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Koban #3
Rise of the Kobani
The Kobani use captured Krall ships to return to Human Space. They seek expert training for their genetically modified fighters, modern weapons and new medical technology. There’s a possible block to this help, in the form of death penalty laws of the Planetary Union, prohibiting gene modifications of humans. A holdover from the Gene War, which nearly extinguished humanity.
A perilous descent through a war torn planet’s space defenses is a first step. A Krall ship and its heavily armed crew have to be destroyed on the ground, while a watching hostile Special Ops force decides if the Kobani should be trusted or killed. Fighting their way between a rock and a hard place, they prove they are a match for the Krall.
Exploration at home reveals startling alien neighbors, and a habitable world next door. A remarkable genetic discovery there will forever alter the Kobani. Winning allies, Captain Mirikami forges a bold and dangerous plan, to strike deep into the heart of Krall territory. A place the enemy is confident that puny “animals” can’t reach, let alone attack.
Simultaneous Kobani raids damage Krall war manufacturing, buying time for humanity. However, the Krall have a deadly ancient weapon that none expected. Retaliatory escalation of the war has been triggered, and if it doesn’t go as the Krall plan, entire planets and their populations could be shattered.
A perilous descent through a war torn planet’s space defenses is a first step. A Krall ship and its heavily armed crew have to be destroyed on the ground, while a watching hostile Special Ops force decides if the Kobani should be trusted or killed. Fighting their way between a rock and a hard place, they prove they are a match for the Krall.
Exploration at home reveals startling alien neighbors, and a habitable world next door. A remarkable genetic discovery there will forever alter the Kobani. Winning allies, Captain Mirikami forges a bold and dangerous plan, to strike deep into the heart of Krall territory. A place the enemy is confident that puny “animals” can’t reach, let alone attack.
Simultaneous Kobani raids damage Krall war manufacturing, buying time for humanity. However, the Krall have a deadly ancient weapon that none expected. Retaliatory escalation of the war has been triggered, and if it doesn’t go as the Krall plan, entire planets and their populations could be shattered.
First published October 2, 2013
74 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Stephen W. Bennett
11 books271 followersI was born in 1942, so I'm an autumn rather than a spring chicken. I live outside of Tampa, Florida with my fabulous wife Anita, and one son in college, Montana. I have three older boys, Mark, Gary, and Anthony, all of whom have married and presented us with terrific grandchildren.
My education gravitated to science, starting out as a physics major and my depression era folks told me I'd never make a living as a theoretical physicist (probably right, and Cosmology wasn't a career field then), so I moved to Electronics Engineering. I devoted (was drafted into) service for the US Army, and caring not a whit for my electronics background, they offered this draftee a job as an Air Traffic Controller. Cool new career field. Retired, I now work as a consultant for the FAA, supporting software I helped create.
I decided to try my hand at writing what I loved to read, Science Fiction. The Koban Series has established my unusually successful entry into SciFi as an indie author. 11 books at last count, and at least two more in my mind.
My education gravitated to science, starting out as a physics major and my depression era folks told me I'd never make a living as a theoretical physicist (probably right, and Cosmology wasn't a career field then), so I moved to Electronics Engineering. I devoted (was drafted into) service for the US Army, and caring not a whit for my electronics background, they offered this draftee a job as an Air Traffic Controller. Cool new career field. Retired, I now work as a consultant for the FAA, supporting software I helped create.
I decided to try my hand at writing what I loved to read, Science Fiction. The Koban Series has established my unusually successful entry into SciFi as an indie author. 11 books at last count, and at least two more in my mind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 28, 2018
Another satisfying 4.5, why not a five well...........I find the Krall becoming less intimidating...........
A very, very, stunning and full of surprises third book, just when you think, Us humans can not top having ripper telepathy, infrared sight, and all the recent gene mods, now comes age regression, now who would not want that??? Again goes to show, in adversity, human ingenuity conquers all.......without spilling anything, well let us just say, FINALLY we can fight back, and this time win convincingly...........
Again Krall's supposedly invincibility, and their EGO, this will be their downfall, they are so used to winning that, any effort to grow has disappeared and instead they stagnate, well this third book just made them vulnerable and basically indolent..........
Exciting, truly exciting times ahead, I can not wait for any new developments, gene modifications, tech upgrades........this series just keep on flying higher!!!!!!!
A very, very, stunning and full of surprises third book, just when you think, Us humans can not top having ripper telepathy, infrared sight, and all the recent gene mods, now comes age regression, now who would not want that??? Again goes to show, in adversity, human ingenuity conquers all.......without spilling anything, well let us just say, FINALLY we can fight back, and this time win convincingly...........
Again Krall's supposedly invincibility, and their EGO, this will be their downfall, they are so used to winning that, any effort to grow has disappeared and instead they stagnate, well this third book just made them vulnerable and basically indolent..........
Exciting, truly exciting times ahead, I can not wait for any new developments, gene modifications, tech upgrades........this series just keep on flying higher!!!!!!!
October 6, 2013
Book 3 starts out right where Book 2 left off and throws us into the action headlong into the continuation of the Koban series.
This book focuses almost entirely on the Kobani raiders and the various characters they interact with. This is a change from the last book where the Kobani were the main players for only half the novel and it sets up the next book to deal with all the changes and reactions that the Kobani are leaving in their wake.
As my title states the book can almost be titled "Better living through aliens" because we find that in truth many of the so called advanced species benefited from the Olt'kapi interactions. Humanity has now created the Kobani race with alien help which seems to have shifted them into a different evolutionary direction as much as outside intervention ever could. The hints and shifts this has created is astonishing and is likely to lead toward interesting things.
The author in the last book built the universe that the Kobani are now accessing and by showing the "point of the Spear" we are getting the feel for the shape of the war to come. The stakes have been raised and all the players are entering the field as it were leading to some kind of final countdown. The twists in the story have allowed all of our characters to equalize. All of them now stand in the crossfire and might step-up to be killed, lead, fail, or fade into the background. Mr. Bennett has managed to produce an excellent end point to this novel and leave open the possibilities of what is to come.
The story isn't hampered by the limited points of view and successfully expands the universe while only using the main Kobani people as fulcrums. We successfully learned not only more about the characters and who they are but the worlds and races that exist as well. The Krall's history is offered up expanding upon and possibly identifying weaknesses and problems they can cause for humanity down the line. I will say that while we didn't learn any new information about how Krall society works his twist on their empire itself was a pleasant surprise I didn't see coming. In fact at this point I'm wondering just how many clans (great and finger) there are scattered in their empire.
The only reason I wouldn't put the story at 5 stars is that I believe the author could have condensed the story a bit to improve the flow without losing content. Since the book is self-published it is an amazing independent work but I have a feeling that a good editor would polish it up a little and make it shine.
I was baffled and pleased by the last line of the book, because it seems to go against the final scene but we obviously have a hint that "things may not be what they appear".
gallandro
This book focuses almost entirely on the Kobani raiders and the various characters they interact with. This is a change from the last book where the Kobani were the main players for only half the novel and it sets up the next book to deal with all the changes and reactions that the Kobani are leaving in their wake.
As my title states the book can almost be titled "Better living through aliens" because we find that in truth many of the so called advanced species benefited from the Olt'kapi interactions. Humanity has now created the Kobani race with alien help which seems to have shifted them into a different evolutionary direction as much as outside intervention ever could. The hints and shifts this has created is astonishing and is likely to lead toward interesting things.
The author in the last book built the universe that the Kobani are now accessing and by showing the "point of the Spear" we are getting the feel for the shape of the war to come. The stakes have been raised and all the players are entering the field as it were leading to some kind of final countdown. The twists in the story have allowed all of our characters to equalize. All of them now stand in the crossfire and might step-up to be killed, lead, fail, or fade into the background. Mr. Bennett has managed to produce an excellent end point to this novel and leave open the possibilities of what is to come.
The story isn't hampered by the limited points of view and successfully expands the universe while only using the main Kobani people as fulcrums. We successfully learned not only more about the characters and who they are but the worlds and races that exist as well. The Krall's history is offered up expanding upon and possibly identifying weaknesses and problems they can cause for humanity down the line. I will say that while we didn't learn any new information about how Krall society works his twist on their empire itself was a pleasant surprise I didn't see coming. In fact at this point I'm wondering just how many clans (great and finger) there are scattered in their empire.
The only reason I wouldn't put the story at 5 stars is that I believe the author could have condensed the story a bit to improve the flow without losing content. Since the book is self-published it is an amazing independent work but I have a feeling that a good editor would polish it up a little and make it shine.
I was baffled and pleased by the last line of the book, because it seems to go against the final scene but we obviously have a hint that "things may not be what they appear".
gallandro
October 7, 2013
This is an amazing series and I would recommend this anyone who likes Sci-Fi. I cannot believe that this self published author has not been picked up by a publisher. Personally, I'm sorta glad that he has not. Publishers will make him slow down how fast he puts out his books. Right now he is averaging a book every 6 months. I can't wait until the 4th books comes out.
February 8, 2017
Continued good storytelling!
I am fully immersed in this world now, and I find myself rooting for certain things, and wishing for others.
The biggest problem I can think of in this book, and series, is that the individual people have become rather flat. When I think of my favorite books and stories of all time, it's the individual characters that I love most. Even my favorite hard sci-fi stories revolve around interesting and memorable personalities.
The other problem is lack of editing. The word 'disdain' is consistently misspelled, and lose/loose and choose/chose are frequently used incorrectly. That should be easily fixed.
In spite of these issues, I have found myself engrossed, and transported into a fun world of exciting fiction. And these books are not short! Over twelve hours of enjoyment apiece.
I look forward to more.
I am fully immersed in this world now, and I find myself rooting for certain things, and wishing for others.
The biggest problem I can think of in this book, and series, is that the individual people have become rather flat. When I think of my favorite books and stories of all time, it's the individual characters that I love most. Even my favorite hard sci-fi stories revolve around interesting and memorable personalities.
The other problem is lack of editing. The word 'disdain' is consistently misspelled, and lose/loose and choose/chose are frequently used incorrectly. That should be easily fixed.
In spite of these issues, I have found myself engrossed, and transported into a fun world of exciting fiction. And these books are not short! Over twelve hours of enjoyment apiece.
I look forward to more.
March 21, 2017
I read this shortly after it came out on my Kindle. I couldn't download the story line fast enough and having to wait for the next book in the series was terrible! I don't know how I missed doing a review of Book #3. Loved it and look forward to each and every story.
February 23, 2019
It's all in the title. The Kobani fight back.
I don't want to spoil the book so all I can say is the odds are still against them, and there are some surprises. The battles were a little confusing but not because of the author. Battles on multiple fronts can be confusing and that's the nature of war.
There were very few spelling mistakes. Everything was readable and the science and combat flowed at a good pace. It was really interesting to read the stories of all the alien races. There are moral dilemmas that grab my attention and really make me think.
If parents are concerned, there is no sex in the book. There's one part that hints at it without describing anything. There is a lot of violence and a bit of sexual humor which I don't find funny. There is also very little swearing, if any.
Sometimes it can be hard to remember all the names and who lived or died. Sometimes the author might use a character's last name then switch to first, or vice versa, so that can be confusing. But the character list in back is helpful. But I would have liked a way to remember all the ship names that were mentioned.
The aliens and their social customs are fleshed out very well.
People sometimes say this book is sexist but I don't think so. Men are stronger on average so would be more likely to fight the Krall.
I would give it an age 15+ rating.
I don't want to spoil the book so all I can say is the odds are still against them, and there are some surprises. The battles were a little confusing but not because of the author. Battles on multiple fronts can be confusing and that's the nature of war.
There were very few spelling mistakes. Everything was readable and the science and combat flowed at a good pace. It was really interesting to read the stories of all the alien races. There are moral dilemmas that grab my attention and really make me think.
If parents are concerned, there is no sex in the book. There's one part that hints at it without describing anything. There is a lot of violence and a bit of sexual humor which I don't find funny. There is also very little swearing, if any.
Sometimes it can be hard to remember all the names and who lived or died. Sometimes the author might use a character's last name then switch to first, or vice versa, so that can be confusing. But the character list in back is helpful. But I would have liked a way to remember all the ship names that were mentioned.
The aliens and their social customs are fleshed out very well.
People sometimes say this book is sexist but I don't think so. Men are stronger on average so would be more likely to fight the Krall.
I would give it an age 15+ rating.
March 2, 2016
In my opinion this was a great book. It had plenty of the elements that I really like in a good science fiction book. A nice bunch of likable heroes, some nasty alien adversaries, quite a few wow moments where the heroes show their capabilities, some good fighting and a few interesting twists in the story.
The Krall are continuing on their “Grand Path” but, obviously, the humans and especially the Kobanis, are not really playing along. After all the intent of the Kralls are the extinction if mankind so I guess it is somewhat understandable that the humans, whether they are genetically modified humans or not, have little desire to play the Krall game.
Our heroes find a few allies along the road. Both human and not so human ones. I found these parts of the book quite nice. It is not just that the humans finds some aliens with a grudge towards the Krall but the author have created a interesting story around said aliens and some of them are a wee bit reluctant to enter the human “crusade” against the Krall for reasons that I might not entirely agree with but are still rather understandable.
As I wrote in the title of this post, our heroes, are dealing out some serious surprises and pain to the Kralls. The human (Kobani) capabilities are being enhanced at a rather exponential rate. This is something that sometimes feels like a cheap plot element but here, in my opinion, the author has done a decent job of it. It ties nicely into the overall story and the various sub-element of it.
Naturally there would be little suspense if our heroes and the humans in general would just roll over the Kralls and obviously this is not what happens. The big “cliffhanger” in this book is how the Krall will respond and what secret weapon they will actually deploy. There are some hints in the book and I have to say that I am looking forward to the next book even though I do not really like cliffhangers.
Overall this was a very enjoyable read. Just my cup of tea. The only reason I did not start to read the next book right away (it is bought and sitting on my hard drive) is that, after three science fiction books in a row, I felt like a detour into urban fantasy land was called for. So after my latest adventure into the world of the Elemental Assassin series I will definitely get back to the Koban Series.
By the way, this is not a small novella. At over 500 pages it is really god value for money and the fact that, in my personal opinion, it is a really good book makes it a very worthwhile “investment”.
The Krall are continuing on their “Grand Path” but, obviously, the humans and especially the Kobanis, are not really playing along. After all the intent of the Kralls are the extinction if mankind so I guess it is somewhat understandable that the humans, whether they are genetically modified humans or not, have little desire to play the Krall game.
Our heroes find a few allies along the road. Both human and not so human ones. I found these parts of the book quite nice. It is not just that the humans finds some aliens with a grudge towards the Krall but the author have created a interesting story around said aliens and some of them are a wee bit reluctant to enter the human “crusade” against the Krall for reasons that I might not entirely agree with but are still rather understandable.
As I wrote in the title of this post, our heroes, are dealing out some serious surprises and pain to the Kralls. The human (Kobani) capabilities are being enhanced at a rather exponential rate. This is something that sometimes feels like a cheap plot element but here, in my opinion, the author has done a decent job of it. It ties nicely into the overall story and the various sub-element of it.
Naturally there would be little suspense if our heroes and the humans in general would just roll over the Kralls and obviously this is not what happens. The big “cliffhanger” in this book is how the Krall will respond and what secret weapon they will actually deploy. There are some hints in the book and I have to say that I am looking forward to the next book even though I do not really like cliffhangers.
Overall this was a very enjoyable read. Just my cup of tea. The only reason I did not start to read the next book right away (it is bought and sitting on my hard drive) is that, after three science fiction books in a row, I felt like a detour into urban fantasy land was called for. So after my latest adventure into the world of the Elemental Assassin series I will definitely get back to the Koban Series.
By the way, this is not a small novella. At over 500 pages it is really god value for money and the fact that, in my personal opinion, it is a really good book makes it a very worthwhile “investment”.
August 20, 2015
I really liked the first book. The second book was also quite OK. But I cannot be silent any longer - this is going downhill pretty fast. The author is obviously being paid based on how many pages he writes, nevermind that 50% of the text is completely useless. I'm really tired of Maggi Fisher and her not-really-funny jokes, which don't advance the plot in any way! I'm also tired of the obvious explanations - and also of the explanations of made up things. Why, why, why?? I don't need to believe in author's imagined mechanisms for aging reversion, that's what suspension of disbelief is for! Although in this case it's hard to keep it up. How does making every persion in the book young and sexy help the story? It just makes what started as a good SF drama into a feel-good soap opera where everybody lives happily ever after. And it's the bad kind of feel-good, like Barbie or pink unicorns, not at all like, say, Heinlein's The Door into Summer. How did we get from "oh, sh*t, humanity is going to get it" to this? It's like Diana Gabaldon in reverse - where she keeps finding new improbable sources of drama just to make more money, here everything goes improbably easy, with first contact situations ala Star Trek TNG and human politics ala... well, Star Trek TNG. Just by completely removing Maggi Fisher the story would be much improved and the author would free up enough space to make these very flat aspects deeper and more believable.
Otherwise, there are some excellent plot components, like the various imaginative Krall weapons and the Koban fauna - way to go, Mr.Bennett! Ceterum autem censeo Maggi Fisher esse delendam.
Otherwise, there are some excellent plot components, like the various imaginative Krall weapons and the Koban fauna - way to go, Mr.Bennett! Ceterum autem censeo Maggi Fisher esse delendam.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2016
As I've now finished all the books up to date I thought I'd come back and write a few thoughts and comments.
In my humble opinion this book was perhaps the most frustrating in the series to the point where I almost gave up....
Maggie kills me. She's an insensitive b!&%$ but everyone still likes her? She hits guys in the balls for no other reason than them beating her in an argument or teasing her back. WHO THE HELL DOES THIS??? I would deck a woman if she tried to do that to me on a regular basis even if she was the same age as my grandmother.
The banter in this book is still terrible. In some ways, worse than ever before (I will say though that it does improve in the next two books, hang in there).
I feel like at this point in the series the author is still incapable of writing scenes that not much happens. Everything always feels weirdly unnatural and prose. Like it's being staged, rather than a real conversation. Again this does hugely improve later.
Finally, some of the plot stuff...
****Spoiler below****
Maggie and Tet... What? Why are you doing this?
**** Spoiler end****
Some of the other major plot developments just tend to spring out of nowhere.
In conclusion, I feel that this series still holds masses of promise and is an interesting premise. Haven't read anything quite like it. After this book the series improves, I promise. Stick with it. I think Stephen really grows as an author in the next book and I look forward to seeing his work for many more years.
In my humble opinion this book was perhaps the most frustrating in the series to the point where I almost gave up....
Maggie kills me. She's an insensitive b!&%$ but everyone still likes her? She hits guys in the balls for no other reason than them beating her in an argument or teasing her back. WHO THE HELL DOES THIS??? I would deck a woman if she tried to do that to me on a regular basis even if she was the same age as my grandmother.
The banter in this book is still terrible. In some ways, worse than ever before (I will say though that it does improve in the next two books, hang in there).
I feel like at this point in the series the author is still incapable of writing scenes that not much happens. Everything always feels weirdly unnatural and prose. Like it's being staged, rather than a real conversation. Again this does hugely improve later.
Finally, some of the plot stuff...
****Spoiler below****
Maggie and Tet... What? Why are you doing this?
**** Spoiler end****
Some of the other major plot developments just tend to spring out of nowhere.
In conclusion, I feel that this series still holds masses of promise and is an interesting premise. Haven't read anything quite like it. After this book the series improves, I promise. Stick with it. I think Stephen really grows as an author in the next book and I look forward to seeing his work for many more years.
August 27, 2016
Stephen Bennett's 'Koban' series is a mixed bag that is guilty pleasure entertaining at the same time; the world-building is terrific, with a panorama of interesting alien species and human politics. The genetic engineering and (semi) hard science flavoring add two layers of believability to the mythology. And the humans-vs-reptilian-predators story should appeal to any SF fan who loves space wars.
Where Bennett stumbles is in three areas: dialog, character building, and repetitive 'head-switching' (point of view swapping). The characters' speaking voices feel flat, and their conversations seem wooden and awkward. Then there is the head-switching, where the narration sometimes switches abruptly within a few paragraphs.
For me, the benchmark of epic world-building AND compelling characterization is the 'Hyperion' series by Dan Simmons, followed by 'Startide Rising' by David Brin. Bennett's Koban series ranks perhaps two notches below those.
Don't get me wrong: this book and the rest of the Koban series are very good and extremely entertaining. Just expect that some parts will drag, and that the world-building will be the good stuff that makes the read worthwhile. If you are looking for a fun space operas filled with space battles and military combat, this will definitely feed your appetite.
p.s. I think the Koban series is self-published, because there are several typos and spelling errors throughout the book.
Where Bennett stumbles is in three areas: dialog, character building, and repetitive 'head-switching' (point of view swapping). The characters' speaking voices feel flat, and their conversations seem wooden and awkward. Then there is the head-switching, where the narration sometimes switches abruptly within a few paragraphs.
For me, the benchmark of epic world-building AND compelling characterization is the 'Hyperion' series by Dan Simmons, followed by 'Startide Rising' by David Brin. Bennett's Koban series ranks perhaps two notches below those.
Don't get me wrong: this book and the rest of the Koban series are very good and extremely entertaining. Just expect that some parts will drag, and that the world-building will be the good stuff that makes the read worthwhile. If you are looking for a fun space operas filled with space battles and military combat, this will definitely feed your appetite.
p.s. I think the Koban series is self-published, because there are several typos and spelling errors throughout the book.
February 12, 2016
This series continues to be an excellent page turner. In this installment, the people of Koban "come back from the dead" and make contacts back in human space - specifically with special ops types that are receptive to the Kobani gene mods that human politicians are not ready to support even though they desperately need them. The Krall continue to slowly push humans off of their worlds - the pace of their choosing since this furthers their trip along "the great path".
In this installment, we also get to make contact with several of the slave races of the Krall - and learn a lot of useful things in the process.
Finally, the Kobani, armed with the training from special ops allies, knowledge from allied aliens, and cool new tech from both, take the fight to the Krall, putting a dent in their war-making capability while building their own. We also discover the existence of a planet-killer weapon that the Krall may use to destroy human occupied worlds - Earth is mentioned.
Which leads to the next installment in the series - Shattered Worlds - which sounds ominous. Will be starting that after a brief diversion.
In this installment, we also get to make contact with several of the slave races of the Krall - and learn a lot of useful things in the process.
Finally, the Kobani, armed with the training from special ops allies, knowledge from allied aliens, and cool new tech from both, take the fight to the Krall, putting a dent in their war-making capability while building their own. We also discover the existence of a planet-killer weapon that the Krall may use to destroy human occupied worlds - Earth is mentioned.
Which leads to the next installment in the series - Shattered Worlds - which sounds ominous. Will be starting that after a brief diversion.
April 11, 2016
Okay, this one went on the "Did not Fishing" shelf. Oh, why? Well, because it is just starting to get ridiculous with the amount of things the humans are able to do now. So they genetically modified themselves and, after saying to would take a few generations, have been able to slice and dice their own selves into genetic modifications. Now, every time they come across something they want, they slice and dice again. The final straw was they are no longer going to die of old age! Really? Sure. Next, they'll have heat vision and x-ray glasses. Oh, wait, those are in the suits they had made.
After all is said and done I will say the author tries to tie it all up and gives good explanations about everything, but we are still falling short for there appears to be no real content edit to find the repetitive wording or other things that can ruin a well thought out theme/plot.
Please, get a good content editor, and stop making old woman slap men in the genitals. Some of the things just became too much to read on a continual basis.
After all is said and done I will say the author tries to tie it all up and gives good explanations about everything, but we are still falling short for there appears to be no real content edit to find the repetitive wording or other things that can ruin a well thought out theme/plot.
Please, get a good content editor, and stop making old woman slap men in the genitals. Some of the things just became too much to read on a continual basis.
September 27, 2016
Surprisingly fun, entertaining and addictive. I had finished Book 1 more than a year ago, and was eagerly anticipating finishing off the rest of the series after a suitable waiting period, waiting for some new releases to make it "binge-worthy".
Within my Reading Schematics, this series belongs in the "Science Fiction, Space Opera, Unknown Author" bookshelf. I think that as long as one sets this series in a proper context/bucket, and sets a proper level of expectation, this series can clear it by a considerable margin. Not quite the "Martian" level, but close.
The quality of the future pseudo-science/technology is high, as are the battle scenes, both space and terrestrial. Some parts can be a bit tedious - too much technical detail - but you can fast-read or skip them, safe in the knowledge that the financial cost of doing that is negligible. For me, the books were free via Kindle Unlimited. That is great value.
Within my Reading Schematics, this series belongs in the "Science Fiction, Space Opera, Unknown Author" bookshelf. I think that as long as one sets this series in a proper context/bucket, and sets a proper level of expectation, this series can clear it by a considerable margin. Not quite the "Martian" level, but close.
The quality of the future pseudo-science/technology is high, as are the battle scenes, both space and terrestrial. Some parts can be a bit tedious - too much technical detail - but you can fast-read or skip them, safe in the knowledge that the financial cost of doing that is negligible. For me, the books were free via Kindle Unlimited. That is great value.
May 5, 2015
Book 3 in the series.
We're finally pushing the action along. The Kobani are getting up in the Kral's face and showing them that humanity can punch back.
The author still has a severe problem with explaining things twice. First, from the POV character's perspective, and then a couple pages later when the POV character is talking to the supporting cast. The first section really needs to hit the cutting room floor.
I'm not sure if this was always the author's intent, but it feels like new technology is being invented to prolong the major characters' usefulness in the narrative.
Final thoughts... way too much foreshadowing of things in the next book. Some foreshadowing = good. Every event in the final third of this book was covered in foreshadowing. Unnecessary.
We're finally pushing the action along. The Kobani are getting up in the Kral's face and showing them that humanity can punch back.
The author still has a severe problem with explaining things twice. First, from the POV character's perspective, and then a couple pages later when the POV character is talking to the supporting cast. The first section really needs to hit the cutting room floor.
I'm not sure if this was always the author's intent, but it feels like new technology is being invented to prolong the major characters' usefulness in the narrative.
Final thoughts... way too much foreshadowing of things in the next book. Some foreshadowing = good. Every event in the final third of this book was covered in foreshadowing. Unnecessary.
February 2, 2016
Well the real war has began at last, this is a really good addition to the series. In it was see the start of the alliance that is gearing up to take the fight to the Krall and who doesn't want giant crabs and lemurs around. I think this book we finally get to see the real combat difference between the Krall and the Kobani's in a real first not just a quick storming of a ship and we get to see one of our early enemies with the tables turned on them. I would recommend it to anyone that was wanting a read and a great story.
February 19, 2015
A great story keeps on going. Believable characters with consistent behaviours. The two dimensional villains are still there, which has been somewhat refreshing.
My only gripes are the multitude of typos and mid chapter cliffhangers. I highly suggest a better editor or more proofreaders.
Btw, if it means I get to read your books early, I volunteer to proofread it.
My only gripes are the multitude of typos and mid chapter cliffhangers. I highly suggest a better editor or more proofreaders.
Btw, if it means I get to read your books early, I volunteer to proofread it.
September 4, 2015
Third in the series. At this point I'm not sure where he goes with the series. I do love the characters and can't help but just keep reading. Although I am wearing out of the back and forth nature of the war. Feelings like watching a really long game of Ping Pong. Also, don't see any surprises coming really. But this is good story tellling.
November 15, 2015
Great Science Fiction Series
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in the series. The book is well balanced between the key character relationships to the tactics and strategies employed in their fight against the Krall. I highly recommend this book as part of the ongoing series.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in the series. The book is well balanced between the key character relationships to the tactics and strategies employed in their fight against the Krall. I highly recommend this book as part of the ongoing series.
January 3, 2014
I've been dying to read this! Finally it's out - I'll have to wait until after final exams to start, because I know I will get sucked in! Excellent sci-fi adventure! Can not wait to read the next installment! I want some gene-mods too!
January 30, 2015
Excelent book! great follow up for the other ones, keeps getting better and better, the development of the races and the Kobani is great, not the super humans in a jump, it is gradual evolution that makes it feel a good evolution on the narrative. wainting for the next book!.
March 22, 2016
This one took longer for me because of the future technology and aliens descriptions. They have to be explained, but if you're not into tech it slows it down in the middle of the book. It speeds back up with the action.
December 15, 2016
Great book series! I tend to review after reading all available in series. One or Two of the books tend to struggle and drag on but over all its a great series. Its not really much for in depth character development. However if you like Scifi and action at all. You Will like this series.
April 23, 2015
Simply love it, fast and furious action and a great back story :-)
April 9, 2019
The only thing that kept me going for 70% of this book were the chapters/scenes involving the other alien species, but even then I could not finish this book.
January 26, 2014
Can't wait for the next book!
August 3, 2014
Awesome series!!! Can't wait for #4
December 24, 2014
I have almost read the series back t back now. still great!
March 21, 2016
I'm really enjoying this series.
Looking forward to the next one.
Looking forward to the next one.
January 19, 2016
So, it's not really a 3 star book but no half marks. And it's not a 4 star book.
Generally a very good continuation of the story.
The Kobani begin engagements against the Krall in secret after contacting various Human colonies to feel them out about gene mods.
Solid story there. The author moves the story forward for Kobani and Human both as well as the Krall and some of the slave races. Interesting things happen and terrifying discoveries are made. It ends with a minor cliffhanger.
All good things.
But... (_|_)...
The gender based hijinks and one upswomanship and whatnot, which has been a weak point all along has gotten very annoying. In the first book it was an interesting premise for a societal change brought about by the perceived damage caused by one gender. Cool. But, it's getting old now. I suspect it won't be gone by the next book so, I'll have to suck it up since I will be reading the next book.
Also, the author's use of dialog to do exposition is a bit heavy in this offering. Seemed like a lot of talking just to accomplish a few things. Which, i suppose, is just life in art. Still, seemed a bit talky.
So, the rating aside, this was a solid story and I look forward to the next book.
You're my boy, Blue!
Generally a very good continuation of the story.
The Kobani begin engagements against the Krall in secret after contacting various Human colonies to feel them out about gene mods.
Solid story there. The author moves the story forward for Kobani and Human both as well as the Krall and some of the slave races. Interesting things happen and terrifying discoveries are made. It ends with a minor cliffhanger.
All good things.
But... (_|_)...
The gender based hijinks and one upswomanship and whatnot, which has been a weak point all along has gotten very annoying. In the first book it was an interesting premise for a societal change brought about by the perceived damage caused by one gender. Cool. But, it's getting old now. I suspect it won't be gone by the next book so, I'll have to suck it up since I will be reading the next book.
Also, the author's use of dialog to do exposition is a bit heavy in this offering. Seemed like a lot of talking just to accomplish a few things. Which, i suppose, is just life in art. Still, seemed a bit talky.
So, the rating aside, this was a solid story and I look forward to the next book.
You're my boy, Blue!
March 13, 2023
Very good story. In its best moments it reminds a bit about Brin's uplift universe. But the writing is sometimes a little too rigid. Doesn't matter so much, however, because the good outweighs the bad . Very interesting Aliens. Recommended for all sci-fi space opera fans.
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