Title: The Last Praetorian
Author: Mike Smith
First published November 1, 2012
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.74
Overview
In The Last Praetorian by Mike Smith, Commander Jonathan Radec is haunted by his past mistakes. Now the owner of Vanguard Shipping, his only priorities are keeping his crew safe and his business afloat.
But when the dangerous Syndicate organization sets their sights on him, he becomes the target of a beautiful assassin who stirs up more than just fear in him. To complicate things further, his ex-girlfriend, now President of the Confederation and still in love with him, is making his life a living hell.
As the galaxy begins to unravel around him, Jon must also try to save the Confederation, an organization he has little regard for. Armed with a crew of elite former Imperial Navy members and a dangerous past, Jon is left wondering if he can ever find redemption.
Join Commander Radec on a thrilling science fiction adventure/romance and discover if he can outrun his past and save the Confederation.
About the Author
Meet Mike Smith, a 34-year-old Project Manager and writer. Mike has been writing stories since he was young, starting with fan-fiction and moving on to SciFi novels.
His debut novel, The Last Praetorian, is the first book of The Redemption Trilogy and can be found on all major eBook stores.
When he’s not writing, Mike spends most of his free time with his children, which he describes as a full-time job.
Editoral Review
The Last Praetorian, written by Mike Smith and first published in November 2012, is a science fiction novel that takes place in a far-off future. The book features fast-paced, action-packed sequences that are sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
The story is set in a world where humanity has colonized various planets and established a vast intergalactic empire. The main character, Captain Michael Dannage, is a veteran soldier who has been serving the empire since his teenage years.
After a traumatic failed mission, he is reassigned to be the Praetorian Guard to the young Emperor Constantine XI. The plot of The Last Praetorian takes on a tension-filled journey, as the Captain becomes embroiled in a plot to assassinate the Emperor.
With the help of his fellow Praetorian Guard, Captain Dannage fights valiantly against the enemies of the empire to uncover a conspiracy that threatens to destroy everything he has ever known. One of the strengths of this book is the vivid depiction of the futuristic world that the author created.
The technology and societal structures are well thought out and take center stage in many of the thrilling action scenes. Additionally, the character development is also noteworthy, with Captain Dannage experiencing a considerable evolution throughout the story.
However, the book’s pacing can be an issue in some places as Smith spends a lot of time on world-building, and some readers may find themselves wanting more action sooner. Nevertheless, the well-crafted plot along with the excellent characters keep readers engaged and ultimately the pacing hardly detracts from the overall quality of the story.
The Last Praetorian’s overarching themes include loyalty, betrayal and individual perspectives on what is right and wrong. However, one of the best achievements of this book is that it remains inherently relevant in today’s world.
By taking on universal issues such as power dynamics, civil unrest and the nature of loyalty, it provides readers with a thought-provoking and entertaining read. While the science-fiction genre may not be for everyone, Mike Smith has done an excellent job of constructing a detailed, imaginative and engrossing world.
The novel’s action-packed plot and well-developed characters make it a perfect choice for any adventure-seeking reader. Therefore, The Last Praetorian comes highly recommended with an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars.
