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Arbitrator Jim Brown #1
The Arbitrator
“Was there a pang of remorse for his actions in his mind? Possibly, but what choice did he have? If he wanted to survive, he had no room for weakness.
Max Nowaz’s science fiction novel, The Arbitrator, follows the story of 153 year-old Jim Brown, a former highly successful administrator who is now rotting in jail, for tax fraud. However, in reality, he is there for taking revenge and killing several people on the planet Levita, after meeting the beautiful Narissa...
In prison, he has acquired a drug habit, which is killing him slowly and his only chance of survival is a very expensive renewal process, which will make him young again and cure his drug habit. After ten years in jail, he is suddenly given a reprieve and offered a chance to redeem himself. He is sent as the ‘Arbitrator’ to ‘Pirrus’ in another solar system, to try and stop a rebellion and bring matters under control. Will he complete the mission successfully to earn enough funds for his regeneration? Only time will tell.
This novel tries to portray realistically, the darker side of colonisation, where a population is ruthlessly exploited in the guise of bringing them civilisation. Brown, a well-oiled cog in such a system prides himself on being ruthlessly efficient in his tyrannical task of keeping the population down, has a change of heart after meeting Gina, a girl he uses as his plaything.
He then slowly embarks on a path of self-emancipation in trying to better the lot of the people under his charge. He is not only up against his own government, the EPA, but also against other forces trying to overthrow him. He also discovers a plot by some external powers trying to invade the planet and is hurled into an epic adventure in a game of survival.
This novel may not be everybody's cup of tea, because of its complex political undertones as it tries to show the insidious underbelly of an autocratic form of colonisation, though it can be enjoyed simply as a great Sci-Fi adventure story.
Max Nowaz’s science fiction novel, The Arbitrator, follows the story of 153 year-old Jim Brown, a former highly successful administrator who is now rotting in jail, for tax fraud. However, in reality, he is there for taking revenge and killing several people on the planet Levita, after meeting the beautiful Narissa...
In prison, he has acquired a drug habit, which is killing him slowly and his only chance of survival is a very expensive renewal process, which will make him young again and cure his drug habit. After ten years in jail, he is suddenly given a reprieve and offered a chance to redeem himself. He is sent as the ‘Arbitrator’ to ‘Pirrus’ in another solar system, to try and stop a rebellion and bring matters under control. Will he complete the mission successfully to earn enough funds for his regeneration? Only time will tell.
This novel tries to portray realistically, the darker side of colonisation, where a population is ruthlessly exploited in the guise of bringing them civilisation. Brown, a well-oiled cog in such a system prides himself on being ruthlessly efficient in his tyrannical task of keeping the population down, has a change of heart after meeting Gina, a girl he uses as his plaything.
He then slowly embarks on a path of self-emancipation in trying to better the lot of the people under his charge. He is not only up against his own government, the EPA, but also against other forces trying to overthrow him. He also discovers a plot by some external powers trying to invade the planet and is hurled into an epic adventure in a game of survival.
This novel may not be everybody's cup of tea, because of its complex political undertones as it tries to show the insidious underbelly of an autocratic form of colonisation, though it can be enjoyed simply as a great Sci-Fi adventure story.
229 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2016
29 people are currently reading
20455 people want to read
About the author
Max Nowaz
5 books12k followers Having completed several Creative Writing courses, including at Birkbeck and Faber, I took up writing seriously in 2012.
My first novel ‘The Arbitrator’ was published in July 2016 and 'Get Rich or Get Lucky' was published in January 2017. Both books enjoyed surprising success and great reviews. Updated versions of Get Rich or Get Lucky and The Arbitrator (with two new chapters) along with e-books were published on Amazon in 2019.
My two new novels 'The Polymorph' and 'The Three Witches and The Master' are now ready and hopefully will be published in 2022.
l have also written two plays, one of which, 'Cheating Death' has been successfully produced on stage in February/March 2019 at The Cockpit Theatre, London. It ran for three weeks and enjoyed surprising success. Further novels are at a planning stage.
An updated version 'Timbi's Dream' a children's fantasy story in rhyme was republished in 2019 as an e-book only and features more improved rhymes.
My first novel ‘The Arbitrator’ was published in July 2016 and 'Get Rich or Get Lucky' was published in January 2017. Both books enjoyed surprising success and great reviews. Updated versions of Get Rich or Get Lucky and The Arbitrator (with two new chapters) along with e-books were published on Amazon in 2019.
My two new novels 'The Polymorph' and 'The Three Witches and The Master' are now ready and hopefully will be published in 2022.
l have also written two plays, one of which, 'Cheating Death' has been successfully produced on stage in February/March 2019 at The Cockpit Theatre, London. It ran for three weeks and enjoyed surprising success. Further novels are at a planning stage.
An updated version 'Timbi's Dream' a children's fantasy story in rhyme was republished in 2019 as an e-book only and features more improved rhymes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
September 16, 2016
I really enjoyed this book: to begin with I wasn't at all sure I would because initially the main character, Brown, came across as a rather odious, self-centred individual but I came to see that introducing him in that guise was elemental in the mastery of the creation of the plot. You grasp this as you read more and it is almost surprising how you find yourself first reconciling yourself to the character and subsequently quite liking him. This accompanies his developing rapport with the beautiful heroine who, like this reader, first loathes him but then becomes his willing partner in his escapades. Ultimately this shift in how we see Brown is also aided by the reader's developing appreciation that Brown's opponents include some genuine bad guys.
Apart from the interplay of characters, the action moves along very well and accelerates. You're never quite sure what will happen next and this adds to the entertainment. I will certainly be sure to read the next work that this author releases for it is clear that he engineers his novels with skill and with the clear intention of engaging his readers.
Apart from the interplay of characters, the action moves along very well and accelerates. You're never quite sure what will happen next and this adds to the entertainment. I will certainly be sure to read the next work that this author releases for it is clear that he engineers his novels with skill and with the clear intention of engaging his readers.
September 2, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book "The Arbitrator " by Max Nowaz.
It is very well written, with a bit of romance and action... really appealing.
I like the main character, Jim Brown who is The Arbitrator. ... He is fighting for his health and for what is right.... making us, the readers, to think what is the most important thing in our lifes....
It is very well written, with a bit of romance and action... really appealing.
I like the main character, Jim Brown who is The Arbitrator. ... He is fighting for his health and for what is right.... making us, the readers, to think what is the most important thing in our lifes....
February 2, 2020
My first book by the author.I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.The Arbitrator is witty,strong-willed,smart,engaging,great body,and a whole lot if other attributes.He is a fighter and doesnt let anything hold Him back.
The whole story was enjoyable,especially the gradual metamorphosis of the Arbitrator's character.
The whole story was enjoyable,especially the gradual metamorphosis of the Arbitrator's character.
May 2, 2020
To be sincere, Max Nowaz did a good job with this book. It had me tied down till the end. Enjoyed the character development and the twist in the story. A good job and kudos to Max Nowaz
October 11, 2020
The Arbitrator was carefully written by the author. Well thought of. Brilliant words used mid sentence. The investigations, the descriptions of each scene.
Max is brilliant.
I applaud this good work
Max is brilliant.
I applaud this good work
July 8, 2021
‘He had been due for his second life renewal when he turned 150...’ – A great ride!
British author Max Nowaz has stepped away from the corporate world to devote his time to writing – novels, poetry, children’s books, and screen and stage plays. His books to date include GET RICH OR GET LUCKY. TIMBI’S DREAM, and now the revised version of his debut novel, THE ARBITRATOR.
Writing novels that step into the dystopian genre yet still mange to include real life’ characters is an art that Max Nowaz performs successfully, exploring the solar system for locations amenable to storytelling. His wry humor greatly assists the development of his characters as the opening chapter indicates – ‘The prisoner lay in his cell dreaming of good times. He had been rotting there for a long time, and the good times came when he was like this, drugged and semi-conscious. Somebody kicked him, he thought, but it didn’t hurt much. “Get up you lazy b*****d. The governor wants a word with you, “ said the guard. He opened his eyes and smiled. There was another guard standing near the cell door in anticipation of any trouble. The prisoner smiled at him, too. ‘Now what can the governor want from me?’ He wondered…It’s nice of him to remember me’… And so we meet Jim Brown, the Arbitrator, and the primary character.
The story is complex, in an appropriate manner, and is distilled as follows: ‘Jim Brown, formerly a highly successful, but ruthless, troubleshooting Administrator for the EPA, The Earth Policy Administration, was rotting in prison, dying of an incurable drug habit that he had acquired whilst in there. His only hope was a very expensive regeneration process, if he was to survive. This habit should already have killed a lesser man, but somehow he was clinging on. After surviving 10 years of his sentence, ostensibly for tax evasion, he is suddenly given a reprieve and offered a chance to redeem himself. He is sent as 'The Arbitrator' to 'Pirrus', an Earth colony world in another solar system, to try and stop a rebellion and bring matters under control. Though his title conveys that he is there to negotiate, but in reality he is there to enforce a settlement. If successful he will be a rich man again and can go back to Earth for his regeneration treatment, but he is running out of time as the deadline for the treatment to be effective, looms. Jim Brown is a man in a hurry but manages to end the rebellion within three weeks and capture the rebel leaders. He thinks he has accomplished his task and is getting ready to execute the rebel leaders, when he meets Gina, the daughter of one of the rebels. She has come to plead for her father's life. Under the influence of the drugs, which he is still addicted to, Brown ruthlessly exploits the situation to his advantage and seduces Gina in exchange for letting all the prisoners go. He then finds out from her that there is a plot by other foreign off-world powers to invade Pirrus. Brown is at a loss to understand why anybody would be interested in such a backwater of a planet, but he has no time to take his hard earned cash and get away to Earth. The drugs have made him a man without much of a conscience, preoccupied only with his own survival. He decides to force Gina to cooperate so he can get to the bottom of the situation. The plot thickens as his old life suddenly begins to catch up with him and he also discovers that there is a mole in his organisation, who is undermining his efforts to succeed.’
Sparkling writing inviting the reader to explore other realms that manage to enter our imagination and entertain us completely, this is a remarkably fine novel – just the sort of escape we all need right now!
British author Max Nowaz has stepped away from the corporate world to devote his time to writing – novels, poetry, children’s books, and screen and stage plays. His books to date include GET RICH OR GET LUCKY. TIMBI’S DREAM, and now the revised version of his debut novel, THE ARBITRATOR.
Writing novels that step into the dystopian genre yet still mange to include real life’ characters is an art that Max Nowaz performs successfully, exploring the solar system for locations amenable to storytelling. His wry humor greatly assists the development of his characters as the opening chapter indicates – ‘The prisoner lay in his cell dreaming of good times. He had been rotting there for a long time, and the good times came when he was like this, drugged and semi-conscious. Somebody kicked him, he thought, but it didn’t hurt much. “Get up you lazy b*****d. The governor wants a word with you, “ said the guard. He opened his eyes and smiled. There was another guard standing near the cell door in anticipation of any trouble. The prisoner smiled at him, too. ‘Now what can the governor want from me?’ He wondered…It’s nice of him to remember me’… And so we meet Jim Brown, the Arbitrator, and the primary character.
The story is complex, in an appropriate manner, and is distilled as follows: ‘Jim Brown, formerly a highly successful, but ruthless, troubleshooting Administrator for the EPA, The Earth Policy Administration, was rotting in prison, dying of an incurable drug habit that he had acquired whilst in there. His only hope was a very expensive regeneration process, if he was to survive. This habit should already have killed a lesser man, but somehow he was clinging on. After surviving 10 years of his sentence, ostensibly for tax evasion, he is suddenly given a reprieve and offered a chance to redeem himself. He is sent as 'The Arbitrator' to 'Pirrus', an Earth colony world in another solar system, to try and stop a rebellion and bring matters under control. Though his title conveys that he is there to negotiate, but in reality he is there to enforce a settlement. If successful he will be a rich man again and can go back to Earth for his regeneration treatment, but he is running out of time as the deadline for the treatment to be effective, looms. Jim Brown is a man in a hurry but manages to end the rebellion within three weeks and capture the rebel leaders. He thinks he has accomplished his task and is getting ready to execute the rebel leaders, when he meets Gina, the daughter of one of the rebels. She has come to plead for her father's life. Under the influence of the drugs, which he is still addicted to, Brown ruthlessly exploits the situation to his advantage and seduces Gina in exchange for letting all the prisoners go. He then finds out from her that there is a plot by other foreign off-world powers to invade Pirrus. Brown is at a loss to understand why anybody would be interested in such a backwater of a planet, but he has no time to take his hard earned cash and get away to Earth. The drugs have made him a man without much of a conscience, preoccupied only with his own survival. He decides to force Gina to cooperate so he can get to the bottom of the situation. The plot thickens as his old life suddenly begins to catch up with him and he also discovers that there is a mole in his organisation, who is undermining his efforts to succeed.’
Sparkling writing inviting the reader to explore other realms that manage to enter our imagination and entertain us completely, this is a remarkably fine novel – just the sort of escape we all need right now!
December 9, 2017
Wonderful book!!! I can just recommend everyone to read it! Gripping story, fantastic plot and wonderfully described characters!
July 16, 2021
The Arbitrator by Max Nowaz introduces Jim Brown, a drug-addicted representative of the EPA (Earth Policy Administration). His job is to settle a dispute, instead of being a mediator; he is more like an enforcer. Brown's attempt to settle a rebellion on Pirrus is to execute some of those caught. When Gina comes to plead for the life of her father and fiancé, the bargain made leads down a road they can never turn back on.
I found The Arbitrator fascinating as Jim Brown negotiates through the politics, leadership, his addiction, and his actions. Max Nowaz holds your attention as Brown is wrapped in a web of deceit and flounders for control. The plot intrigues the reader as layers unfold to what Brown is facing. I think readers who enjoy fantasy thrillers will devour this well-written novel as Brown steps up and becomes a leader when odds are against him.
I found The Arbitrator fascinating as Jim Brown negotiates through the politics, leadership, his addiction, and his actions. Max Nowaz holds your attention as Brown is wrapped in a web of deceit and flounders for control. The plot intrigues the reader as layers unfold to what Brown is facing. I think readers who enjoy fantasy thrillers will devour this well-written novel as Brown steps up and becomes a leader when odds are against him.
April 25, 2017
I read this book in quick succession to Get Rich or Get Lucky. Thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish (How did he come up with this guy?) I read this on the Tube to and from work 2 days total and I cant even remember my four journeys as I was so engrossed. ''Science fiction at its best''
What has he become?
Hurry up with the sequel MAX
What has he become?
Hurry up with the sequel MAX
February 28, 2020
First of all Max, how did you even come up with this character? “The Arbitrator”its just insanely good. I honestly didn’t think I would enjoy a science fiction book (I am a mystery & thriller kind of person). However, I have to say this is Science fiction at its best. The book is a brilliant adventure story that holds you hostage right from the start. I found it to be a pleasant fast-paced solid, gripping and thoughtful read. I thoroughly recommend it, especially to those who like science fictions like avatar, star wars etc.
March 9, 2021
Max Nowaz's The Arbitrator is a novel that follows Jim Brown's race against time on his inter-planetary mission to quell the uprising against the Earth Policy Administration in Pirrus.
The author carefully takes readers to Jim Brown's past in Levitia through lucid dreams in the present day. The dreams reveal an unimaginable possibility that had hitherto been regarded as wild speculations.
Overall, The Arbitrator is a good read that leaves readers spellbound and widens one's imagination of interplanetary possibilities.
The author carefully takes readers to Jim Brown's past in Levitia through lucid dreams in the present day. The dreams reveal an unimaginable possibility that had hitherto been regarded as wild speculations.
Overall, The Arbitrator is a good read that leaves readers spellbound and widens one's imagination of interplanetary possibilities.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2016
I found this an enjoyable fast-paced read. Max Nowaz has a terrific narrative style to hold his original and very dramatic storyline. It was also interesting to read an honest account of how it feels to exercise real power and I liked the clever twist at the end. It's a solid and thoughtful book and I look forward to more explorations of Max's unusually wide range of experience.
December 11, 2021
This book instantly draws you in from the very first page. It literally is a page turner it reminds me of a Guardians of the Galaxy, in terms of the different planets and creatures. I am really getting into more sci-fi and Fantasy genre and this book didn't disappoint. Also brown was the worst ever, you know the story is written well when it evokes emotions.
March 8, 2020
What seems like a story from present changes rapidly after a few pages. The main character, Brown, seems to be cruel, conquering and inhumane. The man who may be very old, but seems like twenty-something, with a couple of bad habits and secret weapons; in the form of the renewal process; is something difficult to swallow.
But meeting with Gina, the daughter of the revolution, shows him a very different way of living. It makes him ask himself about his purposes and motives. Also, with a man changing, there's something evil in the air. De verbo in verbum, which makes the Arbitrator considering his options. With a traitor within his lines, it's even more difficult to think clearly. His enemies plotting against him and now he can truly show the EPA Headquarters, that he is reliable for a position he earned. After all, he is the Arbitrator and no one else. His position, of course, is sometimes more barrier than help, especially during meetings with people of Pirrus.
SPOILER WARNING:
The action moment takes place after disarming the bomb in the middle of Durkai festival. From that point, it seems everything is lost, but our hero is not a man of fear. His courage starts to kick in after losing his long-lasting friend. After a hundred years, we can see a young man who matured just now before our eyes, making hard decisions in the name of survival. And also, to fulfil the promise given to people who rely on him.
Awesome character development, a full keg of action powder mixed with a huge load of self-discovery and mystery, together with beautiful aliens and planets, created a readable journey and little insight into the possible future.
I recommend it to read to anyone who enjoys these stories as much as me. I look forward to another book from this author.
But meeting with Gina, the daughter of the revolution, shows him a very different way of living. It makes him ask himself about his purposes and motives. Also, with a man changing, there's something evil in the air. De verbo in verbum, which makes the Arbitrator considering his options. With a traitor within his lines, it's even more difficult to think clearly. His enemies plotting against him and now he can truly show the EPA Headquarters, that he is reliable for a position he earned. After all, he is the Arbitrator and no one else. His position, of course, is sometimes more barrier than help, especially during meetings with people of Pirrus.
SPOILER WARNING:
The action moment takes place after disarming the bomb in the middle of Durkai festival. From that point, it seems everything is lost, but our hero is not a man of fear. His courage starts to kick in after losing his long-lasting friend. After a hundred years, we can see a young man who matured just now before our eyes, making hard decisions in the name of survival. And also, to fulfil the promise given to people who rely on him.
Awesome character development, a full keg of action powder mixed with a huge load of self-discovery and mystery, together with beautiful aliens and planets, created a readable journey and little insight into the possible future.
I recommend it to read to anyone who enjoys these stories as much as me. I look forward to another book from this author.
February 5, 2017
I really enjoy reading and letting an author take me on a journey to different places and worlds and Max Nowaz’s novel The Arbitrator didn’t disappoint. From the onset the main protagonist was a rather distasteful character but as the story unfolded, one was drawn into his world and as his history was revealed, bit by bit, one began to understand him more and begin to sympathise with him. I found the whole book very exciting and engaging and the twists and turns of the plot were cleverly written, keeping ones interest right to the end. I would highly recommend this book as it is a good read.
April 27, 2020
Enjoyed quite a lot. Original, gripping, and fast-paced. Any sci-fi lover will enjoy it. Definitely recommend.
March 5, 2021
A beautiful book with a particularly spectacular storytelling experience. I love the writer's style and how the story flowed from the beginning to the ending with a complete sense of moving along with the reader while holding him off till the very end. Loved it!
February 7, 2017
I totally disagree with Erik and Terri Dawn as both of them seem to have missed the point of the whole story completely.
It is the transition of Brown from being an odious overlord to a more humane character, who begins to side with the people under his charge, is the crux of the story.
The main character Jim Brown is an enforcer for a cruel Earth empire, which is not being condoned in the novel.
Erik has completely missed this and has just repeated bits of the story, putting his own twist on it. Terri Dawn on the other hand is reading so many novels that she probably hasn’t got the time to read any properly and certainly hasn’t read this one, as she admits.
The Arbitrator is a scintillating adventure story which grips you right from the start and keeps your attention riveted until the very end. I thoroughly recommend it
It is the transition of Brown from being an odious overlord to a more humane character, who begins to side with the people under his charge, is the crux of the story.
The main character Jim Brown is an enforcer for a cruel Earth empire, which is not being condoned in the novel.
Erik has completely missed this and has just repeated bits of the story, putting his own twist on it. Terri Dawn on the other hand is reading so many novels that she probably hasn’t got the time to read any properly and certainly hasn’t read this one, as she admits.
The Arbitrator is a scintillating adventure story which grips you right from the start and keeps your attention riveted until the very end. I thoroughly recommend it
August 13, 2021
I wasn't quite sure what to make of Jim Brown at first. He's an interesting main character, and at first it's very hard to like him. He's a bit sleazy, but as the story progresses and he grows as a person, my opinion of him changed. The story moved along at a decent pace, and there were enough twists to keep me interested. An interesting sci-fi read that explores not only deep space but ethics and morals, and the question of what's right what's wrong.
April 10, 2021
This is my first book by the author.
I discovered him on Twitter and received for free by booktasters.
I must say that science fiction is one of my favourties genres and this book is fantastic.
I love the author's style and the "universe" of this book full of planets and creatures and very well described.
Characters are solid and concrete, you can "feel" how they change and evolve during the story.
Definitely recommend this book, If you love the genre you'll be very satisified.
I discovered him on Twitter and received for free by booktasters.
I must say that science fiction is one of my favourties genres and this book is fantastic.
I love the author's style and the "universe" of this book full of planets and creatures and very well described.
Characters are solid and concrete, you can "feel" how they change and evolve during the story.
Definitely recommend this book, If you love the genre you'll be very satisified.
August 2, 2021
This book kept surprising me. It took me some time to get used to the flow but then the events kept unfolding one after the after. I love science fiction and I think this would be perfect for younger readers who are getting into the genre. It's not too complicated and full of adventure.
Jim Brown is quite an interesting character and has lived a long time but he is still very much human. I liked the high tech and facilities the humans have in the book. I kept picturing multiple sci-fi movies in my head. I can absolutely picture this being made into a movie!
Jim Brown is quite an interesting character and has lived a long time but he is still very much human. I liked the high tech and facilities the humans have in the book. I kept picturing multiple sci-fi movies in my head. I can absolutely picture this being made into a movie!
August 31, 2021
I found The Arbitrator to be a great action adventure novel. I wasn’t previously aware of author Nowaz but for a first novel from a lesser known author I think this is pretty great. Jim Brown is your typical tough-guy protagonist, but there are layers in place to make him feel more genuine than the protagonists in far more well-known novels I’ve read. The sci-fi setting made this more enjoyable for me, and because of the interesting plot and great dialogue I could well see this making a good transfer to the big screen. I’ll be looking out for more novels from Nowaz in the future.
March 7, 2021
I received a free ebook from booktasters!
Science fiction is my favorite genre and this book did definitely not disappoint!! It was fast paced with interesting characters and an even more interesting setting. If you like scifi/space operas, give it a try, this book uses lots of tropes from the genre in an appealing way.
(My only complaint is that the first few chapters were difficult to get into but don't give up, the pace picks up once you get a bit into it!)
Science fiction is my favorite genre and this book did definitely not disappoint!! It was fast paced with interesting characters and an even more interesting setting. If you like scifi/space operas, give it a try, this book uses lots of tropes from the genre in an appealing way.
(My only complaint is that the first few chapters were difficult to get into but don't give up, the pace picks up once you get a bit into it!)
October 25, 2021
The Arbitrator by Max Nowaz
Acknowledgements and table of content.
What I like about this book is the imagination and outlook of the future.
A time in the future, different planets but also Earth remains.
The medical field in this book is so real but seems so far out of reach. You have those in charge and they can survive without being sent back to Earth to recharge for many decades.
Colonization includes robots, droids and humans and some that have been modified.
I like the idea of living, physically fit and mentally and then recharging. I can't imagine how organs would survive and not break down.
Love the war strategic maneuvers and how they work so they are able to survive as a group of innovators.
Brown is the arbitrator and after he shows signs of failing he is given drugs that renew his system, enough to help him finish a mission in one piece.
The drugs, untried on others in his species have a different outcome as everybody had expected.
Ending leaves the story line open to another book in the series. Especially can imagine a laser gun clearing a jungle, who knew?
Lots of action, adventure, mysteries, romance, travel, weapons and new species to learn about.
I received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
Acknowledgements and table of content.
What I like about this book is the imagination and outlook of the future.
A time in the future, different planets but also Earth remains.
The medical field in this book is so real but seems so far out of reach. You have those in charge and they can survive without being sent back to Earth to recharge for many decades.
Colonization includes robots, droids and humans and some that have been modified.
I like the idea of living, physically fit and mentally and then recharging. I can't imagine how organs would survive and not break down.
Love the war strategic maneuvers and how they work so they are able to survive as a group of innovators.
Brown is the arbitrator and after he shows signs of failing he is given drugs that renew his system, enough to help him finish a mission in one piece.
The drugs, untried on others in his species have a different outcome as everybody had expected.
Ending leaves the story line open to another book in the series. Especially can imagine a laser gun clearing a jungle, who knew?
Lots of action, adventure, mysteries, romance, travel, weapons and new species to learn about.
I received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
June 13, 2024
“Some days are better than others, for human optimism has no limits.”
This is the second book that I read by the author. I find this one more appealing than the other one. I read science fiction once in a while and every time I do I end up keeping it on my favourites shelf. The same happened with this book.
The story is about Jim Brown, a 153-year-old former very successful administrator who is now rotting in jail for tax fraud, who is the subject of this narrative. He has developed a drug habit in prison that is slowly killing him, and his only chance of survival is a highly expensive renewal procedure that would restore his youth and cure his drug addiction. He is suddenly given a reprieve and a chance to redeem himself after ten years in prison. To know how his life was shaped after that you will need to read the book.
I liked the character development very much. The narrative is engaging and kept me hooked throughout. It was a fast-paced story with fascinating characters and an interesting environment.
You might like to check out more similar books here.
This is the second book that I read by the author. I find this one more appealing than the other one. I read science fiction once in a while and every time I do I end up keeping it on my favourites shelf. The same happened with this book.
The story is about Jim Brown, a 153-year-old former very successful administrator who is now rotting in jail for tax fraud, who is the subject of this narrative. He has developed a drug habit in prison that is slowly killing him, and his only chance of survival is a highly expensive renewal procedure that would restore his youth and cure his drug addiction. He is suddenly given a reprieve and a chance to redeem himself after ten years in prison. To know how his life was shaped after that you will need to read the book.
I liked the character development very much. The narrative is engaging and kept me hooked throughout. It was a fast-paced story with fascinating characters and an interesting environment.
You might like to check out more similar books here.
September 1, 2021
The Arbitrator is an exciting sci-fi novel that follows Jim Brown as he rots in prison for getting revenge. But Jim gets a new chance when he is called upon to go to a different system to try and stop a rebellion. I really enjoyed this book. It is fun, thrilling, and full of twists. There is a complexity to both the characters and the world that author Max Nowaz has created. I was able to easily immerse myself in the story. Jim Brown in particular is an intriguing character and I loved slowly getting the pieces of his past to better understand him. The story continues to throw twists at you just when you think that the characters will put all the pieces together. I really liked this book and would highly recommend it.
September 2, 2021
This is an exciting sci-fi book as it doesn’t seem to build on the back of exposition for the sake of explaining the whole world/universe in the first few chapters. We’re thrown almost instantly into Jim’s chaotic life (our main character here). What amuses me is he’s jailed for something rather dull and ends up on this epic, twisting adventure that jail has given him. Jim is not a lovable character, not in the “I make the right choices” way, but he’s a character we all want to root for.
What pulled me in is his motivations for pursuing the path he chose. His actions are typically frowned upon but justifiable in an effort to save himself. With his fast-paced style, we feel the same sense of urgency as Nowaz rushes us from action to action. Even when explaining some backstory, Nowaz raises the stakes on Jim’s situation as if the past is coming back to haunt him. This book is a unique marvel. You should give it a shot if you’re into dystopian sci-fi tales.
What pulled me in is his motivations for pursuing the path he chose. His actions are typically frowned upon but justifiable in an effort to save himself. With his fast-paced style, we feel the same sense of urgency as Nowaz rushes us from action to action. Even when explaining some backstory, Nowaz raises the stakes on Jim’s situation as if the past is coming back to haunt him. This book is a unique marvel. You should give it a shot if you’re into dystopian sci-fi tales.
July 5, 2022
Awful, just awful. I don't think I have ever given out just one star before. I picked this one up as a Goodreads link, based on its very strong reviews and I think it was a Kindle deal? Anyways, just goes to show those are not strong criteria.
I got about a third through in one reading, mostly in state of horrified disbelief at what I was reading. I don't generally say books are objectively bad when I review them but I feel this one deserves a strong condemnation.
Firstly, its really poorly written. The language is stilted and juvenile, there's no narrative flow and the protagonist is a colossal Mary Sue (he's dying of rejiv failure and a serious drug habit but he is still the best fighter in any room? Aye, right).
It's racist. All the 'unpure' humans (after a disapora and interregnum) are all different colors of skin (like blue, green etc) but because they aren't 'pure' they can't have the rejuv treatment. Mengele would approve.
It's sexist. Women exist in this story only to have the protagonist stick his male parts into them. The first few chapters describe a rape.
I just don't even.
Avoid. This made me feel dirty even reading what I did.
I got about a third through in one reading, mostly in state of horrified disbelief at what I was reading. I don't generally say books are objectively bad when I review them but I feel this one deserves a strong condemnation.
Firstly, its really poorly written. The language is stilted and juvenile, there's no narrative flow and the protagonist is a colossal Mary Sue (he's dying of rejiv failure and a serious drug habit but he is still the best fighter in any room? Aye, right).
It's racist. All the 'unpure' humans (after a disapora and interregnum) are all different colors of skin (like blue, green etc) but because they aren't 'pure' they can't have the rejuv treatment. Mengele would approve.
It's sexist. Women exist in this story only to have the protagonist stick his male parts into them. The first few chapters describe a rape.
I just don't even.
Avoid. This made me feel dirty even reading what I did.
September 7, 2023
I personally did not like this book at all. The writing was bad, the plot was predictable and boring, and the characters were horrible. There was misogyny and racism all over the place, which only slightly improves as the character grows into a slightly less terrible person. The romance was terrible and I was just hoping that all of the characters would die painful deaths. The ending was super rushed, but at this point I was glad because it was over faster. Definitely do not recommend.
February 20, 2024
After ten pages I had to give up. By then I learned Brown is recovering from a severe drug addiction in his tenth year in prison, refrains from seducing the actractive, atletic blonde assigned to meet him, meets Brett who got rejuvenated (which is expensive by the way) and now might outmatch Brown physically, even though the latter has extensive superior training. Of course and no thank you
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