First Command

First Command #1

by Michael Simon

An alien attack leaves him stranded in space. He must survive, rebuild, and rejoin the war.
Fresh out of the Academy, Ensign Cole Jackson’s first posting to Freedom couldn’t have come at a worse time. All over the Alliance, planets and colonies are suddenly under attack by the vicious Coven Empire.

Freedom and her sister ship, Hood, are ambushed by alien warships, leaving Hood drifting dead in the void.

Cole is ordered to salvage parts from the powerless Hood, but when he arrives on the unpowered hulk, Freedom is called away, marooning him and a group of malcontent techs in deep space.

With the timer on survival ticking down, Cole must find the confidence to take control, whip his tiny crew into shape, bring Hood back to life––repairing communications, propulsion and even weapons.

He's got one chance to transform the derelict ship into a combat-ready vessel. One he can take into battle and alterthe course of the war.

Don't miss the start of this space opera thrill ride about a crew of young soldiers mustering the courage to fight back against both a vicious alien enemy, and the terrifying void of being stranded in space. It's perfect for fans of Daniel Gibbs, J.N. Chaney, and Vaughn Heppner!

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Military Fiction, Fiction, War, Thriller, Audiobook

588 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2025

About the author

Michael Simon is an award-winning Canadian author and physician, specializing in science fiction, military science fiction and fantasy. His “First Command“ and “Extinction“ series will be published in 2025. In addition to these 5 novels, Michael has a large repertoire of published short stories, medical articles, and travel logs.

To support his writing addiction, Michael works as a Family Physician on Canada's East Coast. He is a member of the Physician Advisory Board for The Medical Post and a Health Columnist for CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) Radio. Outside working hours, Michael enjoys spending time with his growing family and playing hockey, where he can, occasionally, still put the puck in the net.

Reviews

[Fred Nurk]

My tastes are the Expeditionary Force series, Bobiverse series, The Last Hunter series, The Empire Rising series and Galaxy's Edge series so you understand what I like. This first book in the series is up there. I like the constant action, there is always something to do, save, fix, stop, kill etc. I like the tension, I like the disregard for science and just call it an engine without trying to explain how it works and I like the attempts at humour. If you like the same books I read, this one is worth adding to your collection. The plot is centered around a fresh Ensgin out of the Academy and he gets saddled with command of a busted starship. He and his team of academy graduates go from there to save the day. In reality the story is written as though they are far more mature and experienced than someone who really would be fresh out of the Academy but lets not let that get in the way of a good read. I couldn't put it down, it appealed to my sense of entertainment.

[Don Dunham]

Military SciFi, meh! There are Many better examples of the genre:
A choice of treason by JL Doty.
Poor Man's fight by Eliot Kay.
To honor you call us by Paul Honsinger.
Enders Game.
Old Man's War.
these are legit 5-4 star military SciFi books

[Stefanos Kouzof]

For teenagers, by a writer not knowing much more. Reads like sea battles, whoever heard of spaceships *listing*, lol.

[Brandon Wilson]

game of cat and mouse

[Emma Hounsell]

It was alright it had some cool parts

[S T]

Good Attempt

Story was good and well-written, but has several aspects that pull you out of the story. First, and the most crucial, is it doesn't do the military portion well. It constantly slips out of military bearing. True, it is a fantasy story, but when readers chose a military book, they are looking for a certain level of understanding of what a military is and how it operates. This story fails in that regard. Based on how it is written, several times you forgot it is a military book until it becomes relevant to story again. It also felt like the reason it was not consistent with this aspect is because the author didn't want the military to get in the way. Several things should have as well as should not have happened ad they do if the military theme was supported and written properly. Other failed parts of the book are too many character POVs telling the story - especially when most brought nothing to quality of the story. This is especially true for all the sections and chapters dedicated to the enemy alien. None of that writing helps the book. While not the final issue with book, but just the one for the review, what was the point of Stiller?

[Pontus]

Bristfällig dialog, haltande metaforer, mycket upprepning och överförklaring, men det åsido ett kul rymdäventyr för grabbarna.

[Thomas James]

No stop

Once you start this book there is no stopping. Non-stop action from beginning to end. However, it is war. People and friends die in war and a lot of good people die in this one as well. Thus, the end is bitter-sweet.

[David Harcourt]

In a 1 to 10 it is a strong 15+

I have been reading science fiction for 50 years and this book was one of the best I ever read. I feel bad that the book ended. This book was action packed in the best possible way. Michael Simon thank you for wonderful ride.

[HP Steyn]

Amazing amazing book.


I could not stop reading this amazing book. Would recommend it to anybody that likes these kind of books. And now I am going to start on the second one. Michael Simon please keep on writing books like this.

[Jack A. Kyle]

This is an edge of the seat action packed book that you will find hard to lay down.

This is a great action packed multiple story line science fiction well written that holds your attention. One of the best I have read in a while.

[Beth Hornick]

Great read!!

Tops for plot, action, and character development!! Best book i have read in years. Worth your time and money, buy the book the Author earned it.

[Eric F Seigel]

Always looking for new authors to read. I really enjoyed this one and cant wait to finish the series.

[Alvin Narsey]

wow! great fun! this kid can't get a break. I don't know if the science makes sense ... but who cares when the action is none stop!!
for now, easily my #1 read of 2025.
onto part 2!!

[Bob]

An exciting and eventful opportunity for a recently graduated ensign to command a starship. With minimal crew, actually a salvage team, they came together to become the most successful ship in the fleet against a ruthless invader.

I still wonder, however, how a space vessel can list or how the floor can be at an angle in artificial gravity.

[Al]

very engaging story

I started reading this because it showed up in my recommended list. It exceeded my expectations and I’m looking forward to the next story.

[Hans Kerremans]

good read

The last few books I read weren’t good enough and I was getting desperate! This book finally gave me that adventure against all odds… the underdog, the handicap and defying death at all cost!

[Jeff Kinney]

Loved it, the characters, the action and the story.

[Matthew Kennedy]

Excellent! A junior officer thrust into command who kicks ass with great instincts! On to the sequel!

[Barrington John Prince]

A great science fiction load of entertainment

One of the best science fiction novels I have read. I only hope that the sequels will be as good .
Pity the heroine had to go missing though.
Maybe the author is making room for a new one.

[Seeker]

keep reading.

It’s a slow start but keep with it. No spoilers here but commanding others will always be hard. War is harder.

[Nicole]

Won this in a giveaway! Honestly, I wasn't expecting much but I gave it a shot because I wanted to get into science fiction again, but this blew me away. It's hard to impress me with alien science fiction -- I am a firm nonbeliever -- but this one was pretty good. Reminds me of star wars. 5 stars. Yay!

[John Rosenberger]

This was really good. I wasn’t expecting much but it turned out to be a really good page turner. Similar to DJ Holmes or Rosone and Watson. Will definitely read book 2 in the series.

[Lois Lara]

A great read

I really enjoyed this book, though for the life of me I have never understood why safety harnesses aren't employed lol. I am looking forward to more adventures of this cast of characters.

[Dennis Plante]

Exciting Read

I almost gave it 4 stars because, in my experience, some of the idiots that ended up on the Hood wouldn't have made it into the service except as Army grunts. Porter is an example.
Otherwise, it was a fast read that kept my interest, regardless of the improbability of Hood not blowing up.

[Gary Davis]

Excellent

And yes I've ordered the next in the series. It was one looong fight but I won't make any comments that might give away... It was truly a "can't put it down" read. 🙂

[juliette dempsey]

An outstanding sci-fi adventure.

If yo love space battles that will leave you on the edge of your seat? This book is for you.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
This is a real page turner.
I look forward to the next one.

[E.R.]

loved it.

Space opera high adventure. I loved this book. Read it in a day. On to the second. There is one decision near the end I don’t agree with and I hope the author retconns it.

[Karen Johnson]

never hopeless

Whatever was thrown at them, the crew overcame the odds and survived. This was a hard story to put down.

[Barkerpa3466]

Good story with flaws

This is a compelling story, but it seems like it was written with AI. Slege hammers breaking metal bulk-heads. Missile become torpedoes and then go back. There seem to be some logical holes like how the damage ship can see everything, but other alli ships can't see the same thing. The ships' movement through space is inconsistent with speed and distance. That being said the characters were compelling, and the premise of the story was good.