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Richard Swan
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Reclamation (The Art of War Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Richard Swan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 536 ratings
From the Sunday Times bestselling author of the fantasy epics The Justice of Kings and The Tyranny of Faith comes a military space opera, where warfare, politics and religion collide.

"Swan uses mystery, character, factional perspective, and misdirection brilliantly to build story... Reclamation contains utterly magnificent storytelling as we follow the downward spiral of a galaxy."

- Grimdark Magazine

"Fantastic action sequences."

- The Book Reviewers

---

Espionage, intelligence, warfare, politics, religion, diplomacy, genocide... the Reclamation has begun.

Tier Three: a compact of six vast interstellar empires, intricately bound by political, diplomatic and trade accords. Together, after centuries of massacres, brushfire wars, trade embargoes and political assassinations, they have finally brought a modicum of peace to a turbulent galaxy.

But all of it is about to unravel.

In deep space, the kaygryn inexplicably launch a suicidal attack on an Ascendancy crusade fleet; and on the shared world of Uvolon, the Ascendancy shoots down a kaygryn corvette over the human city of Anternis.

Zavian Yano, a member of the United Nations’ élite Xeno Division diplomatic corps, has one job: to stop the provar and the kaygryn from going to war.

Strike Commander John Garrick, one of Solar Operations Command’s most senior generals, also has one job; but he has been side-lined by the President at the height of tensions.

On a rainy Uvolonese mountainside, Special Agent Lyra Staerck is killed by a kinetic railstrike, and must find out why.

Captain Ben Vondur, a pilot in UNAF's 6th Goliath Squadron, has orders that seem designed only to inflame the situation.

Four people, separated by thousands of lightyears, are bound by fate. And all the while the galaxy hurtles towards war…

***

For updates, follow Richard Swan at www.stonetemplelibrary.com
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Art of War Trilogy
  2. Print length
    424 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    7 Mar. 2015
  6. File size
    1.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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 See full series
There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Product description

About the Author

Richard Swan is a commercial litigator by day (and often by night) and lives in London with his wife and son. He enjoys nothing more than writing about morally bankrupt politicians, spies and soldiers, their actions, and the large moral grey area in which they reside, when large galactic empires go to war.

​He is always thrilled to hear your thoughts, so do get in touch.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00UEKMX06
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 7 Mar. 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.7 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 424 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1310988011
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ The Art of War Trilogy
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 536 ratings

About the author

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Richard Swan

Richard Swan

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Richard Swan is a critically acclaimed British genre writer. His debut fantasy novel, The Justice of Kings, was an instant Sunday Times bestseller and has been translated into eight languages. His other work includes the Art of War and Great Silence trilogies, as well as fiction for Black Library and Grimdark Magazine.

Richard is a qualified lawyer, and before writing full time spent ten years litigating multimillion pound commercial disputes in London. He currently lives in Winchester with his wife and three young sons.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
536 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's plot compelling with plenty of angles for development, and one review compares its world-building to Mass Effect. Moreover, the writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer highlighting the exceptional intertwining of different story threads. Additionally, the technology is praised for being believable and realistic, and customers appreciate the well-developed characters.

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26 customers mention ‘Plot’23 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, praising its compelling world and multiple angles for development, with one customer noting its page-turning climax.

"Very well written. Excellent plot, great characters, a good mix of action and dialogue...." Read more

"...The concept is original, the storyline satisfying and the standard of writing more than adequate...." Read more

"...Reclamation has a good plot even if it has been done before. The senseless death of Garrick was almost a caricature and could have been better...." Read more

"Action packed, and tense with more political intrigue than you can shake a stick at, this book had me up reading until the small hours of the morning..." Read more

21 customers mention ‘Readability’21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and brilliant, with some mentioning they finished it in two sittings.

"...One other point - it is such a relief to read a kindle book that is not riddled with grammatical and spelling errors...." Read more

"...good for me to allow this minor complaint to minus a star - this book is awesome and you should go and read it immediately...." Read more

"Worth paying for! I would definitely pay for the sequels, if necessary. Only 24 & a lawyer to boot; I'm quite jealous...." Read more

"...Very interesting read, the authors influences really shine through, while maintaining its own style and well realised universe...." Read more

11 customers mention ‘Writing quality’11 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one review highlighting its exceptional interweaving of different story threads, while another notes it's a welcome addition to British SF authors.

"Very well written. Excellent plot, great characters, a good mix of action and dialogue...." Read more

"...concept is original, the storyline satisfying and the standard of writing more than adequate...." Read more

"...Only 24 & a lawyer to boot; I'm quite jealous. A good writer & a good storyteller...." Read more

"...Very interesting read, the authors influences really shine through, while maintaining its own style and well realised universe...." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Character development’8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"Very well written. Excellent plot, great characters, a good mix of action and dialogue...." Read more

"...While the characters are likable, their flaws are very obvious and I had no idea who I should be cheering for by the end...." Read more

"...Enjoyable characters, great plot, the technology feels realistic, the societies portrayed are very relatable and humanly..." Read more

"...that only serves to spread the canvas wide for a book full of developed characters, gripping plots and beautifully described worlds...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Technology’6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the technology in the book, finding it believable and realistic.

"...The future technology envisaged is believable and some of it is, I believe, a good guess at what will one day be available...." Read more

"...Enjoyable characters, great plot, the technology feels realistic, the societies portrayed are very relatable and humanly..." Read more

"...shady political dealings, vicious futuristic battles and genuinely potential technology, then get reading!..." Read more

"...The tech was interesting but unconvincing at times—like a Hollywood VFX extravaganza—and even a bit comical: one character spends most of the novel..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • batbinbogbloke
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best SF I've read for a long, long time. A cracker!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 June 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Very well written. Excellent plot, great characters, a good mix of action and dialogue. The action scenes are particularly excellent - edge of seat stuff. The future technology envisaged is believable and some of it is, I believe, a good guess at what will one day be available.I can't find anything else written by this author, but I cannot believe it is his first work, being so wonderfully crafted; if it is then we have another Clarke/Asimov in the making here (frankly in my opinion this ranks with only the best of their works). Recommend this without hesitation so long as you are happy to read complex and in-depth novels. One other point - it is such a relief to read a kindle book that is not riddled with grammatical and spelling errors. I don't think I came across any in this book. Looking forward to the books two and three and will happily pay the going rate for them (especially as this one was free!!)
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Megabux
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well above average.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 June 2015
    Verified Purchase
    After a few weeks of reading a selection of poorly written Sci-fi with banal plots, poor characterisations and storylines that were little more than inane drivel, `Reclamation` proved a very pleasant surprise. The concept is original, the storyline satisfying and the standard of writing more than adequate. Even the unresolved ending is tolerable as it comes at a sensible juncture with the knowledge that there is more to come in further volumes.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • G. Potts
    3.0 out of 5 stars An author to watch.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 July 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Reclamation is a promising start. There is much worse out there. The book does make me wonder about the maturity of the author as it seems that every character is introduced by means of their sex life. Removing these sex references would not affect the story as it stands and might allow room for actual world building. I am curious as to why the head of the United Nations is now called President for example.

    Like another commentator I find the quotes at the beginning of the chapter are annoying. They seem to want to tell a story but the story is missing.
    Reclamation has a good plot even if it has been done before. The senseless death of Garrick was almost a caricature and could have been better. Reclamation is not a shallow read but could benefit from some additional depth. The actions of the human traitors don’t quite ring true. People do things for more than sex. Garricks wife is only mentioned in passing and could have become a valuable secondary character as she asks questions of her husband about events that enable us to view the civilians perspective. As it stands we don’t have a reason for John Garricks involvement in the story other than as the peace guy who dies stupidly. Where is the attempted coup? The canvassing of support about the humans military position? Bringing his wife into it would allow John to develop and drive home his frustration with the existing political situation.

    Much of the sex refers to some functions in guessing of the IHD but importance of these is not quite driven home. I know they are taken for granted but the resources required to manufacture these are apparently responsible for starting off some of the trouble. I think addition attention to their essential nature would help develop the world by explaining prior actions.

    The book shows that it’s a first attempt by a new author but Swan does show promise and I look forward to more works from him. Time and experience will hopefully polish some of the edges off.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you like your science fiction, this book is awesome and you should go and read it immediately.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 June 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Action packed, and tense with more political intrigue than you can shake a stick at, this book had me up reading until the small hours of the morning. Absolutely gripping narrative, complex and compelling characters. Without giving too much away, the main thing I liked about this book was how morally ambiguous the outcome of the story was - there are no obvious 'heroes' in this book. While the characters are likable, their flaws are very obvious and I had no idea who I should be cheering for by the end.

    Lost a few points from me for the lack of development of Charlotte - I felt a particular scene between her and Yano was unnecessary, but as this book is part of a series, perhaps we'll see more of her later. Overall too good for me to allow this minor complaint to minus a star - this book is awesome and you should go and read it immediately. Looking forward to the sequel!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Andrew
    4.0 out of 5 stars A really good read...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 January 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Worth paying for! I would definitely pay for the sequels, if necessary. Only 24 & a lawyer to boot; I'm quite jealous. A good writer & a good storyteller. Multi-threaded but not too many threads (Peter F Hamilton please take note - you really can have too much of a good thing). Highly recommended!
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  • Joe Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars great plot, the technology feels realistic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 December 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of those books where after reading " a few chapters " at 10pm, you realise its 3am and you have to get up for work soon.

    Very interesting read, the authors influences really shine through, while maintaining its own style and well realised universe.

    Enjoyable characters, great plot, the technology feels realistic, the societies portrayed are very relatable and humanly (and, in some cases, alienly) flawed - no utopias here!

    long time sci-fi fan and i've read 20-30 books in the genre this year, and this is a clear favourite for me.

    Read it, its a gem.
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  • DecrepitDragon
    4.0 out of 5 stars Exceptionally Good Read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 May 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Others here have already said it more eloquently than I could, so I'll simply say, this is a really, really good read.

    I haven't the words for a critical review of the prose, or even the faintest idea of where to begin such a review. All I can tell you is that this book kept me turning pages and deflecting the wife's nagging with equal pace.

    A fresh, intelligent read, with only minor niggles that I won't even mention. Well worth the time, money and marital disharmony. ;)
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Agréable à lire mais fin trop abrupte
    Reviewed in France on 25 January 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Ce roman est un mélange de SF militaire et d'espionnage. L'auteur a créé un univers intéressant et une multitude de personnage (qui n'ont pas tous une durée de vie très grande). Par contre, je trouve certaine personnalités peut crédible, comme les politiciens humains décrits comme systématiquement gouvernés par la colère et sans aucune prudence sur les conséquences de leurs actes. Difficile d'en dire plus sans spoliers. Je n'ai pas aimé la fin qui finit brusquement sur un cliffhanger.
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  • D. Sojat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best space opera I've ever read.
    Reviewed in the United States on 3 December 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Where has Richard Swan been hiding all these years?! It wasn't until I read his Justice of Kings that I became aware of him. I was so impressed by that book I started in on the Art of War books and devoured the entire trilogy in a couple of months.

    This series easily stands as some of the best sci-fi/fantasy writing I have read in recent years. The world-building is realized at a level of detail that had me shaking my head in wonder. The suspense almost never lets up over about 1,400 pages of storytelling. The characters are well-drawn and believable. Mr. Swan has a sixth sense about dialogue and point of view.

    Now, it is true that these novels are complex, each of them following the trajectories of multiple characters. In a few places, I could see him working to get a character from point A to point B when I thought some summary of the characters' actions would have created a better pace. But the benefit of these moments was that I got to dive much deeper into his world and understand the characters better.

    This is extremely smart, well-crafted storytelling. I cannot understand why his novels haven't received more attention. If you like space opera, gritty battle scenes, compelling characters, and immersing yourself in the intricacies of a deeply-realized world, these novels are for you. Polish them off and don't stop reading until you've made it through Justice of Kings as well.
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  • Michael Allison
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in Australia on 29 March 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Complex characters and plot moves along nicely. Decent length you can get into.
    Plenty of surprises am downloading next one now
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  • Saša
    5.0 out of 5 stars Starts slowly, then become a superb trilogy
    Reviewed in Germany on 31 July 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I had a really hard time getting into this book 1. The language and descriptions were quite complex and lengthy, but then around a third into the book, the pace started picking up and then it wouldn’t let me go.

    If you’re on the fence whether or not you should pick up this trilogy, I’d say: do it. You won’t regret it.
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  • R. J. H.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Wow! What a start!
    Reviewed in Canada on 31 August 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I'm finding it difficult to not give "Reclamation" 5 stars.

    This is an excellent start to what I hope stops at a trilogy. Sorry, I find any more than a trilogy is too much, with some notable exceptions.

    This novel will satisfy those that love space opera, military SF, and intrigue.

    One plot element that I've read in other SF (fans of Banks will know what I'm talking about) but it suited the story. (It isn't the first time, and I'm sure it won't be the last time I see things "borrowed" from other SF/Fantasy authors. Some ideas are just too cool not to borrow).

    I found it difficult to put down, and look forward to the second instalment.
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