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Sten #4
Fleet of the Damned
Sten's luck was finally running out.
He had barely scraped through Imperial flight school when he was assigned a tacdivision in the Fringe Worlds, where the Imperial officers were more concerned with the perfect fit of their dress whites than with honing their fighting skills.
The enemy Tahn couldn't have picked a better time or place to launch their long-planned attack against the Empire. Sten and his men were outgunned, outmanned, and outfought -- and no reinforcements could be expected from the besieged Eternal Emperor.
It looked like Sten's number was up. But if he had to go, he didn't intend to go alone...
The Sten
Sten
The Wolf Worlds
The Court of a Thousand Suns
Fleet of the Damned
Revenge of the Damned
He had barely scraped through Imperial flight school when he was assigned a tacdivision in the Fringe Worlds, where the Imperial officers were more concerned with the perfect fit of their dress whites than with honing their fighting skills.
The enemy Tahn couldn't have picked a better time or place to launch their long-planned attack against the Empire. Sten and his men were outgunned, outmanned, and outfought -- and no reinforcements could be expected from the besieged Eternal Emperor.
It looked like Sten's number was up. But if he had to go, he didn't intend to go alone...
The Sten
Sten
The Wolf Worlds
The Court of a Thousand Suns
Fleet of the Damned
Revenge of the Damned
340 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
21 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Allan Cole
80 books65 followersAllan Cole was an American author and television writer, who wrote or co-wrote nearly thirty books.The son of a CIA operative, Cole was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. He collaborated with Chris Bunch on the Sten science fiction series, as well the Far Kingdoms Series, and the historical novels, A Reckoning For Kings and Daughter Of Liberty.
He co-authored a non-fiction book A Cop's Life with his uncle, Thomas Grubb; and a fantasy novel Lords Of Terror with Russian author Nick Perumov.His solo books include the fantasy novels that make up the Timura Trilogy and the thrillers, Dying Good and Drowned Hopes.
He sold more than a hundred television episodes, including ones for Quincy, M.E., The Rockford Files, The Incredible Hulk, Dinosaucers, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Magnum, P.I., Werewolf, and Walker, Texas Ranger.
He was also a Los Angeles newspaper editor and investigative reporter for 14 years.
Cole was married to Chris Bunch's sister, Kathryn. He died of cancer in Boca Raton, Florida, aged 75, on March 29, 2019.
He co-authored a non-fiction book A Cop's Life with his uncle, Thomas Grubb; and a fantasy novel Lords Of Terror with Russian author Nick Perumov.His solo books include the fantasy novels that make up the Timura Trilogy and the thrillers, Dying Good and Drowned Hopes.
He sold more than a hundred television episodes, including ones for Quincy, M.E., The Rockford Files, The Incredible Hulk, Dinosaucers, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Magnum, P.I., Werewolf, and Walker, Texas Ranger.
He was also a Los Angeles newspaper editor and investigative reporter for 14 years.
Cole was married to Chris Bunch's sister, Kathryn. He died of cancer in Boca Raton, Florida, aged 75, on March 29, 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 6, 2024
It’s easy to forget, with all that’s going on in the world of Science Fiction, that there have been some pretty darn good series over the years that have subsequently started flying under the radar. Case in point: the Sten series from the 1980s. I don’t know how popular the series was at the time, but I am guessing that the “underrated” stamp is in order at this point.
The novels are only available in omnibus format these days. There are eight of them (collected in three omnibus editions), and they encompass a full story arc (in other words, it is recommended that you read them as close to each other as possible – something which I have never been good at when it comes to book series).
Fleet of the Damned is the fourth entry, so I am now officially halfway. At this point in the story Sten has already gone from slave laborer, to rebel, to Mantis Operative, and to Imperial Gurkha. Fleet of the Damned details his rise to Naval Commander. It is a pivotal entry in the series, as this is also where the conflict between the Empire and the Tahn escalates to full scale war.
When reviewing a mid-point entry in a series, there is only so much one can say about the specific book. Rather, I would urge you to try your hand at the series itself, especially if you like Space Opera with strong Military/Action leanings. These books are surprisingly good and they have aged really well. There is a down-and-dirty, grit-under-the-fingernails feel to the proceedings (the authors have the “used future” feel down pat).
The first book in the series is: Sten
As for Fleet of Worlds: the first half of the novel mostly deals with Sten’s naval training and introduces some new characters, as well as showing the Tahn’s strategic maneuverings for the opening salvoes of the coming war. The second half has the space battles and planetary warfare we have come to expect. It does have a gut-wrenching climax and ends on a cliffhanger, but in this case it serves to elevate the book and not to frustrate the reader. Because, let’s face it, if you’ve read this far you are probably in it for the long haul anyway.
In summary (and this is for both this book and the series so far): lots to like. Good characters, interesting aliens, good world building, well depicted action scenes, and a protagonist you really want to root for. Just generally very enjoyable.
Book rating: 4 stars
Series rating so far: 4 stars
The novels are only available in omnibus format these days. There are eight of them (collected in three omnibus editions), and they encompass a full story arc (in other words, it is recommended that you read them as close to each other as possible – something which I have never been good at when it comes to book series).
Fleet of the Damned is the fourth entry, so I am now officially halfway. At this point in the story Sten has already gone from slave laborer, to rebel, to Mantis Operative, and to Imperial Gurkha. Fleet of the Damned details his rise to Naval Commander. It is a pivotal entry in the series, as this is also where the conflict between the Empire and the Tahn escalates to full scale war.
When reviewing a mid-point entry in a series, there is only so much one can say about the specific book. Rather, I would urge you to try your hand at the series itself, especially if you like Space Opera with strong Military/Action leanings. These books are surprisingly good and they have aged really well. There is a down-and-dirty, grit-under-the-fingernails feel to the proceedings (the authors have the “used future” feel down pat).
The first book in the series is: Sten
As for Fleet of Worlds: the first half of the novel mostly deals with Sten’s naval training and introduces some new characters, as well as showing the Tahn’s strategic maneuverings for the opening salvoes of the coming war. The second half has the space battles and planetary warfare we have come to expect. It does have a gut-wrenching climax and ends on a cliffhanger, but in this case it serves to elevate the book and not to frustrate the reader. Because, let’s face it, if you’ve read this far you are probably in it for the long haul anyway.
In summary (and this is for both this book and the series so far): lots to like. Good characters, interesting aliens, good world building, well depicted action scenes, and a protagonist you really want to root for. Just generally very enjoyable.
Book rating: 4 stars
Series rating so far: 4 stars
December 26, 2024
First off, I love this series. Awesome action, political intrigue, fun characters and aliens, along with dry humor. Sten #4 goes back to more 'classic' military scifi where Sten joins the Imperial Navy and heads to the fringe territories. Gripping, and at times brutal.
Edit reread 12/20:
After saving the Eternal Emperor from an assassination attempt, Sten is 'rewarded' by the Emperor's advise to go into Naval pilot training. For the first third or so of the FOTD, we have Sten's mildly comical trek through basic training once again. He finally graduates and is assigned as a commander for a small fleet (four ships) of Tacships, short range small fighters (air/space) with crews of about 12 and sent to the capital of the 'fringe worlds', where tensions between the Empire and the Tahn are the highest. Sten is not warmly welcomed to the spit and polish ranks of the provincial capital, and worse, cannot find a way to staff/crew the ships.
Alex, the intrepid Scot, shows up and helps Sten find crew members, mostly from prisons and so forth. Then he proceeds to train the crews. This is your typical 'black sheep' squadron and it could be cliche, except for the again typical tongue and cheek presentation by the authors. The escapades are funny, but have a serious edge at the same time. After lots of preamble, the Tahn launch an all out offensive against the Empire, and one that is largely successful. Sten and his small fleet manage to survive, but the Tahn are closing in...
Once again, lots of action and humor. Alex keeps trying to tell a new joke (always bad) about a spotted snake. The Emperor manages to cook a large barbecue so we have a new recipe, and Sten once again proves to be an able leader. There is a lot of humanity in these novels, even if many of the characters are aliens, both on the positive and negative side. Perhaps this, plus the gritty universe created here, is what makes these novels seem so fresh rather than dated. This one ends on a cliff hanger with the Empire and the Tahn locking horns in a war to end all wars. 4 stars!
Edit reread 12/20:
After saving the Eternal Emperor from an assassination attempt, Sten is 'rewarded' by the Emperor's advise to go into Naval pilot training. For the first third or so of the FOTD, we have Sten's mildly comical trek through basic training once again. He finally graduates and is assigned as a commander for a small fleet (four ships) of Tacships, short range small fighters (air/space) with crews of about 12 and sent to the capital of the 'fringe worlds', where tensions between the Empire and the Tahn are the highest. Sten is not warmly welcomed to the spit and polish ranks of the provincial capital, and worse, cannot find a way to staff/crew the ships.
Alex, the intrepid Scot, shows up and helps Sten find crew members, mostly from prisons and so forth. Then he proceeds to train the crews. This is your typical 'black sheep' squadron and it could be cliche, except for the again typical tongue and cheek presentation by the authors. The escapades are funny, but have a serious edge at the same time. After lots of preamble, the Tahn launch an all out offensive against the Empire, and one that is largely successful. Sten and his small fleet manage to survive, but the Tahn are closing in...
Once again, lots of action and humor. Alex keeps trying to tell a new joke (always bad) about a spotted snake. The Emperor manages to cook a large barbecue so we have a new recipe, and Sten once again proves to be an able leader. There is a lot of humanity in these novels, even if many of the characters are aliens, both on the positive and negative side. Perhaps this, plus the gritty universe created here, is what makes these novels seem so fresh rather than dated. This one ends on a cliff hanger with the Empire and the Tahn locking horns in a war to end all wars. 4 stars!
February 15, 2023
As with the previous novels of the series, it is a perfect read for anyone, who enjoys Rambo-like characters. The ones, who are nearly impossible to kill, yet they can easily annihilate dozens of their enemies within a couple of minutes.
March 8, 2018
Sten is out of the Imperial Household and in the navy. Kilgore and his spotted snakes story are also in the navy. Some day I hope to actually hear the story, but it's not in this book.
And they're both in the Drakh up to their necks.
The Tahn are rattling sabres and they really mean it. So, there's plenty of action to whet my appetite.
This is vintage Sten with all the adventure I've learned to expect from the series. Unlike the others, this one ends with a HUGE cliff-hanger, so be prepared to buy the next book in the series if you get hooked (like me).
And they're both in the Drakh up to their necks.
The Tahn are rattling sabres and they really mean it. So, there's plenty of action to whet my appetite.
This is vintage Sten with all the adventure I've learned to expect from the series. Unlike the others, this one ends with a HUGE cliff-hanger, so be prepared to buy the next book in the series if you get hooked (like me).
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June 30, 2021Excellent Series
Book 4 in the Sten Series. A rollicking space opera / military sci fi. Not heavy, not light. Just right. A continuation of a series long story arc, but self contained enough to read on its own. I enjoy the series enough I read the books ever couple of years.
Book 4 in the Sten Series. A rollicking space opera / military sci fi. Not heavy, not light. Just right. A continuation of a series long story arc, but self contained enough to read on its own. I enjoy the series enough I read the books ever couple of years.
May 2, 2023
After the rather detectivey The Court of a Thousand Suns comes another epic cut of Sten's own. This volume was truly a treat with each new page. From the pilot school training to the nerve-wracking finale, it was simply a blast. The whole series is getting under my skin nicely.
July 13, 2018
Best Space Opera EVER. Reread for the 4th time since original purchase.
January 21, 2021
Reread of a classic
I loved this when I first read it in the 90s. It’s still a fun read. There are a few formatting issues with the kindle version.
I loved this when I first read it in the 90s. It’s still a fun read. There are a few formatting issues with the kindle version.
December 8, 2020
After thwarting the plot against the Emperor in Court of a Thousand Suns, Sten has been reassigned and transferred to the Navy to attend flight school. Unfortunately, he and his troops were unable to reach the diplomatic rendezvous point in time to stop the slaughter of the Tahn delegation, so the Tahn have gone to a full war footing, and may attack the Empire at any time. Cole and Bunch merely hit the highlights of flight school and its filtering rituals, and then Sten gets sent to the Caltor worlds to assume command of a squadron of tacships based on the Imperial world of Cavite.
The authors also borrow liberally from the culture and tactics of the Imperial Japanese military in this novel. The Tahn launch a sneak attack on all of the imperial forces, with a strong focus on the forward areas such as Cavite, and in a scene very similar to Pearl Harbor, nearly the entire space force is wiped out while still on the ground, leaving Sten's command and just a few other ships. The Emperor sends the First Imperial Division to reinforce Cavite, under the command of Major General Ian Mahoney, Sten and Alex's old Mantis commander.
Sten's rather unconventional military background doesn't make him well liked by the Admiral in charge of the fleet, and he's forced to staff his ships from the rejects and dregs of the fleet, including the troublemakers in the brig, local criminal deserters, and some gung ho police offices from the city. His and Alex's adventures in training such a ragtag force make excellent reading, and his crew soon distinguish themselves after the Tahn attack as one of the few effective units in the war effort.
Lots of epic battles, plenty of wry humor, and the ever fresh antics of Sten and Alex make this a good read and set up the next several books in the series well.
The authors also borrow liberally from the culture and tactics of the Imperial Japanese military in this novel. The Tahn launch a sneak attack on all of the imperial forces, with a strong focus on the forward areas such as Cavite, and in a scene very similar to Pearl Harbor, nearly the entire space force is wiped out while still on the ground, leaving Sten's command and just a few other ships. The Emperor sends the First Imperial Division to reinforce Cavite, under the command of Major General Ian Mahoney, Sten and Alex's old Mantis commander.
Sten's rather unconventional military background doesn't make him well liked by the Admiral in charge of the fleet, and he's forced to staff his ships from the rejects and dregs of the fleet, including the troublemakers in the brig, local criminal deserters, and some gung ho police offices from the city. His and Alex's adventures in training such a ragtag force make excellent reading, and his crew soon distinguish themselves after the Tahn attack as one of the few effective units in the war effort.
Lots of epic battles, plenty of wry humor, and the ever fresh antics of Sten and Alex make this a good read and set up the next several books in the series well.
June 4, 2015
More action movie in book form. This one actually ends in a cliffhanger, so it's probably not meant to be read without moving soon to Revenge of the Damned. This is more of what you've been led to expect by the previous three books in the series, including the Mostly Unintelligible Scottish Sidekick whose dialogue I've learned to skim/ignore. Sten essentially goes through three different babes in this one, with each one neatly shoved out of the way for the next, and I wish there was a lot less of that, especially since there's not that much of it in the book anyway. Just get rid of all of it! Or make it a continual tantalization, continually seeming like it might happen but never actually occurring.
There are also tons of anachronisms, references to current-day Earth culture. Some of those are winked at in the writing (e.g. some old military experts "Silbert and Gullivan" outlining what makes a good major general), and some are just included without acknowledgment, but that's not a big change from earlier books in the series. What makes this book stand out from previous ones is Sten now in a more regular command in the Navy, fighting a losing war against an enemy we alternatingly believe to be not that big a deal and too big a deal to win against. Also, one of the authors had recently discovered and fell in love with the word "anodize". I thought this may have only been a problem in the middle of the book, but one last reference was included three pages from the end as a send-off.
There are also tons of anachronisms, references to current-day Earth culture. Some of those are winked at in the writing (e.g. some old military experts "Silbert and Gullivan" outlining what makes a good major general), and some are just included without acknowledgment, but that's not a big change from earlier books in the series. What makes this book stand out from previous ones is Sten now in a more regular command in the Navy, fighting a losing war against an enemy we alternatingly believe to be not that big a deal and too big a deal to win against. Also, one of the authors had recently discovered and fell in love with the word "anodize". I thought this may have only been a problem in the middle of the book, but one last reference was included three pages from the end as a send-off.
March 16, 2021
Oct 2015
Sten's development continues, from spy to bodyguard / investigator, to soldier (or ship's captain), even as the Tahn War begins. The spiraling of everything into the crapper in Sten's first assignment makes for nice additional tension, as the reader wonders how the hell the authors are going to pull the character out of things this time ...
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PREVIOUS (Sep 2012)
The Tahn War stars rolling, as the Eternal Emperor cuts Sten loose to join fight school -- just in time to be posted to the analog of the Philippines as World War 2 breaks out ...
This installment of the series was entertaining, but didn't hold together quite as well as the previous volume, largely because a lot of time is spent in the setup -- Sten in flight school, Sten settling into his assignment -- prior to the real action actually kicking off.
Still, it's good, unsubtle, nostalgic, blow-em-up fun, and the authors do get credit for making not all the hats pure white or black.
Sten's development continues, from spy to bodyguard / investigator, to soldier (or ship's captain), even as the Tahn War begins. The spiraling of everything into the crapper in Sten's first assignment makes for nice additional tension, as the reader wonders how the hell the authors are going to pull the character out of things this time ...
-------------
PREVIOUS (Sep 2012)
The Tahn War stars rolling, as the Eternal Emperor cuts Sten loose to join fight school -- just in time to be posted to the analog of the Philippines as World War 2 breaks out ...
This installment of the series was entertaining, but didn't hold together quite as well as the previous volume, largely because a lot of time is spent in the setup -- Sten in flight school, Sten settling into his assignment -- prior to the real action actually kicking off.
Still, it's good, unsubtle, nostalgic, blow-em-up fun, and the authors do get credit for making not all the hats pure white or black.
November 7, 2012
Once you get to the 4th book of the Sten series, it doesn't really feel like there's much left to review. The books are all similar. If you liked the previous books, you'll enjoy this one. If you didn't enjoy the other books, you probably should have quit after the first one because the trend is continuing.
War has finally broken out, and Sten is once again needed. Now, he's a Commander in the Navy and in charge of a small and dysfunctional fleet. This book feels a little more like the first book since it opens with Sten in flight school and going through the training pipeline for the Navy. Other than that, there's all the normal parts. Impossible situations, impossible escapes, impossible creatures, beautiful women falling over Sten, Alex' story/jokes, and a whole bunch of fun.
War has finally broken out, and Sten is once again needed. Now, he's a Commander in the Navy and in charge of a small and dysfunctional fleet. This book feels a little more like the first book since it opens with Sten in flight school and going through the training pipeline for the Navy. Other than that, there's all the normal parts. Impossible situations, impossible escapes, impossible creatures, beautiful women falling over Sten, Alex' story/jokes, and a whole bunch of fun.
April 8, 2014
A sort of new and fresh start in the Sten Saga, this book moves from being a blood-and-gore-and-starships type to a space opera or at least military sci-fi, and that is quite an interesting turn, because imho, if it was a fourth book about some sort of covet-ops or a casual revolution and overthrowing a dictator, it would have lost it's charm. This book is much less gory than previous three, but on the other hand it concentrates more on military tactics and warfare.
Don't be unsure about this book though - it is as always funny, a bit quirky, and the cliffhanger ending definitely leaves you hungry for more.
Don't be unsure about this book though - it is as always funny, a bit quirky, and the cliffhanger ending definitely leaves you hungry for more.
July 13, 2010
On the advice of the Eternal Emperor Sten transfers to flight school, and learns to pilot spacecraft. He soon finds himself, outmanned, outgunned, with idiots for superior officers, facing an enemy invasion.
This is one of my favorites from the series. I especially like the whole back to basic training in flight school and the desperate space battle at the end. Oh yes, and some more of Alex's lengthy, corny, and pointless jokes.
This is one of my favorites from the series. I especially like the whole back to basic training in flight school and the desperate space battle at the end. Oh yes, and some more of Alex's lengthy, corny, and pointless jokes.
January 10, 2015
Really good space opera
The main characters of Sten, Alex Kilgore, Mahoney and the Eternal Emperor are in the fight for the very survival of the Empire. Enemies on all sides and it just goes on. The authors Bunch and Cole have done it again.
The main characters of Sten, Alex Kilgore, Mahoney and the Eternal Emperor are in the fight for the very survival of the Empire. Enemies on all sides and it just goes on. The authors Bunch and Cole have done it again.
July 29, 2015
An exceptionally good author of sci first military yarns . I am glad I picked up the follow on to the first three books this series.
I recommend their legion series to anyone who enjoyed this series. Enjoy and have a good reading experience. To his next war stories.
I recommend their legion series to anyone who enjoyed this series. Enjoy and have a good reading experience. To his next war stories.
July 22, 2012
Amazing. I lucked into the Sten series within the last year. I dread the moment I finish this series.
September 13, 2011
Still a fun read...even the second time around.
April 1, 2012
Even on this 2nd read through I find this to be the best of the series.
June 10, 2022
Retroactive Review (9 Jun 2022): Please see my review of the series
here
under the first volume.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews