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The Hope Island Chronicles #1
Uncommon Purpose
Following the bloody war between the Athenian Republic and the Pruessen Empire, an uneasy peace has settled over the region of space known as The Tunguska Fault. The Telford family’s independent trading vessel, the Belinda is captured by Pruessen slavers and the crew forced into a life of brutal servitude. Their desperate bid for freedom succeeds but a tragic price is paid. Years pass and Nathan Telford, fighting the nightmares of his past and yearning for revenge, joins the Athenian Navy. His first posting is aboard the warship Truculent, patrolling the northern quarantine zone beyond which lurks the Empire. Answering a distress call from a beleaguered freighter, the routine mission becomes a desperate fight for survival. The Pruessans are once again testing the defenses of the Republic and this time they have technology far in advance of the last war. It is left to Nathan, three untried middies and a disgruntled petty officer to try and avert a looming disaster. With their high tech weapons rendered useless and facing overwhelming odds, Nathan risks everything on a brave, hastily conceived gamble. ........................................................................................................................
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2015
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118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 12, 2017
My original Uncommon Purpose audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Uncommon Purpose by PJ Strebor is the first in a series called The Hope Island Chronicles. It follows Nate Telford from the time that he is six years old into his early twenties. In a world where the Preussen Empire and Athenian empires hold an uneasy peace across planets, Preussen slavers are able to capture an independent trading vessel, a vessel owned by the Telford clan. Ultimately after escaping, Nate begins a life on his own. He learns how to let down his walls, make friends, and joins the Athenian Navy to help him get revenge against those who enslaved his family. As he works to become a great soldier in the Navy, he must learn to manage his memories of the past, without losing his head and his emotions in a fight.
This novel is really a coming of age story about a traumatized young boy. The story follows him as he grows up on a colony planet with a new family and friends, goes to school, and then goes to the military academy. At times it feels wandering. There is not a true quest but just views into this boy’s life as he turns into a man, which is wonderful in its own way. I found the beginning to be difficult to get into, but once the story takes off, it moves along well at a good pace and captures the attention. It’s possible to just soak in Nathan’s world and how it changes. There is plenty of action throughout the story as well as friendships and insights from different characters. But ultimately, the characters outside of Nathan’s immediate sphere end up feeling flat. And there are so many that it can be hard to keep track of them. However, Nathan's friendship with his childhood friend is perfectly captured. The story has a good, positive, end, but you are already caught up in Nathan’s life. It’s easy to look forward to the next novel.
The narration by Keith Michaelson was well done. A large number of characters all seemed to have their own voice and personality, which is difficult to achieve. Also, the slimy bad guys have voices that reflected that. The production quality was good as well. I would recommend anyone who likes coming of age novels set in an environment containing space battles.
Audiobook was provided for review by the publisher.
Uncommon Purpose by PJ Strebor is the first in a series called The Hope Island Chronicles. It follows Nate Telford from the time that he is six years old into his early twenties. In a world where the Preussen Empire and Athenian empires hold an uneasy peace across planets, Preussen slavers are able to capture an independent trading vessel, a vessel owned by the Telford clan. Ultimately after escaping, Nate begins a life on his own. He learns how to let down his walls, make friends, and joins the Athenian Navy to help him get revenge against those who enslaved his family. As he works to become a great soldier in the Navy, he must learn to manage his memories of the past, without losing his head and his emotions in a fight.
This novel is really a coming of age story about a traumatized young boy. The story follows him as he grows up on a colony planet with a new family and friends, goes to school, and then goes to the military academy. At times it feels wandering. There is not a true quest but just views into this boy’s life as he turns into a man, which is wonderful in its own way. I found the beginning to be difficult to get into, but once the story takes off, it moves along well at a good pace and captures the attention. It’s possible to just soak in Nathan’s world and how it changes. There is plenty of action throughout the story as well as friendships and insights from different characters. But ultimately, the characters outside of Nathan’s immediate sphere end up feeling flat. And there are so many that it can be hard to keep track of them. However, Nathan's friendship with his childhood friend is perfectly captured. The story has a good, positive, end, but you are already caught up in Nathan’s life. It’s easy to look forward to the next novel.
The narration by Keith Michaelson was well done. A large number of characters all seemed to have their own voice and personality, which is difficult to achieve. Also, the slimy bad guys have voices that reflected that. The production quality was good as well. I would recommend anyone who likes coming of age novels set in an environment containing space battles.
Audiobook was provided for review by the publisher.
October 7, 2017
Not Silly YA, Just Juvenile Writing and British “Tar” Fan Fiction
“Uncommon Purpose (The Hope Island Chronicles Book 1),” authored by P.J. Strebor, is not a silly “Young Adult” (YA) novel. It’s a seriously flawed version of SciFi British “Tar” fan fiction, that is so juvenile in its writing, that a reader might might in fact, believe it to be YA.
Far future, in a inaccessible part of the galaxy, various euro-centric entities-Prussians, British, Athenians, Franco-are st odds, following a couple of Franco-Prussian Wars, involving the other league nations, against the Prussians. Facing defeat, the Prussians used a deadly bio weapon pathogen, which has no known antidote and mandated a DMZ “quarantine zone.” A young boy, Nathan, along with his extended family, crew an Athenian freighter, which is attacked and captured by a Prussian commerce raider, many are killed, others brutalized by assaults and rape, with the survivors becoming slaves. Nathan, along with some of his family escape years later. All succumb to the plague, excepting Nathan, who as the sole survivor, becomes a enigma, and enters the Fleet Academy.
The author childishly barely changes the spelling of some of the euro-centric entities, portrays the brutal Prussians as Nazis, the Francos as cowardly, and the Athenians as haughty high brows. Nathan is a savant, extremely intelligent, unceasingly brave, possessing a prescient ability post-plague exposure, and enters the Fleet Academy, bent on revenge against the Prussians. The Fleet is a thinly veiled “Master and Commander” style homage to the British navy from the Age of Sail. There are middies, set upon by sadistic upper officers, tots of rum as rewards for successful actions, porridge for meals, lots of snorting, sneering, and endless smirks. There are boarding actions involving swords and battle axes. The only things absent, are flogging and sodomy. It is all so very, very bad. The writing is awkward, amateurish, and mainly childish.
“Uncommon Purpose,” is not recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
“Uncommon Purpose (The Hope Island Chronicles Book 1),” authored by P.J. Strebor, is not a silly “Young Adult” (YA) novel. It’s a seriously flawed version of SciFi British “Tar” fan fiction, that is so juvenile in its writing, that a reader might might in fact, believe it to be YA.
Far future, in a inaccessible part of the galaxy, various euro-centric entities-Prussians, British, Athenians, Franco-are st odds, following a couple of Franco-Prussian Wars, involving the other league nations, against the Prussians. Facing defeat, the Prussians used a deadly bio weapon pathogen, which has no known antidote and mandated a DMZ “quarantine zone.” A young boy, Nathan, along with his extended family, crew an Athenian freighter, which is attacked and captured by a Prussian commerce raider, many are killed, others brutalized by assaults and rape, with the survivors becoming slaves. Nathan, along with some of his family escape years later. All succumb to the plague, excepting Nathan, who as the sole survivor, becomes a enigma, and enters the Fleet Academy.
The author childishly barely changes the spelling of some of the euro-centric entities, portrays the brutal Prussians as Nazis, the Francos as cowardly, and the Athenians as haughty high brows. Nathan is a savant, extremely intelligent, unceasingly brave, possessing a prescient ability post-plague exposure, and enters the Fleet Academy, bent on revenge against the Prussians. The Fleet is a thinly veiled “Master and Commander” style homage to the British navy from the Age of Sail. There are middies, set upon by sadistic upper officers, tots of rum as rewards for successful actions, porridge for meals, lots of snorting, sneering, and endless smirks. There are boarding actions involving swords and battle axes. The only things absent, are flogging and sodomy. It is all so very, very bad. The writing is awkward, amateurish, and mainly childish.
“Uncommon Purpose,” is not recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
February 8, 2016
Great coming of age military SF novel
Great coming of age military SF novel reminiscent of early David Weber. Strong characters with strong motivations for acting the way they do.
Great coming of age military SF novel reminiscent of early David Weber. Strong characters with strong motivations for acting the way they do.
April 17, 2016
Interesting plot
Wooden writing. The worst was the 'magic' sense of the hero that adds to his talent every time he needs it. But even that could have worked if the writing wasn't so bad. There was no feeling to it. The mechanics of it all were bad.
Wooden writing. The worst was the 'magic' sense of the hero that adds to his talent every time he needs it. But even that could have worked if the writing wasn't so bad. There was no feeling to it. The mechanics of it all were bad.
January 17, 2016
Excellent
Extremely well written, highly enjoyable, a little hokey at times but that's OK, I would recommend this book to anybody science-fiction fan or not
Extremely well written, highly enjoyable, a little hokey at times but that's OK, I would recommend this book to anybody science-fiction fan or not
February 11, 2016
A good start for a series
A pretty good start. The hero is a little one dimensional. But good action plot and looking to the sequel.
A pretty good start. The hero is a little one dimensional. But good action plot and looking to the sequel.
May 16, 2019
Uncommon Purpose by P.J. Strebor
Uncommon Purpose is a great science fiction that blends a sort of political and military setting readers are familiar with in such novels as David Weber’s Honor Harrington series. Development of characters recalled for this reader the feel of many of his favorite Heinlein characters. P.J. Strebor brings to the table his own blend of elements such as family honor, redemption and revenge along with his own twist on a few tropes.
It starts in a universe with an uneasy peace, after a great Franco Pruessen war that led to the Pruessen's unleashing a terrible bio-weapon that was designed to save them, only to have it backfire in a devastating way; leaving the League little choice but to quarantine one whole area of space; all leading to the formation of the Prussen Empire; and the present situation where Prussen headhunters make occasional raids across the quarantine borders to obtain slave labor from the League worlds.
The story seems to start slow, but that's because there are the equivalent of fifty pages that encompass world building and introduction of the main character: Nathan Telford. The first five chapters could easily read as a short story that introduces us to the universe of Nathan Telford and acts as a means of showing the tragic beginning of the main character of the story; while pacing of conflict and tension make this stand well alone. The Telford ship Bellinda is overtaken by Pruessen headhunters and despite the best laid plans, the self destruct meant to save them all from slavery is disrupted. We have the quick thinking of Jasper to thank. I say that because without his actions there'd be no story for us; but I'll leave it there for the next reader find. It's the story of how they endure and escape.
The real story begins in chapter 6 when the Navy Monitor boat Impudent detects a crashed ship on a plague ridden world that has been quarantined for several years due to the terminal nature of the Pruessen plague. Further examination proves that there is one life sign and that the ship is Belinda, which now has been missing for over six years. We meet the brave and possibly foolhardy Ensign Ellen Gabreski for a small time and I do hope we see more of her down the road, but this isn't her story. Nathan is only 14 years old at this time and will have to learn a lot before he might begin the path to revenge. The reader will eventually find out everything that happened to Nathan in those six years. Yet we learn only a small amount about Nathan beyond the scant amount already seen in the first fifty pages; and in part I think this is because Nathan harbors a deep and dreadful secret about his life after escape from the Pruessen's and the reader will have to wait for a majority of the book to learn what that is.
One important thing we do learn is that Nathan has an odd talent he calls Prep; which he seems to have acquired while on the plague world of Delos.
Before getting on with his life, Nathan will have to deal with a forced gag order to tell no one about what's happened to him. There are good reasons, but those take us too close to spoiler area.
When Nathan finally arrives on Kastoria to live with the Penkovskys the reader begins to find out more about him. Most of this is done quite well from other character's point of view, with less focus from Nathan’s point of view and I think that’s again because of his secret and getting too close to his thoughts might reveal too much too early.
The novel dips deep into a trope area at this point, but P.J. Strebor uses it well. We have the typical male, Nathan; and his female friend, Moe, who decides to turn him into her project. As can be expected; if there is ever anything more than friendship desired here, it is doomed to tragedy. More importantly there’s the thread about the agreements between parties to keep the past a secret that predictably leads to danger for everyone close to Nathan.
This quickly becomes a novel about Nathan balancing his training toward the proper way to wage war and his desire for immediate revenge for his family and the inevitable mess caused by his need to keep his past a secret.
I recommend this to all fans of the Military-Procedural-Political Science Fiction. It has a well rounded science base that lends well to the suspension of disbelief. For me: Uncommon Purpose stands as a superbly well done first novel from an author with a lot of promise.
J.L. Dobias
Uncommon Purpose is a great science fiction that blends a sort of political and military setting readers are familiar with in such novels as David Weber’s Honor Harrington series. Development of characters recalled for this reader the feel of many of his favorite Heinlein characters. P.J. Strebor brings to the table his own blend of elements such as family honor, redemption and revenge along with his own twist on a few tropes.
It starts in a universe with an uneasy peace, after a great Franco Pruessen war that led to the Pruessen's unleashing a terrible bio-weapon that was designed to save them, only to have it backfire in a devastating way; leaving the League little choice but to quarantine one whole area of space; all leading to the formation of the Prussen Empire; and the present situation where Prussen headhunters make occasional raids across the quarantine borders to obtain slave labor from the League worlds.
The story seems to start slow, but that's because there are the equivalent of fifty pages that encompass world building and introduction of the main character: Nathan Telford. The first five chapters could easily read as a short story that introduces us to the universe of Nathan Telford and acts as a means of showing the tragic beginning of the main character of the story; while pacing of conflict and tension make this stand well alone. The Telford ship Bellinda is overtaken by Pruessen headhunters and despite the best laid plans, the self destruct meant to save them all from slavery is disrupted. We have the quick thinking of Jasper to thank. I say that because without his actions there'd be no story for us; but I'll leave it there for the next reader find. It's the story of how they endure and escape.
The real story begins in chapter 6 when the Navy Monitor boat Impudent detects a crashed ship on a plague ridden world that has been quarantined for several years due to the terminal nature of the Pruessen plague. Further examination proves that there is one life sign and that the ship is Belinda, which now has been missing for over six years. We meet the brave and possibly foolhardy Ensign Ellen Gabreski for a small time and I do hope we see more of her down the road, but this isn't her story. Nathan is only 14 years old at this time and will have to learn a lot before he might begin the path to revenge. The reader will eventually find out everything that happened to Nathan in those six years. Yet we learn only a small amount about Nathan beyond the scant amount already seen in the first fifty pages; and in part I think this is because Nathan harbors a deep and dreadful secret about his life after escape from the Pruessen's and the reader will have to wait for a majority of the book to learn what that is.
One important thing we do learn is that Nathan has an odd talent he calls Prep; which he seems to have acquired while on the plague world of Delos.
Before getting on with his life, Nathan will have to deal with a forced gag order to tell no one about what's happened to him. There are good reasons, but those take us too close to spoiler area.
When Nathan finally arrives on Kastoria to live with the Penkovskys the reader begins to find out more about him. Most of this is done quite well from other character's point of view, with less focus from Nathan’s point of view and I think that’s again because of his secret and getting too close to his thoughts might reveal too much too early.
The novel dips deep into a trope area at this point, but P.J. Strebor uses it well. We have the typical male, Nathan; and his female friend, Moe, who decides to turn him into her project. As can be expected; if there is ever anything more than friendship desired here, it is doomed to tragedy. More importantly there’s the thread about the agreements between parties to keep the past a secret that predictably leads to danger for everyone close to Nathan.
This quickly becomes a novel about Nathan balancing his training toward the proper way to wage war and his desire for immediate revenge for his family and the inevitable mess caused by his need to keep his past a secret.
I recommend this to all fans of the Military-Procedural-Political Science Fiction. It has a well rounded science base that lends well to the suspension of disbelief. For me: Uncommon Purpose stands as a superbly well done first novel from an author with a lot of promise.
J.L. Dobias
December 29, 2018
Are you ready for a rip-roaring space adventure?
Then this book is going to deliver. It is action packed, full of edge of the seat set pieces, and perhaps above all it is fun.
Nathan Telford is a young member of a family operated spacecraft, but for him life does not work out the way it is expected and he finds himself living with foster parents on a backwater but homely world.
Nathan, it seems, is pretty much a science fiction hero, clean cut, borderline genius, excellent in the field, with an unusual and as yet unexplained tick – his ‘prep’ that warns him of danger, he survives in hostile environments that no-one can live in and gets the girl of his dreams.
This could be the start of being someone who is too good to be true, but Strebor manages to deflect away from this by giving Nathan a few little character flaws that might not balance things out, but certainly add a little tarnish to the lustre. Amongst these are a need for vengeance, a temper that might be a little too hard to control, a willingness to kill, not talking about the past and perhaps being a little too clever for his own good.
All of this works well, and when it is thrown together with the other characters and the adventure that unfolds around them. As this is the first book in the series it is hard to say what the greater schemes the author may have, but what was refreshing here was the fact that it was not really an epic tale of empires clashing and the reordering of civilisation. Rather it is the story of people living and working in a functioning reality, doing jobs, that coincide with the life they are leading, or as they enter the military.
There is the feeling of the mission being of the mundane – not in the sense of boring, but in the sense that it is common place and that there are many such missions taking place across space, with a multitude of different powers working together with a few independent criminal factions and opposing political powers. When there are clashes on borders, that is where the fun begins.
The characters are, as a whole, well drawn, and interact well together. They are good enough to like or to start to understand, even when some are not a major part of the story Strebor has taken the time to invest them with character, and this can only help the novels flow. Any book that introduces a character you want to punch is a good one.
With all this being said, there were a few things that grated from me – but I need to emphasise it I just me, and I can see a logical reason for what I am about to say being so. The whole set up of the political powers and Strebor’s universe as a whole seem to be a little to heavily drawn on the modern world. The different powers all draw their names from modern countries or cities, and the setup could well be on similar to the Cold War.
Furthermore, the descriptions and types of spacecraft spring to mind different types of naval vessels or commercial boats, from submarines to tugs. With this taken into account it would work just as well as a war novel. Probably not as much fun though.
Finally, and not necessarily a bad thing, was the way initial setup grated. Over the course of the first few chapters we went from a family owned on operated ship (interesting idea and would have been nice to see more of); Prisoners/slaves of a rather vicious and brutal – borderline psychopathic – regime (I would have been quite happy to read a novel based around this); Escape from said regime, pursuit and final ‘getaway’ (Could have been a really tense and dramatic novel); and survivors on a plague world and the ultimate payoff of one of them being naturally immune – (Could have been a great and harrowing, bleak story of survival.) All this and not mention the rescue and the investigation into how he survived.
For me, the opening part of the novel was too fast, there was the potential of a lot more there and it seemed as though I was getting into the setup for something only to have it snatched away and another setup beginning and then repeat. Even after this, Nathan’s story seems to jump a lot, the reader being jumped through his life until he starts his service.
There are a few other things that are not resolved, undoubtedly in some of the later books and any of the above could be important things to be looked at in flashback later.
In summation it was an excellent read, and I will quite happily look up some more by Strebor. When the book pile shrinks.
Then this book is going to deliver. It is action packed, full of edge of the seat set pieces, and perhaps above all it is fun.
Nathan Telford is a young member of a family operated spacecraft, but for him life does not work out the way it is expected and he finds himself living with foster parents on a backwater but homely world.
Nathan, it seems, is pretty much a science fiction hero, clean cut, borderline genius, excellent in the field, with an unusual and as yet unexplained tick – his ‘prep’ that warns him of danger, he survives in hostile environments that no-one can live in and gets the girl of his dreams.
This could be the start of being someone who is too good to be true, but Strebor manages to deflect away from this by giving Nathan a few little character flaws that might not balance things out, but certainly add a little tarnish to the lustre. Amongst these are a need for vengeance, a temper that might be a little too hard to control, a willingness to kill, not talking about the past and perhaps being a little too clever for his own good.
All of this works well, and when it is thrown together with the other characters and the adventure that unfolds around them. As this is the first book in the series it is hard to say what the greater schemes the author may have, but what was refreshing here was the fact that it was not really an epic tale of empires clashing and the reordering of civilisation. Rather it is the story of people living and working in a functioning reality, doing jobs, that coincide with the life they are leading, or as they enter the military.
There is the feeling of the mission being of the mundane – not in the sense of boring, but in the sense that it is common place and that there are many such missions taking place across space, with a multitude of different powers working together with a few independent criminal factions and opposing political powers. When there are clashes on borders, that is where the fun begins.
The characters are, as a whole, well drawn, and interact well together. They are good enough to like or to start to understand, even when some are not a major part of the story Strebor has taken the time to invest them with character, and this can only help the novels flow. Any book that introduces a character you want to punch is a good one.
