In this military space opera thriller, we follow a genetically and cybernetically enhanced super soldier after he was discharged, imprisoned, and then rescued to join a crew to pull off one last big job.

Lackan VanDunn, nicknamed Lax, was sold by his parents to the Paragon government and their Divinity corporate backers, as a child for the Vanguard soldier program, where he became one of the faceless super soldiers that united humanity, by force, and against the will of most of the people outside of the Paragon. Then in the final war, for the planet Brahmin, the Paragon discharges their Vanguard as a sign of goodwill and disarmament.

We’re left to guess as what happens between that and when the story starts, which features Lax as a chief contestant in a prison fighting contest, making money for his boss by manipulating the odds. Lax isn’t immortal, but he’s bigger, faster, stronger, tougher, and heals faster than a normal human being. By all rights, Lax should be the one running the gang, but he’s emotionally broken and reliant on a chemical used by the Paragon to control their puppets, as people call them.

He is then broken out by an old war buddy and recruited for a mysterious job. We learn that after the war, he started working salvage because of his experience fighting the rippers.

Rippers are the bestial counterpart to the Vanguard—bioengineered monsters whose only instincts are to kill. Not very smart, they are tough, vicious, feast on human flesh, and have a tendency to haunt the derelict ships left over from the war. And yeah, they’re created by the same company that created the Vanguards.

There are some definite *Firefly* vibes here, with the corporate-government partnership that rules the ‘verse, human-eating monsters lurking in the void of space, and desperate crews trying to pull off one last job and settle down. I really appreciated the grimier approach to the setting, and some of the thought-out implications of the worldbuilding (one of the characters has never been on a planet before and suffers agoraphobia the first time).

It’s much more high-tech than *Firefly*, however. I’d put it as being pretty squarely in the typical space opera type established by *Halo.* Actually, the Vanguards remind me a lot of the Spartans.

So, the overarching plot is this last salvage job, of a ship so secret that the crew finds themselves targeted by assassins who seem be tracking them to prevent them from reaching the ship, then working with a guerilla resistance movement who hates Lax because of his role in their world’s conquest.

There’s a solid little training montage which was a nice homage to the trope, as Lax tries to turn the two groups into a cohesive team capable of salvaging a ripper-infested ship. Even as he’s attempting to do this, however, he’s getting flashbacks from the last job that landed him in prison after everything went wrong, wiping out his entire crew.

The similarity between the two grew more notable over time, both to the reader and to Lax, which was very interesting to see it play out. Lax wasn’t just trying to accomplish this mission, he was trying to resolve the problems from his last job that still haunted him.

The final act of the story is every bit as explosive as expected from a story with this set up, with some excellent twists, self-realizations, and, overall, a very satisfactory ending. I won’t spoil any of it, because the mystery element really kept me intrigued.

Overall, the plot was not the most complex or original. For a military space opera like this, I didn’t expect it to be. Fundamentally, this is a heist-story mixed with a spy story. At heart, however, it’s a story about grief and consequences.

And Strong handles this story very well. It was the characters that really carried the story for me. They were all complex, none of them seemed trustworthy, and half of the mystery was just unraveling the conflicting motivations and true intentions, and coping with what happened. Lax’s reliance on frigicern to numb his emotions was a nice example of addiction as a coping method and gave a strong visual indicator of his inner changes, charted along with his relationship to the other members of the salvage team.

4/5 Stars

Recommended for anyone looking for an exciting and heartfelt space opera adventure.

*Vanguard Strike* releases on June 13, 2025 and can be ordered at [this link](https://bookshop.org/a/111998/9781835258347) (my [Bookshop.org](http://Bookshop.org) affiliate link).

This was really good. I had such a fun time. It was giving Halo vibes (the TV show, I've never played the game - don't have an Xbox) which was perfect because I've recently finished the show and was looking for something to fill the void. I enjoyed the characters, getting the back story of Lax as well as what was going on current day. The parallels of his life past and present we're super interesting. I'm excited to continue the series when the rest of them come out.

I haven’t delved into science fiction in a good few years, which was an awful decision as I must have missed so many good books. This book has single handedly refreshed my love for scifi. It’s all things Star Wars, halo and guardians of the galaxy.
With a tight knit found family that come together to perform a heist on a missing space ship, an ex exo skeleton solider who was broken out of prison and so so much more.

This is definitely an author I want to read more from.
There is depth and character development in this book that I wasn’t expecting and it really made this an amazing book.
Thank you for the eARC second sky and net galley.

I have just concluded my perusal of Jarom Strong's "Vanguard Strike: Paragon Space Book I, being published by Second Sky (who graciously provided me with an ARC). The book is being marketed as military science fiction, but includes significant elements of other genres as well. It is not, for example comparable to the Honor Harrington series of the Lost Fleet Series. The characters are well drawn and offer fairly deep backstories, but for some reason, perhaps because I have an affinity for epic fleet level engagements with significant tactical, technical and strategic development the story left me somewhat cold. There is significant action and a good bit of mystery surrounding some of the characters and events, but overall it simply didn't push all of my buttons. Still, for those of you not as hung up on the details of operational military doctrine and employment as I am, the book is not without its charm. I think that it might appeal particularly to some of the same folks who enjoy murder mysteries, and many young adults might find it refreshingly devoid of what they might think of as excessive military detail. Ah well, to each his or her own. Most general collections might benefit from this book since it offers something for anyone with a general interest in the area of science fiction..

Vanguard Strike is an action-packed military space opera. I could not stop reading this book. The stakes are high!
I loved the main character, the modifications he was dealing with, his ability to fight and build a team. An absolutely brilliant cast of characters are brought together, the found family trope is well done. I also loved the more tender moments and connections explored.
The heist itself is exciting and intense. Even though it’s sci-fi I felt very grounded throughout and the world made sense. It’s not overly complex but at the same time it’s vast.
If you like lots of action, shooting, some gore and high stakes this is a book for you. I will definitely be continuing with this series as I am so invested in these characters.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an advance listeners copy! I DEVOURED this book! Think Firefly - space, mercenaries, found family, people thrown together, and so much more.

Between the character development to the universe itself, this story is so well crafted I immediately wanted to read this authors entire bibliography only to find out this is his first novel. What a banger of a first novel. I was engrossed in this story from the start.

I don’t want to say more for fear it’ll spoil something.

4 ⭐️

Thank you kindly to Second Sky for inviting me and sending me a widget of Jarom Strong’s debut novel, Vanguard Strike.

I’ll admit, I haven’t read much sci-fi before, but this was a lot of fun. The world-building is strong without being overwhelming, and the pacing kept me hooked from the start. I really liked the idea of salvagers scavenging old battlecruisers; it felt fresh and exciting. There’s a good balance of action and quieter moments, and while I didn’t always feel fully connected to the characters, I was invested in what happened to them.

A solid debut with lots of promise, especially if you’re after something action-packed with just the right amount of grit. Definitely worth checking out if you’re dipping your toes into sci-fi for the first time.

Overall, Vanguard Strike is an engaging debut that offers a thrilling ride through a richly imagined universe.

4.5 Stars rounded up. Sci-fi, heist and action filled space thriller. It took me a little bit to get into this book, but about a third of the way through the initial chapters made sense, and the story took off. Lax, modified ex-soldier, gets a second chance to leave his hell filled past behind him as he finds his skills in demand. But the past haunts him, and he’s about to find himself in a deep hole. Fortunately, for his crew, after all he’s been through, he’s not leaving them behind. But who is going to save Lex from himself. Start of a series, and an introduction to number of characters who are fun to spend time with. Lex certainly comes to think that. Thank you to Second Sky and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Vanguard Strike by Jerom Strong was such a good read! The plot features a heist—which I freaking love—and it’s sci-fi space opera at its finest. Fast-paced, action-packed, and full of heart, this book had me hooked from page one.

The main character? Absolutely lovable. I adored him! There were both heartwarming moments and nail-biting scenes that kept me turning the pages. The worldbuilding is smooth and easy to grasp, making this a perfect pick for someone new to sci-fi.

A fantastic blend of thrills and feels—I enjoyed this so much. Huge thanks to Second Sky Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

First off a big thank you to the publishers Second Sky an Bookouture as well as to the author Jarom Stong , and Netgalley, for the invite to read Vanguard Strike , I'm so glad I've finally got to it even though it's a bit late ,it was no stop actin from the start and I loved how I got really creepy out when ever the bioengineered creatures known as rippers came into play because ever time they showed up there was this little vice in the back of my head saying just because their in a story doesn't mean someday they can't be real because everyday science advances. I also loved how even though this was the author's debut novel it didn't give off that feel at all , in fact the way he told the story give the feel like he had been written for a long time .

