMaryann
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book
Reviewed in Australia on July 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
I liked this book well written good story line .To science fiction reads a real treat in store for you.
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