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Planet Hell
Revenge is hell. Hope is worse. Five years after their world was decimated by powerful aliens that killed their parents, two brothers are returning to get answers. One wants justice. One just wants to survive. But nothing on Planet Hell is what it seems. The brothers soon stumble upon a plot to interact with the aliens that could change everything. But they aren't the only people trying to understand the aliens--and most are willing to do anything to keep the powerful secrets for themselves. Shifting alliances, hidden agendas, and ruthless killers interact against a backdrop of invincible aliens willing and able to kill anything, and anyone, on a whim. Gritty and fast-paced, Planet Hell is a high-octane military sci-fi with a devastating mystery at its heart.
- GenresScience Fiction
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2019
101 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 11, 2019
It’s always good to star a new series with a new author. You don’t know what to expect until you read the book. This one is kind of unique in that the main character(s) aren’t really military. Oh, they’re in the military, but they are part of an elite society that was once governed by Dukes and Lords and such, royalty in other words. They are serving their obligatory time in the military so as to look good for the common people of the Union, but they aren’t really trained for battle.
Captain Tim Oberon and Major Mason Oberon are the royal brothers who are somewhat rich and have been throughout their short lives. They have gone to the most prestigious schools while growing up and not just fancy Union schools. No, they managed to get themselves into Empire schools that were much more prestigious than any mere Union school. They are also members of the Guild of Juuvlin. This was the Guild that ruled the entire planet of Udeba VI now know as Planet Hell!
As Guild Officers, Major Oberon and Captain Oberon had received very limited military training. They did have some. The could shoot farily well, although Captain Tim Oberon was an excellent shot. But, they were never expected to get into an actual firefight. Tim had joined the Guild only because of his younger brother. Yes, the Major is the youngest of the two. Tim didn’t want to have anything to do with the military, but he volunteered just to make sure his younger brother stayed alive. That was not working out so well. Because of brother Mason, they found themselves stationed aboard a huge floating space station above the Planet Hell.
Planet Hell was so named because of the Druk. This is an alien species that suddenly appeared in the human galaxy and began to take what it wanted. Their technology allowed them to do so without much push back by the humans. When they took over a planet, the destroyed everything, including the people that lived there. And that’s what happened to Planet Hell. Still, the Union knew that a lot of equipment was left on the planet so they were attempting to recover/salvage what they could. The Druk didn’t seem to care as long as they weren’t fighting. Any kind of weapon discharge would immediately bring a Druk cube and that would be the end of everyone.
There were still some people living on Planet Hell, if you can believe that. They came after all the fighting and went deep into caves on the planet. They stayed to themselves and so did the Druk. Still, you didn’t want to run into one of the “Returners”, because they tended to be very territorial.
Tim Oberon hoped that he and his brother could just do their admin duties on the space station and then leave when their service time was up. His brother had other ideas. Mason couldn’t sit still. He wanted action! So, he devised a way to get sent on a mission to the planet’s surface looking for plasma weapons. Tim didn’t want to go, but he still had to protect Mason, so he grudgingly went with the squad of Union convicts conscripted into the Army. These were the “grunts” who did all the work. Tim didn’t believe he was a leader and certainly not of this veteran squad.
But, they did get to the planet and all Hell breaks out. This little adventure might cost him dearly, especially if his brother gets killed. Things happen when the fighting starts. Some happenings don’t turn out so well.
Good story, but I’m not sure if there is a sequel. It would have to go off in a completely different tangent, but I guess the author could make a sequel. I mean this is science fiction, right?
Captain Tim Oberon and Major Mason Oberon are the royal brothers who are somewhat rich and have been throughout their short lives. They have gone to the most prestigious schools while growing up and not just fancy Union schools. No, they managed to get themselves into Empire schools that were much more prestigious than any mere Union school. They are also members of the Guild of Juuvlin. This was the Guild that ruled the entire planet of Udeba VI now know as Planet Hell!
As Guild Officers, Major Oberon and Captain Oberon had received very limited military training. They did have some. The could shoot farily well, although Captain Tim Oberon was an excellent shot. But, they were never expected to get into an actual firefight. Tim had joined the Guild only because of his younger brother. Yes, the Major is the youngest of the two. Tim didn’t want to have anything to do with the military, but he volunteered just to make sure his younger brother stayed alive. That was not working out so well. Because of brother Mason, they found themselves stationed aboard a huge floating space station above the Planet Hell.
Planet Hell was so named because of the Druk. This is an alien species that suddenly appeared in the human galaxy and began to take what it wanted. Their technology allowed them to do so without much push back by the humans. When they took over a planet, the destroyed everything, including the people that lived there. And that’s what happened to Planet Hell. Still, the Union knew that a lot of equipment was left on the planet so they were attempting to recover/salvage what they could. The Druk didn’t seem to care as long as they weren’t fighting. Any kind of weapon discharge would immediately bring a Druk cube and that would be the end of everyone.
There were still some people living on Planet Hell, if you can believe that. They came after all the fighting and went deep into caves on the planet. They stayed to themselves and so did the Druk. Still, you didn’t want to run into one of the “Returners”, because they tended to be very territorial.
Tim Oberon hoped that he and his brother could just do their admin duties on the space station and then leave when their service time was up. His brother had other ideas. Mason couldn’t sit still. He wanted action! So, he devised a way to get sent on a mission to the planet’s surface looking for plasma weapons. Tim didn’t want to go, but he still had to protect Mason, so he grudgingly went with the squad of Union convicts conscripted into the Army. These were the “grunts” who did all the work. Tim didn’t believe he was a leader and certainly not of this veteran squad.
But, they did get to the planet and all Hell breaks out. This little adventure might cost him dearly, especially if his brother gets killed. Things happen when the fighting starts. Some happenings don’t turn out so well.
Good story, but I’m not sure if there is a sequel. It would have to go off in a completely different tangent, but I guess the author could make a sequel. I mean this is science fiction, right?
June 20, 2019
I really enjoyed the story on this book and tore through it really quickly. Story development and twists and reveals were well paced and the plot felt original. My only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 was now much I disliked both main characters, the Oberons. One was more unlikable than the other but neither were characters I warmed too at all. Whilst it's interesting to have that kind of character in a book, when the two main leads are both unsympathetic it does, for me, take away a little of my affection for the book overall.
June 9, 2019
Not bad, hopefully it will improve in the next book.
I found it very hard reading, I just couldn't get in to the story, it does get better as it goes on, worth reading but is not lucky.
I found it very hard reading, I just couldn't get in to the story, it does get better as it goes on, worth reading but is not lucky.
September 19, 2023
This turned into quite a good sci-fi story. I'm always in for sci-fi and when it deals with aliens and other worlds there's so much that you can do. This one introduced some interesting aliens that are fairly different from a lot of others I have read. I found the story engaging and entertaining and it held my interest throughout. It made for an excellent introduction into what could be a really good longer storyline.
June 8, 2019
Good Military SciFi!
Good Military science fiction! A fun read! Recommend for those who enjoy military in their sci-fi! Keep writing I want to see were you take this!
Good Military science fiction! A fun read! Recommend for those who enjoy military in their sci-fi! Keep writing I want to see were you take this!
June 4, 2019
This has been a true edge of your seat ride. We have a solid story line, characters you learn to care about, a lot of action and things blow up a bunch. A romp through hell and back. This is the best military science fiction I’ve read this year.
June 2, 2019
A good shoot 'em up
Good storyline. A little too much exposition for my tastes in this genre, but I'm waiting to get book two, for sure
Good storyline. A little too much exposition for my tastes in this genre, but I'm waiting to get book two, for sure
May 30, 2019
Great Start for Series
Post Apocalyptic scenario brothers thrust into conflict with aliens (of course) and the dark side of the human empire. Oh did I mention “magic rocks?” Good read enjoy!
Post Apocalyptic scenario brothers thrust into conflict with aliens (of course) and the dark side of the human empire. Oh did I mention “magic rocks?” Good read enjoy!
May 29, 2019
Really good.
Hooked me right from the get-go, and kept me turning pages until the very end. I only hope that Tim develops into more of a badass (ala. Lucky) as time goes on.
Hooked me right from the get-go, and kept me turning pages until the very end. I only hope that Tim develops into more of a badass (ala. Lucky) as time goes on.
May 18, 2021
I randomly picked this novel up as it was available from Hoopla as an audiobook. I’d heard of Joshua James but never read one of his books before.
This novel was good but pretty standard military SF. A group of military soldiers go to a location (in this case a planet called Hell) to either fight aliens or they come across aliens (in this case Druk) which leads to battle(s). Although the plot was standard there was lots of action and gun battles which kept my interest peaked. The mystery surrounding the mysterious rock was unique but my mind wasn’t entirely focused on the story at this point so I think I might have missed some parts.
The characters, Tim and Mason Oberon, are royalty and brothers. I liked how they weren’t soldiers and therefore made plenty of mistakes. But it bothered me how soldiers with no experience would be given positions of leadership. Especially when it was stated the Captain and Major ranks were only given as an honorary. But the plot must happen and how else would the plucky protagonists get to planet Hell.
The world building was okay. I didn’t love it. Everything was explained well but nothing about the aliens, the humans or the war really engaged me.
Overall this was an okay military SF novel that felt by the numbers. Glad I listened to the audiobook, not sure I’ll continue the series.
This novel was good but pretty standard military SF. A group of military soldiers go to a location (in this case a planet called Hell) to either fight aliens or they come across aliens (in this case Druk) which leads to battle(s). Although the plot was standard there was lots of action and gun battles which kept my interest peaked. The mystery surrounding the mysterious rock was unique but my mind wasn’t entirely focused on the story at this point so I think I might have missed some parts.
The characters, Tim and Mason Oberon, are royalty and brothers. I liked how they weren’t soldiers and therefore made plenty of mistakes. But it bothered me how soldiers with no experience would be given positions of leadership. Especially when it was stated the Captain and Major ranks were only given as an honorary. But the plot must happen and how else would the plucky protagonists get to planet Hell.
The world building was okay. I didn’t love it. Everything was explained well but nothing about the aliens, the humans or the war really engaged me.
Overall this was an okay military SF novel that felt by the numbers. Glad I listened to the audiobook, not sure I’ll continue the series.
July 1, 2019
Very light and fast
The characters are more lively than I expected. The background universe is laid out just enough to make sense of the circumstances confronting the major characters and the plot leads to all sorts of possibilities.
It's very like Lucky's Marines with some humor, some drama, plenty of intrigue and human failings. It's a very good combination and it promises to be a fun series.
The characters are more lively than I expected. The background universe is laid out just enough to make sense of the circumstances confronting the major characters and the plot leads to all sorts of possibilities.
It's very like Lucky's Marines with some humor, some drama, plenty of intrigue and human failings. It's a very good combination and it promises to be a fun series.
October 12, 2020
Though the concept isn't new the way that Joshua James writes is refreshing. Each character becomes a worthy companion as your imagination creates a world fraught with hope and despair. All the pieces fall into place leading to a climax that will make you want to immediately get the next book to continue the journey. Don't worry, the love hate relationship with certain characters is normal. Not everything is puppies and daisy's. That would be boring. Enjoy!
March 6, 2021
Very good reading with plenty of action. Capt Tim Oberan and his brother Maj Mason Oberan ae on the Planet called Hell which had been raised by the alien species referred to as the Druk. While on a missiojn onthe surface Tim was given a rock which made possible mental contach which also confued the Druk when they were near. An Admiral called Nelson from the Empire also wanted the rock fore his own use. Thus a rivalry started between the two parties.Who will win? well worth reading.
March 3, 2021
Any book written by Joshua James is going to be good. His writing style, word usage and super characters make all his books a hit. This one has a lot of action, well it is mostly action and I found that I did not want to stop. It has a very good ending that you know will spawn another book in this series. If you are looking for action in space then this one fits the bill.
August 1, 2020
A great adventure of space sci fi at it's best by author Joshua James. Planet Hell is a family alliance and about a man that finds his own even though he has been given a lot in his life. A Outstanding read and book. I loved it!!!!!!
November 18, 2020
Joshua James created a lot of very deep Characters. And Maintained them through a very convoluted and extremely interesting plot. This is the first book of a series. This was a very good read. Santa Mike
January 2, 2023
Has short chapters and several surprises along the way. This is a book that for the most part I could not foresee how most of the book goes. This book is very interesting and makes you want to read the rest of the series
June 24, 2020
A good read. Held my interest throughout. Hope there is a follow-on.
August 26, 2020
Perhaps genetic in some respects, yet intriguing sci-fi story, with a few twists and a cliffhanger.
November 11, 2020
My first read of JJ, and I couldn't put it down. Non-stop action and plenty of plot twists. Looking forward to reading more of his sifi work.
May 6, 2021
Not recommended. The setting and the main character(s) are completely uninteresting. I stopped reading at the end of the first chapter.
April 12, 2022
Two brothers are in the military go get revenge on the aliens who destroyed the minds of everyone on their home planet. But all is not as it seems.
August 15, 2023
Good old fashioned space opera. Aliens. Weapons. Marines. Space ships. Ground combat. Great characters and writing. And more to come.....
July 20, 2024
Very imaginative! At first didn't think I would finish it. But all at once, I'm caught up in the story! Good read!
August 8, 2025
I enjoyed book found it easy to read. Had some good characters. I did find it to be a bit slow especially in the beginning.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews