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Expansion Wars Trilogy #1
New Frontiers
The Phage War had been a devastating conflict for the Terran Confederacy. Even with the destruction of their terrifying, implacable foe, humanity is still reeling. Political alliances are crumbling and their mighty fleet is in tatters. There is nothing to celebrate, even after such a complete victory. They soon learn that there are other stellar neighbors … and they’ve been watching the conflict with great interest. One species comes with an offer of friendship and alliance, but humanity is weary and distrustful, their only interactions with aliens having resulted in the near-eradication of their kind. Before the ashes of war have been fully swept away Captain Celesta Wright is dispatched to the Frontier with a small taskforce to investigate a mysterious signal while the Confederacy struggles to hold itself together. A partnership with this new species could help accelerate the recovery effort, but is the offer too good to be true? Can humanity risk another fight with an advanced alien species right on the heels of the bloodiest war that had ever been waged? New Frontiers is the first book of the Expansion Wars Trilogy, an all new adventure in the Black Fleet universe.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
August 15, 2016
I am reading a lot of Joshua Dalzelle’s books lately. He’s got this Omega Force series that I’ve been working on and I’m up to the fifth book in that series. Here he starts a new series slightly based on another of his trilogies, The Black Fleet Trilogy. This one starts after the Phage War we read about in that other series I mentioned. Some of the same characters are in this new series, and some with greatly expanded roles. I like it when authors carry over characters from one set of books to another. It sure saves time in character building if the characters were built correctly the first time.
In this series, Senior Captain Celesta Wright, the former XO for Senior Captain Jackson Wolfe, is now commanding the Icarus, a Star-wolf class destroyer. While Captain Wolfe actually saved the human civilization by defeating the Phage hive-mind, he also lost his ship, the TCS Ares and was subsequently honored, and then retired. He had enough of the Confederation politics trying to micromanage starships that were so far away it wasn’t possible to carry on a decent conversation. Some, including Chief of Staff Admiral Marcum wasn’t sad to see Wolfe gone. Now they were trying to do the same thing to Senior Captain Wright.
So, this book is about Senior Captain Wright and the Icarus. Something shows up in the same system as were the Phage War started and the Icarus is sent to investigate. What they find is almost impossible to believe. Unfortunately, they don’t get to marvel at their discovery for very long because the Darshik make their presence know in a very bad way. So now it appears that humanity just got out of one devastating war and are right back in another with an enemy they know very little about.
Then another previously unknown alien shows up, the Ushin, asking for protection from the Darshik. While the Darshik are definitely militaristic, the Ushin are just the opposite and seem to be strong pacifist. But, things are as they aways appear. Senior Captain Wright gets orders to go and assist the Ushin in driving out the Darshik from a previously held Ushin system. In turn, the Ushin are ready to identify almost two dozen human habitable planets they are willing to give up for this support. But, what do we really know about the Ushin or the Darshik for that matter. Can either be trusted?
A lot of good writing going on even though the space fighting seems to take a long time. It makes your wander why you can launch missiles at an enemy and they won’t reach the target for days! Why would a starship just stay on the same course if they knew missiles were streaking for them. I’m not sure about this kind of warfare, but that seems to be the way space wares are fought. It’s real boring until about 5 minutes before your destroyed!
I’ll be looking for the next two books. This series is very much worth reading.
In this series, Senior Captain Celesta Wright, the former XO for Senior Captain Jackson Wolfe, is now commanding the Icarus, a Star-wolf class destroyer. While Captain Wolfe actually saved the human civilization by defeating the Phage hive-mind, he also lost his ship, the TCS Ares and was subsequently honored, and then retired. He had enough of the Confederation politics trying to micromanage starships that were so far away it wasn’t possible to carry on a decent conversation. Some, including Chief of Staff Admiral Marcum wasn’t sad to see Wolfe gone. Now they were trying to do the same thing to Senior Captain Wright.
So, this book is about Senior Captain Wright and the Icarus. Something shows up in the same system as were the Phage War started and the Icarus is sent to investigate. What they find is almost impossible to believe. Unfortunately, they don’t get to marvel at their discovery for very long because the Darshik make their presence know in a very bad way. So now it appears that humanity just got out of one devastating war and are right back in another with an enemy they know very little about.
Then another previously unknown alien shows up, the Ushin, asking for protection from the Darshik. While the Darshik are definitely militaristic, the Ushin are just the opposite and seem to be strong pacifist. But, things are as they aways appear. Senior Captain Wright gets orders to go and assist the Ushin in driving out the Darshik from a previously held Ushin system. In turn, the Ushin are ready to identify almost two dozen human habitable planets they are willing to give up for this support. But, what do we really know about the Ushin or the Darshik for that matter. Can either be trusted?
A lot of good writing going on even though the space fighting seems to take a long time. It makes your wander why you can launch missiles at an enemy and they won’t reach the target for days! Why would a starship just stay on the same course if they knew missiles were streaking for them. I’m not sure about this kind of warfare, but that seems to be the way space wares are fought. It’s real boring until about 5 minutes before your destroyed!
I’ll be looking for the next two books. This series is very much worth reading.
March 19, 2020
Notes:
Mark Boyett has done a great job narrating the books. His performance is the reason why I've rated the books 4 stars. Dalzelle created likable characters and interesting scenarios. However the action is a bit of a see-saw and the reasons why certain things happen in politics/interactions/plot are a bit hand-wavy.
Fun but not a deep dive into a world/characters.
This trilogy happens after the Black Fleet Trilogy.
Mark Boyett has done a great job narrating the books. His performance is the reason why I've rated the books 4 stars. Dalzelle created likable characters and interesting scenarios. However the action is a bit of a see-saw and the reasons why certain things happen in politics/interactions/plot are a bit hand-wavy.
Fun but not a deep dive into a world/characters.
This trilogy happens after the Black Fleet Trilogy.
May 15, 2023
The True Sequel to Warship
New Frontiers is everything I wanted out of Counterstrike. Terran politics are back in the limelight, there’s plenty of bloody space combat, and despite the aggressive pace of writing, we’re treated to diverse perspectives on the fate of human civilization. And while readers can always nitpick and find topics they wished were better explored or expanded upon, the novel is entertaining and will keep you glued to its pages until the conclusion.
The cast diversifies as Wolfe fades into the background and the story becomes that of an ensemble cast. Celesta Wright isn’t a drop-in replacement for Wolfe, and is joined by other returning characters including Marcus and Pike. And while there are many narrators, there’s really only one plot that’s advancing. By splitting the story across so many POVs, the singular story feels epic in scope while being exceptionally fast-paced.
The plot picks up several years after the Phage War, which is both expected given this novel kicks off a new trilogy, but also disappointing as the immediate nasty aftermath of Terran politics never gets fully explored in-situ. Skipping the grim internal strife leaves me feeling cheated, as the author jumps to new coalitions and power blocs without development. At least these results feel organic instead of a TV-show style reset to the status quo! Still, these subplots are more bark than bite, and I’ll be harsher in the future if this is part of the author’s writing style.
With lots of squadron-level combat, species-wide stakes and brand new aliens threatening humanity, New Frontiers is a natural successor to Warship. You get more of everything, wrapped into a tightly-plotted and entertaining package.
Recommended.
Series Overall Spoiler-Free Thoughts
★★★★☆ New Frontiers (Expansion Wars Trilogy, #1)
★★★☆☆ Iron & Blood (Expansion Wars Trilogy, #2)
★★☆☆☆ Destroyer (Expansion Wars Trilogy, #3)
The is the second trilogy that started off well but ran out of steam. I find myself always wishing there was more: more substance, more consequences, more variety. While Joshua Dalzelle is excellent at setting things up, he’s just unable to deliver.
★★☆☆☆ - Not Recommended with reservations. This is more re-make than it is a sequel, and only true fans will stick with it.
New Frontiers is everything I wanted out of Counterstrike. Terran politics are back in the limelight, there’s plenty of bloody space combat, and despite the aggressive pace of writing, we’re treated to diverse perspectives on the fate of human civilization. And while readers can always nitpick and find topics they wished were better explored or expanded upon, the novel is entertaining and will keep you glued to its pages until the conclusion.
The cast diversifies as Wolfe fades into the background and the story becomes that of an ensemble cast. Celesta Wright isn’t a drop-in replacement for Wolfe, and is joined by other returning characters including Marcus and Pike. And while there are many narrators, there’s really only one plot that’s advancing. By splitting the story across so many POVs, the singular story feels epic in scope while being exceptionally fast-paced.
The plot picks up several years after the Phage War, which is both expected given this novel kicks off a new trilogy, but also disappointing as the immediate nasty aftermath of Terran politics never gets fully explored in-situ. Skipping the grim internal strife leaves me feeling cheated, as the author jumps to new coalitions and power blocs without development. At least these results feel organic instead of a TV-show style reset to the status quo! Still, these subplots are more bark than bite, and I’ll be harsher in the future if this is part of the author’s writing style.
With lots of squadron-level combat, species-wide stakes and brand new aliens threatening humanity, New Frontiers is a natural successor to Warship. You get more of everything, wrapped into a tightly-plotted and entertaining package.
Recommended.
Series Overall Spoiler-Free Thoughts
★★★★☆ New Frontiers (Expansion Wars Trilogy, #1)
★★★☆☆ Iron & Blood (Expansion Wars Trilogy, #2)
★★☆☆☆ Destroyer (Expansion Wars Trilogy, #3)
The is the second trilogy that started off well but ran out of steam. I find myself always wishing there was more: more substance, more consequences, more variety. While Joshua Dalzelle is excellent at setting things up, he’s just unable to deliver.
★★☆☆☆ - Not Recommended with reservations. This is more re-make than it is a sequel, and only true fans will stick with it.
October 18, 2016
Great start to a new series
Once again Joshua has given us a good start to another series of books. We see that Captain Wolfe has retired and his old XO has been given his position as senior Captain. A new race of aliens have contacted the human team, but they are not what they want people to believe. Captain Wright and her crew are placed on to the front line, finding that they and the fleet ambushed by aliens ships. I will look forward to reading more soon.
Once again Joshua has given us a good start to another series of books. We see that Captain Wolfe has retired and his old XO has been given his position as senior Captain. A new race of aliens have contacted the human team, but they are not what they want people to believe. Captain Wright and her crew are placed on to the front line, finding that they and the fleet ambushed by aliens ships. I will look forward to reading more soon.
October 10, 2018
A great start to a new series. Joshua Dalzelle is a great author of space battles and continues that skill in this first book in a trilogy.
One new race is discovered and asks for help against an enemy. But are they ?
You'll have to read the book to find out
One new race is discovered and asks for help against an enemy. But are they ?
You'll have to read the book to find out
February 24, 2024
The Phage war is over, now what happens?
After the dramatic end of the last series, Jackson Wolfe is retired and the confederation is in shambles. As is typical for certain types of humans, the lust for power transcends the concerns for others and even common sense.
The war weary societies are left to suffer as different groups consolidate power and tear apart the status quo.
The emergence of a new species that needs protection, but is also offering technological incentives to “pay” for it puts the willingness of both the government elite and the top brass to take on a mission without advance intelligence on the task or the risks…
After the dramatic end of the last series, Jackson Wolfe is retired and the confederation is in shambles. As is typical for certain types of humans, the lust for power transcends the concerns for others and even common sense.
The war weary societies are left to suffer as different groups consolidate power and tear apart the status quo.
The emergence of a new species that needs protection, but is also offering technological incentives to “pay” for it puts the willingness of both the government elite and the top brass to take on a mission without advance intelligence on the task or the risks…
November 4, 2024
An interesting space war novel,
August 9, 2023
Dalzelle had a lot to live up with this series after the exceptional quality of the initial series ‘The Black Fleet Trilogy’, with each of the books in that series being brilliant in their own right. Warship was outstanding and is still one of my favourite books for its gritty realism and depiction of combat in space and the terror of facing off against an unknown enemy of such incredible power. There are many stories about with a ragtag crew and a grizzled Captain, but none like Warship.
As such, there were high expectations for New Frontiers, especially as Captain Wolfe would not be at the helm.
Dalzelle does not disappoint.
This is a fascinating awakening for the Human race of this particular ‘Universe’ that have just come to realise that they are not only ‘NOT ALONE’ after their horrific war with the Phage, but that there are many other species out there. More to the point, they are about to learn that they are a lot closer to several of them than they thought.
A lot of the main characters from the original series are back, Capt Wright is back, along with her bridge crew, Admiral Marcum and most of his staff, and it wouldn’t be right without Pike (easily one of my favourite characters) and his President. The Human Collective is still reeling from the impact of the last series, the loss of Haven, and the collapse of the Fleet Structure that stood for all that time.
Without giving away spoilers, this book is a wonderful exploration of not only how the political scene unfolds around these events, but also how things unfold around the discovery of new alien races, and the impact on a fragile humanity, fleet and political system, still recovering from the Phage war.
Celesta will have her work cut out for her this time as she has to negotiate between two alien races to avoid yet another conflict for humanity, but it will be a difficult task, and one that may not be all that it seems. As with all of Dalzelle’s books, there are some brilliant, creative and very clever plot twists to leave you wondering what is going to happen. There are also some other – well I said no Spoilers, so I will stop there.
Dalzelle does an amazing job of bringing all these elements together, as well as giving us some incredible space battles, and his unique explanations of interstellar and intersystem travel that not only tells a story, but also makes you feel like you are sitting on the bridge of the ship, engaged in the action as it is happening.
There are times, when reading his works, I feel like I'm looking out the view screen, watching the events unfold, looking at the clock and counting down the seconds, when, TIME, ‘launch the shrikes, shrikes away from tubes 1 and 2 Captain…’ and you can swear you are looking from the view screen to the display to see images of missiles pulling away from the ship. Dalzelle does a masterful job of creating tension, suspense and creating an atmosphere that just makes you want to read more.
New Frontiers is a thrilling and captivating continuation to an already outstanding series, and should not be missed.
As such, there were high expectations for New Frontiers, especially as Captain Wolfe would not be at the helm.
Dalzelle does not disappoint.
This is a fascinating awakening for the Human race of this particular ‘Universe’ that have just come to realise that they are not only ‘NOT ALONE’ after their horrific war with the Phage, but that there are many other species out there. More to the point, they are about to learn that they are a lot closer to several of them than they thought.
A lot of the main characters from the original series are back, Capt Wright is back, along with her bridge crew, Admiral Marcum and most of his staff, and it wouldn’t be right without Pike (easily one of my favourite characters) and his President. The Human Collective is still reeling from the impact of the last series, the loss of Haven, and the collapse of the Fleet Structure that stood for all that time.
Without giving away spoilers, this book is a wonderful exploration of not only how the political scene unfolds around these events, but also how things unfold around the discovery of new alien races, and the impact on a fragile humanity, fleet and political system, still recovering from the Phage war.
Celesta will have her work cut out for her this time as she has to negotiate between two alien races to avoid yet another conflict for humanity, but it will be a difficult task, and one that may not be all that it seems. As with all of Dalzelle’s books, there are some brilliant, creative and very clever plot twists to leave you wondering what is going to happen. There are also some other – well I said no Spoilers, so I will stop there.
Dalzelle does an amazing job of bringing all these elements together, as well as giving us some incredible space battles, and his unique explanations of interstellar and intersystem travel that not only tells a story, but also makes you feel like you are sitting on the bridge of the ship, engaged in the action as it is happening.
There are times, when reading his works, I feel like I'm looking out the view screen, watching the events unfold, looking at the clock and counting down the seconds, when, TIME, ‘launch the shrikes, shrikes away from tubes 1 and 2 Captain…’ and you can swear you are looking from the view screen to the display to see images of missiles pulling away from the ship. Dalzelle does a masterful job of creating tension, suspense and creating an atmosphere that just makes you want to read more.
New Frontiers is a thrilling and captivating continuation to an already outstanding series, and should not be missed.
September 10, 2025
One of the hardest things to do in genre fiction is to move on. You come to a book or TV series with a premise: it really was ancient aliens who built the pyramids, they had these ring-shaped gateways that connected planets across light-years and they used them to enslave humans. You build on that premise: modern day humans find one of the rings and start exploring, learn about the threat from the evil aliens and try and do something about it. Then, after hard work, sacrifices, close calls, the occasional harrowing side threat, reverse-engineering the heck out of the alien tech, and making a few friends along the way, you finally are able to overthrow their order and save the galaxy. Sooo... what next. Of course, what I'm describing is Stargate SG-1, and after 8 seasons of brilliant television, the question "what next" ended up being the one threat the series couldn't find an answer for. They settled on the Ori, an annoyingly over-powered threat which somehow had less personality than the enemies who were actual robots and completely destroyed both the power scaling and the basic premise of the show (since instead of using advanced technology to mimic magic, the Ori really were magic, making all the usual ways SG-1 had of dealing with more advanced opponents basically worthless so much so that the show finally solved the problem via deus ex machina (with the Asgard basically saying here ya go, our whole species is about to go extinct, so here's the keys to our superweapons, go out and kill the Ori)).
WHY IN THE WORLD AM I TALKING SO MUCH ABOUT SG-1 IN A REVIEW THAT IS OSTENSIBLY ABOUT NEW FRONTIERS? Well, SG-1 was about the most consistently watchable long-form sci-fi show... ever. Was it as smart as Star Trek at its best? No. Was it as harrowing and evocative as Battlestar Galactica? Certainly not. Was it as crazy and awesome as Farscape? Heresy to even suggest such a thing. BUT, it found the middle ground better than any of them, building a show that was smart enough, fun enough, wild enough, and imaginative enough to stick around for a LONG time. But even with all that, it failed miserably to move beyond its initial idea. All that to say, Dalzelle does it.
He started this series with a simple idea: humanity thinks it's alone, they've expanded, they've colonized nearby stars, and they've been at peace for a long time. Then one day, a distress call comes in, and when a ship responds, it finds a colony world in ruins, nothing left alive, nothing even worth rebuilding. Following in the path of this unknown aggressor, it discovers a massive alien ship of terrifying power which shows no interest in communicating or explaining, just bulldozing its way through human space destroying everything in its path, and this sparks a desperate war for survival, a war humanity barely even remembers how to fight. BUT they resolved that, the Phage is dead, the threat is gone, and it would seem like humanity is safe for the time being, but... not so much.
The phage war left deep scars among the human worlds as many blamed the reckless illegal expansion by certain factions for drawing the attention of the Phage in the first place, while those factions seek to obviate responsibility by claiming the Phage War was the fault of the captain who stumbled upon the path of destruction, acting as if he provoked them somehow to specifically target their worlds. The result is schism. Half the Confederation has split off to form the Eastern Stars Alliance, the other half is desperately trying to pick up the pieces and reform their government into something functional. With half the fleet joining the ESA and the half left to the rump Confederation among those most badly used in the recent fighting, things aren't looking good. Then, into this mix, a pair of alien species arrive on the fringes of human space. One, the Ushin, seeks friendly relations. The others, the Darshik, keep sending cryptic warnings and display growing hostility at every turn. What is humanity to make of them? Can they be trusted or understood and what do they want? Even though these aliens aren't world destroyers and seem willing and able to communicate, how is humanity to know if they are truly friends or foes? At the forefront of this issue is Captain Celesta Wright, commander of the destroyer Icarus and former XO/protege of Captain Wolfe, the main protagonist of the prior trilogy.
Given my LONG diatribe about SG-1 at the start of this review, I'm sure you can guess by now that I'm always leery when a franchise goes beyond its initial premise. I've seen it fail miserably too many times (the Halo series is another that comes to mind, sadly), and often not by being bad but by not having the spirit and fun of what came before and by dragging out its corpse and trying vainly to beat it into something fans might still enjoy. But I feel like Dalzelle pulled it off. His aliens are strange without seeming at all like the Vruuah or the Phage, but both have obviously been shaped, in different ways than humanity, by their own encounters with the Phage, and the book provides plenty of mystery and intrigue to leave us guessing what the aliens want and where things are going. The inter-human conflict that begins to get serious in this volume also feels very realistic and provides an additional source of pressure for the "United Terran Federation" to try and resolve its alien problems quickly, making some hasty assumptions along the way. All in all, this continues to be a very enjoyable space opera series.
WHY IN THE WORLD AM I TALKING SO MUCH ABOUT SG-1 IN A REVIEW THAT IS OSTENSIBLY ABOUT NEW FRONTIERS? Well, SG-1 was about the most consistently watchable long-form sci-fi show... ever. Was it as smart as Star Trek at its best? No. Was it as harrowing and evocative as Battlestar Galactica? Certainly not. Was it as crazy and awesome as Farscape? Heresy to even suggest such a thing. BUT, it found the middle ground better than any of them, building a show that was smart enough, fun enough, wild enough, and imaginative enough to stick around for a LONG time. But even with all that, it failed miserably to move beyond its initial idea. All that to say, Dalzelle does it.
He started this series with a simple idea: humanity thinks it's alone, they've expanded, they've colonized nearby stars, and they've been at peace for a long time. Then one day, a distress call comes in, and when a ship responds, it finds a colony world in ruins, nothing left alive, nothing even worth rebuilding. Following in the path of this unknown aggressor, it discovers a massive alien ship of terrifying power which shows no interest in communicating or explaining, just bulldozing its way through human space destroying everything in its path, and this sparks a desperate war for survival, a war humanity barely even remembers how to fight. BUT they resolved that, the Phage is dead, the threat is gone, and it would seem like humanity is safe for the time being, but... not so much.
The phage war left deep scars among the human worlds as many blamed the reckless illegal expansion by certain factions for drawing the attention of the Phage in the first place, while those factions seek to obviate responsibility by claiming the Phage War was the fault of the captain who stumbled upon the path of destruction, acting as if he provoked them somehow to specifically target their worlds. The result is schism. Half the Confederation has split off to form the Eastern Stars Alliance, the other half is desperately trying to pick up the pieces and reform their government into something functional. With half the fleet joining the ESA and the half left to the rump Confederation among those most badly used in the recent fighting, things aren't looking good. Then, into this mix, a pair of alien species arrive on the fringes of human space. One, the Ushin, seeks friendly relations. The others, the Darshik, keep sending cryptic warnings and display growing hostility at every turn. What is humanity to make of them? Can they be trusted or understood and what do they want? Even though these aliens aren't world destroyers and seem willing and able to communicate, how is humanity to know if they are truly friends or foes? At the forefront of this issue is Captain Celesta Wright, commander of the destroyer Icarus and former XO/protege of Captain Wolfe, the main protagonist of the prior trilogy.
Given my LONG diatribe about SG-1 at the start of this review, I'm sure you can guess by now that I'm always leery when a franchise goes beyond its initial premise. I've seen it fail miserably too many times (the Halo series is another that comes to mind, sadly), and often not by being bad but by not having the spirit and fun of what came before and by dragging out its corpse and trying vainly to beat it into something fans might still enjoy. But I feel like Dalzelle pulled it off. His aliens are strange without seeming at all like the Vruuah or the Phage, but both have obviously been shaped, in different ways than humanity, by their own encounters with the Phage, and the book provides plenty of mystery and intrigue to leave us guessing what the aliens want and where things are going. The inter-human conflict that begins to get serious in this volume also feels very realistic and provides an additional source of pressure for the "United Terran Federation" to try and resolve its alien problems quickly, making some hasty assumptions along the way. All in all, this continues to be a very enjoyable space opera series.
December 2, 2016
Not much here
If you were looking for a story that challenged your vision of the future of the human race, this one would not be it. Lightly touching on the theme of evil aliens bent on destroying humanity for no known reason, the plot doesn't thicken. Most of the focus is on describing the space craft and its capabilities with political subplots added for diversion. No romantic relationships to distract you either.
If you were looking for a story that challenged your vision of the future of the human race, this one would not be it. Lightly touching on the theme of evil aliens bent on destroying humanity for no known reason, the plot doesn't thicken. Most of the focus is on describing the space craft and its capabilities with political subplots added for diversion. No romantic relationships to distract you either.
December 17, 2016
Never grabbed me decent though
Pet peeves with technology, tungsten is only paramagnetic which makes it a miserable rail gun projectile. I know it sounds sexy but use a magnetic material for rail gun bracketing. All this shuddering of multi thousand ton starships is nuts. The energy to do that would tear it apart.
Pet peeves with technology, tungsten is only paramagnetic which makes it a miserable rail gun projectile. I know it sounds sexy but use a magnetic material for rail gun bracketing. All this shuddering of multi thousand ton starships is nuts. The energy to do that would tear it apart.
November 25, 2019
This was my introduction to Joshua Dalzella, and six books later I am truly a fan of his work. The only reason this did not get five stars was because of a lack of depth to the characters, but not every story needs to know about the MC's childhood, or prolonged struggle to fit in.
We know what we need to know. Jackson Wolf is an Earther, a sometimes rouge and happily retired. When a strange request comes from Admiral Markum, he is pressed to once again take on government service, but this time as an administrator of a top secret research lab. Instead of getting a new ship and new command, he is forced to become friends with an Alien intelligence.
Celesta Wright, however, has The Icarus and a mission of her own.
A new Alien species has ventured into Human space, The Ussian have made contact, even as the Human alliance crumbles, and a new government is formed.
Unexpectedly, the Ussian come under attack by another race called the Darschek, and the Ussians need Humanities help. In doing so, it might just save humanity as well.
Joshua changes gears and more closely follows Celesta Wright on this one, and rightfully so. I have no doubt that we will be seeing more of Jackson Wolf, but he Celesta makes her own waves in the interstellar oceans, and earns her place as a ships Captain you can really enjoy.
She has the, "Serenity" about her command, and a hint of curious adventurism that reminds me of Captain Kathryn Janeway.
We know what we need to know. Jackson Wolf is an Earther, a sometimes rouge and happily retired. When a strange request comes from Admiral Markum, he is pressed to once again take on government service, but this time as an administrator of a top secret research lab. Instead of getting a new ship and new command, he is forced to become friends with an Alien intelligence.
Celesta Wright, however, has The Icarus and a mission of her own.
A new Alien species has ventured into Human space, The Ussian have made contact, even as the Human alliance crumbles, and a new government is formed.
Unexpectedly, the Ussian come under attack by another race called the Darschek, and the Ussians need Humanities help. In doing so, it might just save humanity as well.
Joshua changes gears and more closely follows Celesta Wright on this one, and rightfully so. I have no doubt that we will be seeing more of Jackson Wolf, but he Celesta makes her own waves in the interstellar oceans, and earns her place as a ships Captain you can really enjoy.
She has the, "Serenity" about her command, and a hint of curious adventurism that reminds me of Captain Kathryn Janeway.
July 29, 2017
While I very much enjoyed the Black Fleet Trilogy, I wasn't really pleased with the ending. So I wasn't sure I wanted to get into this continuation series. But I'm really glad I decided to give it a chance.
While we have many of the original Black Fleet characters, we have a new enemy and very different and several other interesting new characters. While this feels a lot like Black Fleet, it's not a rehash. The characters have evolved with the time passed, we have a mix of old and new ships, and Senior Captain Wright has developed into her own character with her own tactics instead of a rehash of Wolfe.
The book has a couple of twists in it, but they are kinda easy to see coming. But that's okay, because it made me feel like I was doing my analysis of the enemy properly.
While I felt this book's purpose was to introduce the cast and get us in the mood for the rest of the series, at no time was I not fully enjoying it. Character development was interesting and the action was nail-bitingly exciting.
While we have many of the original Black Fleet characters, we have a new enemy and very different and several other interesting new characters. While this feels a lot like Black Fleet, it's not a rehash. The characters have evolved with the time passed, we have a mix of old and new ships, and Senior Captain Wright has developed into her own character with her own tactics instead of a rehash of Wolfe.
The book has a couple of twists in it, but they are kinda easy to see coming. But that's okay, because it made me feel like I was doing my analysis of the enemy properly.
While I felt this book's purpose was to introduce the cast and get us in the mood for the rest of the series, at no time was I not fully enjoying it. Character development was interesting and the action was nail-bitingly exciting.
December 1, 2018
After the completion of a draining and hugely destructive war with an alien species, the bickering factions of the spacefaring earth civilizations are politically fracturing. The military is standing down. People are preparing for peace. And then two different alien species arrive, one pretending friendship and other outright attacking. The wheels of war must begin spinning again for the exhausted human space fleets.
This is military operational porn at its best. The writing is crisp, and shipboard operations are superbly presented. The fleet actions are understandable and enjoyable to follow. The characters are vibrant, and can carry a series. Despite its impressive execution, the ideas behind the stories were not that complex. Fleet 1 shoots up fleet 2. Fleet 3 comes in to take vengeance on Fleet 1. And this book does not stand alone so the ending is hanging out there clearly encouraging the reader to invest in the remainder of the trilogy. I prefer endings of even first books in trilogies to have a little more substance.
Recommend
This is military operational porn at its best. The writing is crisp, and shipboard operations are superbly presented. The fleet actions are understandable and enjoyable to follow. The characters are vibrant, and can carry a series. Despite its impressive execution, the ideas behind the stories were not that complex. Fleet 1 shoots up fleet 2. Fleet 3 comes in to take vengeance on Fleet 1. And this book does not stand alone so the ending is hanging out there clearly encouraging the reader to invest in the remainder of the trilogy. I prefer endings of even first books in trilogies to have a little more substance.
Recommend
December 11, 2022
The Expansion Wars Trilogy, which could stand alone, is a continuation of the Black Fleet Trilogy by the same author and I recommend reading that series first. After having a war with their first encounter of an alien species, the human race finds itself embroiled in another struggle with two more alien species. This book follows closely the adventures of Captain Celesta Wright and the crew of her spaceship, the Icarus. It includes political gamesmanship and a spy-novel element. I recommend this series only after reading the Black Fleet Series first. Many characters return from that series, and it would be nice to have some background stories on them. This is a fast, page-turning read. Though not as strong in my opinion as the previous series, it is still entertaining
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
September 7, 2018
While this is touted as book 1 of a series, please note it is a new installment continuing the author’s Black Fleet trilogy. You will need to have read that trilogy in order first, or the characters and background won’t make much sense to you.
This installment of the series starts off five years from the last of the Black Fleet trilogy. Consistent with those titles, the author does a good job of getting you hooked in early and continues the story of Captain Wolfe. Without having a spoiler, if you enjoyed the Black Fleet series I am sure you will enjoy this one, also. I read this with my Kindle Unlimited subscription vs. paying the full price of $3.99 and certainly received more than $3.99 worth of entertainment value.
This installment of the series starts off five years from the last of the Black Fleet trilogy. Consistent with those titles, the author does a good job of getting you hooked in early and continues the story of Captain Wolfe. Without having a spoiler, if you enjoyed the Black Fleet series I am sure you will enjoy this one, also. I read this with my Kindle Unlimited subscription vs. paying the full price of $3.99 and certainly received more than $3.99 worth of entertainment value.
February 23, 2019
A good restart into the Black Fleet Universe
The Black Fleet Trilogy was a set of very good military sci-fi books. Everyone loves an underdog and both the main character and the human race fit that bill. The author continues this with the beginning of another trilogy. As with original trilogy, this book starts out with the same style of writing and military sci-fi focused on hard science and military style operations. I had compared the first trilogy to Star Trek but I have changed my mind. It’s less hokey science and fantasy and really more of a submarine “U571” type of a vibe. Some may find it boring, the planning and slow-paced execution of operations, but I very much enjoy it.
The Black Fleet Trilogy was a set of very good military sci-fi books. Everyone loves an underdog and both the main character and the human race fit that bill. The author continues this with the beginning of another trilogy. As with original trilogy, this book starts out with the same style of writing and military sci-fi focused on hard science and military style operations. I had compared the first trilogy to Star Trek but I have changed my mind. It’s less hokey science and fantasy and really more of a submarine “U571” type of a vibe. Some may find it boring, the planning and slow-paced execution of operations, but I very much enjoy it.
July 6, 2017
First, this is NOT a book. It is one third of a book, posing as the first book in a trilogy. That's a fact. It clearly has 1/3 the words of a real novel, and 1/3 the story. So, not cool. However, as the first third of the story, it holds up, and is a fine continuation of the previous story, which was ALSO one novel, published in 3 books. This is what he does. He writes a fine novel, divides it into 3 books, and calls it a trilogy. Sneaky, duplicitous, and venal. But I get them free from the library, so who cares? I enjoyed it, and recommend it, if you like the original "trilogy." Space. Aliens. Battles. Heroes. Setbacks. Good stuff.
February 22, 2019
Still on the fence
I hadn’t read anything from Dazelle before I first started reading the Omega Force series and he quickly became one of my favorite authors. I decided to read the Black Fleet trilogy just because of the author and enjoyed it immensely. Then I started the second trilogy and thought that Jason had taken it too far. I understand making as much money as you can off of a series but thought he’d kinda hit a brick wall with the fourth book. I started out rather dry and uninteresting to me but I stuck it out. I’m still debating whether to read the rest of the series.
I hadn’t read anything from Dazelle before I first started reading the Omega Force series and he quickly became one of my favorite authors. I decided to read the Black Fleet trilogy just because of the author and enjoyed it immensely. Then I started the second trilogy and thought that Jason had taken it too far. I understand making as much money as you can off of a series but thought he’d kinda hit a brick wall with the fourth book. I started out rather dry and uninteresting to me but I stuck it out. I’m still debating whether to read the rest of the series.
October 16, 2022
Entertaining story. I'd give it 4 to 4.5 but for one thing... towards the end a ship is pursued by a number of alien ships... the ship warps to another system and NONE of the pursuing ships follow, giving the hero days to set something up? How very, very convenient. I dropped an entire star for the hero of the story having plot armor. And just a few days later said hero returns through this system and somehow the aliens are still unprepared? OMG really? I'll pick up book 2 but if there's more stupid plot armor like this one, I'm done.
February 23, 2017
I enjoyed the first series and seeing the 2nd series start out with the advancement of the secondary characters into the spotlight was an added bonus.
