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The Thirteenth Man
From the author of The Treasons Cycle, The Gods Within, and The Dead Among Us series comes a stand-alone science fiction novel for fans of David Weber, Pierce Brown, Lois McMaster Bujold, and more! Spanning the galaxy, The Thirteenth Man blends the best traditions of space opera and military sci-fi into a non-stop adventure that’s as much Patrick O’Brien as it is John Scalzi.
When Commander Charlie Cass, the bastard son of the Duke de Maris, returns from five years in a squalid Syndonese POW camp, he finds that little has changed in the Realm. As always, the King and the nine Dukes are conspiring against each other, but now some of them are plotting with Charlie’s old enemy. And as interstellar war looms, they certainly don’t need Charlie Cass messing up their delicate plans.
Unfortunately for them, that’s what he’s best at.
With ingenuity, tacticial inovations, and just a little bit of luck, Cass might be able to not only save the Realm, but perhaps even change it for the better.
Which, of course, means he’ll likely face the headsman’s axe.
When Commander Charlie Cass, the bastard son of the Duke de Maris, returns from five years in a squalid Syndonese POW camp, he finds that little has changed in the Realm. As always, the King and the nine Dukes are conspiring against each other, but now some of them are plotting with Charlie’s old enemy. And as interstellar war looms, they certainly don’t need Charlie Cass messing up their delicate plans.
Unfortunately for them, that’s what he’s best at.
With ingenuity, tacticial inovations, and just a little bit of luck, Cass might be able to not only save the Realm, but perhaps even change it for the better.
Which, of course, means he’ll likely face the headsman’s axe.
512 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2012
About the author
J.L. Doty
22 books87 followersJim is a full-time SF&F writer, scientist and laser geek (Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, specialty laser physics), and former running-dog-lackey for the bourgeois capitalist establishment. He's been writing for over 30 years, with 15 published books. His first success came through self-publishing when his books went word-of-mouth viral, and sold enough that he was able to quit his day-job, start working for himself and write full time--his new boss is a real jerk. That led to contracts with traditional publishers like Open Road Media and Harper Collins Voyager, and his books are now a mix of traditional and self-published.
The four novels in his new hard science fiction series, The Blacksword Regiment, are scheduled for release in July 2020. Right now he’s fleshing out ideas for the next book in The Dead Among Us, he’s writing another episode in The Treasons Cycle, and he’s working on a new fantasy series The Deck of Chaos.
Jim was born in Seattle, but he's lived most of his life in California, though he did live on the east coast and in Europe for a while. He now resides in Arizona with his wife Karen and three little beings who claim to be cats: Tilda, Julia and Natasha. But Jim is certain they're really extra-terrestrial aliens in disguise.
The four novels in his new hard science fiction series, The Blacksword Regiment, are scheduled for release in July 2020. Right now he’s fleshing out ideas for the next book in The Dead Among Us, he’s writing another episode in The Treasons Cycle, and he’s working on a new fantasy series The Deck of Chaos.
Jim was born in Seattle, but he's lived most of his life in California, though he did live on the east coast and in Europe for a while. He now resides in Arizona with his wife Karen and three little beings who claim to be cats: Tilda, Julia and Natasha. But Jim is certain they're really extra-terrestrial aliens in disguise.
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September 28, 2016This old-fashioned space opera has a lot of familiar elements, given a contemporary up-grade.
The back matter gives the basic premise:
When Commander Charlie Cass, the bastard son of the Duke de Maris, returns from five years in a squalid Syndonese POW camp, he finds that little has changed in the Realm. As always, the King and the nine Dukes are conspiring against each other, but now some of them are plotting with Charlie’s old enemy.
Charlie and his troops, now known as the Two Thousand, managed to survive the brutal prison camp, which welded them together, and they form the core of his resistance to the constant bickering among the dukes and the king with imperial ambitions—dragging in ordinary people to do the fighting.
Charlie’s attitude is more interesting in the beginning as he comes off being a prisoner of war, and takes a hard look at politics from the underside, as well as slavery. But then the bad guys are really, really bad, and the good guys are noble and loyal, and Charlie has to Do Something about the rotten situation, because it seems no one else will.
For me, this would have been a lot more tense and exciting if Charlie had had to build his resistance bit by bit.
But watching it all come together is fun, especially his romance with Princess Delilah, who is destined to marry Dieter, the son of one of the dukes, to cement an alliance. Dieter is a nasty piece of work, and one of the best moments is when Delilah faces up to him at a tense moment, saying something like “So what’s our life going to be if you force me to marry you, Rape, rape, rape? Every day more rape? Won’t you get bored?”
The women get plenty of screen time. Charlie even lets women join the spacers (though one wonders why that didn’t happen centuries ago, but okay). For local color, there are the trampsies, a kind of spacer docksider culture full of names that had me cracking up.
Basically, you know whom to hate and whom to love, you know where it’s going, but it’s fun to get there. Bonus, Doty’s FTL design, and the strategy and tactics he developed for it, give some cinematic space battle.
Copy provided by publisher for review.
The back matter gives the basic premise:
When Commander Charlie Cass, the bastard son of the Duke de Maris, returns from five years in a squalid Syndonese POW camp, he finds that little has changed in the Realm. As always, the King and the nine Dukes are conspiring against each other, but now some of them are plotting with Charlie’s old enemy.
Charlie and his troops, now known as the Two Thousand, managed to survive the brutal prison camp, which welded them together, and they form the core of his resistance to the constant bickering among the dukes and the king with imperial ambitions—dragging in ordinary people to do the fighting.
Charlie’s attitude is more interesting in the beginning as he comes off being a prisoner of war, and takes a hard look at politics from the underside, as well as slavery. But then the bad guys are really, really bad, and the good guys are noble and loyal, and Charlie has to Do Something about the rotten situation, because it seems no one else will.
For me, this would have been a lot more tense and exciting if Charlie had had to build his resistance bit by bit.
But watching it all come together is fun, especially his romance with Princess Delilah, who is destined to marry Dieter, the son of one of the dukes, to cement an alliance. Dieter is a nasty piece of work, and one of the best moments is when Delilah faces up to him at a tense moment, saying something like “So what’s our life going to be if you force me to marry you, Rape, rape, rape? Every day more rape? Won’t you get bored?”
The women get plenty of screen time. Charlie even lets women join the spacers (though one wonders why that didn’t happen centuries ago, but okay). For local color, there are the trampsies, a kind of spacer docksider culture full of names that had me cracking up.
Basically, you know whom to hate and whom to love, you know where it’s going, but it’s fun to get there. Bonus, Doty’s FTL design, and the strategy and tactics he developed for it, give some cinematic space battle.
Copy provided by publisher for review.
October 13, 2020
“It could be worse—¬you could be de Lunis.”
A fun if obvious space opera. Popcorn for the brain. Linear plotting. While there are certain overarching challenges, the protagonist is never seriously threatened. Yes, half the chapters end with him unconscious, but we don’t feel the menace. The roles and presentation of females is antediluvian. Profanity overused.
“They rolled over and the man was on top of him … The cabin door burst open. … one of them lifted the man off him.”
The protagonist is something of a Mary Sue: no matter what happens he comes out on top. The is not so objectionable as the fact that usually it is some other character who is the means of Charles’s survival. For the hero to be saved over and over by others weakens his status.
“He writes full-¬time now and continues to focus on speculative fiction, but never with lasers as a weapon, since most writers invariably get that wrong.”
Quibbles: In his acknowledgements Doty admits to eschewing lasers as weapons, but he makes just as many errors relative to space travel and orbital dynamics. Since faster-than-light travel seems impossible to current science, he’s free to posit whatever physics he wishes. And he does. “Charlie watched his screens as Roger firewalled the sublight drive, accelerating at well over ten thousand gravities.” Without some sort of defined compensation, the crew should be reduced to a pinkish slime on the aft bulkheads. “His Majesty, Lucius the First …” No, the first monarch of a name is not called the first.
“But should the headsman miss his prey, the thirteenth man will rise. And rule the headsman’s ax one day, no limit to his prize.”
A fun if obvious space opera. Popcorn for the brain. Linear plotting. While there are certain overarching challenges, the protagonist is never seriously threatened. Yes, half the chapters end with him unconscious, but we don’t feel the menace. The roles and presentation of females is antediluvian. Profanity overused.
“They rolled over and the man was on top of him … The cabin door burst open. … one of them lifted the man off him.”
The protagonist is something of a Mary Sue: no matter what happens he comes out on top. The is not so objectionable as the fact that usually it is some other character who is the means of Charles’s survival. For the hero to be saved over and over by others weakens his status.
“He writes full-¬time now and continues to focus on speculative fiction, but never with lasers as a weapon, since most writers invariably get that wrong.”
Quibbles: In his acknowledgements Doty admits to eschewing lasers as weapons, but he makes just as many errors relative to space travel and orbital dynamics. Since faster-than-light travel seems impossible to current science, he’s free to posit whatever physics he wishes. And he does. “Charlie watched his screens as Roger firewalled the sublight drive, accelerating at well over ten thousand gravities.” Without some sort of defined compensation, the crew should be reduced to a pinkish slime on the aft bulkheads. “His Majesty, Lucius the First …” No, the first monarch of a name is not called the first.
“But should the headsman miss his prey, the thirteenth man will rise. And rule the headsman’s ax one day, no limit to his prize.”
February 10, 2017
Totally fun popcorn read. I actually went back and checked the publication date on this one because it had such an old-school, pulpy-sci-fi feel to it. And check out that alternate cover with the number 13! It is dreadful! I would not have looked twice at this book if I had seen that cover first!
Which fortunately I didn’t see that one first, because this book is totally my jam! Bastard Prince POW, comes back from almost dead, to rise up and overthrow the bad guys and become King of the Universe! Cue the Highlander theme song
A little predictable, and at times too easy in the way things fell together for this impoverished prince. But if you are looking for a highly entertaining space romp? Just roll with it- and you won’t regret how much fun this book turns out to be.
Which fortunately I didn’t see that one first, because this book is totally my jam! Bastard Prince POW, comes back from almost dead, to rise up and overthrow the bad guys and become King of the Universe! Cue the Highlander theme song
A little predictable, and at times too easy in the way things fell together for this impoverished prince. But if you are looking for a highly entertaining space romp? Just roll with it- and you won’t regret how much fun this book turns out to be.
September 25, 2016
So, this was my latest from Harper Voyager, as part of their Super Reader program they send me free stuff and I give them honest reviews. And I'll be honest, the dad was a little too "canny" at some points but I don't care. This was a fun book!
LoL.
No, seriously. It's like a medieval action space novel with submarine warfare (yes, I'm not shitting you) and it's fantastic! If you don't require all of your reading to be high brow literature (and like any of the above mentioned categories) then give this book a chance, you'll have a blast.
LoL.
No, seriously. It's like a medieval action space novel with submarine warfare (yes, I'm not shitting you) and it's fantastic! If you don't require all of your reading to be high brow literature (and like any of the above mentioned categories) then give this book a chance, you'll have a blast.
July 8, 2018
Much of the action in this book is related to the speed of the spaceships and the technicalities around gaining or losing speed. Amazingly it doesn't make the action boring but does gives you a sense of the frustration of the crews and makes it feel more realistic. It doesn't make it a better book than one that pretends that acceleration in space is as easy as on earth but I do like different ideas and approaches. Theres a fair bit of deux ex machine but I didn't mind it. The set up for it all was twenty years before the action in this book. The princess is no Leia but she has charm and surprises. I would have liked more of her to balance the testosterone. Overall I enjoyed this book and would read more by this author.
January 26, 2020
Well the author just gained a fan!
Excellent book! I have found my clan at long last! The trampsies are my people haha! Very good story with a good amount of intrigue from the government. I like that the epilogue wrapped up a bit of information about their futures but don't go cheating and read it first! Good very likeable characters and a good story. What more could you want in a book? I for one am about to check out the authors other works now. Well? What are you waiting for? Go check out this book!
Excellent book! I have found my clan at long last! The trampsies are my people haha! Very good story with a good amount of intrigue from the government. I like that the epilogue wrapped up a bit of information about their futures but don't go cheating and read it first! Good very likeable characters and a good story. What more could you want in a book? I for one am about to check out the authors other works now. Well? What are you waiting for? Go check out this book!
March 6, 2020
OP
Never have I read a story with a MC that had more just handed to him then this one. Literally everything single point of contention was taken care of with proper forth thought by someone in the past. He Literally just needed a magic word at times. Added to that he had incompetent enemies who didn’t kill him or keep possession of him when they clearly had the chance and let him marshal his forces without no one the wiser. Honestly it takes all of the fun out of the book and makes you wonder bother.
Never have I read a story with a MC that had more just handed to him then this one. Literally everything single point of contention was taken care of with proper forth thought by someone in the past. He Literally just needed a magic word at times. Added to that he had incompetent enemies who didn’t kill him or keep possession of him when they clearly had the chance and let him marshal his forces without no one the wiser. Honestly it takes all of the fun out of the book and makes you wonder bother.
December 1, 2023
As far as books go, this exceeded my expectations. I took it from the library expecting it to be a filler while I waited for another couple of books that I had ordered, but I actually really got into the story.
Though the plot is filled with factual improbabilities, predictable twists, and characters that don’t evolve, there’s something feel-good about the main plot line that kept me hooked throughout. Indeed, I wanted Charlie to keep on winning, as I knew he would.
I do wish that I was able to give the book another half star…
Though the plot is filled with factual improbabilities, predictable twists, and characters that don’t evolve, there’s something feel-good about the main plot line that kept me hooked throughout. Indeed, I wanted Charlie to keep on winning, as I knew he would.
I do wish that I was able to give the book another half star…
February 23, 2020
Entertaining read
I really enjoyed reading this book. The main characters were believable, and the plot moved smoothly along to the somewhat predictable ending. There were no endless mind numbing thousand ship space battles, which was a plus. I couldn’t put it down until I reached the end in the early morning hours. I’ve read some of the authors earlier works, and this is the one IMHO that’s his best.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The main characters were believable, and the plot moved smoothly along to the somewhat predictable ending. There were no endless mind numbing thousand ship space battles, which was a plus. I couldn’t put it down until I reached the end in the early morning hours. I’ve read some of the authors earlier works, and this is the one IMHO that’s his best.
September 5, 2020
Enjoyable Light Read
The goods guys are the good guys and the bad guys are the bad guys and you pretty much know which is which immediately. The plot is straightforward and fairly predictable. Still, it was a pleasant read that was easy to enjoy. Not a book I'd read again, but I'd at least sample other books by the author.
The goods guys are the good guys and the bad guys are the bad guys and you pretty much know which is which immediately. The plot is straightforward and fairly predictable. Still, it was a pleasant read that was easy to enjoy. Not a book I'd read again, but I'd at least sample other books by the author.
January 20, 2022
This one had a lot of potential, but the protagonist just felt like a cardboard cut out. The world building just felt really flat and didn't work for me at all.
DNF @ 50% when I realised I just didn't care about the ML and couldn't remember who was who in the cast list as they are all super boring!
DNF @ 50% when I realised I just didn't care about the ML and couldn't remember who was who in the cast list as they are all super boring!
February 3, 2020
Good read
I liked this one. Interesting and funny characters in a complex though still compact story. Little bit of The Prince and The Count of Monte Cristo with a dash of space travel.
I liked this one. Interesting and funny characters in a complex though still compact story. Little bit of The Prince and The Count of Monte Cristo with a dash of space travel.
June 29, 2020
A “ripping yarn” if there ever was one
Trope-y but a pretty enjoyable read, with a good set of standard characters doing fun shit. Nothing too imaginative here, classic space opera with all the trimmings.
Trope-y but a pretty enjoyable read, with a good set of standard characters doing fun shit. Nothing too imaginative here, classic space opera with all the trimmings.
October 8, 2020
Wish there was a way to give 3 5 stars
This is not a bad book. The characters are 2 dimensional and I could have used a little more detail in tactics. The plot wasn't bad but was perplexing at times but I might look for a 3nd book in the series if I had time to kill.
This is not a bad book. The characters are 2 dimensional and I could have used a little more detail in tactics. The plot wasn't bad but was perplexing at times but I might look for a 3nd book in the series if I had time to kill.
June 7, 2017
Just a simple adventure book.… Perhaps not the most meaningful book I have read this year, it is definitely a book I enjoyed.
January 29, 2020
Great Book!
I enjoyed every minute of it. Will make sure my husband reads it now. I never write a review. So my words fail to express how riveted I was to the story. Great story!
I enjoyed every minute of it. Will make sure my husband reads it now. I never write a review. So my words fail to express how riveted I was to the story. Great story!
January 31, 2020
Excelent
I would have given 6 stars! Excellent characters fine plot with lots of twists and turns. Great page turner you won't be disappointed.
I would have given 6 stars! Excellent characters fine plot with lots of twists and turns. Great page turner you won't be disappointed.
February 2, 2020
Classic space opera
Enjoyed the book. Read it straight thru. Fans of space opera should try it. Not always realistic, but that’s the genre. Space battle concept was interesting.
Enjoyed the book. Read it straight thru. Fans of space opera should try it. Not always realistic, but that’s the genre. Space battle concept was interesting.
February 8, 2020
Dune 2.0
All the classics are here. Part Errol Flynn, some Frank Herbert, with a touch of Star Wars all mixed well into an enjoyable read.
All the classics are here. Part Errol Flynn, some Frank Herbert, with a touch of Star Wars all mixed well into an enjoyable read.
February 15, 2020
Excellent Read with New Ideas
It get 5 stars because it has fresh ideas and little or no extraneous descriptive wasted space. Wish it was at least a trilogy.
It get 5 stars because it has fresh ideas and little or no extraneous descriptive wasted space. Wish it was at least a trilogy.
August 22, 2021
Sci-fi opera, it kept my interest throughout the book.
September 27, 2016
*This book was provided by the publisher/author for an honest review.
The Thirteenth Man is the first book that I have read by J.L. Doty, and I enjoyed it. A fan of Star Wars and epic story lines of rulers in competition for the highest seat of power, I was entranced by his strong world building and character development. Both aspects are needed for a good story to survive and survive it did.
Commander Charlie Cass returns from five years in a squalid Syndonese POW camp. As far as everyone else is concerned, he was dead. But to their dismay, he lived and is back to sabotage his nemesis plans. This fun and entertaining book has a wild bunch of characters, a not so fun Dad and IT IS IN SPACE!!
If you are looking for a different and simplistic read that will carry you into the intergalactic world, this is the book for you!!
4 Stars and a tip of my Nerd girl hat!!!
*This review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
The Thirteenth Man is the first book that I have read by J.L. Doty, and I enjoyed it. A fan of Star Wars and epic story lines of rulers in competition for the highest seat of power, I was entranced by his strong world building and character development. Both aspects are needed for a good story to survive and survive it did.
Commander Charlie Cass returns from five years in a squalid Syndonese POW camp. As far as everyone else is concerned, he was dead. But to their dismay, he lived and is back to sabotage his nemesis plans. This fun and entertaining book has a wild bunch of characters, a not so fun Dad and IT IS IN SPACE!!
If you are looking for a different and simplistic read that will carry you into the intergalactic world, this is the book for you!!
4 Stars and a tip of my Nerd girl hat!!!
*This review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
September 24, 2016
The Thirteenth Man by J.L. Doty
Frankly I am annoyed that I haven't read any of J.L. Doty's work before. I really enjoyed this book. This intro is contrary to my normal review process. Generally I give an idea of the nature of the book, then I talk about the characters and plot and lastly I provide my recommendation. In this case, if you don't care to read any further, I highly recommend this book!
A systems wide civilization is the set for this story. A deluded king wants to be an emperor but is held back by a feudal system of strong dukes. Said deluded king forms questionable alliances and disrupts the lives of his subjects.
Charlie has returned from the dead. A prisoner of war, he has suffered for the delusions of his king. A bastard, he has not be recognized by the duke he serves and loves.
The plot is somewhat predictable but still highly entertaining. This is not an intellect challenging book but it is a darn good read. There are simplistic scenarios that still make you want to turn the page.
The author has a sense of humor with which I can relate. The trampsie names are hysterical and really did make me LOL.
Doty writes an entertaining book that kept my interest, made me laugh and satisfied my need for the good guy winning.
I highly recommend the book and I will be seeking out more of his work.
Web: http://www.jldoty.com/
Frankly I am annoyed that I haven't read any of J.L. Doty's work before. I really enjoyed this book. This intro is contrary to my normal review process. Generally I give an idea of the nature of the book, then I talk about the characters and plot and lastly I provide my recommendation. In this case, if you don't care to read any further, I highly recommend this book!
A systems wide civilization is the set for this story. A deluded king wants to be an emperor but is held back by a feudal system of strong dukes. Said deluded king forms questionable alliances and disrupts the lives of his subjects.
Charlie has returned from the dead. A prisoner of war, he has suffered for the delusions of his king. A bastard, he has not be recognized by the duke he serves and loves.
The plot is somewhat predictable but still highly entertaining. This is not an intellect challenging book but it is a darn good read. There are simplistic scenarios that still make you want to turn the page.
The author has a sense of humor with which I can relate. The trampsie names are hysterical and really did make me LOL.
Doty writes an entertaining book that kept my interest, made me laugh and satisfied my need for the good guy winning.
I highly recommend the book and I will be seeking out more of his work.
Web: http://www.jldoty.com/
February 15, 2017
A classic space opera. Stand alone which is sad because I would like more. I highly recommend it.
October 6, 2016
J.L. Doty writes about a star empire of our future with an ambitious king, but weak king. His first attempt at expansion left Charlie Cass, a bastard son of one of the Dukes, in a pow camp with the Syndonese despite the fact his tactics allowed for peace. Now returning a hero, he becomes an enemy of the king when the king lets the Syndonese control him as he attacks other star kingdoms. Charles’s father, murdered by his own wife, bequeathed him the Duchy of Lunis, whose first twelve Dukes had all committed treason. As The Thirteenth Man (paper from Harper Voyager Impulse) in the dukedom. However his father left him powerful tools, should he dare to use them Add a princess, and heiress to the Realm who has been betrothed to an evil Duke. There are assassination attempts and colorful Gipsy allies. This fun action tale with light romance.Review printed by Philadelphia Weekly Press
May 13, 2016
Great book, love this author, recommended to anyone who likes old fashioned military sci fi
April 21, 2017
Wow. That was awesome. I can't remember who recommended this book to me, but thank you! I loved Charlie - the bastard warrior that he was. I loved Del - the perfect princess that she was. All the characters were alive to me. Real. Add in the action and the battles and the heroism, and bang, awesome book. It's kind of like Dune, without all the dry parts - medieval in outer space, if you will. Dukes and kings and pretty princesses. Evil royalty and backstabbing henchmen. Plus epic space battles. So good.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews