What do you think?
Rate this book
The Contingency War #1–4
The Contingency War boxed set
Get all four books in the Contingency War Series for one low price. Hours of epic space opera action and adventure with unique heroes and twists that you won't see coming!
The series includes: The Contingency, The Way Station Gambit, Rise of Nimrod Fleet, and Earth's Last War.
From book one:
No-one comes in peace. Every being in the galaxy wants something and is willing to take it by force. The Hedalt were no different. They came from the distant reaches of the galaxy to wage war. Their fleet wanted to take Earth for its prize, but we were ready. We were stronger.
For years, we fought them, ship-to-ship, until we scattered their forces and drove them back. Pursuing the Hedalt fleet to their home world, we delivered the decisive blow. We nuked their planet and wiped them out for good.
Or so we thought.
For decades, Earth Fleet sent out Deep Space Recon missions to scour the galaxy and clean up the remnants of the Hedalt Empire. Eventually, we found only ghosts - empty outposts and long-dead colonies. But, close to the edge of known space, I - Captain Taylor Ray - and my crew are about to make a discovery that will change everything.
The war isn't over. The war has yet to begin.
The series includes: The Contingency, The Way Station Gambit, Rise of Nimrod Fleet, and Earth's Last War.
From book one:
No-one comes in peace. Every being in the galaxy wants something and is willing to take it by force. The Hedalt were no different. They came from the distant reaches of the galaxy to wage war. Their fleet wanted to take Earth for its prize, but we were ready. We were stronger.
For years, we fought them, ship-to-ship, until we scattered their forces and drove them back. Pursuing the Hedalt fleet to their home world, we delivered the decisive blow. We nuked their planet and wiped them out for good.
Or so we thought.
For decades, Earth Fleet sent out Deep Space Recon missions to scour the galaxy and clean up the remnants of the Hedalt Empire. Eventually, we found only ghosts - empty outposts and long-dead colonies. But, close to the edge of known space, I - Captain Taylor Ray - and my crew are about to make a discovery that will change everything.
The war isn't over. The war has yet to begin.
Audible Audio
Published December 13, 2019
639 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
G.J. Ogden
85 books119 followersG J Ogden is a proud recipient of the Kindle Storyteller Award and has written over 50 books that have garnered over 15,000 5-star ratings. When he’s not writing, G J Ogden is usually getting whooped in games of Warhammer 40K by his son. Unless he’s playing Adepta Sororitas, then he wins.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 15, 2021
This review covers the entire “G. J. Ogden’s ‘Contingency War’ Series.” And I am not making this up.
I’ve always had insomnia. When I was a kid, a read the latest Heinlein or Azimov strip from the SF magazines, with a flashlight, under my blanket. (This may have been the reason I did not read much fantasy growing up: scary stuff won’t put you to sleep.) Later, I read military (particularly naval) history books. But well-written non-fiction books also keep you awake.
Over the years, I’ve tried other remedies. Drugs—OTC and prescription. All of them. Sometimes in dangerous combinations. The idea is to knock me out with a wham without making me a morning zombie. The problem is not so much addiction, but getting used to it, so needing ever increasing doses. Nicht so gut.
I’ve tried Transcendental Meditation—took the course in the early 1970s with money earned from working as a cashier. Paid what I think was $25: a lot back then. It was a six-week course, yet I only remember the last day when we were assigned our personal mantras. One-by-one, we went to the guru, who whispered in our ear some meaningless phonemes , followed by a warning to keep all mantras secret. Sixty years later, I never have told anyone my three-syllable mantra. Yet doesn’t everyone think there might be only one mantra given to everyone, then placed under double-secret probation? Anyway, the point is TM is helps if I want to meditate during the day. But it doesn’t get me to sleep.
I also have tried similar phycological gimmicks. Basically, they are designed to slow your thoughts, wipe out daily or long-term concerns, and leave you with nothing but blackness. Blackness matters, to be sure, and if I can get to a fully black environment, I usually sleep. Unfortunately, that is the rare event.
I still read before I sleep, as I’m sure everyone here does. And, at this point—if you’ve made it to this point—you must be saying, “What does this have to do with G. J. Ogden?” Before I answer that, I’ll say that whenever I read a SF, Fantasy, or Techno-thriller written by an author using initials instead of a name, I assume it’s written by a woman. In this case, I’m too lazy to look it up, but I’ll use the feminine pronoun not because I’m Woke, but because I suspect it’s accurate.
Anyway, to continue not to talk about the books, my doctor suggested I might have sleep apnea. And if you’ve ever had that diagnosis, you know what it entails: two nights of sleeping at the basement of some suburban shopping mall with 47/11 wires hooked up to every part of your body. Thinking about peeing is difficult. But if you do, the helpful staff will rush in, unhook you (briefly) from the master control box and allow some privacy away from the cameras. Sounds, and is awful.
Your reward for all this diagnosis of profound sleep apnea (how did we not notice those brain cells disappearing before?) is a life sentence to a sleep machine. These machines ensure that enough we breathe through our nose, not mouth, so sufficient Oxygen circulates to keep us alive until there is still less social security. But both at the sleep test and afterward at home, with my machine, any woman would think I look like an alien. I was told “do everything you normally do.” So I did.
Now the wonderful KateBlue recommended the Contingency War Series, and I downloaded all four books the day before my first sleep test. I am astonished to find universal 4 and 5 star ratings for the series. Because my reaction was quite different.
Ms Ogden’s prose is so stilted that she cured my insomnia. Really. At least when reading her books. At the cost of a Kindle. You see, after completing all my ablutions, when I finally lay down in the darkness and started reading any of the four “Contingency War” books (2: The Way Station Gambit; 3: Rise of Nimrod’s Fleet; 4: Earth’s Last War), my eyes would close on their own command. Then I would fall asleep. Then the Kindle would fall out of my right hand and take a hard bounce off the concrete or hardwood floor. After about a week, the screen shattered. So, I had to return to my prior Kindle, with its iffy power cord connection.
Ms. Ogden cannot write. Her characters were cardboard—and yes, I know four of them were intended to be cardboard. But why write about cardboard? Simply nothing in his series made any sense or was the least bit interesting. I am tempted to buy another of her series and see if it’s similarly bad. But I thought putting this review on-line might guide my path.
Stay away.
I’ve always had insomnia. When I was a kid, a read the latest Heinlein or Azimov strip from the SF magazines, with a flashlight, under my blanket. (This may have been the reason I did not read much fantasy growing up: scary stuff won’t put you to sleep.) Later, I read military (particularly naval) history books. But well-written non-fiction books also keep you awake.
Over the years, I’ve tried other remedies. Drugs—OTC and prescription. All of them. Sometimes in dangerous combinations. The idea is to knock me out with a wham without making me a morning zombie. The problem is not so much addiction, but getting used to it, so needing ever increasing doses. Nicht so gut.
I’ve tried Transcendental Meditation—took the course in the early 1970s with money earned from working as a cashier. Paid what I think was $25: a lot back then. It was a six-week course, yet I only remember the last day when we were assigned our personal mantras. One-by-one, we went to the guru, who whispered in our ear some meaningless phonemes , followed by a warning to keep all mantras secret. Sixty years later, I never have told anyone my three-syllable mantra. Yet doesn’t everyone think there might be only one mantra given to everyone, then placed under double-secret probation? Anyway, the point is TM is helps if I want to meditate during the day. But it doesn’t get me to sleep.
I also have tried similar phycological gimmicks. Basically, they are designed to slow your thoughts, wipe out daily or long-term concerns, and leave you with nothing but blackness. Blackness matters, to be sure, and if I can get to a fully black environment, I usually sleep. Unfortunately, that is the rare event.
I still read before I sleep, as I’m sure everyone here does. And, at this point—if you’ve made it to this point—you must be saying, “What does this have to do with G. J. Ogden?” Before I answer that, I’ll say that whenever I read a SF, Fantasy, or Techno-thriller written by an author using initials instead of a name, I assume it’s written by a woman. In this case, I’m too lazy to look it up, but I’ll use the feminine pronoun not because I’m Woke, but because I suspect it’s accurate.
Anyway, to continue not to talk about the books, my doctor suggested I might have sleep apnea. And if you’ve ever had that diagnosis, you know what it entails: two nights of sleeping at the basement of some suburban shopping mall with 47/11 wires hooked up to every part of your body. Thinking about peeing is difficult. But if you do, the helpful staff will rush in, unhook you (briefly) from the master control box and allow some privacy away from the cameras. Sounds, and is awful.
Your reward for all this diagnosis of profound sleep apnea (how did we not notice those brain cells disappearing before?) is a life sentence to a sleep machine. These machines ensure that enough we breathe through our nose, not mouth, so sufficient Oxygen circulates to keep us alive until there is still less social security. But both at the sleep test and afterward at home, with my machine, any woman would think I look like an alien. I was told “do everything you normally do.” So I did.
Now the wonderful KateBlue recommended the Contingency War Series, and I downloaded all four books the day before my first sleep test. I am astonished to find universal 4 and 5 star ratings for the series. Because my reaction was quite different.
Ms Ogden’s prose is so stilted that she cured my insomnia. Really. At least when reading her books. At the cost of a Kindle. You see, after completing all my ablutions, when I finally lay down in the darkness and started reading any of the four “Contingency War” books (2: The Way Station Gambit; 3: Rise of Nimrod’s Fleet; 4: Earth’s Last War), my eyes would close on their own command. Then I would fall asleep. Then the Kindle would fall out of my right hand and take a hard bounce off the concrete or hardwood floor. After about a week, the screen shattered. So, I had to return to my prior Kindle, with its iffy power cord connection.
Ms. Ogden cannot write. Her characters were cardboard—and yes, I know four of them were intended to be cardboard. But why write about cardboard? Simply nothing in his series made any sense or was the least bit interesting. I am tempted to buy another of her series and see if it’s similarly bad. But I thought putting this review on-line might guide my path.
Stay away.
October 8, 2021
I think ' nooilforpacifists just wants to tell his sob story.
I agree with all of the other readers who gave this series 4* or above.
The characters are well formed. The initial twist in the story was well conceived and original.
The only thing I think the story didn't need was the log entry recap at the end of each book.
Great read
I agree with all of the other readers who gave this series 4* or above.
The characters are well formed. The initial twist in the story was well conceived and original.
The only thing I think the story didn't need was the log entry recap at the end of each book.
Great read
April 5, 2022
Very creative and fast paced
Quite a different concept to space fiction stories that moves with pace and some good twists and turns with a very creative background.
Interesting characterisation that injects some mild humour to keep ghe story telling light and agile.
A very easy read that keeps the reader turning the pages right to the conclusion.
At times it is a little predictable but that does not detract from the enthusiasm and passion behind the story.
Quite a different concept to space fiction stories that moves with pace and some good twists and turns with a very creative background.
Interesting characterisation that injects some mild humour to keep ghe story telling light and agile.
A very easy read that keeps the reader turning the pages right to the conclusion.
At times it is a little predictable but that does not detract from the enthusiasm and passion behind the story.
March 12, 2021
This is a brilliant Sci-Fi quadrilogy and I was hooked from the start.. The story line is interesting with exciting action scenes and a number of plot twists.
All the characters are well rounded and relatable and I loved the interactions between the different personalities, especially the banter. The aliens have a war orientated culture with a ridged societal structure, which stands in stark contrast to the human characters, who are ... well human.
The author has done significant research into military procedures and structure; as well as created futuristic tech and weapons, but managed to keep them believable.
Each character grows and develops with every new encounter, especially Taylor Rey, who has to adjust to a massive change in his existence.
The story takes place some time in the future.
Taylor Rey is the main protagonist; he is the Captain of a spaceship sent out by Earth Fleet on deep space recon missions. The purpose of these missions is to hunt down the remains of an Alien race called the Hedalt, who invaded Earth and fought us (humans) over the planet. Humans won and seek to eradicate the Hedalt.
Taylor Rey’s plucky crew comprises of Casey Valera, the quirky, irreverent and mischievous pilot; the grumpy and pragmatic, to the point of pessimism, tactical specialist Blake Meade and solemn, serious technical specialist Satomi Rose. The four crew members were matched by Earth Fleet Command to complement each other in character and they each excel in their individual fields.
They come across a weak signal, which appears to be a Hedalt beacon and follow it to a planet/moon, where they discover an enemy base. They land and enter the base to ensure there are no surviving Hedalt here.
From this point on the story jumps into full action and takes an intriguing twist...
Which is by all means not the only one in this space saga.
I received a free review copy of this book in audio book format and am voluntarily leaving a review of my own opinion of it.
All the characters are well rounded and relatable and I loved the interactions between the different personalities, especially the banter. The aliens have a war orientated culture with a ridged societal structure, which stands in stark contrast to the human characters, who are ... well human.
The author has done significant research into military procedures and structure; as well as created futuristic tech and weapons, but managed to keep them believable.
Each character grows and develops with every new encounter, especially Taylor Rey, who has to adjust to a massive change in his existence.
The story takes place some time in the future.
Taylor Rey is the main protagonist; he is the Captain of a spaceship sent out by Earth Fleet on deep space recon missions. The purpose of these missions is to hunt down the remains of an Alien race called the Hedalt, who invaded Earth and fought us (humans) over the planet. Humans won and seek to eradicate the Hedalt.
Taylor Rey’s plucky crew comprises of Casey Valera, the quirky, irreverent and mischievous pilot; the grumpy and pragmatic, to the point of pessimism, tactical specialist Blake Meade and solemn, serious technical specialist Satomi Rose. The four crew members were matched by Earth Fleet Command to complement each other in character and they each excel in their individual fields.
They come across a weak signal, which appears to be a Hedalt beacon and follow it to a planet/moon, where they discover an enemy base. They land and enter the base to ensure there are no surviving Hedalt here.
From this point on the story jumps into full action and takes an intriguing twist...
Which is by all means not the only one in this space saga.
I received a free review copy of this book in audio book format and am voluntarily leaving a review of my own opinion of it.
June 19, 2022
Terrible full of glaring errors, and tired cliches
Firstly a Captain (naval or space navy) ALWAYS outranks a Commander, check out the world naval ranks. A navy Captain is the equivalent of an army Colonel. Naval ranks are Commander, Captain, Commodore, Admiral. It wad so grating to keep reading this error throughput the entire series. Taylor Ray and Collins were eqvilent in rank, and BOTH senior to Commander Sonner.
You had cyborgs who missed dead easy shots in battles, only to snap off an impossible shot moments later. You had inept and incapable military leaders ( Collins) who were permitted to remain in command after repeated failure, they would have been removed, something trained in officers ever since the failures in WW1. And so on the list of errors continues mostly due to what I call lazy writing. Read my other reviews for more information.
Avoid this series.
Firstly a Captain (naval or space navy) ALWAYS outranks a Commander, check out the world naval ranks. A navy Captain is the equivalent of an army Colonel. Naval ranks are Commander, Captain, Commodore, Admiral. It wad so grating to keep reading this error throughput the entire series. Taylor Ray and Collins were eqvilent in rank, and BOTH senior to Commander Sonner.
You had cyborgs who missed dead easy shots in battles, only to snap off an impossible shot moments later. You had inept and incapable military leaders ( Collins) who were permitted to remain in command after repeated failure, they would have been removed, something trained in officers ever since the failures in WW1. And so on the list of errors continues mostly due to what I call lazy writing. Read my other reviews for more information.
Avoid this series.
May 14, 2024
If Not the best it's definitely in the top 3!
From page 1 to the very last words "2nd star to the right" I was hooked on G.J. Ogden's Epic tale. Cyborgs with human brains, becoming completely aware of their
Humanity. Learning that they were in fact slaves to an empire that was as evil as evil could be.
I Highly recommend G.J. Ogden for an exciting adventure with characters that ring True!
From page 1 to the very last words "2nd star to the right" I was hooked on G.J. Ogden's Epic tale. Cyborgs with human brains, becoming completely aware of their
Humanity. Learning that they were in fact slaves to an empire that was as evil as evil could be.
I Highly recommend G.J. Ogden for an exciting adventure with characters that ring True!
October 15, 2022
interesting series
The idea behind it, that Earth had a previous civilization, like the Ancient Astronauts theorists believe is secondary to the yarn, but vital.
The true bad guys are extinct, and as it ends there is hope for both species.
I wouldn’t mind it if the author caught up with our heroes later and we can see the aftermath.
The idea behind it, that Earth had a previous civilization, like the Ancient Astronauts theorists believe is secondary to the yarn, but vital.
The true bad guys are extinct, and as it ends there is hope for both species.
I wouldn’t mind it if the author caught up with our heroes later and we can see the aftermath.
December 13, 2022
A Brutal Fairy tale
Loved how the author tied in so much human history along with the fantastic action and the stimulant characters. The amazing weapons and
Spacecraft described in the book are stupendous. The continuity throughout is really well maintained. The ending is the fairy tale in how the villain in the story dies but tells the hero the history of both warring
races prior to her passing. This is one outstanding and exciting SF tale.
Loved how the author tied in so much human history along with the fantastic action and the stimulant characters. The amazing weapons and
Spacecraft described in the book are stupendous. The continuity throughout is really well maintained. The ending is the fairy tale in how the villain in the story dies but tells the hero the history of both warring
races prior to her passing. This is one outstanding and exciting SF tale.
November 18, 2023
A decent read
A jolly romp of galactic proportions, however I’m not convinced that in the physical world you’d stretch this over 4 books. It felt like a book and a half’s worth of content, maybe two at a push. Still interested to see if the main protagonists spin off into a new series.
A jolly romp of galactic proportions, however I’m not convinced that in the physical world you’d stretch this over 4 books. It felt like a book and a half’s worth of content, maybe two at a push. Still interested to see if the main protagonists spin off into a new series.
May 11, 2020
Once more GJ Ogden takes us on a journey as diverse and exciting as ones imagination is drawn into this new world, this new universe of excitement, danger and emotion that is real in its self.
The story and the characters are as alive as life can be and where hope is as real as reality.
The story and the characters are as alive as life can be and where hope is as real as reality.
August 19, 2020
A brilliant military sci-fi action series
Loved this series.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action and adventure. A fast paced,view of a possible future.
I'm glad I chose this box set because I really enjoyed traveling through this universe.
Loved this series.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action and adventure. A fast paced,view of a possible future.
I'm glad I chose this box set because I really enjoyed traveling through this universe.
September 12, 2020
Fantastic series! Definitely worth reading.
Couldn't put it down. Wonderful character developments. Fast moving, engrossing plot. Great author, great job. Look forward to reading more of this author's writing.
Couldn't put it down. Wonderful character developments. Fast moving, engrossing plot. Great author, great job. Look forward to reading more of this author's writing.
March 20, 2021
Space beckons
A solid story that felt very realistic . While I hope no war like this needs to be fought the possibility that this kind of future could be possible makes it all the more realistic in a science fiction kind of way. Very enjoyable
A solid story that felt very realistic . While I hope no war like this needs to be fought the possibility that this kind of future could be possible makes it all the more realistic in a science fiction kind of way. Very enjoyable
September 29, 2021
More than I expected
As I started this series I was expecting just another rollicking space opera. It was all of that, with some very interesting twists. But I found the battle at the nexus extremely powerfully written. In my mind that definitely pushed this set from a 3 to a 4.
As I started this series I was expecting just another rollicking space opera. It was all of that, with some very interesting twists. But I found the battle at the nexus extremely powerfully written. In my mind that definitely pushed this set from a 3 to a 4.
September 30, 2021
Interesting Story
I am often distracted by the smallest typos/errors that could easily be avoided. e.g. - Lead instead of led, missing words, added words, poor sentence structure, etc.
I am often distracted by the smallest typos/errors that could easily be avoided. e.g. - Lead instead of led, missing words, added words, poor sentence structure, etc.
October 24, 2021
The book set was OK, but not fabulous. The writing seems a little amateurish, especially the metaphors (they seemed way out of place in such a space book). The characters and storyline weren't especially complex, but some of the plot points were interesting. Good yes, fantastic no.
December 6, 2021
Interesting collection
Enjoyed the Saifi Collection. Great juxtaposition Of humanity and The universe at large. I would recommend this collection for the for those who enjoy A combination of action and wit is wet.
Enjoyed the Saifi Collection. Great juxtaposition Of humanity and The universe at large. I would recommend this collection for the for those who enjoy A combination of action and wit is wet.
January 3, 2022
This would make a great movie!!
Here is a sci-fi story that you can sink your teeth into and you just can't put it down! If you are one of those who enjoyed the sci-fi series "Fire Fly" and the wild and crazy crew of that series, then you will love this story.
Here is a sci-fi story that you can sink your teeth into and you just can't put it down! If you are one of those who enjoyed the sci-fi series "Fire Fly" and the wild and crazy crew of that series, then you will love this story.
January 4, 2022
Enjoyable
The story starts off detailing a very plausible story, for sci-fi, but then it goes completely off the rails (in an enjoyable way). The story has action, cliff hangers, romance, deceit, and a very twisted backstop. A very very interesting omnibus.
The story starts off detailing a very plausible story, for sci-fi, but then it goes completely off the rails (in an enjoyable way). The story has action, cliff hangers, romance, deceit, and a very twisted backstop. A very very interesting omnibus.
January 12, 2022
Great read
Excellent story socks you in. Verywell written , great characters. A story line that draws you in and characters you can understand , relate to , cheer for and in some cases dislike. A very good plot twist . I definitely enjoyed this
Excellent story socks you in. Verywell written , great characters. A story line that draws you in and characters you can understand , relate to , cheer for and in some cases dislike. A very good plot twist . I definitely enjoyed this
December 5, 2022
Great story
The story of Captain Taylor Ray and his crew of the Contingency One is one of the best I have read this year.
The fact that the hunters of humanity would end up being its savior just needs to be read .
The story of Captain Taylor Ray and his crew of the Contingency One is one of the best I have read this year.
The fact that the hunters of humanity would end up being its savior just needs to be read .
September 11, 2023
OK, the stupid ‘twist’ in the first book nearly put me off the whole thing, and honestly it remained dumb as a sack of rocks and completely unnecessary. But I kept reading, and I’m glad I did. Pretty good.
January 10, 2024
I’m Who
This series of books really takes an interesting twist at first. They just got better with each book with lots of interesting characters and villains. Great read. Big D
This series of books really takes an interesting twist at first. They just got better with each book with lots of interesting characters and villains. Great read. Big D
January 14, 2021
Do not give up this box set gets better and is well worth the wait.
March 9, 2021
Fantastic
Great story. Characters are perfect and just keep getting better as you read more. Highly recommend this set of books. Thank you!
Great story. Characters are perfect and just keep getting better as you read more. Highly recommend this set of books. Thank you!
March 25, 2021
The first book was great. Sadly I thought the story became too fantastical as it proceeded through the next three.
April 29, 2021
Good
The story was good and fast even after 4 books I would recommend this book to all Syfi readers have fun
The story was good and fast even after 4 books I would recommend this book to all Syfi readers have fun
May 22, 2021
A great story
This tale very thought provoking and enjoyable.The cast of characters was well managed and compelling. Looking forward to more stories from this author.
This tale very thought provoking and enjoyable.The cast of characters was well managed and compelling. Looking forward to more stories from this author.
July 31, 2021
Review
Very original sci-fi story. Has some great twist and turns. Would like the author to continue the story line of more adventures of the crew.
Very original sci-fi story. Has some great twist and turns. Would like the author to continue the story line of more adventures of the crew.
October 21, 2021
Breathtaking and exciting!
This is a wonderful story. So unique in many ways but still has the good guys against the bad. Complex characters and exciting action. Loved every page!
This is a wonderful story. So unique in many ways but still has the good guys against the bad. Complex characters and exciting action. Loved every page!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews