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A Dark Dawn
Far from the fury of The Great War, the citizens of the Liberty Federation live in peace and prosperity.The Dawn Empire’s light is fading. Admiral Ikson Koto has one chance to renew the flame before it is extinguished forever. To save the Empire from a slow death, he must destroy the Federation’s fleet in one fell swoop. His plan calls for a brutality that has never been seen before.For Lieutenant Shannon Reeve, the horrors of battle still burn strong in her mind. Her posting to a fighter squadron in the paradise of the Federation’s premier base, Azure Anchorage, should be a welcome respite. Instead, she will witness her fears come true as it comes under a relentless assault by Koto’s overwhelming Imperial forces.Deep in the expanse of space known as the Great Void, a place far from home, civilian engineer Winston Grant has been tasked with upgrading a lonely base’s defences. Soon, he will find himself holding the line in a desperate last stand against an armada.Both will play their parts in these darkest of days.The golden age of the Federation will soon end, and instead be engulfed in the raging fire of war as Koto’s grand plan comes to fruition.Thrilling fighter combat. Brutal infantry battles. Heart-breaking nobility. An epic science fiction retelling of Pearl Harbor and Wake Island. Download now.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 30, 2021
The story in this book will seem very familiar to those who follow human history, especially the histories of America and Japan during the 20th Century. Yet, this story takes place in a far distant future where Earth has been lost. Apparently all the history and lessons that were once learned the hard way are now just beginning to be learned in this new future.
The Dawn Empire is out to take advantage of a war that is going on a long way from it's borders. The young Emperor has been lead to believe that if he strikes at the Federation now, his place in history will last for ten thousand years and he will be the greatest of all Emperors of the Dawn Empire! His advisers are leading him down a dangerous path. They do not include Admiral Ikson Koto, the greatest Admiral in the Empire. Yet, it is this Admiral that will be charged with executing this war with the only outcome for him must be victory.
Admiral Koto has visited the Federation during peace time and he knows that it is a formable economical entity spanning a vast area of space. He knows that while the Federation might have a greater share of vital resources than his Empire, he does not believe that taking those resources by force is the right thing to do. But, again he was not asked for his advice; his Emperor is only asking him to do his duty! So, he gathers the Dawn Empire's vast armada, the size of which has never been seen in space, and he heads out to do his duty. Yeah, this should all be sounding familiar about now.
This story is very, very exciting and told with a lot of action. We get to follow several main characters through the book, but one in particular is Lieutenant Shannon Reeve who just happens to get assigned to a flight squadron aboard Azure Anchorage. This is a gigantic military space station in the Aquila System. Shannon is the same person we read about in one of the earlier books when she got caught in the frantic rescue operation conducted by the Kingdom. Her private, but small, space yacht was dragged into the rescue mission whether she wanted the job or not. She survived, but now she wants more of that same excitement. At first glance, she's not going to find it on Azure Anchorage. This place is so vast and has so much of the Federation space Navy docked and flying around it that anyone would be crazy to attack this place. It's also called Paradise by the space fighter jocks she has to join with. Shannon's attitude needs adjusting in the worse way!
While Shannon is getting settled, Admiral Koto is preparing to permanently disrupt that little paradise known as Azure Anchorage. His Dawn Empire armada is flying through the Great Void of space and will shortly be settling in a system not far from the Aquila System. He knows he must make a quick and deadly strike against this Federation bastion. He must destroy everyone of the spaceships that harbors at the gigantic space station and while he probably can't out right destroy the station, he must utterly destroy the Federation's ability to strike back at his Empire and he must leave them without the will to do so. It's strange how war and battle comes to those who least expect nor want it.
This book is well written and tells the story through several different perspectives. It doesn't take sides, but it does point out that the Dawn Empire clearly made a huge tactical error in striking the Federation without warning. Also, the Dawn Empire's attempt to terrorize Federation personnel so they would not want to face them again, pretty much backfires. Now they have a wounded, but very powerful enemy with lots of vengeance on its mind.
Oh, and I have to point out that there's one character you should pay attention to. His name might be familiar. I glad the author didn't have this guy panic when action was required. That's all I'll say about that character; you can figure out who I'm talking about, ah, just look for the "hero"!
This is a great series that will continue with book 6, "A Measure of Resolve", although its publication date has yet to be announced. I've read/reviewed everyone of them and I'll be looking for this next one as soon as it's published. I highly recommend this series and every book to anyone interested in history and a future that seems all too familiar!
The Dawn Empire is out to take advantage of a war that is going on a long way from it's borders. The young Emperor has been lead to believe that if he strikes at the Federation now, his place in history will last for ten thousand years and he will be the greatest of all Emperors of the Dawn Empire! His advisers are leading him down a dangerous path. They do not include Admiral Ikson Koto, the greatest Admiral in the Empire. Yet, it is this Admiral that will be charged with executing this war with the only outcome for him must be victory.
Admiral Koto has visited the Federation during peace time and he knows that it is a formable economical entity spanning a vast area of space. He knows that while the Federation might have a greater share of vital resources than his Empire, he does not believe that taking those resources by force is the right thing to do. But, again he was not asked for his advice; his Emperor is only asking him to do his duty! So, he gathers the Dawn Empire's vast armada, the size of which has never been seen in space, and he heads out to do his duty. Yeah, this should all be sounding familiar about now.
This story is very, very exciting and told with a lot of action. We get to follow several main characters through the book, but one in particular is Lieutenant Shannon Reeve who just happens to get assigned to a flight squadron aboard Azure Anchorage. This is a gigantic military space station in the Aquila System. Shannon is the same person we read about in one of the earlier books when she got caught in the frantic rescue operation conducted by the Kingdom. Her private, but small, space yacht was dragged into the rescue mission whether she wanted the job or not. She survived, but now she wants more of that same excitement. At first glance, she's not going to find it on Azure Anchorage. This place is so vast and has so much of the Federation space Navy docked and flying around it that anyone would be crazy to attack this place. It's also called Paradise by the space fighter jocks she has to join with. Shannon's attitude needs adjusting in the worse way!
While Shannon is getting settled, Admiral Koto is preparing to permanently disrupt that little paradise known as Azure Anchorage. His Dawn Empire armada is flying through the Great Void of space and will shortly be settling in a system not far from the Aquila System. He knows he must make a quick and deadly strike against this Federation bastion. He must destroy everyone of the spaceships that harbors at the gigantic space station and while he probably can't out right destroy the station, he must utterly destroy the Federation's ability to strike back at his Empire and he must leave them without the will to do so. It's strange how war and battle comes to those who least expect nor want it.
This book is well written and tells the story through several different perspectives. It doesn't take sides, but it does point out that the Dawn Empire clearly made a huge tactical error in striking the Federation without warning. Also, the Dawn Empire's attempt to terrorize Federation personnel so they would not want to face them again, pretty much backfires. Now they have a wounded, but very powerful enemy with lots of vengeance on its mind.
Oh, and I have to point out that there's one character you should pay attention to. His name might be familiar. I glad the author didn't have this guy panic when action was required. That's all I'll say about that character; you can figure out who I'm talking about, ah, just look for the "hero"!
This is a great series that will continue with book 6, "A Measure of Resolve", although its publication date has yet to be announced. I've read/reviewed everyone of them and I'll be looking for this next one as soon as it's published. I highly recommend this series and every book to anyone interested in history and a future that seems all too familiar!
October 23, 2021
WHAT A FANTASTIC BOOK!!
The author Ralph Kern did a masterful job on this book. His whole "THE GREAT WAR SERIES" had been a pleasure to read. Book 5 is the best one in the series so far and in can't wait to read the next installment. If you like a military thriller don't missed this one.
The author Ralph Kern did a masterful job on this book. His whole "THE GREAT WAR SERIES" had been a pleasure to read. Book 5 is the best one in the series so far and in can't wait to read the next installment. If you like a military thriller don't missed this one.
October 25, 2021
This is a very special book give it a try
I like the book a lot it's got a great plot and some of the interaction over characters goes deep. Good old military sci-fi It's well worth reading check it out.
I like the book a lot it's got a great plot and some of the interaction over characters goes deep. Good old military sci-fi It's well worth reading check it out.
November 30, 2021
Great book
I really like this series. I am old enough to remember folks talking about WWII. So I can recall some of these battles. Kern does a great job of bringing them the to vibrant life.
I really like this series. I am old enough to remember folks talking about WWII. So I can recall some of these battles. Kern does a great job of bringing them the to vibrant life.
January 31, 2022
Great series! Worth your time and money.
Learning thru Sci-Fi. Excellent treatment of established plot line (history). Kern makes it personal. Very skillfull writing. A must read series.
Learning thru Sci-Fi. Excellent treatment of established plot line (history). Kern makes it personal. Very skillfull writing. A must read series.
March 16, 2023
where is the next installment
Outstanding parallel to WW2. Please write more!!!!!!!!! Engaging and has excellent characters. Few edit errors great entertainment value. Write more soon.
Outstanding parallel to WW2. Please write more!!!!!!!!! Engaging and has excellent characters. Few edit errors great entertainment value. Write more soon.
October 28, 2021
Great next in the series!
Continues to be an excellent read! Kind of follows the history of World War II obviously. If you like WWII books and sci-fi like this book.
Continues to be an excellent read! Kind of follows the history of World War II obviously. If you like WWII books and sci-fi like this book.
October 30, 2021
I'm hooked
These books have kept my attention since I started reading them. I love history and science fiction. These books have that in spades.
These books have kept my attention since I started reading them. I love history and science fiction. These books have that in spades.
December 22, 2021
not an original
Book 5 is WWII only on ship. Still a good read. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to book 6
Book 5 is WWII only on ship. Still a good read. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to book 6
January 3, 2022
Good entertaining read
Good entertaining read hopefully the next one will be just as good if not better with more scope and please diversify the cast .
Good entertaining read hopefully the next one will be just as good if not better with more scope and please diversify the cast .
April 2, 2022
another great read
But what’s happened to the stars of book three and four. Is this all going to come together eventually I read this in two days please write the next one quickly
But what’s happened to the stars of book three and four. Is this all going to come together eventually I read this in two days please write the next one quickly
August 21, 2024
Wow
Pearl Harbour and Wake Island in space. The story is epic. The characters are great, well written and genuine. The action is gripping and gritty. Superb. Highly recommended.
Pearl Harbour and Wake Island in space. The story is epic. The characters are great, well written and genuine. The action is gripping and gritty. Superb. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews




