RULED OUT by Cameron Cooper

Iron Hammer 5.0

Space Opera Novel

More books by Cameron Cooper
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Danny and her people face a galaxy-spanning dilemma.

Danny Andela, known as the Iron Hammer, and her allies are forced by the warlike Slavers to find a way to lead the Carina worlds to war. Both war and universal leadership are abhorred by the scarred and abused Carina people, yet Danny needs a central authority upon which to build the military force they need to defeat the enemy.

Danny realizes that she must find a way to protect the Carinad worlds on her own, but the work is not easy, for everyone thinks she is crazy and power-mad, including those people she considered friends and family…

Ruled Out is the fifth book in the Iron Hammer space opera science fiction series by award-winning SF author Cameron Cooper. The Iron Hammer series is a spin off from the acclaimed Imperial Hammer series, and features many of the characters and situations from that series.

The Iron Hammer series:
1.0: Galactic Thunder
2.0: Stellar Storm
3.0: Planetary Parlay
4.0: Waxing War
5.0: Ruled Out
6.0: Stranger Stars
7.0: Federal Force
8.0: Redline Rebels
8.5: Iron Hammer Boxed Set
Space Opera Science Fiction Novel

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Ruled Out
Average rating:  
 5 reviews
 by Juneta
A Page Turner

A whole of story with world impact and building. Which is why this is one of my favorite authors. Lots of action and intrigue. Definitely a page turn. Highly recommended.

 by Marjorie
Seeking the better, more humane way to battle

Fast paced read with plenty of action from bar fights to space battles. The Carina worlds have had an emperor and seen the dangers and vulnerabilities of a strong central government. But lack of central government introduces its own set of dangers and vulnerabilities. Both locally and in their larger looming conflict with the Slavers, they need a new military and it isn't going to happen in time with the glacially slow pace political bureaucrats move at. Time for Danny to take things into her own hands!

Much of this book dealt with logistics and shifting chess pieces, but done in a way that added depth the the story. I thought there were some very interesting choices made both by Danny and the nascent central government - especially given their history. But decisions made under pressure and in a hurry are not always thought out as well as they could be. Danny has access to some unique people and view points that help her piece together possible objectives the other side might have. So much is a race against time - but the other side controls the clock. Nail biter of an ending with a huge twist/reveal for the next book. Excited to see how this will play out.

This is the 5th book in the Iron Hammer series and the series should be read in order as the over arching plot builds from one book to the next. No cliff hanger as the major conflict of the book is resolved, but lots of threads left unresolved for the rest of the series.

 by Kathi Soniat
Intricate Detail and Super Suspenseful Action!!

This is #5 in the series – do yourself a favor and read the first four! The progression of the characters and their importance at each stage make this book in the series especially meaningful.

A war is coming. But no one but Danny, our Iron Hammer will speak that truth. How can you save your entire world, when they will not act?

Finally, a group of leaders come together – but every action/decision will take years.

Inciteful, detailed, perfectly crafted story which has day-to-day actions and amazing twists and turns. This world comes alive for the reader.

 by IngSav
Unpredictable Sci Fi adventure at full throttle!

I was delighted to pick up where the story left off from book four in the series, with Danny meeting the challenge of the threat of war!

Throughout this novel there was tense and exciting action with unexpected surprises and edge-of-my seat thrills as I followed Danny and her team into the fray!

I loved that throughout both series' Danny has proven herself to be a strong lead character but there's compassion and consideration in her motivations and actions. Danny has continued to entrance and fascinate me since book one of the original Imperial Hammer series and once again she delighted me with her daring and courage despite self-doubt and challenging situations!

I like that Danny is by nature military minded and doesn't have the patience or willingness to tolerate political BS. She's a straight shooter and likes to get things done which are the very qualities which get her into interesting situations but she's proven time and again that she can handle it.

I can highly recommend this latest book in the Iron Hammer series and especially advocate reading all the books in order.
If you want to enjoy these characters in their fully enriched complexity then it's even better to read the Imperial Hammer series beforehand.

 by Kat Z
Excellent!

A great book five in the Iron Hammer series. Things are starting to get interesting. Not many believe war is coming, so Danny takes things into her own hands. This is such a great story: friends, enemies, spies, love, surprises and heartbreak. As the reader, I was sad after reading this. But it is a book about a coming war, and war causes death and destruction. My favorite villain is Kore Odile, he seems truly awful and repugnant. Of course it is wonderful to see all those other characters that have featured in Danny’s story for so long. I am very excited to read the rest of the books in the series and find out what happens next. Simply fantastic space opera. More please more!


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Excerpt

EXCERPT FROM RULED OUT
COPYRIGHT © CAMERON COOPER 2021
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

A hand rested on my shoulder, drawing my attention. Daniya bent down to murmur by my ear; “The wait will kill us.”

“War will be just as fatal,” I assured her.

She straightened, her pretty mouth pulling down into a grimace. Her black hair was twisted up and pinned at the top of her head, and she wore typical spacer clothes—the unrippable, unstainable, wrinkle-free garments with their many pockets and the heavy mag-capable boots. The workmanlike gear was far cry from the formal outfits down on the floor. But we were just observers.

Rayhel Melissa, who sat next to me because I could tolerate him better than everyone else, said just as softly. “This meeting will be the death of all of us, if we must sit here listening to this idiocy for much longer.” He wore similar gear, but his looked neater and his jacket was without the bulky, junk-filled pockets.

Dalton, on my other side, spoke to Rayhel without heat. “This meeting is where the money will come from to build a military to defend against the Terran invasions. Show some tolerance.”

“I can tolerate anything but human stupidity,” Rayhel shot back.

“No wonder you were going crazy, back on Terra,” Daniya murmured.

He gave her one of his icy stares.

“Why are you still on the Lythion, remind me?” Daniya added. “You’re a free man. Why aren’t you galloping across the Carinad worlds, dominating little people and making your fortune?”

“Worlds that are about to be swallowed whole by the Terrans,” Rayhel replied. He said it matter-of-factly.

“He’s going to stay where it’s safe, right next to the future commander-in-chief of the new military,” Dalton added dryly.

“Unlike most people, I am not stupid,” Rayhel said. “As soon as Kore Odile has his casus belli, the Terrans will come.”

Daniya glanced at me, startled. “That’s why you told Eliot Byrne to stop the wildcatters from jumping over to Terran space? To avoid giving them an excuse to declare war?” She grinned and pointed at the theatre, below, and said to Rayhel, “Maybe you should explain it to them. About the cause-belly thing.”

“They won’t listen to a Terran.” Rayhel’s tone was cold.

“It’s your disdain that offends them, not your origins,” Dalton said.

“Then Danny should explain it to them,” Rayhel said. “Her impatience will win their hearts over.”

I snorted amusement at the idea of standing in front of the politicians down there. “I just want my money, so I can get on with building a military.” I nodded at the people in the red seats. “And from the sound of it, there won’t be any money for years, yet.” I pulled out my pad and smoothed it out.


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