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Archangel #3
Archangel: Ascending
The conspiracy isn’t dead.
It caused the war that produced Brent Parthet and the other Archangels, killed tens of millions and left a Coalition run by a corporate shadow government. Brent and his friends have been working to expose the truth, to bring down the results of the conspiracy, but what they’ve discovered is that the sinister plan is not yet complete.
Only one thing stands between the shadow government and complete control of the Coalition—the civilian Parliament. They’re corrupt, self-serving, but they hold the only check on the shadow government’s power…and they’re all convening in the huge space city of Orbital One. Two billion people inhabit the city…a price the enemy is willing to pay for total control.
If Brent, Riva and Cas can’t infiltrate the city and flush out the plot, then hundreds of millions of innocent civilians will die. And the war will begin anew.
Book 3 in this new military science fiction series by Rick Partlow, bestselling author of Drop Trooper and Taken to the Stars.
Filled with explosive and realistic military action as well as heroes you can't help but root for, this is military Sci-Fi the way it's to be!
It caused the war that produced Brent Parthet and the other Archangels, killed tens of millions and left a Coalition run by a corporate shadow government. Brent and his friends have been working to expose the truth, to bring down the results of the conspiracy, but what they’ve discovered is that the sinister plan is not yet complete.
Only one thing stands between the shadow government and complete control of the Coalition—the civilian Parliament. They’re corrupt, self-serving, but they hold the only check on the shadow government’s power…and they’re all convening in the huge space city of Orbital One. Two billion people inhabit the city…a price the enemy is willing to pay for total control.
If Brent, Riva and Cas can’t infiltrate the city and flush out the plot, then hundreds of millions of innocent civilians will die. And the war will begin anew.
Book 3 in this new military science fiction series by Rick Partlow, bestselling author of Drop Trooper and Taken to the Stars.
Filled with explosive and realistic military action as well as heroes you can't help but root for, this is military Sci-Fi the way it's to be!
278 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2025
About the author
Rick Partlow
265 books387 followersRick Partlow is that rarest of species, a native Floridian. Born in Tampa, he attended Florida Southern College and graduated with a degree in History and a commission in the US Army as an Infantry officer.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 11, 2026
As you’ll recall, Brent Parthet was one beefed up fighting machine. He had been part of the Archangels, as super secret, tough as nails, combat asset operated by Colonel Janus. The Archangels weren’t normal humans. They had gone through an extensive medical process which enhances every bit of their body to the extent that some didn’t even make it through the process. Those that did were lethal weapons for the Consortium in the war against the Southwind. The Southwind were genetically created humanoids initially made to alleviate normal humans from having to work in less than desirable conditions. The Southwind could live and breathe on planets that were uninhabitable by normal humans.
They did their jobs as they were supposed to until some decided that it was time to stop being slaves to the Consortium. Well, that was what the public thought. Come to find out, the Consortium and the wealthy citizens got richer when a war was going on. So, a few upper echelon big-wigs decided to stage what appeared to be revolt among the Southwind. This then lead to a war that they wanted in the first place. The Archangels were created to fight that war and they had done very well. But, eventually the Southwind had to stop fighting and agree to be resettled on planets that humanity did not want. Now a period of peace has settled on the Consortium, and the war profits have stopped.
So, it appears that those same individuals that actually started the last war, were going to do it again. They had come up with some kind of plot to create a huge incident and blame it on the Southwind. Only this time, Brent Parthet knew a lot more about what had caused the previous war and he was no longer part of the Archangels, or at least not a part of that group that fought the last war. He now was determined to not let another war get started and he believed he had a person by the name of Jaime Carnahan who could tell him a lot about the up coming plot to start that new war.
All Parthet has to do is keep Carnahan alive until he can thoroughly interrogate him. Fortunately, he’s joined with some of his former Archangels, namely Castiel, a.k.a. “Cas” (Gino Olin) and Raphael (Kamran Ali). Parthet was himself known as Michael when he was with the Archangels. They knew who from the Consortium had been involved in starting the last war and they figured they were now involved in trying to kick off this next war. This plot went to the top with the Director of the Security and Intelligence (SID) Phil Montanelli and the CEO of the Consortium, Vincent Duret, heavily implicated.
Their interrogation of Carnahan directs them to Orbital One. This is a huge orbiting space station above Halcyon, the third planet in the Alpha Centauri System. At any one time, Orbital One housed some two billion inhabitants all waiting for a chance to have an audience with their Parliamentarian or even get into the Prime Minister’s Palace. The Consortium Headquarters had moved a long time ago down to the planet Halcyon. If the new plan to start a war involved either of these locations, a Brent Parthet was going to have a very tough time preventing it. He was after all now considered a traitor to the Consortium and couldn’t just go walking around without some kind of disguise.
So Brent does managed to get to Orbital One and begins trying to unravel a plot that could start a new war. He believes both Montanelli and Duret are involved in the plot but he also figures that they are going to be doing the deed if it does in fact result in the destruction of Orbital One or even the destruction of Consortium HQ on the planet below. He also doesn’t know when their attack will take place, but he figures he hasn’t got a lot of time left.
Eventually, Brent Parthet and his followers go to the very depths of the orbital station where they believe some kind of bomb will be planted if it hasn’t already. While down there, the run into someone that thought was very dead, Colonel Conrad Janus, the same Colonel that had started the Archangel project way back before the first war. Brent thought, no knew he was dead because he had killed him! So how is he very much alive and deeply involved in what could be the end of humanity?
This book is interesting and it flows very well. There is some confusion about what has happened to this point so it might be good to re-read my review of book 2, “Avenging”, before getting into this one. And as things kind of go, this isn’t the end of the series. No, book 4, “Reckoning”, is now available on Amazon.
**[Note 1 (12/23/2025): I’m no longer associated with Amazon and will no longer provide any links to books from that website. You can usually find books that you like at your usual source.]**
**[Note 2: As of 12/03/2023, this will not be posted on Amazon since I have been banned from posting reviews for some unknown reason. ]**
They did their jobs as they were supposed to until some decided that it was time to stop being slaves to the Consortium. Well, that was what the public thought. Come to find out, the Consortium and the wealthy citizens got richer when a war was going on. So, a few upper echelon big-wigs decided to stage what appeared to be revolt among the Southwind. This then lead to a war that they wanted in the first place. The Archangels were created to fight that war and they had done very well. But, eventually the Southwind had to stop fighting and agree to be resettled on planets that humanity did not want. Now a period of peace has settled on the Consortium, and the war profits have stopped.
So, it appears that those same individuals that actually started the last war, were going to do it again. They had come up with some kind of plot to create a huge incident and blame it on the Southwind. Only this time, Brent Parthet knew a lot more about what had caused the previous war and he was no longer part of the Archangels, or at least not a part of that group that fought the last war. He now was determined to not let another war get started and he believed he had a person by the name of Jaime Carnahan who could tell him a lot about the up coming plot to start that new war.
All Parthet has to do is keep Carnahan alive until he can thoroughly interrogate him. Fortunately, he’s joined with some of his former Archangels, namely Castiel, a.k.a. “Cas” (Gino Olin) and Raphael (Kamran Ali). Parthet was himself known as Michael when he was with the Archangels. They knew who from the Consortium had been involved in starting the last war and they figured they were now involved in trying to kick off this next war. This plot went to the top with the Director of the Security and Intelligence (SID) Phil Montanelli and the CEO of the Consortium, Vincent Duret, heavily implicated.
Their interrogation of Carnahan directs them to Orbital One. This is a huge orbiting space station above Halcyon, the third planet in the Alpha Centauri System. At any one time, Orbital One housed some two billion inhabitants all waiting for a chance to have an audience with their Parliamentarian or even get into the Prime Minister’s Palace. The Consortium Headquarters had moved a long time ago down to the planet Halcyon. If the new plan to start a war involved either of these locations, a Brent Parthet was going to have a very tough time preventing it. He was after all now considered a traitor to the Consortium and couldn’t just go walking around without some kind of disguise.
So Brent does managed to get to Orbital One and begins trying to unravel a plot that could start a new war. He believes both Montanelli and Duret are involved in the plot but he also figures that they are going to be doing the deed if it does in fact result in the destruction of Orbital One or even the destruction of Consortium HQ on the planet below. He also doesn’t know when their attack will take place, but he figures he hasn’t got a lot of time left.
Eventually, Brent Parthet and his followers go to the very depths of the orbital station where they believe some kind of bomb will be planted if it hasn’t already. While down there, the run into someone that thought was very dead, Colonel Conrad Janus, the same Colonel that had started the Archangel project way back before the first war. Brent thought, no knew he was dead because he had killed him! So how is he very much alive and deeply involved in what could be the end of humanity?
This book is interesting and it flows very well. There is some confusion about what has happened to this point so it might be good to re-read my review of book 2, “Avenging”, before getting into this one. And as things kind of go, this isn’t the end of the series. No, book 4, “Reckoning”, is now available on Amazon.
**[Note 1 (12/23/2025): I’m no longer associated with Amazon and will no longer provide any links to books from that website. You can usually find books that you like at your usual source.]**
**[Note 2: As of 12/03/2023, this will not be posted on Amazon since I have been banned from posting reviews for some unknown reason. ]**
August 20, 2025
More Leftist Flaccid and Formulaic Narrative
“Archangel: Ascending (Book 3),” is more of the Leftist flaccid and formulaic narrative served up again by Rick Partlow. As in the prior books of this series (as he has done in multiple other series as well) the Marxist-Maoist-IM (Islamist Movement) zealot scribe continues to push the Red-Green alliance agenda through his military-scifi platform, utilizing the all too familiar leftist publishing houses, do so many other mil-scifi authors.
The LOOs, LOEs and LOAs against Faith (Christianity) and Family are basic Leninist Bolshevik tenets from over a century ago, updated throughout the 20th century to today’s world. Multiple Highlighted observations and Notes are on Goodreads.
Know what you see.
Read fully via KU.
“Archangel: Ascending (Book 3),” is more of the Leftist flaccid and formulaic narrative served up again by Rick Partlow. As in the prior books of this series (as he has done in multiple other series as well) the Marxist-Maoist-IM (Islamist Movement) zealot scribe continues to push the Red-Green alliance agenda through his military-scifi platform, utilizing the all too familiar leftist publishing houses, do so many other mil-scifi authors.
The LOOs, LOEs and LOAs against Faith (Christianity) and Family are basic Leninist Bolshevik tenets from over a century ago, updated throughout the 20th century to today’s world. Multiple Highlighted observations and Notes are on Goodreads.
Know what you see.
Read fully via KU.
April 1, 2026
Too much waffle
A good story spoilt by too much waffle
As the old saying goes, why say 10 words, when a 1000 will do. Ok sarcasm, but it makes the point.
By the end of the book the good guys are now fighting a different group of bad guys, at the request of the first group of bad guys. Talk about the enemy of my enemy........
It's all a bit predictable too. You can almost write the next chapter and it's annoying, because you want the story to develop, but less predictably
Usually a 3* book is enough for me to stick with the series, but itay not be the case this time round. Maybe give it a while and come back to it
A good story spoilt by too much waffle
As the old saying goes, why say 10 words, when a 1000 will do. Ok sarcasm, but it makes the point.
By the end of the book the good guys are now fighting a different group of bad guys, at the request of the first group of bad guys. Talk about the enemy of my enemy........
It's all a bit predictable too. You can almost write the next chapter and it's annoying, because you want the story to develop, but less predictably
Usually a 3* book is enough for me to stick with the series, but itay not be the case this time round. Maybe give it a while and come back to it
November 12, 2025
Great read.
This book had a lot going on in it. It was a great read and we almost lost a couple of the good guys the main ones , taking chances that they know they should not but they lucked out and got very lucky and at the end made a deal with the devil himself. Now we just have to wait for the next book in the series.
This book had a lot going on in it. It was a great read and we almost lost a couple of the good guys the main ones , taking chances that they know they should not but they lucked out and got very lucky and at the end made a deal with the devil himself. Now we just have to wait for the next book in the series.
August 24, 2025
Another Great Read
The series continues to impress. Tons of intrigue, action, but I’m not keen on the lovey dovey interaction between Brent and Riva. It distracts from the story.
Still, I enjoyed this installment and await the next.
The series continues to impress. Tons of intrigue, action, but I’m not keen on the lovey dovey interaction between Brent and Riva. It distracts from the story.
Still, I enjoyed this installment and await the next.
August 31, 2025
very good book
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
September 20, 2025
Good Science Fiction
I’m waiting on the 4th book.
The use of archangels and Nephyllim. Is ironic if you have read your Genesis.
I’m waiting on the 4th book.
The use of archangels and Nephyllim. Is ironic if you have read your Genesis.
September 29, 2025
Another great read
The Archangel series is great military science fiction. Adventure and gun fights. What could go wrong? I recommend the series.
The Archangel series is great military science fiction. Adventure and gun fights. What could go wrong? I recommend the series.
October 3, 2025
Good action
Not only was the action good but there was some good thought parts! Story line also better then normal. Thanks!
Not only was the action good but there was some good thought parts! Story line also better then normal. Thanks!
October 19, 2025
Fast Read
I can hardly wait for the next
book in the series!
Check it out yourself.
Thans Rick, I enjoy all that you write.
I can hardly wait for the next
book in the series!
Check it out yourself.
Thans Rick, I enjoy all that you write.
December 27, 2025
eh... got a bit of fatigue at the end... maybe it's just me . got a little bored .... maybe or maybe not continue to be next... we see
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews