Retribution

Mantis Force: Marium Kahnet #1

by R.J. Amezcua

Decades after global infanticide wiped out millions on the planet Ramah, deep scars remain in the hearts and minds of the survivors. Though the massacre is over, the merciless Necrogog legions who committed the atrocity still threaten multitudes of star systems, following their primary objective: to kill the promised Mantis messiah, whose birth mother is a member of the Holy Order, Marium Kahnet.

Jazrene Vallo, a member of the Order, lost her beloved family during the Necrogog attack. Now she devotes her life to her sisterhood, following the instructions of a divine messenger to restructure the Holy Order and keep at bay the enemies within the Ramah government who are seeking ways to prosecute her for war crimes. But her plans are interrupted when she receives a report regarding a group of wayward sisters who left Ramah seeking retribution against those responsible for the slaughter of their families, namely the Kravjin--the master sorcerers who orchestrated the attack on Ramah. Out of desperation, Jazrene hires the services of elite mercenaries to capture the deadly rogue sisters and return them to Ramah for assimilation back into the sisterhood. For if she can't halt their mission, the Order will forever carry a shameful bloodstained blemish.

Unbeknownst to Jazrene Vallo, the wayward sisters have already set unimaginable destruction in motion that cannot be stopped.

150 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2017

About the author

R. J. Amezcua is the creative director for Quentorex Studios. Mr. Amezcua has written a science fiction book trilogy called Mantis Force and just recently had his first children's illustration published titled, "A Femich Christmas."
Since childhood, Mr. Amezcua fondly remembers watching his favorite TV shows: Lost in Space, Outer Limits, and Star Trek. The TV shows and reading of Dr. Seuss's books sparked the imagination that Mr. Amezcua pours into his writing.
Mr. Amezcua enjoys watching the Food Network, walks in the morning, and gathering with friends and family.

Reviews

[Remy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first entry of author R.J. Amezcua’s Mantis Force Trilogy, which he dedicates to his wife Sheryl, a woman named Jazrene Vallo follows families through the forest of Teenoke on the last day of Hoskadish to a cemetery to pay remembrance to the tends of millions killed during a global attack three decades before by Kravjin and Necrogog forces on the Planet Ramah in their attempt to kill Abba El’s Messiah, most of the world’s citizens aware of the prophecy that the divine figure would come forth by a Marium Kahnet virgin.

Jazrene herself has firsthand religious experience, and uses a phantasmal key to open the Kodashah, the Holy book of the Prophets, with her and her adopted daughters (her husband and biological offspring killed in the aforementioned atrocities) consuming the Moshiach. They are headed towards a religious ceremony attended by the Mantis Prophets, among the first, along with the Prespators, of the Grand Assembly to assist since the sinister forces of the Kravanoblus executed their genocide.

Meanwhile, Taona Xongol surveys an area made for live combat composing the Stadageo, located just inside the Rakia Expanse on the Planet Letalis. She yearns for revenge for her deceased family, being a member of the Surapharin, minions of the Tisrad Dragon, the archenemy of Jazrene’s religion. They are executing scientific experiments with lifeless Krauvkar commandos of the Krauvanok military, with their minds residing within the strong bodies of hybrid warriors, an unholy melding accomplished by the Tridents of Hades.

Just outside the Tartarus star clusters on a Krauvanok Alliance military vessel, Balese and Victoria ready themselves to destroy the chief laboratories within the Leviathan project, setting in motion a coordinated timed assault with their sisters of Letalis and Necropis against their targets the Stadageos. In the meantime, Gandu Khanon enters the Sanctavocus, a special room used to communicate securely with individuals beyond the capacity and reach of that used by the Mantis Alliance.

He watches feeds of the Hedropex sphere transfer process, finding that Jazrene Vallo, leader of the sisterhood, has authorized Lakad, letting the sisterhood hire mercenaries to track down and bring rogue sisters back to Ramah, dead or alive. The book also focuses on Rediquin, who repairs a ship and travels to the Aphasium marketplace. Surveying an area where the Muak’Xod leader awaited her, making certain no one surprises her.

Balese takes awe at an enigmatic energy source that reminds her of the creative works of the thirteen races of the Kelkemeks during the time of perfection, like the Bisgabeths, and watches her companions Avisha and Victoria execute their mission. Victoria herself knows that disabling a certain energy conduit would destroy the Multiphasic Energy Flux Modulation Matrix (MEFMM), where power from the kingdoms of the Tisrad Dragon accumulates. The first entry concludes with Jazrene taking holy oaths.

Overall, even though Amezcua’s novella doesn’t run very long, it definitely packs quite a punch, given the exposition of his unique mythology fusing scientific and religious elements. Granted, the extensive unique terminology can be perplexing at times, and there isn’t any great description of the individuals populating the story, with the appearances of the various characters somewhat left to the imagination of the reader. Even so, Retribution is definitely an admirable first effort of a novella, recommended to hardcore science fiction enthusiasts.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read for lovers of sci-fi and good vs evil

Mantis Force: Retribution (Marium Kahnet Book 1)
  
     Mantis Force is like no other book I have ever had the privilege to read. This novel is full of palpable passion, creative in depth description and meaningful prose.  I am not typically a fan of sci-fi as I find it difficult to keep track of all the various different realms, clans, and names, however even with all that is going on in this book I was able to fully appreciate the underlying story.  Mantis Force: Retribution is the story of a mother’s quest to channel her unimaginable sorrow and vengeful rage in to a productive and life altering path. Following a calling from her spiritual powers she sets out to right the wrongs done to her people not through war and bloodshed but through rebuilding the very order her enemies set out to destroy. Throughout everything she remains veriantly committed to that goal.  This book is strikingly spiritual in the sense that faith, the gods and divine interactions play a huge role in the daily life of these characters and it is this dedication that lends a sense of serenity and calm in what would otherwise be a very chaotic setting.
   Mantis Force is a must read for Sci-Fi followers as it is teeming with all the elements of great Sci-Fi. Action packed and fast moving, the constant introduction of new characters and forces allow the book to play out in feature film fashion in one’s imagination.  Mantis Force is also a must read for love a great feel good story line- good defeats evil, spiritual forces never leave us,ashes can be exchanged for beauty.
 I give Mantis Force:Retribution 4 stars, great book, amazing story line, I really wish the author had taken more time to expound upon the various realms and forces he includes or had provided a cheat sheet so to speak, for those of us not used to keeping up with the confusion of the genre

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retribution is the start of R J Amezcua’s Mantis Force: Marium Kahnet series. This book is far from the genre I usually like to read. However, it is, also, a perfect reason why other readers should try other genres. One may actually enjoy something new. This was the case for me. I thought Retribution was a pretty good read. Because I am not used to the fantasy fiction genre, I did find myself a little lost or confused at times. I did finally catch on half way through. I am interested where the story goes in the rest of the series.
Retribution has a lot to offer for many readers to enjoy. Such as: mystery and suspense, likeable characters, a lot of action and adventure, and, my favorite, message from a Christian perspective. The plot was great that kept me interested. The book is not very long, so I had no problem having it read in one sitting.
I am giving Retribution three and a half stars. I recommend this story for those who enjoy a good, clean book in the Christian Fantasy Fiction genre. In my opinion, I believe it is definitely worth a read. I am interested in finding out where else R J Amezcua’s imagination will take him to next. It is obvious to me he has great talent and will have no problem releasing more fascinating stories. I look forward to see what happens in the second installment from his Mantis Force: Marium Kahnet series, Decimation.
I recommend this good book, Retribution.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Wickliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while, I come across a series that just shocked me and makes me want to keep reading. This is one of the times where I have found such a series. Just from reading the description alone, I knew this was going to be a densely filled world with a lot of detail. I like that in a book. Some people might find it a bit confusing, like maybe when it comes to the Game of Thrones books, where there is just so much happening, but I like it. This book gave me a chance to take my time and really enjoy the complexities that make up this book.

Trilogy here with Jazrene Vallo is bought. It’s through this character that we learn about the atrocities that have taken place on her world. From there we are introduced the details that make this story so powerful. The religious notes that come around when talking about the Order fit in nicely here. I know that talking about religion in a sci fi world can be a little difficult, but Amezuca does it very well. There are so many aspects of this book that I could go into, but it’s difficult to talk about anything without going into the whole story. This only explains why this book is interesting and one should go an extra mile to read it.

I’m glad that this book is a trilogy. In fact, it’s part of the reason I chose to read it in the first place. I really wanted something that I could devote some time to. I definitely made the right decision of reading this book thus I recommend it highly to any sci fi/fantasy fans out therethere.

[Marilyn Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retribution is the first book in a series by author R. J. Amezcua. It is true science fiction - placed in the far reaches of space with unique races and religions. As a Sci Fi fan who writes non-fiction, I am always in awe of how these authors create the multitude of strange names for the people, the worlds, etc., then keep track of them throughout. It has to take a lot of organization and focus. Then there is the science aspect to deal with in a way the reader can understand without getting tedious. Not easy.

In this first book, we are introduced to the foundation of this series - the history of an attempt to wipe out the Marium Kahnet, the characters important to this story's plot, the races involved in this conflict, rogue elements plotting revenge and the shape of what this revenge will be. As well we learn of a new threat that is being created - the Leviathans - that will threaten all they hold dear. Can the rogue element's efforts make a difference?

While I should have been overwhelmed by all the information I needed to absorb, it didn't seem to be an issue. The story flowed right through all the details. I also appreciated him keeping each book short in terms of word count. When there is a lot of absorb, this really makes a huge difference in pacing.

If you're a true Sci Fi fan, this series will be great to sink your teeth into.

[C.R. Flamingbush · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is intriguing, the scenes descriptive and easy to picture. I liked the beginning and ending parts the best because they set the stage for the action and brought it to a riveting conclusion. Some explanations of characters' roles were a little long, but the actions and dialogue moved the story right along. The author has created a fascinating world with characters that are forced to make some difficult decisions. I look forward to reading the sequel.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Retribution, R.J. Amezcua has crafted an engaging space opera that draws heavily on Christian symbolism to illustrate the alliances and betrayals inherent in negotiations for power!