Smuggler’s Valor (The Epherium Chronicles) by T.D. Wilson (book review).
Reese Daniels is no hero. He is, as the title of this novelette, ‘Smuggler’s Valor’, suggests a smuggler and, as the story opens, he’s transporting precious cargo through a warzone. After being shot down over Ariel, one of Uranus’ moons, his attention is immediately split between securing the cargo and his own survival. The fate of the former is dependent entirely upon the latter. His family back home would be more concerned about the latter, too. But times are tough and he really needs this payoff.
With his ship destroyed and oxygen reserves limited, Daniels’ only option is to head to the closest dome and look for alternate transport. Unfortunately, his little ship isn’t the only target for the alien force. Things are looking pretty grim when he runs into what’s left of a troop of military cadets.
Used to using his talents while hiding his intentions, Reese teams up with the cadets. They’re his best option of getting home. He’ll have to use every trick at his disposal to pull this one off, though, and then some.
Before the end of the first page, ‘Smuggler’s Valor’ not only had me fully engaged but in the mood for Science Fiction adventure. I’d been looking for something to pull me out of a recent slump and this novelette proved to be just the thing. Although I’d read Wilson’s ‘Epherium Chronicles’ nearly a decade ago, I remembered being similarly engaged with the world and the characters. I also remembered the careful plotting and by the time I reached the end of ‘Smuggler’s Valor’, I felt once again immersed in his world.
The highlight of the story, however, is Daniels himself. I connected with him immediately and enjoyed his voice. He’s the sort of guy I love to read about, good at heart, even if he tries not to show it. I also liked the relative simplicity of the plot. It was easy to tell there was a lot more to the world, but the novelette isn’t overburdened by world-building. We learn just enough to appreciate this adventure and are left hoping for more.
As such, I look forward to reading Daniels’ adventures in future stories.
Kelly Jensen
June 2023
(pub: Greywalker Press, 2023. 50 page ebook. Price: $ 0.99 (US), £ 0.79 (UK). ASIN: B0C6FGKN86)
check out website: https://tdwilsonbooks.com/
Smuggler’s Valor is the kind of science fiction I have always gravitated towards, even in my youth. When people ask me what kind of science fiction I prefer, I usually just say “space opera” because most people at least get a picture in their mind, and that answers satisfies them. For those that want to know more after that – well that leads to interesting conversations.
I admit it – I do love me a hero. Not some plastic, two dimensional type, but somebody fairly complicated but good at their core. Reese Daniels hits me right in the sweet spot, and he’s not only somebody I want to know more about, he’s someone the younger me dreamed of becoming.
I believe I’ve read most of T.E. Wilson’s novels and short stories, and his world building, attention to detail, and characters lead me to just devouring all of it, and hungry for more (I *really* would like to see the next Epherium novel come out, given that I’ve recently re-read the series 🙂 ).
Highly recommended, and a great “I don’t have time for a novel, but I want something satisfying”
I am so grateful for Kelly’s review of Smuggler’s Valor. I also wanted to add that Smuggler’s Valor was just added to the Nebula Award’s Suggested Reading List for Novelettes in 2023.
https://www.sfwa.org/forum/reading/3-novelette/