With all this being said, there were a few things that grated from me – but I need to emphasise it I just me, and I can see a logical reason for what I am about to say being so. The whole set up of the political powers and Strebor’s universe as a whole seem to be a little to heavily drawn on the modern world. The different powers all draw their names from modern countries or cities, and the setup could well be on similar to the Cold War.
Furthermore, the descriptions and types of spacecraft spring to mind different types of naval vessels or commercial boats, from submarines to tugs. With this taken into account it would work just as well as a war novel. Probably not as much fun though.
Finally, and not necessarily a bad thing, was the way initial setup grated. Over the course of the first few chapters we went from a family owned on operated ship (interesting idea and would have been nice to see more of); Prisoners/slaves of a rather vicious and brutal – borderline psychopathic – regime (I would have been quite happy to read a novel based around this); Escape from said regime, pursuit and final ‘getaway’ (Could have been a really tense and dramatic novel); and survivors on a plague world and the ultimate payoff of one of them being naturally immune – (Could have been a great and harrowing, bleak story of survival.) All this and not mention the rescue and the investigation into how he survived.
For me, the opening part of the novel was too fast, there was the potential of a lot more there and it seemed as though I was getting into the setup for something only to have it snatched away and another setup beginning and then repeat. Even after this, Nathan’s story seems to jump a lot, the reader being jumped through his life until he starts his service.
There are a few other things that are not resolved, undoubtedly in some of the later books and any of the above could be important things to be looked at in flashback later.
In summation it was an excellent read, and I will quite happily look up some more by Strebor. When the book pile shrinks.
July 18, 2022
"Uncommon Purpose" gets off to a good start then bogs down for a long time before the pace accelerates in the final third.
It's the first in the 'Hope Island Chronicles' series and spends a lot of time setting the scene for what is to come.
Young Nathan Telford is the sole survivor from his extended space faring family (their ship is captured, they are brutalised, enslaved and some are killed). The remainder escape after several years but their freedom is short-lived when the ship crash-lands on a plague planet - only Nathan survives until rescue arrives.
And his rescuers make it very clear that politics prevent any retaliation against the Pruessen Empire - he's told in no uncertain terms that if he reveals what actually happened he will be a very unhappy young man.
From an early stage it is made clear that Nathan is leadership material and possesses an uncanny gift for anticipating danger. Even though there is a lengthy list of characters he takes centre stage throughout.
He joins the Athenian Navy and that's when the space opera begins. There's no great depth either in characters or plot but it is a solid example of the genre.
3 Stars.
It's the first in the 'Hope Island Chronicles' series and spends a lot of time setting the scene for what is to come.
Young Nathan Telford is the sole survivor from his extended space faring family (their ship is captured, they are brutalised, enslaved and some are killed). The remainder escape after several years but their freedom is short-lived when the ship crash-lands on a plague planet - only Nathan survives until rescue arrives.
And his rescuers make it very clear that politics prevent any retaliation against the Pruessen Empire - he's told in no uncertain terms that if he reveals what actually happened he will be a very unhappy young man.
From an early stage it is made clear that Nathan is leadership material and possesses an uncanny gift for anticipating danger. Even though there is a lengthy list of characters he takes centre stage throughout.
He joins the Athenian Navy and that's when the space opera begins. There's no great depth either in characters or plot but it is a solid example of the genre.
3 Stars.
November 3, 2018
I really liked this book. I've been keeping my eye on it for a really long time. It was finally available on Barnes and Noble as a free ebook. Well the author can rest assured, I will be buying the sequel. The book is a little formulaic, but if it is a formula I like I'm OK with it. One thing that kind of messed me up in the early parts of the book was the chapters kept on spanning multiple years. It wasn't until the middle of the book that the actual story started to take shape. The book kind of reminded me of Midshipman's Hope and that is a good thing. If it is still free, you have no excuse for not giving it a shot. You will not be disappointed.
January 25, 2018
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
This is a very very good start to what seems to be a very engaging series. The story grabs you from page one and doesn't let go until the end. There was intense action, suspense,death,war,military tactics and procedures, intrigue, and even a romantic angle. The characters were well written with several different levels existing for them all where they actually played off of each other with hardly any discrepancies. A very very good book
This is a very very good start to what seems to be a very engaging series. The story grabs you from page one and doesn't let go until the end. There was intense action, suspense,death,war,military tactics and procedures, intrigue, and even a romantic angle. The characters were well written with several different levels existing for them all where they actually played off of each other with hardly any discrepancies. A very very good book
November 2, 2018
Could put the book down read till 3 in the morning but the other books in the series highly recommend this book. this book is filled with action suspense and everything I like to read in a book. I'm not usually one for long reviews suffice it to say this is one of the better books that I have read this year. ***jj*jjjj*jjjjjjjjjjj*jjj*jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj jjjjjjj(
The release say I have 20 more words to write so blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
The release say I have 20 more words to write so blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
December 28, 2018
Uncommon Purpose is the first book in The Hope Island Chronicles series. This can be read as a standalone, though it ends in a soft cliffhanger for the next book. There is a lot of violence...this is a science fiction war book afterall. I wasn't sure about this book at the beginning, but really came to relate to the characters and the storyline. Definitely want to read more about it.
February 22, 2019
Shades of Honor Harrington
I loved this book and can hardly wait to read more in this series!
For those who found the Honor Harrington books to be too complicated, these will be right up your alley.
I loved this book and can hardly wait to read more in this series!
For those who found the Honor Harrington books to be too complicated, these will be right up your alley.
May 1, 2020
An outstanding read
One of the best books I have ever read. Pace was perfect...plot was tied together well...characters were believable. Couldn’t put it down and would recommend it highly.
One of the best books I have ever read. Pace was perfect...plot was tied together well...characters were believable. Couldn’t put it down and would recommend it highly.
July 15, 2017
he somehow thinks that nostalgia of his days in the service and technical know how of military procedures could merit a book
instead you got .a stupid ,unimaginative dull book
instead you got .a stupid ,unimaginative dull book
October 6, 2018
3.5 stars. Not bad. A bit predictable. Might read a sequel
November 9, 2018
Had fun reading this first in series!
I really enjoyed reading this excellent first book in a series that is recommend by me to you. A new fan!
I really enjoyed reading this excellent first book in a series that is recommend by me to you. A new fan!
November 10, 2018
Really good read
Liked this book a lot and will be getting the next one as soon as possible... really a great story
Liked this book a lot and will be getting the next one as soon as possible... really a great story
December 17, 2018
Not normally my type of reading, but did hold my interest
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2021
Nice series, the only hickup being mixing a bit supernatural with sci-fi.
July 11, 2019
Fun. Looking forward to sequels.
July 20, 2016
"Ships, Lasers, Swords, and Fights..."
This was a very difficult book for me to rate as there were times I really enjoyed the story line and arc, but at other time it felt slow and meandering. I think some of this was the pace the narrator also read the audiobook.
I liked the author's ability to weave the story and describe various situations, but at times I found it hard to picture what was going on as well as other books I have read. Some of the action was well done and other seemed more flat. It seemed to be more inconsistent than I would have lived. I liked that the author included action sequences along with some downtime or release, but I would have liked some periods of build-up other than fighting, some more relationship issues, physical issues, or other struggles.
It was also somewhat difficult to rate this book because the story felt like it wanted to both be an adult message while also being in the young adult category based on some of humor and discussion of the characters. The book itself is a coming of age story and I will say much of the childish humor was removed by the end of the story; unsure if this was the author's intention or not. On that note, I will say that book itself does use vulgar language so not really geared towards young readers, however this is not overly used or very frequent. I would have liked for the author to have used replacement words and the story could have been opened up to a larger audience.
I would have also like to have seen more of this mysterious power (Prep) but it seems to comes up when needed and never spoken of again until it was needed again. This may also become more apart in future books. I would have liked to have had some more background or flashbacks giving me more on this power, etc. In the same way, I would have liked to have some other flashbacks regarding this struggles and other events one learned near the end of the book. These would have made the story more enjoyable for me if woven throughout the book. I think this would have helped me to better empathize with with various characters.
I really liked that the author did not only use the standard science fiction tropes throughout the book. Not only were there futuristic weapons, but also swords, knives, and bows. It made for some interesting battles. I also enjoyed the ship to ship fights, but would have like to have had more description of image of the scale, color, etc. Again, these did not take away from the story, but would have enhanced it.
I'm not sure if I would re-listen/re-read to the book if given the chance. This is not that I did not like the story, but I more that I have many other books to get though that this would need to wait some time before I would be able to get back to it.
I would recommend the book to my other friends that are readers of science fiction. I'm not sure the story would be as embraced as a more contemporary or movie based action film like Star Wars, etc. Again I do not want people to think this is a bad book, but more that it is a book that is good for its type, not a good cross-over book.
At times I really liked the narrators voice in the Audiobook, but I will say this is read slowly and it is the first book I have listened to at a faster than normal pace (mostly 1.25x or 1.5x) I would have liked to have have heard more inflection in his voice during heavy action scenes.
My biggest reaction was at the opening chapter and near the last chapter. I like the early story of his youth and what he experienced. I also wanted a full chapter about the event that came up near the end of the book and really lets the reader know some personal items from his life.
This was a very difficult book for me to rate as there were times I really enjoyed the story line and arc, but at other time it felt slow and meandering. I think some of this was the pace the narrator also read the audiobook.
I liked the author's ability to weave the story and describe various situations, but at times I found it hard to picture what was going on as well as other books I have read. Some of the action was well done and other seemed more flat. It seemed to be more inconsistent than I would have lived. I liked that the author included action sequences along with some downtime or release, but I would have liked some periods of build-up other than fighting, some more relationship issues, physical issues, or other struggles.
It was also somewhat difficult to rate this book because the story felt like it wanted to both be an adult message while also being in the young adult category based on some of humor and discussion of the characters. The book itself is a coming of age story and I will say much of the childish humor was removed by the end of the story; unsure if this was the author's intention or not. On that note, I will say that book itself does use vulgar language so not really geared towards young readers, however this is not overly used or very frequent. I would have liked for the author to have used replacement words and the story could have been opened up to a larger audience.
I would have also like to have seen more of this mysterious power (Prep) but it seems to comes up when needed and never spoken of again until it was needed again. This may also become more apart in future books. I would have liked to have had some more background or flashbacks giving me more on this power, etc. In the same way, I would have liked to have some other flashbacks regarding this struggles and other events one learned near the end of the book. These would have made the story more enjoyable for me if woven throughout the book. I think this would have helped me to better empathize with with various characters.
I really liked that the author did not only use the standard science fiction tropes throughout the book. Not only were there futuristic weapons, but also swords, knives, and bows. It made for some interesting battles. I also enjoyed the ship to ship fights, but would have like to have had more description of image of the scale, color, etc. Again, these did not take away from the story, but would have enhanced it.
I'm not sure if I would re-listen/re-read to the book if given the chance. This is not that I did not like the story, but I more that I have many other books to get though that this would need to wait some time before I would be able to get back to it.
I would recommend the book to my other friends that are readers of science fiction. I'm not sure the story would be as embraced as a more contemporary or movie based action film like Star Wars, etc. Again I do not want people to think this is a bad book, but more that it is a book that is good for its type, not a good cross-over book.
At times I really liked the narrators voice in the Audiobook, but I will say this is read slowly and it is the first book I have listened to at a faster than normal pace (mostly 1.25x or 1.5x) I would have liked to have have heard more inflection in his voice during heavy action scenes.
My biggest reaction was at the opening chapter and near the last chapter. I like the early story of his youth and what he experienced. I also wanted a full chapter about the event that came up near the end of the book and really lets the reader know some personal items from his life.
July 24, 2016
""Look at me. LOOK at me!""
I listen to, and read, a lot of science fiction books and would rate Uncommon Purpose amongst the top twenty percent of books in this genre. The reader grows up with young Nathan, the main protagonist, feeling his pain, his achievements and fully understanding his desire for revenge. He came from an independent space trading family, which lived and worked together on the ship, Belinda. Family was everything. When still a child, they were attacked by a Preussen vessel and Nathan, together with his entire family, was captured, brutalised and enslaved. Many died but, after years of subjugation, the survivors managed to escape only to die almost at once of a plague originally seeded by that same Empire Nathan was left alone, a young teenager with vengeance in his heart, the only one able to uphold his family's honour.He does not have an easy time as he trains to fulfil his self appointed quest.
The narrator was, mostly, excellent in his reading, especially dialogue. There are a lot of characters encountered and, although not everyone had their own distinctive 'voice' it was always clear who was speaking. However, I disliked the rather gruff introduction to each new chapter, especially at the commencement of the book;, so much so that when I first started to listen, I doubted that I would be able to continue through the full twelve and a half hours. Fortunately, the story line was so intriguing that I decided to continue with it and found that this aspect of the narration only occurred intermittently. It is for this reason alone that I have reduced my rating to four stars overall.
I can genuinely recommend this book. It has excitement, frequent detailed fight scenes that do not become too drawn out and tedious, the depth of characterisation is good - as previously mentioned, the reader actually grows up with Nathan - ,and the unexpected is always possible. There are sparks of humour, too, Plus there is ongoing mystery: how did Nathan survive when his family died, and what is the source of his strong intuition? This alone will be sufficient to make me read the continuation of his story.I received a free copy of this Audiobook from Garden Media, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you. The thoughts expressed in this review are entirely my own
I listen to, and read, a lot of science fiction books and would rate Uncommon Purpose amongst the top twenty percent of books in this genre. The reader grows up with young Nathan, the main protagonist, feeling his pain, his achievements and fully understanding his desire for revenge. He came from an independent space trading family, which lived and worked together on the ship, Belinda. Family was everything. When still a child, they were attacked by a Preussen vessel and Nathan, together with his entire family, was captured, brutalised and enslaved. Many died but, after years of subjugation, the survivors managed to escape only to die almost at once of a plague originally seeded by that same Empire Nathan was left alone, a young teenager with vengeance in his heart, the only one able to uphold his family's honour.He does not have an easy time as he trains to fulfil his self appointed quest.
The narrator was, mostly, excellent in his reading, especially dialogue. There are a lot of characters encountered and, although not everyone had their own distinctive 'voice' it was always clear who was speaking. However, I disliked the rather gruff introduction to each new chapter, especially at the commencement of the book;, so much so that when I first started to listen, I doubted that I would be able to continue through the full twelve and a half hours. Fortunately, the story line was so intriguing that I decided to continue with it and found that this aspect of the narration only occurred intermittently. It is for this reason alone that I have reduced my rating to four stars overall.
I can genuinely recommend this book. It has excitement, frequent detailed fight scenes that do not become too drawn out and tedious, the depth of characterisation is good - as previously mentioned, the reader actually grows up with Nathan - ,and the unexpected is always possible. There are sparks of humour, too, Plus there is ongoing mystery: how did Nathan survive when his family died, and what is the source of his strong intuition? This alone will be sufficient to make me read the continuation of his story.I received a free copy of this Audiobook from Garden Media, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you. The thoughts expressed in this review are entirely my own
July 30, 2016
3.5 stars
Interesting, Entertaining and Enjoyable
Revenge, redemption, secrets, guilt, family honor, hate and love, along with action, suspense, good vs evil, space battles and so much more all woven into a pretty darn good story.
You can tell the story was well thought out and is well written. While I enjoyed the story overall there was just something missing for me. At the same time I would definitely read the next installment.
Large cast full of a variety of characters, which in the beginning was a little confusing.
You can't help but love Nathan considering his age when the story begins and his maturing during the story. At the same time a little more personal back round on the Nathan and the major characters would have been nice. What Nathan went through is basically just alluded to, it doesn't have to be graphic but scenes into his life while he was a slave or on the planet or in the hands of the Dr. would have helped develop his character more.
Nathan has an extra sense that he calls "prep" . What is it? Is it from his immunity to the disease? From his time on the plague planet?
The reference to times at the beginning of each chapter meant nothing to me, it would have been better if it had given the date and then said 3 years later, 4 years later etc.
Keith Michaelson did an fantastic job with the narration. Nice pleasant voice. Even pacing in the narration. There were so many characters and he conveyed a fantastic voice for each one. As well as the emotions of the characters. Well done.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom.com
Interesting, Entertaining and Enjoyable
Revenge, redemption, secrets, guilt, family honor, hate and love, along with action, suspense, good vs evil, space battles and so much more all woven into a pretty darn good story.
You can tell the story was well thought out and is well written. While I enjoyed the story overall there was just something missing for me. At the same time I would definitely read the next installment.
Large cast full of a variety of characters, which in the beginning was a little confusing.
You can't help but love Nathan considering his age when the story begins and his maturing during the story. At the same time a little more personal back round on the Nathan and the major characters would have been nice. What Nathan went through is basically just alluded to, it doesn't have to be graphic but scenes into his life while he was a slave or on the planet or in the hands of the Dr. would have helped develop his character more.
Nathan has an extra sense that he calls "prep" . What is it? Is it from his immunity to the disease? From his time on the plague planet?
The reference to times at the beginning of each chapter meant nothing to me, it would have been better if it had given the date and then said 3 years later, 4 years later etc.
Keith Michaelson did an fantastic job with the narration. Nice pleasant voice. Even pacing in the narration. There were so many characters and he conveyed a fantastic voice for each one. As well as the emotions of the characters. Well done.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom.com
July 11, 2016
There are hints of all kinds of influences in this novel - a bit of Star Trek, a bit of Ender's Game, plenty of Starship Troopers but overall it was a really exciting and interesting piece of science fiction. The universe in which it is set is an expansion of the earth, with bitter rivalries and wars which have divided those people who have colonised various planets and systems. When the Telford family is taken as slaves by the Prusseans, Nathan Telford's young life is turned upside down. I hadn't expected the shift of the story to Nathan's story, believing that the book would follow the whole family, but when I had got used to the shift, I really enjoyed hearing about Nathan's growing up and his search for revenge for the suffering he and his family faced.
The narrator in this edition was fabulous. He handled the multitude of different characters very well (to be honest, I kept getting lost as to who was who, there was such a cast) and his pace and voice were great to listen to. Perhaps my only criticism of the story, aside from getting lost with the characters, was that there were a number of jarring shifts in direction and characters who seemed to want to be important and were built up as such but ended up not being that important at all. Although who knows, perhaps some of them might reappear in later books in the series? Nevertheless, I enjoyed listening to this novel and would happily listen to more.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom
The narrator in this edition was fabulous. He handled the multitude of different characters very well (to be honest, I kept getting lost as to who was who, there was such a cast) and his pace and voice were great to listen to. Perhaps my only criticism of the story, aside from getting lost with the characters, was that there were a number of jarring shifts in direction and characters who seemed to want to be important and were built up as such but ended up not being that important at all. Although who knows, perhaps some of them might reappear in later books in the series? Nevertheless, I enjoyed listening to this novel and would happily listen to more.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom
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July 7, 2016This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.
I thought the story was good, albeit slow. I had issues getting into and through the book at times. I think part of this issue may have been that I am listening to other audiobooks that incorporate some humor at various points through the story-line; this book did not have nearly enough or really any at all to compensate. I felt this was a problem with the story, but that may be just me.
I felt the narration was slow as well, but I think it was the general sound of the recording, not the voice or anything else.
I thought the story was good, albeit slow. I had issues getting into and through the book at times. I think part of this issue may have been that I am listening to other audiobooks that incorporate some humor at various points through the story-line; this book did not have nearly enough or really any at all to compensate. I felt this was a problem with the story, but that may be just me.
I felt the narration was slow as well, but I think it was the general sound of the recording, not the voice or anything else.
January 31, 2016
Superb story !
A terrific plot well-crafted . The future science highly believable as well as the telepathic condition of our hero which keeps him out of too much trouble. Once started I found a very difficult put it down. If this book is the author's initial offering I can hardly wait for the next book . I'm going to fall the software and support him/her,,,
A terrific plot well-crafted . The future science highly believable as well as the telepathic condition of our hero which keeps him out of too much trouble. Once started I found a very difficult put it down. If this book is the author's initial offering I can hardly wait for the next book . I'm going to fall the software and support him/her,,,
February 2, 2016
It never slows down....
Starts real and intense and never slows down. It's been awhile since a book made me feel the need to rate it. I very much look forward to this series. Good job author you kept me in the story the entire time. No lag, no fillers,just an awesome tale throughout I highly recommend this to any space opera or military action fans.
Starts real and intense and never slows down. It's been awhile since a book made me feel the need to rate it. I very much look forward to this series. Good job author you kept me in the story the entire time. No lag, no fillers,just an awesome tale throughout I highly recommend this to any space opera or military action fans.
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