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Fourth Fleet Irregulars #1
Mission Zero
Skipper Alex von Strada is one of the Fleet’s highest achieving officers, commanding the corvette Minnow with a company of eccentric officers and last-chance crew sent to him for rehab.
After a PR disaster has activists and media storming the Admiralty gates, First Lord Dix Harangay sends Minnow out on a makework patrol. Inspector Mako Ireson goes with them to investigate what’s really going on. Mako has never been on a starship before. He can’t tell port from starboard, doesn’t know what the 0-G sign means at freefall hatchways, and may need to change his underwear after the launch.
Nobody is expecting that the “mission zero” they've been sent on will turn into a real operation. When it does, the Minnow’s crew has to rise to the challenge and justify their skipper’s faith in them.
This is the first mission of the legendary Fourth Fleet Irregulars, the unit you send for when you need a miracle.
For Mako Ireson, it will be the adventure of a lifetime.
After a PR disaster has activists and media storming the Admiralty gates, First Lord Dix Harangay sends Minnow out on a makework patrol. Inspector Mako Ireson goes with them to investigate what’s really going on. Mako has never been on a starship before. He can’t tell port from starboard, doesn’t know what the 0-G sign means at freefall hatchways, and may need to change his underwear after the launch.
Nobody is expecting that the “mission zero” they've been sent on will turn into a real operation. When it does, the Minnow’s crew has to rise to the challenge and justify their skipper’s faith in them.
This is the first mission of the legendary Fourth Fleet Irregulars, the unit you send for when you need a miracle.
For Mako Ireson, it will be the adventure of a lifetime.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2011
84 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
S.J. MacDonald
23 books75 followersI am a primary school teacher living in Cardiff, Wales, UK. I live in a tiny house full of books, animals, rocks and fossils.
I love travelling by myself because you get to meet more local people that way. My favourite trips so far have been ice fishing in the arctic circle, the Canadian Rockies in winter and camping with my sister in Devon (Every bit as adventurous!)
I have been writing stories since I was a kid but have only recently taken the plunge into publishing. I've also recently started a science fiction review site http://www.starshipsandaliens.com which is nearly as much fun as writing.
I love travelling by myself because you get to meet more local people that way. My favourite trips so far have been ice fishing in the arctic circle, the Canadian Rockies in winter and camping with my sister in Devon (Every bit as adventurous!)
I have been writing stories since I was a kid but have only recently taken the plunge into publishing. I've also recently started a science fiction review site http://www.starshipsandaliens.com which is nearly as much fun as writing.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 26, 2014
Very Wordy
Well edited ! Thanks, that means allot.. The plot drags and is not that special except for the references ,which are an obvious setup for sequel sales. I might buy like the fourth in this series but definitely not the second or third.. Again Thanks for the excellent editing. I mean the trash out there that people who don't use spell check or grammar scanner is ridiculous to me.
Well edited ! Thanks, that means allot.. The plot drags and is not that special except for the references ,which are an obvious setup for sequel sales. I might buy like the fourth in this series but definitely not the second or third.. Again Thanks for the excellent editing. I mean the trash out there that people who don't use spell check or grammar scanner is ridiculous to me.
October 13, 2015
See, you see!
You see, this really needed and editor, see, to avoid using the same turn of phrase, see, over and over and over, see, so much that all the reader ends up seeing is, see, you see, in run on after run on, see!
You see, this really needed and editor, see, to avoid using the same turn of phrase, see, over and over and over, see, so much that all the reader ends up seeing is, see, you see, in run on after run on, see!
November 23, 2018
I didn't expect much from this book--I was just browsing Kindle Unlimited for something to read--but this series turns out to be about the best thing I ever found there.
There are *countless* military sci-fi stories, and that's what I thought this was when I started--another knockoff of Hammer's Slammers, or Honor Harrington, or something. But no, there are actually no pitched battles in this book. None with guns and missiles, anyway. That's what made it more interesting, 'cause I'm kinda tired of the shoot-em-up stories.
The book (and the series, at least as far as I've read) is mostly about the command decisions of a fascinating character in a world that's more interesting than I expected. He has to fight through PR disasters, drug lords, pirates, stupid vacationers--you name it. It's told basically from the viewpoint of a complete novice to space travel, somebody who doesn't even know port from starboard.
This book (and the other books in the series) are pretty long, and I wouldn't call them "gripping". There is very little harrowing action. But there are plenty of interesting sidelights and tidbits about the universe that I found stimulating, and the characters themselves are very likable, the sort of people you'd like to have as friends.
There are *countless* military sci-fi stories, and that's what I thought this was when I started--another knockoff of Hammer's Slammers, or Honor Harrington, or something. But no, there are actually no pitched battles in this book. None with guns and missiles, anyway. That's what made it more interesting, 'cause I'm kinda tired of the shoot-em-up stories.
The book (and the series, at least as far as I've read) is mostly about the command decisions of a fascinating character in a world that's more interesting than I expected. He has to fight through PR disasters, drug lords, pirates, stupid vacationers--you name it. It's told basically from the viewpoint of a complete novice to space travel, somebody who doesn't even know port from starboard.
This book (and the other books in the series) are pretty long, and I wouldn't call them "gripping". There is very little harrowing action. But there are plenty of interesting sidelights and tidbits about the universe that I found stimulating, and the characters themselves are very likable, the sort of people you'd like to have as friends.
May 13, 2019
The debacle that starts off Minnow’s problems was fun and closely reflects the current irrationality of the human race. The introduction to the ship and space travel was comprehensive, but it does drag on a bit. I expected the story to build towards some action, but what we got was the everyday life on board a navy corvette.
The author seems to have put the civilian Mako on board the Minnow so she has an excuse to explain things and it certainly feels like everything is explained in minute detail. I would guess that half the dialogue in the book is one or more of the crew telling Mako what is going on.
There was a little action towards the end of the book, but even this turned into a discussion about the logistics of housing prisoners.
I feel quite mean giving two stars to this book, as it had quite a bit to commend it, but at the end of the day, too much of the book was boring. However I will try the next book in the hope there will be more action.
The author seems to have put the civilian Mako on board the Minnow so she has an excuse to explain things and it certainly feels like everything is explained in minute detail. I would guess that half the dialogue in the book is one or more of the crew telling Mako what is going on.
There was a little action towards the end of the book, but even this turned into a discussion about the logistics of housing prisoners.
I feel quite mean giving two stars to this book, as it had quite a bit to commend it, but at the end of the day, too much of the book was boring. However I will try the next book in the hope there will be more action.
June 21, 2020
S.J. MacDonald writes a ripping good military SciFi adventure. It begins with a ship of misfits and malcontents, who under the genius of young Skipper Van Strada become the best ship in the fleet.
But that's only the premise. They're caught in a maelstrom of media frenzy because they take on three freed prisoners as crew member, for rehabilitation purposes. Then a prison inspector is sent on board to track their success or failure in dealing with these prisoners.
Most of the story is told from the viewpoint of the prison inspector, Mako. He's a seasoned professional, but naive and unaware of spacer culture.
And the first book of this impressive series takes off from there.
But that's only the premise. They're caught in a maelstrom of media frenzy because they take on three freed prisoners as crew member, for rehabilitation purposes. Then a prison inspector is sent on board to track their success or failure in dealing with these prisoners.
Most of the story is told from the viewpoint of the prison inspector, Mako. He's a seasoned professional, but naive and unaware of spacer culture.
And the first book of this impressive series takes off from there.
October 15, 2018
Not what you might expect
I chose this rating because I believe in giving credit when credit is due. This is a great story if not possibly hitting too close to home. The conflict between reality and the FALSE NEWS of the media is dramatically illustrated in this book, although never mentioning ANYTHING CLOSE to current events. If I suggested this book to my friends they MIGHT read it, but more likely they would dismiss it without even opening the first page say RIGHT WING PROPAGANDA. A true page turner but more intellectual adventure than action adventure. Five Stars!
I chose this rating because I believe in giving credit when credit is due. This is a great story if not possibly hitting too close to home. The conflict between reality and the FALSE NEWS of the media is dramatically illustrated in this book, although never mentioning ANYTHING CLOSE to current events. If I suggested this book to my friends they MIGHT read it, but more likely they would dismiss it without even opening the first page say RIGHT WING PROPAGANDA. A true page turner but more intellectual adventure than action adventure. Five Stars!
April 6, 2020
A comfortable read
This had all the potential to be a boring book, until you suddenly realize your ha!f way through the book eager to read the next page.
The characters are interesting and continue to fill out as you read on. No major space battles, very little in the way of major action, but wow, what a great book.
This ain't your old man's space action series, can't wait to read second book.
Well done!
This had all the potential to be a boring book, until you suddenly realize your ha!f way through the book eager to read the next page.
The characters are interesting and continue to fill out as you read on. No major space battles, very little in the way of major action, but wow, what a great book.
This ain't your old man's space action series, can't wait to read second book.
Well done!
May 18, 2017
I really wanted to like this one, but it just didn't work for me. So slow!
October 13, 2018
Lovely world building and gentle story, but not enough plot for me.
January 18, 2020
SO GOOD!
This has made the fourth or fifth time I have read these books! I start with this one and revel my way through them all! They are just good stories!
This has made the fourth or fifth time I have read these books! I start with this one and revel my way through them all! They are just good stories!
October 17, 2021
Interesting quirky series,adventures without violence !!!
September 5, 2025
Almost five stars but the writing is a bit ponderous. A good editor would have made this book excellent.
March 7, 2024
Novel starts by introducing what looks to be a controversial secret mission uncovered by a crack reporter, but then it turns into what basically feels like the daily life of the coast guard in space.....
Worldbuilding is done pretty well with conversations between the crew and the inexperienced but eager to learn outsider. Entertaining read, but pretty slow paced so far.
Worldbuilding is done pretty well with conversations between the crew and the inexperienced but eager to learn outsider. Entertaining read, but pretty slow paced so far.
December 3, 2011
Mako was not much of a spacer but had to supervise the treatment given to three parolees aboard a military spaceship on a somewhat dull patrol journey. With that simple background story, the author creates a multiple-worlds society in the far future. The descriptions are so detailed that you start believing the Fleet, and the Admiralty, really exist in a clearly defined society. But, most of all, the reader is shocked to see in that far future the same degree of greed, corruption, difficult relations, and family dramas - not to mention opportunistic drug-dealers - as today. Maybe the author wants to alert the reader to how vain it might be to have enormous technological advances while society stays in its present level of social behavior.
For those who appreciate a thorough look at a futuristic (but nevertheless similar in behavior) society, the book will be more than a sci-fi novel, and will deserve deeper thought. For all others, it will be enjoyable to see the variety of events during the long patrol journey with its climax at the end.
For those who appreciate a thorough look at a futuristic (but nevertheless similar in behavior) society, the book will be more than a sci-fi novel, and will deserve deeper thought. For all others, it will be enjoyable to see the variety of events during the long patrol journey with its climax at the end.
November 2, 2015
This book was great, i was looking for good sci fi and I totally found it here. Mac Donald Makes the story great from the start with the perspective of a reporter. He then swaps views to the crew and eventually the protagonist. In this vital book he tells of Mako the reporter and his trip on the minnow. Alex the captain starts off thinking he is a no-good reporter but Mako ends up with the captains trust in the end. Even though his career status goes down because of the media he firmly sticks to his opinion that the captain is a great person. I completely recommend this as a great book for both advanced and beginners to sci fi.
December 9, 2014
This was an interesting read and different from many sci fi books I have read because it dealt more with people than with plot. It spent a lot of time describing the ship and it's crew. There was no space battle. In the end it turned into a space patrol drug bust. It was a good introduction to the Fourth Fleet Irregulars series.
November 5, 2015
A very enjoyable read
I have fully enjoyed reading this book. The main players are well made and rounded. Following the crew with a civilian inspector aboard to check on three returning spacers coming back from serving a sentence in prison. The patrol goes from a simple one to a longer and more interesting one then the crew expected.
I have fully enjoyed reading this book. The main players are well made and rounded. Following the crew with a civilian inspector aboard to check on three returning spacers coming back from serving a sentence in prison. The patrol goes from a simple one to a longer and more interesting one then the crew expected.
November 19, 2015
Sorry I bought it
The language is simplistic and entire chapters are used to explain minor issues like a ladder.
The science attempt is insane, there is not even a thread of reality, might have been better to just have a magical explanation. The attempts to explain military regulations are insulting.
The language is simplistic and entire chapters are used to explain minor issues like a ladder.
The science attempt is insane, there is not even a thread of reality, might have been better to just have a magical explanation. The attempts to explain military regulations are insulting.
December 11, 2016
A very insightful book and a great start to an interesting series.
The characters are easy to like and each portrays a part of society. While the book is fiction, some of the theories in psychology and beharvioural science seems very real.
The characters are easy to like and each portrays a part of society. While the book is fiction, some of the theories in psychology and beharvioural science seems very real.
June 19, 2014
Interesting
author weaves an interesting tale. I look forward the next installment and see where it leads the captain and crew
author weaves an interesting tale. I look forward the next installment and see where it leads the captain and crew
June 29, 2016
Great
I read the last book in this series. It got me hooked. Now I'm starting with book one and reading to the end. So var my opinion has not changed. Great series.
I read the last book in this series. It got me hooked. Now I'm starting with book one and reading to the end. So var my opinion has not changed. Great series.
August 23, 2016
Lots of fun, promising start!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews