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The Redemption Trilogy #3
Pax Imperia
Commander Jonathan Radec has finally obtained everything he ever wanted in life. However, in a cruel twist of fate, just as he reaches out for his most heartfelt desire, it is torn from his grasp forever.
“For only he who has experienced ultimate happiness, can completely understand the deepest depths of absolute despair.”
Jon has always trusted those closest to him implicitly. It has long been his greatest strength, but one that his enemies have come to realise is also his ultimate weakness. For it is always those closest to you whose betrayal cuts the deepest.
In a horrific, pre-emptive strike at the very heart of the Imperium, the Senate is completely wiped out. In the aftermath of the attack, surrounded by the cries of the dead and dying, destiny once again reaches out its long arm, forcing Jon down a path he has long resisted. For, ever since the day he first set eyes upon Sofia, Jon has been destined to stand above all others.
As the last Emperor of the Imperium.
Jon has already fought through the very depths of hell itself and out the other side to save the ones he loves. Now, to save his family, he will gladly lay siege to the heavens themselves, for they tremble at his approach. As Jon not only commands the living, but also the dead, and they all want revenge against those who have taken everything from them.
Even if the rest of the Imperium must burn first.
The terrifying finale of the Redemption Trilogy. A Science Fiction adventure/romance, which tries to answer the question: “Can you ever find redemption for the mistakes of your past?”
“For only he who has experienced ultimate happiness, can completely understand the deepest depths of absolute despair.”
Jon has always trusted those closest to him implicitly. It has long been his greatest strength, but one that his enemies have come to realise is also his ultimate weakness. For it is always those closest to you whose betrayal cuts the deepest.
In a horrific, pre-emptive strike at the very heart of the Imperium, the Senate is completely wiped out. In the aftermath of the attack, surrounded by the cries of the dead and dying, destiny once again reaches out its long arm, forcing Jon down a path he has long resisted. For, ever since the day he first set eyes upon Sofia, Jon has been destined to stand above all others.
As the last Emperor of the Imperium.
Jon has already fought through the very depths of hell itself and out the other side to save the ones he loves. Now, to save his family, he will gladly lay siege to the heavens themselves, for they tremble at his approach. As Jon not only commands the living, but also the dead, and they all want revenge against those who have taken everything from them.
Even if the rest of the Imperium must burn first.
The terrifying finale of the Redemption Trilogy. A Science Fiction adventure/romance, which tries to answer the question: “Can you ever find redemption for the mistakes of your past?”
477 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2014
75 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Mike Smith
4 books63 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Mike Smith is 34 year old Project Manager. He has been writing stories for as long as he can remember having started with fan-fiction, before progressing to writing SciFi novels.
His debut novel The Last Praetorian, the first book of The Redemption Trilogy is now available on all good eBook stores.
He spends much of his free time, when not writing, playing with his children...really a full time job.
Mike Smith is 34 year old Project Manager. He has been writing stories for as long as he can remember having started with fan-fiction, before progressing to writing SciFi novels.
His debut novel The Last Praetorian, the first book of The Redemption Trilogy is now available on all good eBook stores.
He spends much of his free time, when not writing, playing with his children...really a full time job.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 27, 2016
This was the most difficult book in the trilogy for me to read. I started to read it, and then I spent the next month or so reading a bit more and then putting off reading any farther for days at a time because I couldn't bear to find out "what happens next"; and yet at the same time, I was compelled to read further in order to find out "what happens next". In summation, I had a very definite love-hate relationship with this book. What an awful dilemma!
I really commend Smith for the way he created characters one really invests in, as it was for only that reason that my heart was shattered at the beginning of the story, and purely for that reason that I kept on reading to find out how the story resolved. And the climax of this story was worth every moment of heartache that had come before. Fantastic stuff, and totally worthy of The Last Praetorian.
I won't say any more, because to do so would be to reveal plot points that are best kept under wraps. I will say this, though: the epilogue made me cry, dammit. The first book I've had tears in my eyes over since as long as I can remember.
I really commend Smith for the way he created characters one really invests in, as it was for only that reason that my heart was shattered at the beginning of the story, and purely for that reason that I kept on reading to find out how the story resolved. And the climax of this story was worth every moment of heartache that had come before. Fantastic stuff, and totally worthy of The Last Praetorian.
I won't say any more, because to do so would be to reveal plot points that are best kept under wraps. I will say this, though: the epilogue made me cry, dammit. The first book I've had tears in my eyes over since as long as I can remember.
March 20, 2015
Holy Moly, this was a ride and no mistake. We need a leader like Jon Radec here and now. A man who selflessly puts his own wants and needs aside for the greater good. A man who commits himself to doing the right thing no matter what the cost. A man who NEVER gives in to evil, blackmail or terrorist threats.
Mike Smith has ended the Redemption trilogy with another excellent novel. There are very few books I read where I almost feel as if I know the characters involved, it's as if they're my friends and when the story is finished, I feel a sense of loss when I realise I won't be able to read about them again. Then there are a few books I would put into the 'Not able to put down' category, this always sounded like an adertising tool to me but in order to read Pax Imperia, I found myself putting off other things - work, family time, breathing.
Compelling and emotionally charged, you must read this book.
Mike Smith has ended the Redemption trilogy with another excellent novel. There are very few books I read where I almost feel as if I know the characters involved, it's as if they're my friends and when the story is finished, I feel a sense of loss when I realise I won't be able to read about them again. Then there are a few books I would put into the 'Not able to put down' category, this always sounded like an adertising tool to me but in order to read Pax Imperia, I found myself putting off other things - work, family time, breathing.
Compelling and emotionally charged, you must read this book.
January 8, 2015
Great read
I got the first of these books in the kindle store for pretty cheap. Something about the synopsis made me think they could be good. Well I'm here to tell you that each book in this trilogy gets better than the last. Some might call the characters too stereotypical, but I enjoyed them anyway. The author throws his curveballs at you, and I for one, hadn't seen them coming. A very enjoyable read with characters I came to care about. Highly recommended even if you are not into military space epics, this was my first.
I got the first of these books in the kindle store for pretty cheap. Something about the synopsis made me think they could be good. Well I'm here to tell you that each book in this trilogy gets better than the last. Some might call the characters too stereotypical, but I enjoyed them anyway. The author throws his curveballs at you, and I for one, hadn't seen them coming. A very enjoyable read with characters I came to care about. Highly recommended even if you are not into military space epics, this was my first.
October 14, 2014
Total Change of Mind
The author because of his style of hiding his intent, really caught me with this ending. Plus by bring in the dead gave him a new slant to follow with his story. That is why I rated his 5 stars. Loved the way he let the reader write their own ending in their mind and then change it to his own direction. Thank you
The author because of his style of hiding his intent, really caught me with this ending. Plus by bring in the dead gave him a new slant to follow with his story. That is why I rated his 5 stars. Loved the way he let the reader write their own ending in their mind and then change it to his own direction. Thank you
May 25, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, the author does a good job of spinning a wonderful story. If you are one of those grammar nazis you might have trouble with this book but if you can rise above and dive into the story you are in for a wonderful ending to a great trilogy. My only complaint is I want more. Mike Smith if you read this, give me more.
December 25, 2014
With interesting plot twists, layers of mystery and cunning revelations, this book was very hard to put down once I started. The theme that Smith explores with the Redemption series implies an emotional roller-coaster, and he does not disappoint!
August 19, 2015
Great story
I give very high marks because I couldn't put it down. Story flowed so .well
I couldn't wait to read the next page. I think you will enjoy this book immensely and would suggest the series to all.
I give very high marks because I couldn't put it down. Story flowed so .well
I couldn't wait to read the next page. I think you will enjoy this book immensely and would suggest the series to all.
March 18, 2014
Holy crap
this book was a phenomenal ending to the trilogy. I started it at ten o'clock one night and couldn't put it down until I had finished it at 5 in the morning the next day
this book was a phenomenal ending to the trilogy. I started it at ten o'clock one night and couldn't put it down until I had finished it at 5 in the morning the next day
December 18, 2014
Ugggghhh I love this series!! But there's so many unanswered questions!
September 20, 2017
This is the third book in a series and, before you read this one, you need to read the first one titled The Last Praetorian (The Redemption Trilogy), which is currently free in the Kindle format. The first two books in the series were really good.
This third installment of the series was a little disappointing - while it had the usual action scenes it did seem like it was a repeat of the first two books with a catastrophic event, a kidnapping, a long struggle to rescue and save the day, a lot of repeats of past history while the characters were in a reflective mode, and an ending that makes you want to scream "b.s." There are a few gratuitous sex scenes that get a little too detailed that were unnecessary, as I think it is better to leave more to the imagination than to get into the intimate details page after page.
The author left the door open for a continuation of the series, but with the ending the way it was I'm going to wait a while to see what others' thoughts are in reviews before purchasing.
This third installment of the series was a little disappointing - while it had the usual action scenes it did seem like it was a repeat of the first two books with a catastrophic event, a kidnapping, a long struggle to rescue and save the day, a lot of repeats of past history while the characters were in a reflective mode, and an ending that makes you want to scream "b.s." There are a few gratuitous sex scenes that get a little too detailed that were unnecessary, as I think it is better to leave more to the imagination than to get into the intimate details page after page.
The author left the door open for a continuation of the series, but with the ending the way it was I'm going to wait a while to see what others' thoughts are in reviews before purchasing.
May 1, 2024
Good final book in series
Enjoyed this ending to the trilogy. While not preferring the ending it fit with the story. The main characters are great, the suspense was very strong throughout, and this was just a great story.
Enjoyed this ending to the trilogy. While not preferring the ending it fit with the story. The main characters are great, the suspense was very strong throughout, and this was just a great story.
July 2, 2021
Good SciFi
This is a well written piece of sci fi. The ending is weak and hard to accept, but the remainder is a great story of someone who see through all of the clutter and then does what must be done.
This is a well written piece of sci fi. The ending is weak and hard to accept, but the remainder is a great story of someone who see through all of the clutter and then does what must be done.
March 17, 2016
The story is good.
The writing has reverted to the quality of the first book of the trilogy, it is still in need of some better proofreading and editing. It is still good enough to keep me interested.
The story was good enough, and the writing style interesting enough, to keep me interested. I think reading this trilogy worthwhile. But I think the ending is unbelievable and needs some explanation. Maybe in another series set in the same universe?
Based on the story and the writing style I would have given five stars. Improve the writing and future books may rate that.
The writing has reverted to the quality of the first book of the trilogy, it is still in need of some better proofreading and editing. It is still good enough to keep me interested.
The story was good enough, and the writing style interesting enough, to keep me interested. I think reading this trilogy worthwhile. But I think the ending is unbelievable and needs some explanation. Maybe in another series set in the same universe?
Based on the story and the writing style I would have given five stars. Improve the writing and future books may rate that.
December 18, 2015
Terrible. As this series unfolded, each book seemed to take the bar lower than its predecessor. I would have stopped after the first, but of course, cliffhanger ending. Why do each of the strong female characters start to swoon every time Radec walks in? This whole series read like the worst sort of adolescent fantasy. Also (spoiler alert) exactly how did Radec reincarnate in the Epilogue? No explanation, no rational basis, just "and I'm back!" Setting up to write another series perhaps?
July 20, 2016
I loved this book until the end.
*Spoiler Alert*
I got the first book of this trilogy free or cheap and decided to give it a try. I loved it from the start. Each book getting better until the end of this book. Commander Radec managed to live through everything that he had ever gotten into. Then at the end he dies?! Only to have him reappear to Sofia. In a dream? Or he managed to come back from the dead?
*Spoiler Alert*
I got the first book of this trilogy free or cheap and decided to give it a try. I loved it from the start. Each book getting better until the end of this book. Commander Radec managed to live through everything that he had ever gotten into. Then at the end he dies?! Only to have him reappear to Sofia. In a dream? Or he managed to come back from the dead?
February 20, 2014
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and liked the second as well. This was good but not great. It moved the story along and brought things to a good conclusion. It just felt forced all the way through.
No gaping plot holes, no miscues, it just felt like more of the same over again...
No gaping plot holes, no miscues, it just felt like more of the same over again...
February 6, 2016
I have enjoyed this series, the story line is mostly well crafted. The editing of this volume, however, began to aggravate me. It needed a much more thorough proofreading before being published.
I felt that there were a couple of poorly handled plot holes, and this detracted from some of my enjoyment.
In whole, it was a good yarn, with plenty of action.
I felt that there were a couple of poorly handled plot holes, and this detracted from some of my enjoyment.
In whole, it was a good yarn, with plenty of action.
April 5, 2016
I don't know...
The last installment of the Redemption Trilogy is frustrating. The ridiculous flashbacks, Jon's constant morose and the soap opera approach to Jon and Sofia:s relationship. The climax of the book is either brilliant or a lazy way to end the book by inferring supernatural powers at work. I can hardly believe I managed to finish reading this book.
The last installment of the Redemption Trilogy is frustrating. The ridiculous flashbacks, Jon's constant morose and the soap opera approach to Jon and Sofia:s relationship. The climax of the book is either brilliant or a lazy way to end the book by inferring supernatural powers at work. I can hardly believe I managed to finish reading this book.
August 29, 2014
Sad but I still hold out hope...
Sad but I still hold out hope...
I knew Jon would have a son...Will little Marcus grow up not knowing his who his father really is. I want more...
Sad but I still hold out hope...
I knew Jon would have a son...Will little Marcus grow up not knowing his who his father really is. I want more...
October 4, 2014
Heroes and love
The whole series written with lots of action and unrequited love. Your heart breaks every time Jon and Sophia come thisclose to being together and are pulled apart for Jon's needs to save the galaxy. Loyalty, heroism and romance. What more can one ask of a book?
The whole series written with lots of action and unrequited love. Your heart breaks every time Jon and Sophia come thisclose to being together and are pulled apart for Jon's needs to save the galaxy. Loyalty, heroism and romance. What more can one ask of a book?
April 22, 2015
The book was good but not as good as the first two.
March 26, 2014
Inspiring
When I first downloaded the first book, I was pleasantly surprised how real his characters felt. His writing still was easy the read and descriptive. A really good read.
When I first downloaded the first book, I was pleasantly surprised how real his characters felt. His writing still was easy the read and descriptive. A really good read.
March 8, 2015
Excellent conclusion to an outstanding trilogy. Some good battle scenes and even a surprise or two along the way.
April 20, 2014
great ending
December 19, 2014
It was ok
It was Managua at times and I lost concentration. could still keep reading though. Can't submit her should not have bothered withthis
It was Managua at times and I lost concentration. could still keep reading though. Can't submit her should not have bothered withthis
November 7, 2015
Great
I fully recommend this hillbilly to anyone who likes a really well written space book that's not part of usual flow of the genre.
I fully recommend this hillbilly to anyone who likes a really well written space book that's not part of usual flow of the genre.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews