What do you think?
Rate this book
Odyssey One: Star Rogue #1
King of Thieves
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Science Fiction (2015)Earth’s survivors face devastating new challenges in the wake of recovering from an alien conflict. Battered and mourning tremendous losses, the once fractious peoples of enemy nations must work together to rebuild their shattered world—and prevent the possibility of their attackers’ return. What they don’t know is that a new, deadlier enemy unlike anything they’ve ever faced will usher in the dawn of another war.
Captain Morgan Passer commands the Rogue Class destroyer Autolycus, charged with an interstellar recon mission to detect traces of the repelled enemy while gathering information for the fortification of Earth’s defenses. What the expedition finds instead is a deeply disturbing mystery: a discovery that redefines everything they thought they knew about Earth’s place in the galaxy…and reveals deadly new horrors. In this original story set in the Odyssey One world, former enemies unite for their own survival, and Passer and his intrepid crew seek answers to help them save their people. Instead, they find that the invasion may be over, but the danger is just beginning.
Captain Morgan Passer commands the Rogue Class destroyer Autolycus, charged with an interstellar recon mission to detect traces of the repelled enemy while gathering information for the fortification of Earth’s defenses. What the expedition finds instead is a deeply disturbing mystery: a discovery that redefines everything they thought they knew about Earth’s place in the galaxy…and reveals deadly new horrors. In this original story set in the Odyssey One world, former enemies unite for their own survival, and Passer and his intrepid crew seek answers to help them save their people. Instead, they find that the invasion may be over, but the danger is just beginning.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2015
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
February 9, 2017
I'm really enjoying the universe and the setups now. There's something really nice about knowing the rules of the setting and getting to know new characters (or even enjoying old annoying ones like the Translator) and sympathizing with the new characters. :)
I know that there's a new book coming out that brings back the old favorites, but I'll be honest. I really like this crew. I really like their old-school encounters with baddie aliens, lolarachnids, and huge BDO's with pretty epic special effects. Yeah, I know this is a book, but the special effects are awesome, okay?
This is pretty classic and classy Space Opera, all around, and it does it so well that I want to pull out my damn copy of Lost In Space and watch the hell out of that again. I'll ignore the slow parts and just cut and paste all the cool bits from this novel, instead, and call myself extremely lucky. I had a great time reading it. :)
This is the pew pew and close quarters combat, spaceship-maneuvering, exploring, and absolute Oh Shit kind of novel I was in the mood for.
It's just plain fun... in a let's ramp up Star Trek and throw in Bab 5 and a great handful of others, and throw them in the fire. Poor humanity. :)
I know that there's a new book coming out that brings back the old favorites, but I'll be honest. I really like this crew. I really like their old-school encounters with baddie aliens, lolarachnids, and huge BDO's with pretty epic special effects. Yeah, I know this is a book, but the special effects are awesome, okay?
This is pretty classic and classy Space Opera, all around, and it does it so well that I want to pull out my damn copy of Lost In Space and watch the hell out of that again. I'll ignore the slow parts and just cut and paste all the cool bits from this novel, instead, and call myself extremely lucky. I had a great time reading it. :)
This is the pew pew and close quarters combat, spaceship-maneuvering, exploring, and absolute Oh Shit kind of novel I was in the mood for.
It's just plain fun... in a let's ramp up Star Trek and throw in Bab 5 and a great handful of others, and throw them in the fire. Poor humanity. :)
July 7, 2018
I was confused. Too many scientific mumbo jumbo.
June 13, 2017
I come to this book without any of the story that Currie covered in his Odyssey One series about humankinds contact with unfriendly aliens.
King of Thieves is a rough translation of Autolycus, the name of a very special type of stealth spacecraft. This story seemingly sets the stage for a new series where the Autolycus will actually live up to its billing.
In this adventure we have the ship on deep space patrol with some characters familiar to previous readers. Much of the initial tension is generated by the conflicts of two of Earth’s previously competing societies now joined together against a common enemy.
Without touching on spoiler material, the ship finds a strange new world where its technical resources may not be a match for the challenges presented. Currie shows some real talent with his imaginative speculation about galactic forces melded into a military sci-fi story. His thoughts on gravity are at the core of this book’s action.
There was plenty to keep me interested but little to engage my empathy with the characters or their problems. If the idea was to reboot the Odyssey One series, it may have succeeded but for me it was only a disappointing prequel to what Currie really wants to do with this new series.
King of Thieves is a rough translation of Autolycus, the name of a very special type of stealth spacecraft. This story seemingly sets the stage for a new series where the Autolycus will actually live up to its billing.
In this adventure we have the ship on deep space patrol with some characters familiar to previous readers. Much of the initial tension is generated by the conflicts of two of Earth’s previously competing societies now joined together against a common enemy.
Without touching on spoiler material, the ship finds a strange new world where its technical resources may not be a match for the challenges presented. Currie shows some real talent with his imaginative speculation about galactic forces melded into a military sci-fi story. His thoughts on gravity are at the core of this book’s action.
There was plenty to keep me interested but little to engage my empathy with the characters or their problems. If the idea was to reboot the Odyssey One series, it may have succeeded but for me it was only a disappointing prequel to what Currie really wants to do with this new series.
August 7, 2018
KING OF THIEVES is a fast-paced sci-fi adventure, well, fast-paced after a somewhat slow start.
It is incredibly technical and by page 11 I considered abandoning it as most (ok, all) of the jargon went clean over my head. For example I never really understood what 'singularity core' (p5), 'transition technology' (p15), 'a standing gravity wave' (P47), and 'lens the entire electromagnetic spectrum' (p61) meant. I could add MANY more examples. However in the end I decided it didn't really matter - antimatter? :) I just read the technical words and didn't worry about how many stuck - it worked for me. And I am glad I persevered as by page 60 the story got interesting.
There isn't much information about the characters so you have to take them at face value. Another reason I nearly quit at page 11 was Captain Passer. He is the first character you meet and he just didn't grab me. He seamed a little bland.
However some of the other characters were more interesting. I liked the cool Commander Daiyu Li, and daring Lieutenant Katie Grant, pilot of Copperhead One. Katie is fearless which has the effect of making her co-pilot fearful. I thought Ramirez and Pierce made a good double act.
This is the first of a new series and I am looking forward to the next instalment.
I recommend this book.
It is incredibly technical and by page 11 I considered abandoning it as most (ok, all) of the jargon went clean over my head. For example I never really understood what 'singularity core' (p5), 'transition technology' (p15), 'a standing gravity wave' (P47), and 'lens the entire electromagnetic spectrum' (p61) meant. I could add MANY more examples. However in the end I decided it didn't really matter - antimatter? :) I just read the technical words and didn't worry about how many stuck - it worked for me. And I am glad I persevered as by page 60 the story got interesting.
There isn't much information about the characters so you have to take them at face value. Another reason I nearly quit at page 11 was Captain Passer. He is the first character you meet and he just didn't grab me. He seamed a little bland.
However some of the other characters were more interesting. I liked the cool Commander Daiyu Li, and daring Lieutenant Katie Grant, pilot of Copperhead One. Katie is fearless which has the effect of making her co-pilot fearful. I thought Ramirez and Pierce made a good double act.
This is the first of a new series and I am looking forward to the next instalment.
I recommend this book.
March 15, 2015
King of Thieves
starts a new series set in the universe of Evan C. Currie's earlier Odyssey One series (starting with
Into the Black
). It's a return to the parent series' roots, a tale of science fiction exploration without the fantastical elements that crept into it along the way.
The novel features the captain and crew of the destroyer Autolycus. In the wake of a massive attack on Earth by a race known as the Drasin, their task is to investigate several anomalous star systems to verify that there is not another Drasin presence lurking nearby. In one of these systems they discover the what appears to be an artificial planet, hidden away from prying eyes.
Of course, this strange new world has its own hidden secrets, both technological and otherwise, for the crew to discover and overcome.
To make matters more difficult, the Autolycus's crew has some difficulty getting along. Befitting her exploration mission, there's a significant scientific contingent among her crew, that doesn't always mix well with the more military contingent. She also has crew from both of the main factions from Earth - while they're working together after the Drasin invasion, it's not necessarily harmonious.
The crew's time spent exploring the planet feels very much like the author's homage to Star Trek (brought home by some not-so-subtle references peppered throughout the book). At the same time, it's very definitely a military science-fiction book, and the Autolycus's Marine contingent gets their time in the sun too.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and it was a fun read. While there are some references to the events and people of the earlier series, they seemed well-enough explained that newcomers shouldn't have any issues starting here. If you enjoy Star Trek and other military science fiction, you should give King of Thieves a try.
The novel features the captain and crew of the destroyer Autolycus. In the wake of a massive attack on Earth by a race known as the Drasin, their task is to investigate several anomalous star systems to verify that there is not another Drasin presence lurking nearby. In one of these systems they discover the what appears to be an artificial planet, hidden away from prying eyes.
Of course, this strange new world has its own hidden secrets, both technological and otherwise, for the crew to discover and overcome.
To make matters more difficult, the Autolycus's crew has some difficulty getting along. Befitting her exploration mission, there's a significant scientific contingent among her crew, that doesn't always mix well with the more military contingent. She also has crew from both of the main factions from Earth - while they're working together after the Drasin invasion, it's not necessarily harmonious.
The crew's time spent exploring the planet feels very much like the author's homage to Star Trek (brought home by some not-so-subtle references peppered throughout the book). At the same time, it's very definitely a military science-fiction book, and the Autolycus's Marine contingent gets their time in the sun too.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and it was a fun read. While there are some references to the events and people of the earlier series, they seemed well-enough explained that newcomers shouldn't have any issues starting here. If you enjoy Star Trek and other military science fiction, you should give King of Thieves a try.
May 7, 2015
Evan Currie does both space-space and ground pounder space marine stories well. What I missed here was the space-space ship imploding combat. Nonetheless, an entertaining military scifi read.
February 27, 2015
King of Thieves is a science fiction novel set in a future that finds the earth struggling after an alien invasion. The Drasin invasion forced the countries and cultures of earth to end their own wars as the survivors of different nations realized the necessity of uniting to defeat the alien threat.
This is an action novel, not a character driven one. The characters form an ensemble cast--you learn to care about the various individuals involved, but you get little background or character development. No one character takes the lead, reminiscent of action films with plenty of stars making appearances; you almost find yourself debating who would be cast in the different roles.
The Autoclytus is a Rogue class destroyer on a reconnaissance mission. What Captain Morgan Passer and his crew discover is a previously unimaginable threat.
An interesting example of military science fiction, the novel begins slowly, but turns into flat-out action as the crew struggles to understand and survive what they've encountered.
Currie is the author of the Odyssey One series, which I have not read. While King of Thieves is set in the same universe, it functions fine as a stand-alone. Although this is evidently a new cast, those who have read the Odyssey One series will probably enjoy the return of Dr. Palin, the annoyingly brilliant linguist.
Not everyone enjoys this kind of military science fiction, but for those who do, I can recommend it. David Webber remains my favorite author of military scifi/space opera, but I am intrigued enough to want to give Currie's Odyssey One series a try.
(The title King of Thieves is derived from the name of the ship and originates from the tale of Sisyphus and Autoclytus, the notorious thief. Shakespeare also uses the name of Autoclytus as the "silly cheat" in A Winter's Tale.)
A Garden Carried in the Pocket
Read in February. Blog post scheduled for March 9, 2015.
NetGalley/47North
Science Fiction. March 31, 2015. Print length: 352 pages.
This is an action novel, not a character driven one. The characters form an ensemble cast--you learn to care about the various individuals involved, but you get little background or character development. No one character takes the lead, reminiscent of action films with plenty of stars making appearances; you almost find yourself debating who would be cast in the different roles.
The Autoclytus is a Rogue class destroyer on a reconnaissance mission. What Captain Morgan Passer and his crew discover is a previously unimaginable threat.
An interesting example of military science fiction, the novel begins slowly, but turns into flat-out action as the crew struggles to understand and survive what they've encountered.
Currie is the author of the Odyssey One series, which I have not read. While King of Thieves is set in the same universe, it functions fine as a stand-alone. Although this is evidently a new cast, those who have read the Odyssey One series will probably enjoy the return of Dr. Palin, the annoyingly brilliant linguist.
Not everyone enjoys this kind of military science fiction, but for those who do, I can recommend it. David Webber remains my favorite author of military scifi/space opera, but I am intrigued enough to want to give Currie's Odyssey One series a try.
(The title King of Thieves is derived from the name of the ship and originates from the tale of Sisyphus and Autoclytus, the notorious thief. Shakespeare also uses the name of Autoclytus as the "silly cheat" in A Winter's Tale.)
A Garden Carried in the Pocket
Read in February. Blog post scheduled for March 9, 2015.
NetGalley/47North
Science Fiction. March 31, 2015. Print length: 352 pages.
February 26, 2017
Really enjoyed this side-story in the series! It's a SciFi adventure: big guns, gadgets, alien tech, beasties - that's what you're going to get, know this going in. But I particularly liked how it's quite different from the other tales in the overall ongoing story. While that's mainly about the space battles, with a varying degree of ground combat interspersed, this one's mostly about exploring a strange new thing and the "Aliens" style action that follows. The variety keeps me interested, the pewpewpew content is an easy and enjoyable read.
April 3, 2015
One-line review: the author watched the movie "Aliens" once too many.
I have greatly enjoyed previous books of the author, but this one is not in the same league, by far. It reads like a breeze, but is awfully linear, no twists no surprises. I read SF looking for fresh ideas, this book had none. Not giving up on the author yet, though - hopefully next book will restore my slightly shaken faith.
I have greatly enjoyed previous books of the author, but this one is not in the same league, by far. It reads like a breeze, but is awfully linear, no twists no surprises. I read SF looking for fresh ideas, this book had none. Not giving up on the author yet, though - hopefully next book will restore my slightly shaken faith.
January 8, 2016
This was excellent sci fi and action!
March 1, 2022
"King of Thieves" is an offshoot book of the "Odyssey One" series. I'd originally skipped it, thinking it wouldn't really matter and wouldn't tie into the main plot of the series. Not so spoil anything but it VERY MUCH SO ties into the plot and I wish I hadn't skipped ahead.
KOT follows the Autolycus as it goes on a solo mission to explore deep space. It finds a mysterious ancient...lets just avoid spoilers and call it a space station. This was a very fun story and I enjoyed getting to know the new crew. If I'm given more time on them, I may someday like them as much as the Odyssey folks.
KOT plays out like a much more traditional "Star Trek" type adventure. I.E. Mysterious alien artifact, scary aliens, lots o' science, lots o' shooty lasers. A fun and easy read and a must for the series. Don't skip!
KOT follows the Autolycus as it goes on a solo mission to explore deep space. It finds a mysterious ancient...lets just avoid spoilers and call it a space station. This was a very fun story and I enjoyed getting to know the new crew. If I'm given more time on them, I may someday like them as much as the Odyssey folks.
KOT plays out like a much more traditional "Star Trek" type adventure. I.E. Mysterious alien artifact, scary aliens, lots o' science, lots o' shooty lasers. A fun and easy read and a must for the series. Don't skip!
April 7, 2016
Autolycus a thief, the son of Hermes and Chione, and the grandfather of Odysseus. He possessed the power of changing the shape of whatever he stole and of making it and himself invisible. The King of Thieves in Greek mythology. The star ship Autolycus has the ability to change its shape and become invisible and is tasked with the mission of stealing secrets from the enemy who attacked the Earth
King of thieves Star Rogue takes place in same the universe as Evan Currie’s Odyssey One. It takes place after the events in Out of the Black (Odyssey One Book 4). Earth remains devsated but recovering after the Drasin attack. The Autolycus a next generation star ship is sent to investigate star systems that may have Drasin megastructures. Four star systems are picked for investigation. The crew of the Autolycus find trouble on the second. At this point the story could have gone in the typical direction of most military science fiction. The crew finds a structure and it is heavily defended by hordes of seemingly unbeatable aliens. The battle ensues and good guys win. Curries takes this trope and adds a twist. This novel becomes an excellent mixture of hard science fiction and horror. While the Autolycus battles desperately for its freedom from a combination alien telescope and super weapon. The crew faces the combine challenges of solving and alien riddle while being attacked by unknown creatures who may or may not be the builders of this structure.
Currie does a good job using current developments in quantum mechanics and gravity theory to make the science credible and accessible while not boring the reader in needless techno babble.The horror portions of the story kept me invested in the fate of characters. Currie’s writing made me identify with the the characters facing danger in the dark, inside a moon whose corridors are filled with unseen death.
I enjoy Currie’s story telling ability. He is able to take a well established genre, military science fiction, and add unexpected twists. If you liked the Odyssey One series then you will enjoy this book.
October 7, 2017
Not what I was expecting, and not in a good way for me. This story provides a brief in-between Novella for the Odyssey universe, for those who know and like it. However, it's less science fiction than bog-standard horror that happens to not play out on Earth.
June 3, 2015
Tough to get into a book like this with such shallow character development. Of course, the book was meant to be completely oriented toward action, but getting a bit into the minds of the characters would have been a nice companion to all the action.
September 25, 2016
Not for the people who have a high anxiety and nyctophobia. I would have expected a more interesting ending after all of that stress through the book. Apparently, this book was to get you ready for the rest of the series. Why should I read the rest of the series if I did not enjoy the first one?
October 7, 2017
Good read
I enjoyed the book. Well written. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys science fiction. I intend to read other books in this series. Job well done especially from an author who claims to only write as a hobby.
I enjoyed the book. Well written. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys science fiction. I intend to read other books in this series. Job well done especially from an author who claims to only write as a hobby.
January 5, 2018
A fun easy reading military sci-fi adventure. The plot is straight forward. The characters are fitting, but show limited development or change. The style is easy with out too much military or sci-fi jargon. If you like spaceships, space marines and outlandish weapons you'll enjoy this one.
September 21, 2017
There is a lot of bad science fiction out there, and it was refreshing to read this science fiction story that had a great plot, good interaction and dialogue between the characters and most important (for me) believable situations and technology when you are trying to read a science fiction story.
The action scenes are well laid-out and planned, with the author not rushing through it and explaining the tactics in advance, the "why" they are doing it, and how they are going to do it. The author has clearly set this up for a sequel and I am looking forward to it if and or when it arrives
The action scenes are well laid-out and planned, with the author not rushing through it and explaining the tactics in advance, the "why" they are doing it, and how they are going to do it. The author has clearly set this up for a sequel and I am looking forward to it if and or when it arrives
April 5, 2018
Another entertaining military SF novel from Evan Currie, this one not featuring Eric Weston. The story is more Aliens than Master and Commander, with lots of scenes of marines in tunnels. I didn't find the characters particularly interesting, but plot developments kept me reading.
As usual with these sorts of books, you'll want to suspend judgement and accept what the author gives you for technology and world building if you want to enjoy the story.
As usual with these sorts of books, you'll want to suspend judgement and accept what the author gives you for technology and world building if you want to enjoy the story.
March 10, 2019
Great addition to the series
Enjoyed reading the Odyssey series and this one is a good branch off. I always enjoy reading series with multiple branches that tie into each other. It makes the series more realistic. I also enjoyed the Marines involvement. As a previous enlisted Marine grunt the author has done his homework and portrayed the Marines well (95%). Just need to add more foul language but I understand books have there limits... SEMPER FI..
Enjoyed reading the Odyssey series and this one is a good branch off. I always enjoy reading series with multiple branches that tie into each other. It makes the series more realistic. I also enjoyed the Marines involvement. As a previous enlisted Marine grunt the author has done his homework and portrayed the Marines well (95%). Just need to add more foul language but I understand books have there limits... SEMPER FI..
June 20, 2020
I have been a fan of Evan Currie for some years now, but it seems he has taken a step to being a even better author. This book kept me enthralled the whole reading. I love his use of science to enhance my imagination, but this one was so suspenseful throughout, and that is what really grabbed me. His introduction of new ideas that I have not seen other science fiction writers come up with makes his books unique and a treat every time I read one. Thank Evan!
May 13, 2017
"Aliens" anyone?
While the Odyssey series has been a solid one, this was a bit of a disappointment. If I'd never seen the movie "Aliens" I suppose I'd have little issue, but the similarity is significant, down to a hopeless Marine crying "game over!" Total plot copy. Taking that out, I'd still have problems with... let's say "incredulous" circumstances. Too bad.
While the Odyssey series has been a solid one, this was a bit of a disappointment. If I'd never seen the movie "Aliens" I suppose I'd have little issue, but the similarity is significant, down to a hopeless Marine crying "game over!" Total plot copy. Taking that out, I'd still have problems with... let's say "incredulous" circumstances. Too bad.
November 15, 2019
Good, shoot 'am u poo SiFi
An unusual choice for me but an enjoyable one. Minor niggles aside (why keep on about the colourful language ? ) this was an enjoyable but if fluff. No character building to speak of and some strange grammar but none of that stopped me from appreciating this book. I would read more by this author at some point in the future.
An unusual choice for me but an enjoyable one. Minor niggles aside (why keep on about the colourful language ? ) this was an enjoyable but if fluff. No character building to speak of and some strange grammar but none of that stopped me from appreciating this book. I would read more by this author at some point in the future.
November 28, 2021
Very fun sci-fi adventure! While there are a lot of references to events taking place before the plot, there is enough information to keep you involved and to launch the story. Once the story gets going it’s a pretty intense page turner!
I forget where or how I picked this up but I’ll definitely be into the rest of the series and related series.
I forget where or how I picked this up but I’ll definitely be into the rest of the series and related series.
December 31, 2021
My fault. I should have read the previous books. To coin a phrase I hate - "my bad".
I just felt I had walked into a room halfway through a conversation to find I was the only guy in fancy dress and no one had told me.
That's not to detract from the quality of the book. A bit too jargon packed though.
Anyway. It's too late to turn back from the deep black.
I just felt I had walked into a room halfway through a conversation to find I was the only guy in fancy dress and no one had told me.
That's not to detract from the quality of the book. A bit too jargon packed though.
Anyway. It's too late to turn back from the deep black.
June 26, 2017
Good setup for future books. Weak on characters. Strong on science. Pretty good action. If you're not familiar with the other books in his universe, this may be a bit dislocated.
Overall, I enjoyed it but I don't think I'd recommend it to anyone but those who have read all his other work.
Overall, I enjoyed it but I don't think I'd recommend it to anyone but those who have read all his other work.
July 17, 2017
I now think I will read Anything this man wtites!
Great tie-in to the series! Really pushed the story forward. Excellent characters. Creep factor outstanding! Keep it up, Mr. Currie, Please!
Great tie-in to the series! Really pushed the story forward. Excellent characters. Creep factor outstanding! Keep it up, Mr. Currie, Please!
February 19, 2018
Must read for Odysesy One fans
If you don't read King of Thieves you'll be forever confused by references to Doohan in the series, and i certainly expect to hear from the heliobeam, again.
If you don't read King of Thieves you'll be forever confused by references to Doohan in the series, and i certainly expect to hear from the heliobeam, again.
April 7, 2018
Immersive and captivating
Well written, smooth transitions from each storyline. Almost Clancy-like in pulling the threads of the story along to the conclusion. My third Currie book. Can't wait for the next one.
Well written, smooth transitions from each storyline. Almost Clancy-like in pulling the threads of the story along to the conclusion. My third Currie book. Can't wait for the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews