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Survival Wars #3
Chains of Duty
For Captain John Duggan, it seems like war never ends. Each success brings another mission and more death. Following events at the Helius Blackstar, Duggan is given the Space Corps’ newest warship – a heavy cruiser armed to the teeth with the latest weapons and technology. A prospector craft, the SC Lupus, has gone missing and his superiors want to find out what happened and the aggressors dealt with accordingly. The wrecked spaceship is soon found. However, nothing is as it seems. What Duggan finds on a distant planet turns everything on its head. With the survival of humanity potentially in the balance, Duggan – a man forever chained by duty – is required to take the biggest risk of all. The man who has faced everything is about to come up against an opponent he cannot possibly defend himself against. Chains of Duty is a science fiction adventure and the third book in the Survival Wars series.
- GenresScience FictionSpace
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2017
209 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Anthony James
235 books108 followersAnthony James spent his youth reading what might now be called classic sci-fi and fantasy books. These days, he spends time in his study with the door locked against rampant and ferocious toddlers, writing books of his own.
That's the third person stuff out of the way.
For anyone who's read any of my books, you'll know that I write action science fiction that pulls no punches and which doesn't cram the good stuff into the last couple of chapters. The action starts early and it doesn't let up. I also take care to mix in plenty of humanity. The characters I write are all distinctly believable, often facing uncaring enemies and overwhelming odds. When they win, it's because they did their best.
Go on. Punch an alien today. Better yet, check out my series of books, each one filled with action, technology, warfare, aliens and against-the-odds survival. Lots of kick-back-and-enjoy weekend or evening reading.
That's the third person stuff out of the way.
For anyone who's read any of my books, you'll know that I write action science fiction that pulls no punches and which doesn't cram the good stuff into the last couple of chapters. The action starts early and it doesn't let up. I also take care to mix in plenty of humanity. The characters I write are all distinctly believable, often facing uncaring enemies and overwhelming odds. When they win, it's because they did their best.
Go on. Punch an alien today. Better yet, check out my series of books, each one filled with action, technology, warfare, aliens and against-the-odds survival. Lots of kick-back-and-enjoy weekend or evening reading.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 25, 2018
I’d Never...
I made it through two and a half books before deciding to give up reading any more. Captain Dugan is an idiot that loses ships, gets people under his command killed and has none of the expected command of tactics one would expect from a book this type.
I understand why the late Admiral Slender held a grudge against him. Dugan has some successes but he’s the worst kind of commander, one who will sacrifice everything for the sake of the mission even when common sense says to do nothing, report in, get help.
I had hoped that in this third book - and after getting benched - that Dugan would approach this new mission more carefully and against a new enemy no one knows anything about other than the fact this enemy is extremely lethal... but he didn’t. His ship is damaged - and possibly sabotaged by a Senate plant whose job is to stop him from wasting money and materiel needlessly.
I just couldn’t read any more after he drove a tank into the teeth of enemy fire and has decided to enter an alien structure they don’t know anything about. Some readers might enjoy this series but I didn’t...
I made it through two and a half books before deciding to give up reading any more. Captain Dugan is an idiot that loses ships, gets people under his command killed and has none of the expected command of tactics one would expect from a book this type.
I understand why the late Admiral Slender held a grudge against him. Dugan has some successes but he’s the worst kind of commander, one who will sacrifice everything for the sake of the mission even when common sense says to do nothing, report in, get help.
I had hoped that in this third book - and after getting benched - that Dugan would approach this new mission more carefully and against a new enemy no one knows anything about other than the fact this enemy is extremely lethal... but he didn’t. His ship is damaged - and possibly sabotaged by a Senate plant whose job is to stop him from wasting money and materiel needlessly.
I just couldn’t read any more after he drove a tank into the teeth of enemy fire and has decided to enter an alien structure they don’t know anything about. Some readers might enjoy this series but I didn’t...
November 12, 2019
This book has a decent basic story, but there was nothing else that I enjoyed about the book.
The story is focused entirely on Duggan, the rest of the ‘cast’ are just props. The only thing you ever find out about the crew is their name and rank before they die. As for the Captain, it has now been three books and there has still been very little real character development.
Having said the basic story is OK, the problem is there is nothing else, there is no development of any subplots, if Duggan isn’t there, it’s not happening. E.g. During this story, while Duggan was on the planet Trasgor his ship, ES Terminus is left badly damaged and because of possible sabotage they are unable to send reinforcements down to the planet. Does the author give even a few pages to what is happening on the ship or the possible sabotage by the MAM officer? Not likely!
There is nothing to help empathise with the characters in these books, so in the end I don’t care what happens to them. I gave two stars because the story isn’t bad, even though I really wanted to give just one.
The story is focused entirely on Duggan, the rest of the ‘cast’ are just props. The only thing you ever find out about the crew is their name and rank before they die. As for the Captain, it has now been three books and there has still been very little real character development.
Having said the basic story is OK, the problem is there is nothing else, there is no development of any subplots, if Duggan isn’t there, it’s not happening. E.g. During this story, while Duggan was on the planet Trasgor his ship, ES Terminus is left badly damaged and because of possible sabotage they are unable to send reinforcements down to the planet. Does the author give even a few pages to what is happening on the ship or the possible sabotage by the MAM officer? Not likely!
There is nothing to help empathise with the characters in these books, so in the end I don’t care what happens to them. I gave two stars because the story isn’t bad, even though I really wanted to give just one.
February 26, 2020
Again, a 5 star book! Always throwing something new at you, never staying the same.
These books are highly addictive!
These books are highly addictive!
February 19, 2020
The chains of duty hold captain Duggan and his crew close. They undertake several risky missions and enjoy the scrutiny of Military Asset Management, a group of control-mad bean counters.
This third book in author James' series is good but not great. He left out some of the character development that made book 1, Crimson Tempest, such an enjoyable read.
Several reviewers on Amazon complained that the series isn't true to military culture or that the world building assumptions are flawed. This may be true but frankly, I don't care. I don't read these to understand naval ranks and structure but to be entertained. And this series does just that.
You can read a slightly different review here on my blog: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/cha...
This third book in author James' series is good but not great. He left out some of the character development that made book 1, Crimson Tempest, such an enjoyable read.
Several reviewers on Amazon complained that the series isn't true to military culture or that the world building assumptions are flawed. This may be true but frankly, I don't care. I don't read these to understand naval ranks and structure but to be entertained. And this series does just that.
You can read a slightly different review here on my blog: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/cha...
November 27, 2017
Just Great Alien Invasion Military Space Opera Story
Captain Duggan and his three crew members continue to get the suicidal missions, as the Human Confederation attempts to make peace with the Ghast while searching for more evidence of the Dreamer enemy. Of course, the Confederation's penny-pinching threatens the troops as much, if not more than, the obvious enemies.
The story continues to wind up. The emergence of the Dreamers forces the humans and Ghasts to work together...only with the arms of both militaries can the Dreamers be vanquished. However the racial identity of the Dreamers brings all into question.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BOTH AS A VOLUME AND AS A SERIES!
Captain Duggan and his three crew members continue to get the suicidal missions, as the Human Confederation attempts to make peace with the Ghast while searching for more evidence of the Dreamer enemy. Of course, the Confederation's penny-pinching threatens the troops as much, if not more than, the obvious enemies.
The story continues to wind up. The emergence of the Dreamers forces the humans and Ghasts to work together...only with the arms of both militaries can the Dreamers be vanquished. However the racial identity of the Dreamers brings all into question.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BOTH AS A VOLUME AND AS A SERIES!
February 22, 2020
8/10: Excellent read, well written, fell right into the fictional world created.
Like a dying man reaching for salvation, Duggan lifted his arm and traced a finger along the outline of the ship.
Still enjoying this series, but as the mystery is further resolved, the star rating does a downshift. Nature of the game, unfortunately; it's hard to hold onto those five stars.
I'd like to see a little more emotion replacing the mystery. I'm attached to the crew now, make me feel.
Other than that, this is still a very easy-to-read MSF. Onto the next...
Like a dying man reaching for salvation, Duggan lifted his arm and traced a finger along the outline of the ship.
Still enjoying this series, but as the mystery is further resolved, the star rating does a downshift. Nature of the game, unfortunately; it's hard to hold onto those five stars.
I'd like to see a little more emotion replacing the mystery. I'm attached to the crew now, make me feel.
Other than that, this is still a very easy-to-read MSF. Onto the next...
December 9, 2020
The Saga Continues
As the storyline moves forward it becomes more unclear where everything is headed. In this book there are more questions asked than answered and at the end the reader is left wondering what is next. Some plot turns were more expected than others, a few were unsatisfactory. A bit less enthused, yet I expect to continue with the next installment.
As the storyline moves forward it becomes more unclear where everything is headed. In this book there are more questions asked than answered and at the end the reader is left wondering what is next. Some plot turns were more expected than others, a few were unsatisfactory. A bit less enthused, yet I expect to continue with the next installment.
January 29, 2024
Good read.
This book was a good one . It seems that the two enemies may be the same race just more advanced ,so instead of fighting two different enemies they are fighting the one enemy that has one group that is very advanced in their ships and weapons. Starting to get very interesting.
This book was a good one . It seems that the two enemies may be the same race just more advanced ,so instead of fighting two different enemies they are fighting the one enemy that has one group that is very advanced in their ships and weapons. Starting to get very interesting.
May 10, 2020
Book 3
Book 3 was a fun read and had a few errors. I enjoyed the plot and characters so far in this series. The plot is a little predictable, but overall fun to read. I look forward to book 4.
Book 3 was a fun read and had a few errors. I enjoyed the plot and characters so far in this series. The plot is a little predictable, but overall fun to read. I look forward to book 4.
January 17, 2018
Great
A very good story line and lots of action. Would love to live in times like this, just not in the middle of a war.
A very good story line and lots of action. Would love to live in times like this, just not in the middle of a war.
January 17, 2018
A good read...
Part of a series. Fun progression of story line.. A good way to pass a rainy afternoon... I'm looking forward to the next one.
Part of a series. Fun progression of story line.. A good way to pass a rainy afternoon... I'm looking forward to the next one.
May 7, 2018
Great continuing story
Still interesting and exciting. Wonder why no advancements for crew members after what seems to be years passing, otherwise highly plausible.
Still interesting and exciting. Wonder why no advancements for crew members after what seems to be years passing, otherwise highly plausible.
May 24, 2018
Brilliant series a must for readers
The author keeps you glued to each book well worth reading .am looking forward to be able to finish all books
The author keeps you glued to each book well worth reading .am looking forward to be able to finish all books
May 10, 2019
Series is still interesting.
Great story telling. The smart brave impulsive Capt. ?
Way to dense. However besides that its still a great read.
Great story telling. The smart brave impulsive Capt. ?
Way to dense. However besides that its still a great read.
January 21, 2020
Another good read. A good continuation of all the characters. The story continues from the first two books and has a very good and surprising end. Keeps you wanting more
March 7, 2024
4/5 stars great book.
May 16, 2024
Excellent. Love these books
October 28, 2020
It's OK just pulp scfi but seriously advanced spacefaring civilisations with no basic tech like satalites or mini drones for exploring indoors it's getting ridiculous.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews