This is a great space opera about space salvagers in the future. They earn their living finding old discarded space craft. Except there are many dangers in space, especially around dead space ships.

Jarom Strong (https://www.jaromstrong.com) is the author of three novels. Vanguard Nemesis was published last June and it is the second book in his Paragon Space series. It is the 43rd title I’ve completed reading in 2025.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R.

Vanguard Lackan VanDunn is back with his crew, gearing up for what’s supposed to be a quick and lucrative salvage job–though he’s heard that before. Of course, the jobs never end that way.

Arriving at the abandoned freighter, VanDunn realizes that the job seems too easy. That was before they boarded, and his crew ran into a host of rippers - mindless, soulless killing machines created by Paragon. If that was not enough, the cargo turns out to be a supply of LifeBlood. Not something abandoned, but a precious commodity hidden aboard the spacecraft. And it is the property of someone with a lot of power.

Before they can make their escape, the crew is intercepted by the Walrus, an aging battleship commanded by Zathri Renault, the self-declared King of the Pirates. With Paragon’s dominance weakening, Renault is angling to fill the void and proposes an alliance. VanDunn is skeptical. Their uneasy conversation is cut short by the arrival of other ships, and the two groups part ways–for now.

The LifeBlood isn’t something that they can easily dispose of. Their best chance lies with the Roamers, descendants of colonists who refused to settle planetside and now live aboard massive, ancient ships. One such vessel is the Aboena, a 15-kilometer-long, 2,000-year-old colony ship. The Roamers want the LifeBlood to boost their food production, but the Aboena has cut off all outside contact. A smuggling ring offers a way in. The plan is to surreptitiously dock with the Aboena and make the sale.

After reaching the Aboena and attempting to negotiate the sale, VanDunn and his crew succumb to a trap. They are taken prisoner by forces under the control of a local leader named Cairn. They are subjected to harsh treatment and forced to participate in arena combat for the entertainment of Cairn’s men. VanDunn survives, but not all of his crew are so lucky. Fortunately, a friend onboard the Aboena helps them to escape.

They make a long and dangerous journey through the Aboena, constantly fighting off Cairn’s men. Along the way, they discover a large number of rippers somehow controlled by Cairn. He has a mad plan to use the rippers in a confrontation with Paragon. VanDunn’s plan is to somehow reach the Stranger - an entity living with his following in an abandoned part of the Aboena. The Stranger has helped Cairn achieve his power and leadership role. VanDunn hopes the Stranger can be convinced to stop Cairn from releasing the rippers against Paragon. If they are released, Paragon will send its fleet against the Aboena. It will be destroyed, and all aboard will die.

As the book approached its conclusion, a Paragon fleet has intercepted the Aboena. The confrontation is at hand. Will VanDunn and his crew survive? Will the Aboena be saved?

I enjoyed the 8+ hours I spent reading this 398-page science fiction novel. There’s a lot going on in this action-packed ‘space opera’, and this summary only scratches the surface. I had the opportunity to read the first book in the series, Vanguard Strike, a few months ago. I enjoyed both of these action-packed ‘space opera’ novels. I give this novel a rating of 4 out of 5.

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Space Sci-fi action adventure. Make sure to read all three books, in order; the whole is brilliant, and I felt satisfied when I reached the end of the series. Having read book one, I found I was a little disappointed in Nemesis. The characters are here and they are fun to spend time with. But it seemed to be more of the same. However, after having just finished book three I’ve realised that this book is central to the continuing story and essential to the story as a whole. Thank you to Second Sky and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

4/4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to Second Sky and NetGalley for the e-ARC of Back in the Saddle in exchange for an honest review.

Another thrilling, gripping instalment in the Paragon space trilogy. Jarom once again proves his skill as a master storyteller, crafting an engaging and action-packed narrative that seamlessly picks up where Vanguard Strike left off. The stakes are higher, the conflicts are more intense, and the characters, I can’t help but root for them, Lax especially, every step of the way.

Vanguard Nemesis dives deeper into the complexities of interstellar politics, loyalty, and survival. Jarom deftly balances world-building with character development, seeing how much relationships evolve, and secrets come to light; the sense of camaraderie among the characters is truly remarkable and heartwarming to see. There are twists that I didn’t expect and see coming, I really enjoyed seeing Lax fight for the justice he so much deserved.

Jarom is truly building something special with this trilogy and I cannot wait for what is to come in the final instalment.

Vanguard Nemesis by Jarom Strong is another incredible installment in the series! Picking up right where book one left off, it launches straight into the action—and never lets up. The pacing is relentless in the best way, keeping you turning pages late into the night.

This story would make an amazing movie: it’s a nonstop, high-stakes space adventure packed with intense battles, emotional depth, and powerful character growth. I absolutely loved the main character and the journey he continues in this book.

The author balances the thrilling action with just the right amount of heartfelt moments, creating a story that’s as moving as it is exciting. It’s a fantastic continuation of the series, and I’m already impatient for the next one.

If you’re a fan of fast-paced sci-fi with heart, Vanguard Nemesis is a must-read