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The Last Steward: Galaxy in Flames, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Nicholas Sansbury Smith (Author), Mark Boyett (Narrator), Khristine Hvam (Narrator),
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From the embers of a galaxy in flames, destiny calls upon an unknown guardian.

Captain Axel Finn has spent his life running salvage missions with an alien crew and their war bot. This motley group has found refuge on his ship from their own tumultuous pasts. But little do any of them know, beneath his gentle demeanor, their steadfast captain is far from the peace following, adventure seeking giant of a man they all love. His pacifist ethos meant to safeguard them has edged them to the brink of financial ruin and drawn dangerous enemies.

Forced into a risky salvage operation, the crew uncovers an alien relic not of this galaxy.

Expecting treasure to pay their debts, they instead find an artifact of the Wrath, an extraterrestrial species that once decimated entire worlds. To decipher the true nature of their discovery, Axel seeks Rangnar Soki, a deadly bounty hunter famous for his pursuit of the Stewards—legendary warriors who stood against the Wrath in bygone days. But as the mystery of this artifact deepens, and hunters close in, an old enemy threatens to set the galaxy ablaze.

Axel must choose: accept his legacy and unleash the monster within or watch everything he loves burn.

Kick off a thrilling quest of adventure with NYT and USA Today best-selling author Nicholas Sansbury Smith in this new science-fiction saga. Listeners who enjoy galactic combat, snarky droids, ancient aliens, lost starships, and underdogs facing daunting odds, this story is for you!

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Galaxy In Flames
  2. Listening Length
    14 hours and 36 minutes
  3. Author
    Nicholas Sansbury Smith
  4. Narrator
    Mark Boyett, see all
  5. Audible release date
    May 7, 2024
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Audible Studios
  8. ASIN
    B0CXVCHF1V
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
  11. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 14 hours and 36 minutes
Author Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Narrator Mark Boyett, Khristine Hvam
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date May 07, 2024
Publisher Audible Studios
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0CXVCHF1V
Narration accent American English
Best Sellers Rank #387 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#9 in Space Opera Science Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#11 in Space Operas
#12 in Adventure Science Fiction

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
361 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book a great read with the right amount of worldbuilding. They also describe the story as captivating, thrilling, and brave. Readers also praise the characters as well developed and funny. They describe the book series as amazing and new.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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CharactersPlotReading experienceBook seriesWorldbuildingBook from nsrHumorPacing
24 customers mention "Characters"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book well developed and funny.

"...intense action, intricate world-building and entertaining and captivating characters, Axel and his crew of misfits and Jax and her crew are my..." Read more

"...If you don’t care about attention to detail with a variety of characters, interesting backstories and mucho action, then don't read this book...." Read more

"Great read. Just the right amount of world building. Great characters. I highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!" Read more

"...Interesting and fresh story line with some great characters. Looking forward to the next book in the series." Read more

22 customers mention "Plot"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the story captivating, filled with action, and epic combat with heart. They also say the book offers an exhilarating journey through space that captivates and entertains. Customers also mention that the characters are strong and the heroism is perfectly timed.

"...This book has it all, intense action, intricate world-building and entertaining and captivating characters, Axel and his crew of misfits and Jax and..." Read more

"...This first book is the foundation for an entire adventure that is as exciting and unpredictable as any sci-fi movie or television series you’ve ever..." Read more

"Great book and a fast read. Interesting and fresh story line with some great characters. Looking forward to the next book in the series." Read more

"...Great characters, plot and descriptions. I can't wait for book 2 to see how the "Lion" confronts the evil Wrath and searches for his lost mother." Read more

15 customers mention "Reading experience"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a great read that captivates and entertains. They also say the journey through space is perfect.

"...This book has it all, intense action, intricate world-building and entertaining and captivating characters, Axel and his crew of misfits and Jax and..." Read more

"...This first book, The Last Steward, is excellent...." Read more

"Great read. Just the right amount of world building. Great characters. I highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!" Read more

"Great book and a fast read. Interesting and fresh story line with some great characters. Looking forward to the next book in the series." Read more

4 customers mention "Book series"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book series amazing.

"This first novel was absolutely amazing and I am 100% buying in to this new universe NSS has created and brought to paper...." Read more

"...I can't wait for the second book in this series. What a great dive into a new genre!" Read more

"Amazing new series!..." Read more

"This is an AWESOME start for a new series..." Read more

4 customers mention "Worldbuilding"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the worldbuilding in the book great and richly imagined.

"...This book has it all, intense action, intricate world-building and entertaining and captivating characters, Axel and his crew of misfits and Jax and..." Read more

"Great read. Just the right amount of world building. Great characters. I highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!" Read more

"...Overall, this new series has a bit of everything and the world building is superb...." Read more

"...Nick Smith definitely has a talent for world building. So easy to visualize each location...." Read more

3 customers mention "Book from nsr"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book from NSS great, saying it has intense action, intricate world-building, and interesting characters.

"...This book has it all, intense action, intricate world-building and entertaining and captivating characters, Axel and his crew of misfits and Jax and..." Read more

"Another great book from NSS. Once you start reading it you cannot put it down. Excitement and action with each page turned...." Read more

"...It has characters that are fun to read about and they are so interesting. They are also so unique from anything I have ever read before...." Read more

3 customers mention "Humor"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the misfits heroic and funny. They also mention that the book has plenty of action, suspense, sadness, and laughter.

"...As in any Nick Smith story there is plenty of action, suspense, sadness and laughter...." Read more

"...The characters are well developed and funny as heck. OWEY BOO BOO!!! I want more of the story and can't wait to get it...." Read more

"...of adventure, awesome characters, cool story, and even some humor to keep things light between some heavy plot points. Can't wait for book 2." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book relentless, propelling the story forward with each turn of the page.

"...The pacing is relentless, propelling the story forward with each turn of the page...." Read more

"Great book and a fast read. Interesting and fresh story line with some great characters. Looking forward to the next book in the series." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed this first book.As always the action is non stop and the characters are outstanding.Read this book!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Natalie @ ABookLoversLife
5.0 out of 5 stars Richly imagined world!
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2024
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I loved this book so much!! If you want to be taken on a thrilling journey through the cosmos then this book is for you. This book has it all, intense action, intricate world-building and entertaining and captivating characters, Axel and his crew of misfits and Jax and her crew are my favourites.
The pacing is relentless, propelling the story forward with each turn of the page. From heart-stopping space battles to tense encounters with alien foes, the story is packed with adrenaline-fueled excitement that kept me on the edge of my seat.
One of the highlights of the story is its richly imagined universe. Smith has crafted a sprawling galactic landscape filled with diverse planets, alien species, and ancient mysteries waiting to be uncovered.
Nicholas Sansbury Smith has once again proven himself to be a master storyteller and I cannot wait for book 2!!
I rather liked the dual narration! Both narrators deliver stellar performances and their varied and wide ranged voices create a simply amazing auditory experience.
3 people found this helpful
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Mr.Bill
5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Steward (Galaxy In Flames Book 1)
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2024
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I have just finished the 1st book in a new series by Nicholas Sansbury Smith (Nick). The series is called, "Galaxy In Flames." If you are reading this, you are probably already familiar with the “Hell Divers” series, certainly one of the top Sci-Fi Space genre of books ever written. I've read them all except except for HD-12, which I pre-ordered several months ago.
If you don’t care about attention to detail with a variety of characters, interesting backstories and mucho action, then don't read this book. Just grab an old copy of Reader Digest the next time you are in the doctor's office. However, if you have been jonesing for ‘Hell Divers 12’, then “Galaxy In Flames” is your fix. I am amazed at the wonderful writers I have met over the past few years, Nick Sansbury, is without a doubt one of the best.
This first book, The Last Steward, is excellent. Like his other books, the characters - some a bit weird - are always well developed, in a literary way. OK some are missing body parts, and social skills, but let's face it, they aren't coming over to meet your mom! I digress. This first book is the foundation for an entire adventure that is as exciting and unpredictable as any sci-fi movie or television series you’ve ever seen. If that isn’t enough of a reason, the AudioBooks is also available. The wonderful Mark Boyett and Khristine Hvam allows you to continue to enjoy the story when reading isn’t possible (or appropriate). I’ve already bought “Galaxy In Flames Book 2,” because I just want more! - Mr.Bill
7 people found this helpful
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Julie
4.0 out of 5 stars well written
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2024
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Great read. Just the right amount of world building. Great characters. I highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced and fun
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2024
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Great book and a fast read. Interesting and fresh story line with some great characters. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
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Mary Ziegler
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2024
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This book was read over the span of a couple days and I could hardly put it down. Great characters, plot and descriptions. I can't wait for book 2 to see how the "Lion" confronts the evil Wrath and searches for his lost mother.
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AReader
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing new series!
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2024
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Wow, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this story so much. Brave, strong characters and epic combat with heart, mixed perfectly with an interesting cast of secondary characters that include alien races that makes for some humorous banter. Overall, this new series has a bit of everything and the world building is superb. The audio is 14 hours long and both narrators do a great job of bringing all these characters to life. I highly recommend this story, it's unique in a highly saturated market.

This review is submitted on kindle version, and I’ve been enjoying the audio as well, but I’m not quite finished.
2 people found this helpful
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Andrew Pollack
4.0 out of 5 stars Good story, weird mix of levels - game like
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2024
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I gave this a 4 because it's great within its genre. That may be a little higher than my first impression but I decided that's because its a little outside what I usually enjoy and not the fault of the author.

The book feels like it could be an anime or video game in a lot of respects. There are an unlikely cast of different races that resemble dogs, cats, or birds a little too humorously for a topic that's otherwise gritty and marshal. Fire-blades and spaceships that just go anywhere without explanation also really add to the game/anime feel. It left me a little off balance, but again, that's just the nature of the genre.

Plot wise, there are three seemingly unrelated threads that really don't come together until the end of this first book. You could look at this entire book as backstory to what comes next.

The writing is smooth and makes for an enjoyable read, as you'd expect from Nick Smith.
One person found this helpful
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The Colonel
5.0 out of 5 stars Action, Adventure, and Aliens: Who Could Ask for Anything More?
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2024
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“The Last Steward” is a gripping account of three divergent protagonists whose separate stories are inextricably linked.
All the characters are well-developed. Axel is a “salvage” spaceship captain who is troubled by yet uncertain of his lineage and struggling financially to keep his ship and crew intact. Rangnar is an old hard-bitten smuggler and bounty hunter with Five Death Rules who is looking for the “big” payoff so he and his crew can retire in safety and comfort. As an old guy on the north side of 75, I could relate to “his aging, chronically injured body.” Jax is a formidable female member of the elite Eagle infantry who can overcome extreme adversity. Loyalty to their crew members and comrades is a common trait among them.
I was pleasantly surprised that the former war droid that Axel refitted was named Spartacus which was my nickname when I taught high school history following 30 years as an Army field artilleryman. One of my favorite quotes in the book is by Spartacus: “A gladiator does not fear death. They embrace it through strength and honor.”
The story-line is action-packed with enough plot twists to keep the reader fully engaged. I am leaning forward in the foxhole in anticipation of the next in the series.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Bill Holder
5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner
Reviewed in Australia on July 1, 2024
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Sci Fi action at its best. Starts with a boom and never stops, this is one of those books you will lose sleep reading. I love my sleep more than my kids, but I gave up a night of snoring to finish this book.
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DaveTheCat
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in Australia on May 27, 2024
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Looking forward to the next instalments, really enjoyed the story and the struggle of the main character! Worth a go!
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Steve Olive
5.0 out of 5 stars Great start to the series
Reviewed in Australia on May 11, 2024
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This book is a great start to the series - some have honour, some are dishonourable & it’s not who you expect. Looking forward to Axel’s journey to fight for the galaxy in the next book. Another great sci-fi series started by Nicholas Sansbury Smith.
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