Some stories kick open the door to whole new worlds. Stolen Freedom: The Seed of a Legend (Book 1 of The Jackrabbit Series) by Tony Marks introduces readers to a harsh asteroid-mining colony and a young protagonist whose curiosity sparks a fight for liberation.
Born into indentured servitude on a remote asteroid, Jack’s life is measured in shifts and survival — until chance hands him a device that rewrites his fate.
Gritty, character-driven, and packed with heart, this is the beginning of a sweeping sci-fi saga about freedom, friendship, and the human side of technology.
Quick Look
Book title: Stolen Freedom : The Seed of a Legend
Author: Tony Marks
Genre: Sci-fi / Fantasy (The Jackrabbit Series)
Pages (Kindle print length): 269
Publication date: July 27, 2025
Where to get: Amazon | Paperback
In the depths of a remote asteroid mining colony, young Jack’s mundane existence is shattered when he witnesses a mysterious execution and recovers a strange device from the victim’s pocket. This single act of curiosity catapults him into an adventure beyond anything he could have imagined.
As Jack explores forgotten tunnels and discovers ancient technology, he forms an unlikely alliance with Aggie, a brilliant entity with secrets of her own. Together, they hatch a daring escape plan from the megacorporation’s brutal grip.
But when tragedy strikes, Jack must navigate a universe he never knew existed, full of both wonder and danger. With only his wits and his new companion to guide him, he embarks on a journey that will challenge everything he thought he knew about freedom, humanity, and himself.
In a world where artificial intelligence is hunted and corporations rule with iron fists, some treasures are worth any risk – and some freedoms cannot be stolen.
Why you should read it
- Character-led space opera with grounded worldbuilding.
- Explores corporate control, AI ethics, and resilience through a coming-of-age story.
- Ideal for readers who like Clarke, Heinlein, Herbert, or Iain M. Banks–influenced fiction.
Q&A with Tony Marks
Q: What is your book about and what inspired you to write this book?
A: I’ve been a fan of science fiction since childhood, and in my teens devoured the works of great authors in the genre like Arthur C Clarke, Robert Heinlein, Frank Herbert and more. More recently I was introduced to Iain M Banks, whose work I admire greatly. As such, it was natural that I would gravitate towards sci-fi when I decided to start writing myself. My inspiration was a confluence of current events technological and political. My protagonist, in the beginning, is partially autobiographical in many ways.
Q: When did you start writing, and what made you decide to publish this book?
A: I have had many ideas for stories over the years, but never created anything significant until Stolen Freedom. The fact that I’ve finally been able to create full works is in no small part thanks to the availability of LLM chat bots, which I use to help organise my thoughts and build out my universe. As an extraverted thinker, being able to externalise my ideas allows me to properly process them.
Q: Which character was the most fun—or most challenging—to write, and why?
A: Without a doubt, Jack was both the most fun and most challenging character to write in this book, mostly because of the care and time I’ve invested in trying to portray that he has ADHD without explicitly stating it. (As an aside, the character I enjoyed writing most so far is Burke, in the second book!)
Q: What themes or messages do you hope readers take away from your book?
A: Life and love prevail, even in the darkest times, and sometimes the most influential people in your life are those you meet along the way, however temporarily.
Q: Were there any real-life experiences that influenced your story or characters?
A: My own ADHD and deprived childhood underpins Jack’s personality and provided a lot of inspiration for how he would feel in various situations.
Q: What question do you wish readers would ask you about the book?
A: What happens next? (Read Wings of Freedom to find out!)
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or moment from the book you’d like to share?
A: My absolute favourite scene in book 1 is towards the end in the dockyard… No spoilers!
Q: What was the biggest challenge in writing or publishing it?
A: I started out exploring traditional publishing, but having been ghosted by a few agents, and following advice of others on Reddit, I decided to self-publish instead.
Q: What’s next for you as a writer?
A: Wings of Freedom (book 2) is already published. I’m currently redrafting book 3, have a draft of four, and a written arc for 5 (as well as some material for the very end of the series!)
Highlighted reviews
- “A gritty, heart-driven space opera with a protagonist you’ll root for.” – Amazon Reviewer
- “Marks blends believable tech with raw human stakes — an addictive first act.” – Amazon Reviewer
- “A brave coming-of-age in orbit; Jack is a character to remember.” — ARC Reviewer
About the author
Tony Marks is a British writer of grounded, character-driven science fiction. A long-time software-testing professional and digital QA manager, he combines a meticulous eye for detail with a fascination for the human side of technology. His debut novel Stolen Freedom begins the sweeping Jackrabbit series, a universe of corporate intrigue, artificial intelligence and daring spaceflight.
When he isn’t writing, Tony enjoys hands-on experimentation with everything from website design and interactive storytelling to 3-D modelling and coding – skills that inform the vivid settings and believable technology of his fiction. He currently lives in West Yorkshire.
🌐 Website: jackrabbit-series.com
Facebook: Tony Marks on Facebook
Buy paperback: books.by/aggiesfriend
Buy eBook: amzn.eu/d/5sqePqa
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