The Icarus Trilogy Series by Kevin Kauffmann

What would you consider freedom? For some, it's choosing their way to die.Murder of Crows is based in a not-so-far-flung universe where humanity did not reach the stars but instead found itself mired in corporate takeovers. Since interstellar travel was never developed, asteroids were towed into orbit around Earth and terraformed into smaller planets to deal with excess population. While most of the asteroids were designed for colonization, Eris was destined for constant commercial warfare... moreWhat would you consider freedom? For some, it's choosing their way to die.Murder of Crows is based in a not-so-far-flung universe where humanity did not reach the stars but instead found itself mired in corporate takeovers. Since interstellar travel was never developed, asteroids were towed into orbit around Earth and terraformed into smaller planets to deal with excess population. While most of the asteroids were designed for colonization, Eris was destined for constant commercial warfare. Most people just call it "War World" after their favorite show.In this new age of gladiatorial combat, the athletes are divided into teams and each person is cloned prior to the games. When they die, their consciousness and memories are transferred into new clones and the process begins all over again.What the rest of humanity doesn't realize is that each death and resurrection is incredibly painful and disorienting, let alone the monetary cost that is forced upon them.Rarely do any of them make it off the asteroid.Drawing on themes of grief, freedom and coping with an uncaring world, Murder of Crows tells the story of one of the best teams in the system, centering on the trauma these men and women experience as they die for public entertainment.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Author's note: As of June 14, 2016, Murder of Crows has been updated for a sixth time to deal with certain proofreading and editing missteps. It should be a much better read this time around. less

From Amazon:Phoenix Rising continues the story of Ryan Jenkins and his teammates from the Crows. They are slaves to a corporate system that uses death and resurrection as just another hidden fee; their pain the entertainment for the masses. Most people watch War World and just think it's the next best thing in sports.

The Eris Freedom Initiative brought Ryan Jenkins back to life to use him as propaganda. No one expected him to become the leader of a revolution.Two months after the events of Phoenix Rising, Earth and the seven remaining asteroids in orbit are divided in a bloody revolution. The Earth Freedom Initiative fights in the shadows and undermines the Trade Union at every turn, bolstered by the Fall of Eris and the leadership of Ryan Jenkins... moreThe Eris Freedom Initiative brought Ryan Jenkins back to life to use him as propaganda. No one expected him to become the leader of a revolution.Two months after the events of Phoenix Rising, Earth and the seven remaining asteroids in orbit are divided in a bloody revolution. The Earth Freedom Initiative fights in the shadows and undermines the Trade Union at every turn, bolstered by the Fall of Eris and the leadership of Ryan Jenkins.However, it seems Jasper Montgomery and his Trade Union still have the upper hand. The streets of Babylon are filled with EOSF officers and the media is controlled by the men in power. Without drastic changes and operations, the EFI will become just another failed insurgency. Ryan cannot let that happen.After all, he has an entire world to avenge.Swan Song is the last book in Kevin Kauffmann's Icarus Trilogy, concluding the tale of Ryan Jenkins and the soldiers from Eris. Focusing on themes of truth, perception and parenthood, the novel shows the last days of the war to free humanity.The only issue is living to see it happen. less