The authors take on alien life, humanities interactions, and our own inability to get along with each other feels spot on. The characters continue to come alive in the book and the plot isn't predictable based on similar stories from other authors.
I purchased the 2nd book in the series and will start on it soon.
The authors take on alien life, humanities interactions, and our own inability to get along with each other feels spot on. The characters continue to come alive in the book and the plot isn't predictable based on similar stories from other authors.
I purchased the 2nd book in the series and will start on it soon.
April 30, 2018
Must read previous books before this one!!!!!
It’s pretty much pointless starting with this book as I have. You need to read the previous books in a different trilogy first so you can understand what is going on, otherwise, at the start you’ll be pretty much baffled about what’s going on and with the characters, although the author does try and explain things, it’s just not the same as reading the previous books would be.
It’s pretty much pointless starting with this book as I have. You need to read the previous books in a different trilogy first so you can understand what is going on, otherwise, at the start you’ll be pretty much baffled about what’s going on and with the characters, although the author does try and explain things, it’s just not the same as reading the previous books would be.
August 15, 2018
This is the definition of great Space Opera!
The long war is over. They have destroyed the enemy, everyone is exhausted. Then a new enemy appears. An ally isn't. Treachery and betrayal almost destroy the fleet. Oh, and it looks like a few of the enemy escaped, not to mention the enemies within, just as dangerous. This is book you will surely enjoy. You'll say 'just a few more pages', and another hour is gone.
The long war is over. They have destroyed the enemy, everyone is exhausted. Then a new enemy appears. An ally isn't. Treachery and betrayal almost destroy the fleet. Oh, and it looks like a few of the enemy escaped, not to mention the enemies within, just as dangerous. This is book you will surely enjoy. You'll say 'just a few more pages', and another hour is gone.
March 4, 2018
Decent Follow-On Series
“New Frontiers (Expansion Wars Trilogy, Book 1),” is a decent read and follow-on to the “Black Fleet Trilogy,” all authored by Mr. Joshua Dalzelle.
The writing is above par for the genre, and the editing is adequate.
“New Frontiers,” is recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
“New Frontiers (Expansion Wars Trilogy, Book 1),” is a decent read and follow-on to the “Black Fleet Trilogy,” all authored by Mr. Joshua Dalzelle.
The writing is above par for the genre, and the editing is adequate.
“New Frontiers,” is recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
November 7, 2019
Bit flat
Plodding along, missing the main character who was relegated to a bit part. The new threat being as "mysterious" as the last one is simply frustrating and dull. There is no sense of good guys/bad guys in that actually you don't care about either. The action is also missing.
Plodding along, missing the main character who was relegated to a bit part. The new threat being as "mysterious" as the last one is simply frustrating and dull. There is no sense of good guys/bad guys in that actually you don't care about either. The action is also missing.
November 29, 2020
Another jam-packed start to a trilogy that is more of a continuation of the Black Fleet Safe, than an entirely new plot. The focus shifts a little, but we still have the same players as the tensions ramp up. Dalzelle really has a talent for fleshing out his characters to the point they jump off the page and become comfortably familiar.
March 28, 2021
Here we go again
The headline should not be read as sarcasm, but as an indicator that the Black Fleet adventure is moving ahead. The first installment is satisfying as it has familiar characters in mostly familiar surroundings with enough surprise, mystery and uncertainty to make a reader push on.
The headline should not be read as sarcasm, but as an indicator that the Black Fleet adventure is moving ahead. The first installment is satisfying as it has familiar characters in mostly familiar surroundings with enough surprise, mystery and uncertainty to make a reader push on.
September 26, 2021
…well that escalated quickly.
Another highly entertaining episode in the Black Fleet saga sees matters returning to normal. After a short break for peace, just enough time for the latest bunch of politicians to begin staking out their respective claims, a new alien problem emerges.
Great story that’s well written. Highly recommended.
Another highly entertaining episode in the Black Fleet saga sees matters returning to normal. After a short break for peace, just enough time for the latest bunch of politicians to begin staking out their respective claims, a new alien problem emerges.
Great story that’s well written. Highly recommended.
October 5, 2025
This is a solid, worth reading series while not being ground shaking in any way.
Overall I would rate this as a B- due to the characters being enjoyable but never developing. There is some repetition in the world building, but no real agency to advance the protagonists.
To use a food metaphor, not the best burger I've ever had while still being an enjoyable meal.
Overall I would rate this as a B- due to the characters being enjoyable but never developing. There is some repetition in the world building, but no real agency to advance the protagonists.
To use a food metaphor, not the best burger I've ever had while still being an enjoyable meal.
November 5, 2016
Good Read
If you like space action this is the book to read. It is exciting to read books where earth is still a baby in space travel. Maybe he will write a book ok dos and donts for the new space traveller!
If you like space action this is the book to read. It is exciting to read books where earth is still a baby in space travel. Maybe he will write a book ok dos and donts for the new space traveller!
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