Of Treasons Born (Treasons Cycle) by J.L. Doty

Military Science Fiction

From Goodreads:

A gripping military science fiction adventure starring the hero of A Choice of Treasons

As a lifer in the Imperial Navy fighting in a war that has lasted for generations, York Ballin’s only hope for an honorable discharge is the grave. But what events led up to his reluctant enlistment? What spawned York’s almost fanatic loyalty to his friends—and his doubts regarding the imperial uniform he once wore with such pride?

York rarely recalls his childhood, which began with a mystery and ended at age eleven when he was given a harsh choice: Join the navy or face certain death on a prison asteroid. The navy has its own code of justice, but a youngster with curiosity and grit is able to rise in the ranks . . . if he’s given a fair shot. Trained as a pod gunner, York discovers skills he never could have used in his hardscrabble life on the planet Dumark. And though some of his crewmates would rather destroy him than see him succeed, others encourage his intelligence and teach him what it means to thrive within the military traditions.

Assignments come and go, and young York moves up in the ranks until, as a newly commissioned Ensign, he’s assigned to the hunter-killer ship The Fourth Horseman. But when an unexpected foe kills his superior officer and leaves the crew stranded in enemy territory, York must do whatever he can to save the ship—even if he’ll be court-martialed for treason.

Of Treasons Born is a novel of the Treasons Cycle; the series was written so that it can be read in any order.

I found the story to be typical of Military Science Fiction.  There is a war that has gone on for years.  York Ballin, the hero, has not had an easy life.  His past is full of bad choices.  At 12 he is pressed into the Navy and after some trial and error finds a place where he belongs.  Even in the Navy he faces some very dangerous challenges.

There is action, tension, and danger as we follow York during his first 10 years in the Navy.  There is a mystery in his past and we only get hints.  The war is never explained it just is so it was hard to connect to why they were fighting.  

The characters were stock but interesting.  The main purpose of the book was to explain York’s background and while it did a good job at that at times it did seem to just drag on.  This is part of a series.  I plan to read A Choice of Treasons to find out more about this world and how York fits into it. 

Open Road will release Of Treasons Born by J. L. Doty in April of 2016.

I received an ARC Of Treasons Born from Amazon Vine in return for an honest review.