From the bestselling co-author of the People novels comes a riveting science fiction adventure on a planet with danger around every corner
Donovan: A world of remarkable wealth, habitable, with a breathable atmosphere, water, and a salubrious climate. Call it a dream come true. A dream? Or a nightmare? Donovan’s wealth comes at a price. For Donovan lies thirty light years away - a two-year journey that few survive.
When Turalon arrives in orbit, Supervisor Kalico Aguila discovers a failing colony, it’s government overthrown, and the few colonists left now gone wild. For Kalico, Donovan offers the chance of a lifetime: one desperate spin of the wheel that will leave her the most powerful woman in the solar system. Or dead.
Planetside, Talina Perez is one the three rulers of Port Authority - the only remnant of a town on Donovan. She’s the only law left, and now a Corporate ship has appeared in orbit and is demaning answers about done things she’s done in the name of survival. Perez is about to lose everything, including her life, when Kalico lands with her Marines.
For Dan Wirth, Donovan is a last chance. A psychopath with a death sentence looming over his head, he can’t wait to set foot on Port Authority. He will make one desperate play to grab a piece of the action. No matter who he has to corrupt, murder, or destroy.
Captain Max Taggart has been The Corporation’s “go to” guy when it comes to brutal enforcement. As the situation in Port Authority deteriorates, he’ll be faced with committing mass murder in order to dominate the wild Donovanians. Only Talina Perez stands in his way. Or. God forbid, is he getting squeamish in his old age?
Just as matters spiral out of control, a ghost ship, the Freelander, appears in orbit. Missing for two years, she arrives with a crew dead of old age, and reeks of a bizarre death-cult ritual that forewarns any ship from making the return journey to Solar System.
Does anyone dare space back on Turlon with her wealth of ore, ceramic, gems, and gold? Or do they take their chances on a deadly planet that kills three out of four colonists?
And in the meantime, a brutal killer is stalking all of them, for Donovan plays its own complex and deadly game. One whose secrets are hidden in Talia Perez’s very blood. A game which will change everything, forever.
The series
The Donovan series by W. Michael Gear is a captivating exploration of the intricate dance between human ambition and the forces of nature, set against a backdrop of high-stakes action and intrigue. This gripping series brings to life a world where power, survival, and loyalty intersect in unpredictable and often dangerous ways.
Read full series description
At the heart of Donovan is a protagonist whose complex nature drives the story forward. Donovan is not merely a hero in the traditional sense—he is a man of shadows and mystery, whose motivations evolve as the series progresses. Gear’s storytelling delves deep into the psychological and emotional landscape of his characters, making their journeys as internal as they are external. Readers will find themselves drawn not just to the thrilling events that unfold, but to the characters’ evolving arcs, which speak to the core of human nature itself.
Set in a world where survival isn’t guaranteed, the Donovan series combines action-packed sequences with thought-provoking themes. Gear’s meticulous world-building brings the setting to life in vivid detail, crafting an atmosphere that is both haunting and immersive. Whether traversing the rugged wilderness or navigating the perilous corridors of power, the environments in Donovan are as much a part of the story as the characters themselves.
Themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of ambition are woven throughout the series, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The stakes are high, and the tension never lets up, drawing readers into a web of intrigue and danger with every page turned. Donovan’s journey is fraught with challenges, and it is through these trials that the true depth of his character—and the complex relationships he builds along the way—emerges.
What makes Donovan stand out is Gear’s ability to balance the personal with the epic. His skillful prose turns even the most intimate moments into reflections of broader societal themes, making this series a rich, layered experience that resonates long after the final page is turned.
For readers seeking a series that combines heart-pounding action with complex character development, the Donovan books offer a masterclass in blending tension, emotion, and intrigue. Gear’s expertise in storytelling ensures that each book in the series is both an individual adventure and a part of a larger, ever-expanding narrative that challenges the very nature of power, survival, and humanity itself.
Be the first reviewer
Sign in and write the first reader review.