Fast-paced action with unexpected plot twists and likeable characters. This book kept me awake far too long 😅
It’s an excellent treat for everyone who loves military sci-fi and heist stories.

Vanguard Strike by Jarom Strong is an upcoming military science fiction novel set to release on June 13, 2025. The story follows Lax, a former elite soldier of the Paragon military, who now operates as a salvage operator, or "vulture," scavenging abandoned ships for valuable technology. When an old comrade and a formidable new leader recruit him for a high-stakes mission, Lax finds himself aboard a derelict Paragon battlecruiser teeming with deadly bioengineered creatures known as rippers. The mission promises immense rewards but poses even greater risks, as the crew navigates a labyrinth of dangers in pursuit of a secret that could alter the galaxy's fate.

As a debut novel, Vanguard Strike showcases Jarom Strong's imaginative world-building and a compelling central premise. The concept of "vultures"—scavengers who risk their lives to loot abandoned spacecraft—is intriguing, though the narrative offers limited insight into their operations, tools, and societal structures, leaving a desire for deeper exploration.

The characters, while numerous, often come across as one-dimensional, each defined by a couple of traits without significant development. This lack of depth makes it challenging to form strong connections with them. Additionally, the dialogue tends to feel unnatural and overly pompous, which can disrupt immersion and make conversations seem less authentic.

Despite these shortcomings, the novel's action sequences and the overarching conflict with the oppressive Paragon entity provide entertainment. However, the execution sometimes falters, making it difficult to maintain engagement throughout. While the book has its merits, particularly in its world-building and central conflict, it may not fully satisfy readers seeking nuanced characters and polished prose.

Vanguard Strike is a sci-fi military space drama. I am not a big military or sci-fi person, but was sent a widget for this book. I read the synopsis and said what the heck, I need a genre mix up. I’m so glad I did too. This book was so good. The action, the characters everything was well done.

What I liked:

The action. This book was almost non stop action. It didn’t drag at all.

The world building: the world was well built and easily understood.

Easy to read: One of the big things that turn me off of sci-fi is how wordy and technical the authors can get. This book did not do that. I understood everything easily and without having to go back and try to decipher what I was reading.

The characters: I loved these characters! Lax was well wrote and multi faceted. The side characters had personality and you cared for them.

There were only a few things that I found fault with. One was the almost romance. It felt forced and I didn’t really like the woman who was the love interest. We were supposed to relate with her, but I just didn’t feel her. I also may have missed it but I don’t understand how the two ships connected. It may be more explained in the next book. The chapter present or past labels. This may be more of an editor thing but sometimes the chapters whipped forward or backwards without telling us where we were in time. Hopefully in the final draft that will be fixed.

Lax is, was a Vanguard, a mutated military soldier made to destroy. Once Paragon won the war, Lax was released from service and became a vulture (a scavenger) for space ship parts that brought in money. After a disastrous run, Lax ends up in prison. While in prison he’s contacted by an old friend for a new job. He agrees and starts a new journey filled with violence, politics, and lots of shooting. Will LAX and his new crew survive this one final job?

A delightful action packed novel that is a must read for any sci-fi fan.


Thank you to Second Sky and NetGalley for the arc.

Vanguard Strike by Jarom Strong delivers a high-octane military sci-fi adventure. The premise is compelling: a salvage crew ventures onto a derelict warship teeming with dangerous creatures.

Strong excels at crafting a vivid, action-packed narrative with elements of tension and intrigue. Fans of authors like James S.A. Corey and Marko Kloos will likely appreciate the fast-paced plot, super-soldiers, and monstrous enemies.

However, while the book offers a thrilling ride, some readers might find the non-stop action overshadows deeper character development or thematic exploration. If you prefer your sci-fi with a strong emphasis on intense action and world-building, Vanguard Strike is worth checking out.

I thoroughly enjoyed Jarom Strong's book and look forward to the next in the series. It was a good space opera. The story was well presented and I quickly turned the pages.

There is a plethora of military sci-fi books at the minute, nothing wrong with that as long as the story is engaging and takes the reader along for the journey, sadly a lot of books are being churned out with bar minimum content
This book is not one of those!
It’s a bloody (literally at times) good read
I will be ordering the audiobook as soon as it’s released