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Stellar Conquest #1
First Conquest
Previously published within the anthology Planetary Assault.
From Hugo award finalist and Amazon bestselling author David VanDyke. When Admiral Absen and the crew of EarthFleet's most powerful dreadnought Conquest are sent on a mission forty light years from Earth, none of them expect to return. But to find a home and keep humanity safe from hostile aliens, they must fight to seize a new world, initiating EarthFleet's first conquest of another star system.
First Conquest is Book 1 of the Plague Wars: Stellar Conquest series, which carries the Plague Wars series forward a century into the future when humanity turns to the stars to find its destiny. It tells of a bitter battle as EarthFleet smashes into an alien star system in a desperate first strike to save humanity. Follow the starship Conquest as its captain and crew take the fight to Earth's enemies, finding allies and making heroic sacrifices in order to secure the future of Earth's solar system against a hostile universe.
From Hugo award finalist and Amazon bestselling author David VanDyke. When Admiral Absen and the crew of EarthFleet's most powerful dreadnought Conquest are sent on a mission forty light years from Earth, none of them expect to return. But to find a home and keep humanity safe from hostile aliens, they must fight to seize a new world, initiating EarthFleet's first conquest of another star system.
First Conquest is Book 1 of the Plague Wars: Stellar Conquest series, which carries the Plague Wars series forward a century into the future when humanity turns to the stars to find its destiny. It tells of a bitter battle as EarthFleet smashes into an alien star system in a desperate first strike to save humanity. Follow the starship Conquest as its captain and crew take the fight to Earth's enemies, finding allies and making heroic sacrifices in order to secure the future of Earth's solar system against a hostile universe.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2013
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796 people want to read
About the author
David VanDyke
74 books229 followersDavid VanDyke is a former Army Airborne soldier and later, an Air Force officer. He lives in the Tucson area with his wife and three dogs. Look him up at davidvandykeauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
June 19, 2016
I liked the story. However, I thought it was really combat heavy and into its descriptions of the weapons, ships and fighting. Not much on character development which I would have preferred to see. I understand this was a war story to take a system from an enemy that attacked Earth. I'm hoping the next book focuses more on the characters. I think a lot of sci-fi and Military genre lovers will like this book a lot.
October 5, 2017
Organic oxygen breathing space ships in the vacuum of space? Seriously?
April 1, 2015
This book is really a science fiction space combat at it’s finest. The entire book is about an Earth’s fleet entering a hostile solar system intent on capturing a planet to colonize. The planet is already inhabited but it’s believe there is plenty of living space on the planet and the majority of the inhabitants stay in the topic regions near the equator whereas the temperatures will be more adaptable for the humans at or near the poles. This is a heavy planet, about 1.2 gravities.
Apparently this solar system is guarded by something alive. It is in the form of a huge space ship and can gestate additional space vehicles at will. These develop into additional weapon platforms with autonomous capabilities or brains based on their intended use by the master ship. It’s a strange concept but this is pure science fiction.
This is also a fight to the death. On-board the human command ship is hundreds of thousands of human in crypto sleep. They have been that way for the entire 36-year duration of the trip! Why did the humans have to come this far to find another planet? And what has the alien Empire they are about to face done to Earth. This human fleet may well be the last of the human race.
Constant space fighting and then we get to put some space marines into action. They are digging through a moon to stop or destroy a terrible something buried very, very deep. If they alien command ship sees them on the moon, it may wipe out the only hope for a human victory.
Very good writing and easy to read. I would enjoy reading future books by this author and in this series.
Apparently this solar system is guarded by something alive. It is in the form of a huge space ship and can gestate additional space vehicles at will. These develop into additional weapon platforms with autonomous capabilities or brains based on their intended use by the master ship. It’s a strange concept but this is pure science fiction.
This is also a fight to the death. On-board the human command ship is hundreds of thousands of human in crypto sleep. They have been that way for the entire 36-year duration of the trip! Why did the humans have to come this far to find another planet? And what has the alien Empire they are about to face done to Earth. This human fleet may well be the last of the human race.
Constant space fighting and then we get to put some space marines into action. They are digging through a moon to stop or destroy a terrible something buried very, very deep. If they alien command ship sees them on the moon, it may wipe out the only hope for a human victory.
Very good writing and easy to read. I would enjoy reading future books by this author and in this series.
October 24, 2018
Honestly, this could’ve inched into a 5 star level - the world creation, the characterization, the detail and love that’s gone into it are sublime and, even if it’s not a future I hope for, its eminently believable and realistic - but for the heavy handed proselytizing. The tired, bullshit old “no atheists in foxholes” trope comes into it early, and very nearly stopped me dead in reading it. I persevered, and I’m glad, but the religiosity is pervasive and very off-putting. I enjoyed 95% of this book, I just wish the 5% I didn’t hadn’t been so tie-curlingly excruciating.
Drop the sermons and stick to writing damned good sci-fi.
Drop the sermons and stick to writing damned good sci-fi.
January 5, 2018
Excellent military Sci-fi
Thus author has military experience or has done a tremendous amount of research. The military actions are well thought out and sequenced like a proper combat operation. The dialogue is crisp and enhances the story. The descriptions of the aliens and their environs is precise and makes them easily envisioned. The action keeps you turning pages and anticipating what is next. This is a “can’t put it down” story. Expect to lose yourself in this book.
Thus author has military experience or has done a tremendous amount of research. The military actions are well thought out and sequenced like a proper combat operation. The dialogue is crisp and enhances the story. The descriptions of the aliens and their environs is precise and makes them easily envisioned. The action keeps you turning pages and anticipating what is next. This is a “can’t put it down” story. Expect to lose yourself in this book.
May 22, 2016
I prefer character heavy stories, so most military conflict SF is not my thing and especially one where there is extensive description of battles, tactics and weaponry, but he pulls it off and I never was bored.
Hippos, priceless.
Hippos, priceless.
August 17, 2016
Interesting start
So earth has sent out a force to hopefully start a new colony on a distant planet. First they will have to fight a enemy that was on the way attack earth. Can they do it and gives the million of colonists a chance of a new start.
So earth has sent out a force to hopefully start a new colony on a distant planet. First they will have to fight a enemy that was on the way attack earth. Can they do it and gives the million of colonists a chance of a new start.
April 29, 2017
4stars just bcouse we finally got to space.
November 18, 2017
Kobo ebook version - with the alternate kindle cover as well as this one with yellow title flash
It's a cliché that I don't often use but this was a definite page-turner - as is evident from my polishing it off in a day. (Ok, I was helped by partner falling asleep on me and cat deciding to cuddle so I only had one arm free - not enough to change the channel or go online - but even so... ) The first book in a spin-off fromanother series but I didn't feel the need to go back and read the earlier books - characters are clearly introduced and developed, plot is straightforward, even if one PoV is the alien commander. This volume ends neatly - but the teaser chapter to volume 2 is a bit of a cliffhanger!
Although I seem to have picked up a load of space war books they're not really my cup of tea - but I have no qualms in recommending this one.
It's a cliché that I don't often use but this was a definite page-turner - as is evident from my polishing it off in a day. (Ok, I was helped by partner falling asleep on me and cat deciding to cuddle so I only had one arm free - not enough to change the channel or go online - but even so... ) The first book in a spin-off fromanother series but I didn't feel the need to go back and read the earlier books - characters are clearly introduced and developed, plot is straightforward, even if one PoV is the alien commander. This volume ends neatly - but the teaser chapter to volume 2 is a bit of a cliffhanger!
Although I seem to have picked up a load of space war books they're not really my cup of tea - but I have no qualms in recommending this one.
February 20, 2018
Although billed as "Stellar Conquest #1", this is actually the 13th in an ongoing series-of-series about humanity's conflict with an aggressive alien race known as the Meme. The book definitely suffers as a starting point because of it. We're introduced to characters that have obviously been featured before, but after a brief introductory bio for each, the book then just tends to assume that we'll be engaged with them and care about them as people. This is not the case.
Possibly if I were to go back to the very beginning of things I'd find this a better work on the re-read, because the Meme do seem like quite a cool and thought-through adversary, but if you mark a book as #1 it should work as #1, and this doesn't do a good job of that.
Possibly if I were to go back to the very beginning of things I'd find this a better work on the re-read, because the Meme do seem like quite a cool and thought-through adversary, but if you mark a book as #1 it should work as #1, and this doesn't do a good job of that.
October 31, 2017
A solid story from start to finish, but not much in the human dimension. The descriptions of the maneuvering and ordinance strategies were excellent, but overall, I was left a bit unfulfilled. This is much more a "how the battle was fought" than a "what happened to the people" story. So it got me from A to B in a satisfying way, but didn't do much to make me want to see the rest of the alphabet in later books.
January 17, 2018
Excellent space opera
Probably best to read the first book in the first series, though this does read okay as a standalone first in this installment of the series. I thought Memes were those pity things on Facebook, well maybe they are, soul sucking, infuriating, mindless, machines. Well, maybe not. It is a good read, but don't start if you don't have room to read another series.
Probably best to read the first book in the first series, though this does read okay as a standalone first in this installment of the series. I thought Memes were those pity things on Facebook, well maybe they are, soul sucking, infuriating, mindless, machines. Well, maybe not. It is a good read, but don't start if you don't have room to read another series.
January 21, 2018
Very enjoyable
I've not read any of the plague wars novels prior to this sequel series, but may well go back to start at Reapers Run .
The story was descriptive and immersive and, as such, had me hooked in to find out what happened to Conquest and her fleet in light of the Meme presence....and how the Hippos would respond.
Liked it very much. Thanks David. Looking forward to reading more.
I've not read any of the plague wars novels prior to this sequel series, but may well go back to start at Reapers Run .
The story was descriptive and immersive and, as such, had me hooked in to find out what happened to Conquest and her fleet in light of the Meme presence....and how the Hippos would respond.
Liked it very much. Thanks David. Looking forward to reading more.
February 22, 2018
This was a nice shallow, action-packed read - I liked it for what it was!
It is set in a time when humans are threatened by an ancient race that seeks out and obliterates other intelligent species. Earth managed to survive one attack and sent a vessel that combines a 1 million person colony ship and an entire flotilla of military ships to a star system that sent the attackers.
This is the story of the human attack on that alien system.
It is set in a time when humans are threatened by an ancient race that seeks out and obliterates other intelligent species. Earth managed to survive one attack and sent a vessel that combines a 1 million person colony ship and an entire flotilla of military ships to a star system that sent the attackers.
This is the story of the human attack on that alien system.
May 4, 2018
Reminiscent of Starship Troopers
I enjoyed VanDyke's take on warfare in space, and his sense of humor around military training and execution. Heinlein seemed to create the genre, and I would put VanDyke and his storytelling right up there alongside Scalzi as his modern heirs. I need to go back and read the earlier books to get some of the context of this book, and I know that will be well-worth my time.
I enjoyed VanDyke's take on warfare in space, and his sense of humor around military training and execution. Heinlein seemed to create the genre, and I would put VanDyke and his storytelling right up there alongside Scalzi as his modern heirs. I need to go back and read the earlier books to get some of the context of this book, and I know that will be well-worth my time.
October 18, 2018
Thrills galore all the way
Starship Conquest : (First Conquest) by David VanDyke is meant for the YA who can not sit for a moment without having something to keep their blood racing! A thrilling space war Sci Fi novel full of innovation in future warfare in Extra Terrestrial Space with human emotion and nobility thrown in exhibited by powerful protagonists - as a Sci Fi Author myself, I have no hesitation saying that this book deserves the 5 Stars I am awarding it
Starship Conquest : (First Conquest) by David VanDyke is meant for the YA who can not sit for a moment without having something to keep their blood racing! A thrilling space war Sci Fi novel full of innovation in future warfare in Extra Terrestrial Space with human emotion and nobility thrown in exhibited by powerful protagonists - as a Sci Fi Author myself, I have no hesitation saying that this book deserves the 5 Stars I am awarding it
December 9, 2017
Poorly Written
Been reading science fiction since gernsbbacks Ralph 12c41 which I read from a paperback copy I found in a second hand store in 1942...sure wish l
I had kept that book ..lol...whenever a copy is put up for salee it usually sells for somewhere around a million.
This book was not a total failure...it just wasn't very good.
Been reading science fiction since gernsbbacks Ralph 12c41 which I read from a paperback copy I found in a second hand store in 1942...sure wish l
I had kept that book ..lol...whenever a copy is put up for salee it usually sells for somewhere around a million.
This book was not a total failure...it just wasn't very good.
December 20, 2017
Forged
There’s informed, as by information, which can be easily modified. Then there’s educated, usually involving more interlinking, questioning, etc. Then there’s training, to firm the education. Then there’s forging, to include weaponizing. There are indications of forging in some of this authors characters. Something to learn, here, if possible.
Enjoy.
There’s informed, as by information, which can be easily modified. Then there’s educated, usually involving more interlinking, questioning, etc. Then there’s training, to firm the education. Then there’s forging, to include weaponizing. There are indications of forging in some of this authors characters. Something to learn, here, if possible.
Enjoy.
January 19, 2018
Typical VanDyke!!
More of the excellent characters, action and storyline that VanDyke is known for. Planet sized weapons, unrelenting enemies and epic battles - in space and on the ground make this and all of his books real page turners. I'm always sorry to get to the end of a book, but eager to start the next one.
More of the excellent characters, action and storyline that VanDyke is known for. Planet sized weapons, unrelenting enemies and epic battles - in space and on the ground make this and all of his books real page turners. I'm always sorry to get to the end of a book, but eager to start the next one.
January 20, 2018
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I got it as a free e-book, and I figured I would give it a try, even though I didn't know the author prior to this. It really was a fun book. A little short on character development, but for a space battle-focused sci-fi book, it was interesting and I found myself plowing through it in just a couple of days.
October 12, 2017
Scifi excellence
I believed this book is a five because its generic pkot was overlaid with believable characters, fastmovibg action , and realustic subpkots. It is high quality scifi at its besym
I believed this book is a five because its generic pkot was overlaid with believable characters, fastmovibg action , and realustic subpkots. It is high quality scifi at its besym
December 14, 2017
This is a good read and the characters are well defined. The action builds up over time until a fast paced finale. There are certain characters that you root for, hoping that they will survive. The tactics and weapons used are pretty good as is the technology. An enjoyable read.
December 28, 2017
Imaginative world
Liked the back and forth between humans and the alien species...gave a different feel to the book and a way to give a different view and additional info and color to the story.
Liked the back and forth between humans and the alien species...gave a different feel to the book and a way to give a different view and additional info and color to the story.
May 1, 2018
Enjoyed the book
The battle was described in an interesting manner with enough characterization to give an emotional connection. It is going to be difficult for the survivors to establish a home given the losses.
The battle was described in an interesting manner with enough characterization to give an emotional connection. It is going to be difficult for the survivors to establish a home given the losses.
December 3, 2020
Entertaining Sci-Fi
A will written romantic thriller Sci-Fi novel with interesting will developed characters. The story line is 100 years in the future as humans search for a new place to live. Enjoy reading 2020 🛸🚀🎉👌
A will written romantic thriller Sci-Fi novel with interesting will developed characters. The story line is 100 years in the future as humans search for a new place to live. Enjoy reading 2020 🛸🚀🎉👌
August 20, 2021
Convoluted story line
I am not stupid but I could not follow the story line at all. Between Hippos and memes and a large leggy like spaceship that splits into bunches of other ships. Not sure if that is alien or not.
I am not stupid but I could not follow the story line at all. Between Hippos and memes and a large leggy like spaceship that splits into bunches of other ships. Not sure if that is alien or not.
June 19, 2024
Good book.... kind of too many things and people going on at the same time, hard to keep track of.
Another basic, star marine story with an Admiral you don't even get a chance to know.
Hard to know who's the main character in the book!
Just an Ok read.
Another basic, star marine story with an Admiral you don't even get a chance to know.
Hard to know who's the main character in the book!
Just an Ok read.
July 18, 2024
A different type of sci-fi
Initially starting this book I felt lost. I suppose that is a normal reaction to new characters. However, you do get drawn into the characters when you accept organic ships and villains. I always enjoy positive endings.
Initially starting this book I felt lost. I suppose that is a normal reaction to new characters. However, you do get drawn into the characters when you accept organic ships and villains. I always enjoy positive endings.
March 21, 2025
A crackling good read
This was a story about brotherhood and unflinching conviction to the ideals of any decent military style story and I intend to purchase the entire series and the original series too
This was a story about brotherhood and unflinching conviction to the ideals of any decent military style story and I intend to purchase the entire series and the original series too
November 13, 2017
Another great tale by David VanDyke. Great characters, action and suspense recommend to all space opera fans.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews