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If you have ever wanted to dive into a sprawling space opera that combines bounty hunting, advanced technology, and a galaxy full of mysteries, then The 28th Gate: Volume 1 by Christopher C. Dimond is a book that deserves a spot on your Kindle. This is the opening volume of an eight-book series that has captivated thousands of science fiction readers since its original publication in January 2018, and right now it is available completely free on Amazon UK.
The story follows Hunter, a bounty hunter operating in a far future where humanity has spread across the stars through a network of massive ring-shaped gates. Armed with a stolen experimental starship and a pair of advanced synthetic limbs, Hunter is no ordinary tracker. When he accepts a seemingly straightforward job on a backwater planet, he and his partner just need to locate a missing researcher. But when they find her, she has already fled a quarter of the way around the massive ring of twenty-seven gates, and Hunter quickly realises that the situation is far more complicated and dangerous than he was led to believe. What starts as a simple retrieval mission kicks off an escalating chain of adventures that pits Hunter against powerful corporations, hidden conspiracies, and threats that stretch back to the very fall of the Gate Age itself.
Fans of authors like John Scalzi, James S.A. Corey, and Peter F. Hamilton will feel right at home here. The book blends military science fiction action with classic space opera world-building, cyberpunk-style body modification, and a cast of quirky, memorable characters. Each volume in the series is structured almost like an episode of a television series, with self-contained story arcs that feed into the larger narrative. This episodic approach makes the books fast-paced and highly readable, and many readers report finishing the first volume in a single sitting. The action sequences are vivid, the tech is imaginative without being overwhelming, and the banter between characters keeps things entertaining throughout.
Christopher C. Dimond is a fascinating author whose diverse background shines through in his writing. He holds a doctorate and works as a biologist, and he also draws on his experiences as a fencer, martial artist, outdoorsman, and living history reenactor to bring authenticity and texture to his fictional worlds. His stories are fundamentally about hope in the midst of conflict, focusing on characters who fight to protect the people they care about. The 28th Gate series is his flagship work, spanning eight volumes that have collectively earned thousands of reviews from devoted readers.
On Amazon UK, The 28th Gate: Volume 1 has earned a solid 4.2-star rating from 2,395 reviews. For a self-published science fiction novel, that level of reader engagement is remarkable. The breakdown shows 49 percent of readers giving it five stars and 32 percent giving it four stars, meaning over 80 percent of readers rated it positively. Reviewers consistently praise the gripping pace, the inventive world-building, and the likeable characters. Many note that while the book has some rough edges typical of indie publishing, the sheer entertainment value and the strength of the storytelling more than make up for it. The series has a loyal following, with readers often describing it as one of those hidden gems that deserves far more mainstream attention.
This is a genuinely excellent freebie. The Kindle edition normally costs £1.99, and the paperback is priced at £11.47, so getting the digital version for nothing is solid value. According to price tracking data, this book has spent the vast majority of the last two years at its full price, with the current free promotion being a relatively rare event. The remaining seven volumes in the series are each priced at £3.99, so if the first book hooks you, there is plenty more to explore. Free drops on established series openers like this do not come along every day, and given the strong reviews and the quality of the writing, this is well worth downloading before the price goes back up.
