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A Catastrophic Future
Renegade follows a space captain who discovers his father is the target of an assassination attempt, leading him to defy orders and go rogue to hunt down the assassin. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
First, I think it was only a matter of time before Nick’s father (Van Childs) and the leader of the Consortium would be the subject of an assassination. Second, I wanted to put Nick back on Earth after years of absence. And finally, I wanted a story that centered more around Nick and not the Argos team as a whole. Doing these things required a story backdrop that would carry Nick forward in a compelling tale with some complexity that people would want to follow.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
As the book suggests, humans are becoming more and more reliant on automation of one kind or another, especially with the addition of AI. As a result, and as each generation passes, we lose the fundamental skills and sense of initiative that earlier generations had. In Renegade, I suggest what society might be like after the major threats to humans have been eliminated and governments can divert money from military preparations to social causes. The need and even willingness to work fades when everything is taken care of by the government. One of the most significant issues that exists even today is the lack of skilled labor. Who will take care of plumbing issues years from now? Who will fix your cars and other modes of transportation? All these skilled positions are fading as the older generation passes. Given the scenario in Renegade, that could be catastrophic. When writing about the future, I think it is important to project current events and capabilities and guess what impact society would have in the not-so-distant future.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
Initially, I had an idea that I might normally have run with, but this time, I mapped out the outline of the book from beginning to end. That’s not to say that I didn’t make changes along the way; there were many. With as many characters as the book contains, filling their backstories was a significant challenge. I constantly had to refer back to things that I wrote early on. One of the hardest parts was choreographing the battle scenes in space. I had over thirty sheets of paper with each stage of the battles to ensure consistency in locations, attacks, damage, etc. Twists and turns presented themselves along the way.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book will be called Defiance. In it, the Argos team will return to the planet Brintal at the request of the world government. Something strange is happening there, and they need the help of Captain Nick Hall and his crew to solve the mystery. As one might suspect, there are complications, including the existence of a new species that can threaten Brintal and all of the worlds of the Consortium: the home of the Argos. It should be a page-turner!
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Captain Nick Hall has always followed orders—until now.
When an assassination attempt targets his father, he defies Guardian Force and the Consortium, embarking on a rogue mission to hunt down the assassin. What he discovers is far worse than he imagined.
Earth, once a dominant force, has fallen into complacency after the Arkon war. Advanced technology has made life easy, and global defenses have crumbled. Two powerful factions see this weakness as their chance to seize control, using covert sabotage and open warfare to reshape the planet’s future.
With limited resources, minimal support, and enemies closing in from all sides, the Argos crew is facing their most dangerous fight yet.
Packed with high-stakes action, political intrigue, assassinations, and space warfare, Renegade is an explosive chapter in the Records of the Argos series.
If you love intense battles, deep strategy, and heroes willing to break the rules to win – Join the fight for Earth’s survival.
Renegade: Records of the Argos, Book 4
Renegade, the fourth installment in the Records of the Argos series, drops you straight into a tense, post-Arkon War universe, where Earth’s fragile new order is under threat. The story follows Captain Nick Hall as he returns home to find his father, the Commander of Guardian Force, nearly assassinated. With his crew scattered and orders to stand down, Nick goes rogue to track down the attacker and uncover a conspiracy that stretches from Geneva to São Paulo. It’s a space opera packed with political tension, cool tech, a snarky AI, and a relentless sense of urgency that had me flipping pages like a maniac.
As a diehard fan of The Expanse, I felt right at home with Farlow’s blend of grounded world-building and layered political drama. The Earth Federation, strained by internal divisions and past trauma, felt eerily familiar—like the uneasy alliances in The Expanse’s Earth-Mars-Belter triangle. One moment that really stuck with me was when Nick returns to Earth and sees how society has grown soft post-conflict. Wizzy, the ship’s AI, quips about Earth’s complacency, saying people had “no challenge” left. It’s the kind of subtle world commentary that sneaks in under the radar.
Then there’s the writing style. It’s clean and direct, like Farlow’s trying to get out of the way and just let the story flow through you. The sniper scene early on with Paul Aubert was chilling. Quiet tension. Perfect pacing. I was holding my breath as Paul assembled his Dragunov in Geneva. That kind of scene-building takes skill. Later, when Nick’s alone on the Argos, grappling with the betrayal and powerlessness, it doesn’t drag—it simmers. The emotional weight is there, but it never bogs down the momentum. And Wizzy steals the show. Picture a sarcastic cousin of Mass Effect‘s EDI with zero filter and perfect timing. Every conversation between him and Nick crackles.
What surprised me most was how personal the book felt. Sure, it’s got galaxy-spanning stakes, secret missions, and sleek shuttles, but the heart of Renegade is one guy trying to protect his family and figure out who he really is when the rules break down. Nick’s torn between doing what’s “right” and doing what’s necessary. When he breaks protocol and sneaks back to Earth as “Walter Scott,” it’s risky and maybe dumb, but it’s so human. That’s what makes these kinds of stories sing.
If you love sci-fi with teeth—gritty, smart, character-driven with a pulse—you’ll enjoy Renegade. Especially if you’re into series like The Expanse, Battlestar Galactica, or anything where politics, tech, and loyalty are tangled up in a mess of consequences. Farlow doesn’t reinvent the space opera wheel, but he sure as hell tunes it up and makes it roar.
Pages: 338 | ASIN : B0DY6VMFF5
Insurrection
The third installment of Michael J. Farlow’s sci-fi series, Insurrection: Records of the Argos, is a thrilling and intelligently written story that will capture the attention of any sci-fi fan. The crew of the Argos finds themselves in an unexpected predicament as they suddenly find themselves trapped in the middle of a war between the Brintal and the Furlong on the continent of Elisi. Unfortunately, the only aid is the AI Agnes, who is currently not functioning, leaving Nick and his crew to fend for themselves.
Farlow has done an exceptional job of crafting a new and exciting story while avoiding over-reliance on the previous books. The fast-paced action will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the war-torn continent with Nick and his crew. Furthermore, the political intrigue woven into the story adds a layer of realism that is often missing from sci-fi stories. It is refreshing to see that Farlow’s focus is not solely on action but rather on the well-thought-out plans and tactics that are utilized by Nick and his team. This is a welcome departure from the typical sci-fi story that is filled with endless battles. Instead, the story takes the time to develop characters and create a realistic world, which adds depth to the overall narrative.
Insurrection: Records of the Argos is a fantastic addition to the series, and it is easy to see why it has been so well received by fans. Farlow has once again crafted a story that goes beyond what is expected of the genre and is a breath of fresh air. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sci-fi, and I hope to see Nick and his crew in future installments.
Pages: 364 | ASIN : B0BTY5FGCT.
Teamwork, Determination, and a Strong Moral Compass
Crucible: Records of the Argos follows a young captain who embarks on his first mission and finds an enemy threatening his ship and the inhabitants of the system he was sent to investigate. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The previous series, The Host Saga, had come to an end. I wanted to try something new with new, young characters. I picked the son of the previous lead character from The Host Saga to be the lead in this series. His assignments and adventures, however, would be completely different. His crew would be a diverse mix of characters that he meets along the way or is assigned. I had in mind that this new young crew and ship would develop as a team in their own rights and that they would find themselves in new places and in circumstances that would challenge them and see them grow. Finally, I wanted something different to separate this crew and ship from those of the previous series. That comes in the form of an onboard AI that undergoes a dramatic change when the ship, the Argos, strikes something odd when exiting hyperspace. The changes in the AI become, to be nice, quirky with an odd sense of humor.
Nick Hall is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
First, there is a link to the previous books in that Nick is the son that Van Childs did not know he had until the end of the Host Saga. Therefore, he has some of his father’s characteristics but has his own style. He has a mix of military experience as an intelligence officer for the U.S. Navy and experience in Iraq. Second, He wants to be his own man and chart his own future with a team and a ship he can trust. Third, he will make mistakes and learn from them. Fourth, the team operates an old, tired cargo ship which has been extensively upgraded internally to support an intelligence mission. It also has some unique but limited combat capability. Finally, even though women have thrown themselves at Nick in the past, he has still not figured them out.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Teamwork, determination, and a strong moral compass. Nick will normally choose what he thinks is morally correct even if it conflicts with his orders. His attitude is that if his superiors don’t like it, he will quit and move on. Both Nick and his crew never give up despite the odds or the difficulties they face. The crew count on each other, are proud to be the team they are and have no plans to separate.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Unfortunately, the prime antagonists from Crucible escaped capture. Nick’s next set of orders is to find them and bring them to justice. The follow-on book, Retribution, follows the crew of the Argos as they seek out the Arkon Red, Gurko, and the Arkon Blue, Berzalius. As in life, nothing is easy. In a new planetary system from their previous adventure, the team is exposed to a more complex and diverse group of countries than in Crucible. The countries in this book are less advanced than in Crucible, making the team’s job more of a challenge. They are also hampered because of tighter restrictions on their actions from higher authorities. Finding the bad guys might be the easy part. Capturing them, not so easy.
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Threatened By An Advanced Race
Dark Enemy follows the Earth’s space force leader as he tries to unify the allied forces while fighting politicians back on Earth. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The idea for the start of the series was the question: What would you do if you learned that the Earth was threatened by an advanced race while at the same time finding a source of advanced technology? Add that the person finding this out was at a point in his life when he was seeking simplicity.
Did you create an outline for the characters in the story before you started writing, or did the characters’ personalities grow organically as you were writing?
I had an idea about the main character, Van Childs, but the rest introduced themselves over time. In fact, the characters dictated the story. I planned to stop at the third book, but the characters said no and took me to a fifth, Dark Enemy.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The reluctance of Van Childs to get involved. The lack of the technical skills on Earth to reproduce the technology of the Host in a timely manner. And the fight of greed over the need to survive.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book is called Crucible and is the beginning of a new series called Records of the Argos. Crucible is available now. After that will come Retribution which will be available in July or August of 2022.
Author Links: Amazon | Website | Facebook
Dark Enemy
In Dark Enemy, we see the struggles and victories of Van Childs of the Galactic Force against the Arkon force as well as against the new force that betrayed them. The Allies have been promised more than six hundred Naskapi ships, making the force of Van Childs the largest group of Allies. Earth is not happy with this new development, and the dissatisfaction is fueled by a politician named McDuff for his gains. While all the politics from earth prevented the expansion of Allied forces, the Arkon forces were collecting in their space. This caused Van Childs to act fast and thus began the battle in space and politics.
Author Michael J. Farlow opens the book by giving readers some explanation regarding the background of the fight that has been occurring between several space forces. This leads to the political drama that is happening back on Earth, which is directly impacting the space forces. The ongoing political battles in this novel are not so unlike what politics look like currently. Each politician has their own agenda and wants to make sure their plan is executed.
This intriguing science fiction story is told in a third-person narrative. The author gives readers in-depth details regarding the mission background; which is fantastic for readers who love strategy. Farlow knows how to capture the excitement and anticipation that comes with battles. The descriptions are brilliant, and readers will get to see the battle plan as it is developing before the actual fight starts.
The author gives a captivating description of the battle, fully immersing the reader in the story. I found the euphemistic description of the deaths of those who die in the fight to be an interesting take, and I was able to empathize with the officers. In addition, I enjoyed reading about all of the technological advances of this Galactic Force world. The author made the creation of the technology feel achievable.
Dark Enemy is a fast-paced space opera. Readers that look for detailed action sequences and fascinating technological advances will find a lot to enjoy in this science fiction novel. A post-apocalyptic world with alien forces as friends and foes creates a drama that will have readers on edge as they continue the Host Saga series.
Pages: 269 | ASIN : B083S1X8QZ
New Horizons
New Horizons, the fourth installment of the Host Saga by Michael Farlow. This science fiction, drama, and action novel feature Van Childs and his allies as they prepare for imminent hostile contact with the Arkon. When losing crew members and mysterious sabotage efforts hinder the shipbuilding process, Van and his allies struggle to gain the upper hand as the Arkon fleet approaches. Will Van find a way to gather the allies and resources the Galactic Host needs before it’s too late? The suspense has never been greater than in this installment of the series!
This novel excels for several reasons, but the biggest is the apparent military experience from its author. It will be clear to anyone who reads this exciting novel that the writer authentically understands the politics and drama of the military and knows how to instill it into the plot of his story. If you’re a military enthusiast, these books will be an excellent addition to your library.
For me, though, I have been fascinated with each book and the growth of these characters. Specifically, I’m heavily invested in how they interact with Van, their leader. It says quite a bit about the author that there is so much attention given to interpersonal conflicts, even amid space warfare. It really is about the people, no matter the setting, and Farlow captures that sentiment entirely. I’m not a military buff, but these books have captured my attention because Farlow has made likable characters, and you want them to succeed in their endeavors. If this author continues to publish books, I’ll continue to read them. He knows how to develop characters, build suspense, and paint an action scene while staying authentic to the military experience of his past.
New Horizons: Host Saga Book 4 is a well-crafted space opera that takes readers on a suspenseful and thrilling action-packed adventure through space.
Pages: 311 | ASIN : B07L1CRSBH
Crucible: Records of the Argos
![Crucible: Records of the Argos by [Michael J. Farlow]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51XGC9oKCXL.jpg)
Crucible: Records of the Argos by Michael Farlow is a tense, space-faring story that follows Nick Hall and his crew aboard the Argos as they investigate strange ship disappearances in a nearby system. Throughout the story, Nick finds himself in danger as he seeks to uncover who, or better yet, what kind of powerful organization, is seeking to collect these ships and wield them. When their backs are to the wall and all of the cards are on the table, will Nick and his friends choose the moral high ground, or will they follow orders? The decision is a difficult one, but the fate of many rests with Nick and the crew of the Argos.
It is easy to tell that this author has had some military experience. Dealing with espionage, hostages, tense confrontations; it is in these moments that the author excels, creating a plot that is dripping with drama and tension. Further, he also does well to develop each of the main characters into well-rounded individuals, giving the reader no choice but to care deeply for them and their situation.
While the author excelled with his physical descriptions of the characters, as well as their motivations and personalities, I would have really enjoyed if that same descriptive power was applied to the settings visited in the story because what we are given is very interesting and I wanted more of it. There is a lot of opportunity in this sci-fi thriller for exotic and varying locales, but I understand as a significant portion of the story takes place onboard the Argos and various other ships.
I’ll be looking forward to the next installment of this story, hoping that Nick is able to take on another mission, or maybe we can see another ship and their crew adventure through this galaxy that seems to be full of unique and compelling characters.
Crucible: Records of the Argos is a spellbinding space opera that takes readers on an action packed adventure through space. With intriguing characters at every turn, what I like most about this lively science fiction story is that it never forgets to entertain the reader.
Pages: 278 | ASIN: B08STPGBB5
LITERARY TITAN 