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Space Troopers #3
Rebel's Strike
When a tyrannical corporation seizes control, two young patriots will risk everything to liberate humanity.With the system engulfed in a corporate war, Jai and Peyton are yanked in different directions. Jai has joined the rebellion while Peyton is amassing a pirate fleet. But when an old friend brings the twins back together, they learn of Zona’s sinister plan to quell the rebellion and institute an iron grip over the entire solar system.
Peyton has found her calling as a pirate captain. She’s building a fleet with ships she’s stolen and people she’s saved. But when both the Zona fleet and other pirate clans come at Peyton from every angle, it’ll take every ounce of skill—and a whole lot of luck—to stay in the game. Jai’s computer skills are among the best in the system. His work is crucial to the rebellion, but when he’s infected with deadly nanites, he finds himself in a race against time to save himself from becoming a cyber-zombie.
The Epic Finale of the Space Troopers series is here. A no-holds-barred adventure where the fate of the solar system is dependent on the twins. To win, an inexperienced pirate captain must face a battle-hardened general, and an injured computer hacker must take on the galaxy’s most advanced AI. If either fails, Zona wins.
Peyton has found her calling as a pirate captain. She’s building a fleet with ships she’s stolen and people she’s saved. But when both the Zona fleet and other pirate clans come at Peyton from every angle, it’ll take every ounce of skill—and a whole lot of luck—to stay in the game. Jai’s computer skills are among the best in the system. His work is crucial to the rebellion, but when he’s infected with deadly nanites, he finds himself in a race against time to save himself from becoming a cyber-zombie.
The Epic Finale of the Space Troopers series is here. A no-holds-barred adventure where the fate of the solar system is dependent on the twins. To win, an inexperienced pirate captain must face a battle-hardened general, and an injured computer hacker must take on the galaxy’s most advanced AI. If either fails, Zona wins.
- GenresScience Fiction
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 14, 2022
Rebels trilogy is a must read
Loved the story and the characters, future sci-fi is the best. Left it for more adventures in the future. Great job!!
Loved the story and the characters, future sci-fi is the best. Left it for more adventures in the future. Great job!!
December 6, 2022
Rebel Strike picks up from book 2, with Peyton still acting as ‘Trooper’ the Pirate captain of the Ching Shih moving through the system, leading ‘Rat Troop’ and taking out Zona shipping interests as she can working as a rebel.
The other storyline running through the book follows Jai Riggs aboard the Dirty Diablo. Jai is actually the twin sister of Peyton, but they were separated at birth, Peyton was adopted by a rich family, and wanted for nothing, as long as she performed. Jai was sent to a series of foster homes and in this universe, if you are in the foster system, your last name becomes Foster. Both end up at a prestigious military academy, Peyton through connections, Jai through his skills.
This is a very intriguing universe, one in which Corporate Greed has reached a whole new level, and corporations have taken over, they run everything, every job, your lives, you have to pay a corporation for your home, food, clothes, even the air if you are not on a planet with a breathable atmosphere. Lose your job, and you are out on the street and too bad.
Peyton and Jai learn not only that they are twins, but also that the academy is killing people, including their friends, to maintain numbers within ‘Corporate Guidelines’, and rebel, leaving the academy. Jai joins the Dirty Diablo, Peyton ends up as a pirate on the Ching Shih. Currently two of the major corporations, Setteri and Zona are at war. But Zona is huge, and will easily crush Setteri, absorbing them And when that happens, as with all monopolies, things will become horrendous for the customer or user.
However, things are far worse than this, as underlying all of this is an insidious AI that is trying to take over the galaxy, and all of humanity as well through nanite tech, allowing the AI to actually dominate and control humans as well. DIDO as the AI is known is using humans already controlled to infect others with nanites, so that slowly, they are taking over not only every computer system and ship in the galaxy, but also all of the ‘sentient’ life as well.
The only thing standing in its path are Jai and Peyton, along with a desperate selection of rebels who are fighting with everything they have to not only stand against Zona, but this diabolical AI that is intent on crushing everything in its path.
There are some wonderful characters in this book. The crew of the Dirty Diablo are just brilliant, from the ex-SCOT (a special forces solider), Bode Riggs, the Captain of the Diablo, who adopts Jai to be his ‘Son’, so that he can be not only an official part of the crew, but it also gives them all sorts of other rights to. Then there are the married couple that make up the muscle and the engineer on the ship, Theun Wolt (the muscle) and his wife Dru (the Engineer), who are not only this hilarious couple with exceptional dialogue that makes you laugh constantly, but they have such an intense love for each other that you can feel through the words. The character writing is both realistic and intense, and really brings these characters too life.
The crew of the Ching Shih, Peyton’s ship, is just as outstanding. With Alli, Peyton’s second, who has been through hell, and should be broken, but draws on Peyton’s strength and charisma so she can be strong. You can really see their relationship, feel that connection between the two of them, it is incredibly powerful at times. Alli is an amazing character. There are so many brilliant characters on the crew, Tran, T-Ball, Naki, I could list so many more. There are some I can’t list as I don’t want to give away spoilers either.
With both storylines there are some incredible characters that are extraordinary, so much detail and so in-depth, the really bring so much to the story. I just don’t want to introduce spoilers.
Added to this is the captivating world-building that is in every aspect of this story, from the characters, to the starships, to the planetary backgrounds and the weapons they use. Everything has been described in intricate deal. This is a series in which there is such a wonderful concept, with gritty realistic characters that have dialogue that is meaningful and engaging. The characters are such an exceptional part of this story, and really bring it to life.
This is a story of intrigue, betrayal, and at the same time, compassion and loyalty, friendship, as well as intense corporate greed that leads to war and the creation of an AI that is intent on the destruction of Humanity.
This is Mil Sci-Fi at its best and not to be missed!!!
The other storyline running through the book follows Jai Riggs aboard the Dirty Diablo. Jai is actually the twin sister of Peyton, but they were separated at birth, Peyton was adopted by a rich family, and wanted for nothing, as long as she performed. Jai was sent to a series of foster homes and in this universe, if you are in the foster system, your last name becomes Foster. Both end up at a prestigious military academy, Peyton through connections, Jai through his skills.
This is a very intriguing universe, one in which Corporate Greed has reached a whole new level, and corporations have taken over, they run everything, every job, your lives, you have to pay a corporation for your home, food, clothes, even the air if you are not on a planet with a breathable atmosphere. Lose your job, and you are out on the street and too bad.
Peyton and Jai learn not only that they are twins, but also that the academy is killing people, including their friends, to maintain numbers within ‘Corporate Guidelines’, and rebel, leaving the academy. Jai joins the Dirty Diablo, Peyton ends up as a pirate on the Ching Shih. Currently two of the major corporations, Setteri and Zona are at war. But Zona is huge, and will easily crush Setteri, absorbing them And when that happens, as with all monopolies, things will become horrendous for the customer or user.
However, things are far worse than this, as underlying all of this is an insidious AI that is trying to take over the galaxy, and all of humanity as well through nanite tech, allowing the AI to actually dominate and control humans as well. DIDO as the AI is known is using humans already controlled to infect others with nanites, so that slowly, they are taking over not only every computer system and ship in the galaxy, but also all of the ‘sentient’ life as well.
The only thing standing in its path are Jai and Peyton, along with a desperate selection of rebels who are fighting with everything they have to not only stand against Zona, but this diabolical AI that is intent on crushing everything in its path.
There are some wonderful characters in this book. The crew of the Dirty Diablo are just brilliant, from the ex-SCOT (a special forces solider), Bode Riggs, the Captain of the Diablo, who adopts Jai to be his ‘Son’, so that he can be not only an official part of the crew, but it also gives them all sorts of other rights to. Then there are the married couple that make up the muscle and the engineer on the ship, Theun Wolt (the muscle) and his wife Dru (the Engineer), who are not only this hilarious couple with exceptional dialogue that makes you laugh constantly, but they have such an intense love for each other that you can feel through the words. The character writing is both realistic and intense, and really brings these characters too life.
The crew of the Ching Shih, Peyton’s ship, is just as outstanding. With Alli, Peyton’s second, who has been through hell, and should be broken, but draws on Peyton’s strength and charisma so she can be strong. You can really see their relationship, feel that connection between the two of them, it is incredibly powerful at times. Alli is an amazing character. There are so many brilliant characters on the crew, Tran, T-Ball, Naki, I could list so many more. There are some I can’t list as I don’t want to give away spoilers either.
With both storylines there are some incredible characters that are extraordinary, so much detail and so in-depth, the really bring so much to the story. I just don’t want to introduce spoilers.
Added to this is the captivating world-building that is in every aspect of this story, from the characters, to the starships, to the planetary backgrounds and the weapons they use. Everything has been described in intricate deal. This is a series in which there is such a wonderful concept, with gritty realistic characters that have dialogue that is meaningful and engaging. The characters are such an exceptional part of this story, and really bring it to life.
This is a story of intrigue, betrayal, and at the same time, compassion and loyalty, friendship, as well as intense corporate greed that leads to war and the creation of an AI that is intent on the destruction of Humanity.
This is Mil Sci-Fi at its best and not to be missed!!!
January 17, 2022
Jamie McFarlane is a master at writing scifi stories that are exciting, adventurous and have a gritty but totally genuine feeling with characters that are wonderfully crafted and story arcs that are exciting but still work and feel totally realistic. The only author I compare to him is Robert A. Heinlein and, to me, he’s Heinlein’s heir. His teaming up with Rachel Aukes in their Space Troopers series has been a brilliant one. I loved books 1 and 2 and when I was able to get Rebel's Strike (Book 3), I simply could not stop myself from addictively binge reading it to the end. This series is, quite frankly, the epitome of military sci-fi. The lead and supporting characters and world (universe) building are pretty darn perfect, and the writing is fantastic. This was the perfect series ender, and my only real complaint is that the series had to end. Both this book, and the series, are highly recommended.
November 6, 2023
Another series that if you pick it up you are not putting it down until you’ve completed the entire series. What a seamless collaboration between to super quill pushers, ok, ok, I know they’re key strokers or stokers. Bottom line they are great story tellers with an amazing ability to totally immerse anyone in their characters and the development of those characters. The science is believable as well as the worlds and spacecraft they build. As for their ramp up and go kick butt battles, well they do tend to elevate one’s pressure. Thanks for another super great read.
January 15, 2022
Once again a masterpiece!
Character development and world building are the most important things to start a good story. Then a complex plot to keep you guessing and engaged with your beloved characters. Once again Jamie pulls it off. This keeps you up way past your bed time when you tell yourself just a few more chapters and then eyes blurry you find that you've finished the book. More please?
Character development and world building are the most important things to start a good story. Then a complex plot to keep you guessing and engaged with your beloved characters. Once again Jamie pulls it off. This keeps you up way past your bed time when you tell yourself just a few more chapters and then eyes blurry you find that you've finished the book. More please?
February 5, 2022
Another good entry in the Star Troopers series, the story took a few unexpected twists though the outcome seemed preordained. Though this book was the last of the series so far, it seems like there is plenty of room for more follow-ons to further explore this universe and I hope that they continue to collaborate.
January 15, 2022
an entertaining series
Two excellent authors, an enthralling story and at least one satisfied reader. A great series with fun characters, pretty much what you’d expect from RA and JM.
Well worth reading.
Two excellent authors, an enthralling story and at least one satisfied reader. A great series with fun characters, pretty much what you’d expect from RA and JM.
Well worth reading.
February 2, 2022
Very Good Story
Book 1 was 5 Stars, book 2 , I really liked was 4.5 Stars, and this book #3 was a good read. The 2 previous books seemed to have more energy. I still enjoyed reading this book also.
Book 1 was 5 Stars, book 2 , I really liked was 4.5 Stars, and this book #3 was a good read. The 2 previous books seemed to have more energy. I still enjoyed reading this book also.
March 12, 2022
Long build up, very quick finale
The whole series is ok, this book seemed to progress as you would expect it, but after what seemed 350 pages of build up, the ending took 40 or so
Overall 2.8 books ok, the last 0.2 poor and it's that last little bit that spoils it all
The whole series is ok, this book seemed to progress as you would expect it, but after what seemed 350 pages of build up, the ending took 40 or so
Overall 2.8 books ok, the last 0.2 poor and it's that last little bit that spoils it all
May 9, 2022
Excellent!!!
Another McFarlane success! I'm sure glad I started reading this series! I'm amazed at the variety of his story lines. They're surely different but developed with the same level of success!
Another McFarlane success! I'm sure glad I started reading this series! I'm amazed at the variety of his story lines. They're surely different but developed with the same level of success!
Want to Read
May 6, 20253rd book in series. Military style conflict with adapted enemy alien drones. Purchased this 3 book series from Amazon for $0.99. Read with the Alexa audio assist application. Purchased this edition on October 16, 2023.
January 13, 2022
Great closer to a good trilogy...
I hope that it gets more even though I'm not sure it's supposed to. It's a fun universe and I would like to spend some more time in it.
I hope that it gets more even though I'm not sure it's supposed to. It's a fun universe and I would like to spend some more time in it.
January 19, 2022
Book 3 in the series
Peyton, Jai, and the rest of the crew are recruiting new Rats, doing good things, and fighting bad guys. A great story.
Peyton, Jai, and the rest of the crew are recruiting new Rats, doing good things, and fighting bad guys. A great story.
February 11, 2022
Rebellion is fully here
I have to say I loved the trilogy and this book.
The only issue with this series was book 3s ending felt to rushed
I have to say I loved the trilogy and this book.
The only issue with this series was book 3s ending felt to rushed
May 25, 2022
Jamie McFarlane continues to write exciting space opera. Every time I finish a book I go looking for something else he has written. Such enjoyable story lines and great characters.
June 12, 2023
Enjoyable
Good summer reading with enough twists, turns, action, and intrigue to keep you turning the pages. A well written series,
well worth the read.
Good summer reading with enough twists, turns, action, and intrigue to keep you turning the pages. A well written series,
well worth the read.
August 29, 2024
Great Read!
I loved this series, well written, lots of action, well plotted, plots within plots, tons of adventure did I mention pirates?
I loved this series, well written, lots of action, well plotted, plots within plots, tons of adventure did I mention pirates?
July 14, 2025
Man, I hate crying!
Twists and turns, plot surprises and so much more. Exciting reading! Ready for the next installment! Please keep them coming!
Twists and turns, plot surprises and so much more. Exciting reading! Ready for the next installment! Please keep them coming!
May 31, 2026
From Reading Journal 10/29/2023:
A lot of the same thoughts as the previous two books but I appreciated that the dead mostly stayed dead. I felt unsatisfied with the ending. It felt like there should have been more books. It was a series that worlds for a reading slump.
A lot of the same thoughts as the previous two books but I appreciated that the dead mostly stayed dead. I felt unsatisfied with the ending. It felt like there should have been more books. It was a series that worlds for a reading slump.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews