Vortex (Sten #7)

By Allan Cole and Chris Bunch

The Eternal Emperor had returned at last from the dead, to pick up the pieces of his crumbling Empire. But even that great leader could not halt the Empire’s decline alone. And so Sten — master spy, military strategist, and assassin — found himself appointed Ambassador Plenipotentiary to the Altaic Cluster, where a brewing civil war threatened the stability of the Empire itself. Quelling a civil war is nothing new for Sten, but as the war intensifies, he begins to suspect that he is up against more than a mere local disturbance. Someone — operating in deep–cover and seemingly backed by the highest authorities — is working behind the scenes to manipulate events and escalate disaster. And that someone wants nothing more than to see Sten dead…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wildside Press
• Release date: Apr 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781434439062

Allan Cole

Allan Cole is a best-selling author, screenwriter and former prize-winning newsman who brings a rich background in travel and personal experience to his imaginative work. Son of a CIA operative, Cole was raised in the Middle East, Europe, and the Far East. He attended thirty-two schools and visited or lived in as many countries. He recalls hearing Othello for the first time as a child sitting on an ancient fortress wall in Cyprus - the island Shakespeare had in mind when he wrote the play. Rejecting invitations to join the CIA, Cole became an award-winning investigative reporter and editor who dealt with everything from landmark murder cases to thieving government officials. Since that time he’s concentrated on books and film. His novels include the landmark science fiction series, “Sten,” the highly-praised fantasy trilogy, “Tales Of The Timuras,” “The Far Kingdoms” series, a World Fantasy Award Finalist, and the Vietnam war classic, “A Reckoning For Kings.” The “Sten” novels, which he coauthored with the late Chris Bunch, have sold upwards of 25 million books worldwide and have been published in 13 languages. His latest novels include “The Lords Of Terror,” which he wrote with Russian fantasy master, Nick Perumov, as well as “MacGregor,” and “Drowned Hopes,” thrillers set in Boca Raton, Florida. “Lords” is the first and only novel written by American and Russian collaborators. Allan has sold more than a hundred and fifty television dramas, ranging from “Quincy” and “The Rockford Files” to and “Walker, Texas Ranger.” He lives in Boca Raton, Florida, with his wife, Kathryn. For more information see his homepage at www.acole.com and his film and entry at IMDB.com

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Reviews for Vortex (Sten #7)

[nikkles_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'd probably give the beginning a 4, the middle a 3 (for staling) and the end a 5. Overall, this is one of my favorite books mainly for the character, which remain great. However, the plot was a bit dragged out in this one.

[byers2142_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Throughout the series, Sten has learned to operate alone, to lead men into battle, and to navigate the political currents. Here is the ultimate test of that skill. And in this book, Sten learns his final lesson of the series: when to decide to ignore those in power over him.