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Ark Royal #19
The Lone World
On her first deep-space mission, HMS Endeavour discovered two alien Dyson Spheres: one shattered, apparently nothing more than rubble orbiting a dying star; one seemingly intact, maintained by ancient super-technology so far advanced it may be beyond comprehension, inhabited by humans kidnapped from Earth hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Nearly trapped within the sphere, Endeavour barely escaped, leaving behind a disturbing mystery. It is a mystery that must be solved – and quickly.
Now, months later, a multinational task force is heading out to the spheres. It’s mission: to unravel the secrets of the alien technology, to determine who built the spheres and why and, perhaps most importantly, if they are still watching their creations, silently judging the visitors to their worlds. But with the secret of super-tech up for grabs, and human nations and factions gambling everything on getting the tech first, everything hangs in the balance …
… And the spheres are waiting to see who’ll be the first to take what they can for themselves.
Nearly trapped within the sphere, Endeavour barely escaped, leaving behind a disturbing mystery. It is a mystery that must be solved – and quickly.
Now, months later, a multinational task force is heading out to the spheres. It’s mission: to unravel the secrets of the alien technology, to determine who built the spheres and why and, perhaps most importantly, if they are still watching their creations, silently judging the visitors to their worlds. But with the secret of super-tech up for grabs, and human nations and factions gambling everything on getting the tech first, everything hangs in the balance …
… And the spheres are waiting to see who’ll be the first to take what they can for themselves.
- GenresScience Fiction
491 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2023
88 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 22, 2023
This series started off as a pure military science fiction story but since then it has mutated over several different story arcs and this latest story arc (trilogy) is more of a discovery/mystery fused with some military style science fiction.
It is a good book. As always Christopher Nuttall produces quality writing.
Most of the book is about the exploration and the mystery of the, seemingly uberpowerful, race that built the Dyson spheres. I quite liked the exploration / mystery and gradual discovery part of the book.
Then of course there is a snake in the garden as well. As always, I am not to found of these kind of machinations and when reading this stuff I always end up waiting for the devious plot to be exposed so we can get around to kicking the bad guys’ asses.
I do have to say though that I really like that the author had the courage to not invent some suitably woke bullshit enemy but instead uses the actual worst real and present threat to the free world today.
Once the despicable, treacherous plot comes out in the open we get a little bit of action. It does, fortunately, not go exactly as the bad guy scum hopes but it is not going very well either. This part of the story frustrated me quite a bit to be honest. It is the usual arrogant politicians, in this case from a despicable dictatorship, that are willing to risk unfathomable consequences for all of humanity for their own gain.
I really hope the next book, the third in this particular story arc, solves this in a satisfactory way. With some severe butt-kicking for the bad guys.
The book also ended in a rather huge surprise cliffhanger a’ la Hollywood. As always I do not like that kind of sensational cliffhangers. It was pretty clear that the story arc would not finish in this book so for me it would have been nicer to have a less sensational “To be continued…” ending.
Still, overall this is a solid four out of five star book. If we end up with some nice bad guy clobbering in the next book that one might be a five star one.
It is a good book. As always Christopher Nuttall produces quality writing.
Most of the book is about the exploration and the mystery of the, seemingly uberpowerful, race that built the Dyson spheres. I quite liked the exploration / mystery and gradual discovery part of the book.
Then of course there is a snake in the garden as well. As always, I am not to found of these kind of machinations and when reading this stuff I always end up waiting for the devious plot to be exposed so we can get around to kicking the bad guys’ asses.
I do have to say though that I really like that the author had the courage to not invent some suitably woke bullshit enemy but instead uses the actual worst real and present threat to the free world today.
Once the despicable, treacherous plot comes out in the open we get a little bit of action. It does, fortunately, not go exactly as the bad guy scum hopes but it is not going very well either. This part of the story frustrated me quite a bit to be honest. It is the usual arrogant politicians, in this case from a despicable dictatorship, that are willing to risk unfathomable consequences for all of humanity for their own gain.
I really hope the next book, the third in this particular story arc, solves this in a satisfactory way. With some severe butt-kicking for the bad guys.
The book also ended in a rather huge surprise cliffhanger a’ la Hollywood. As always I do not like that kind of sensational cliffhangers. It was pretty clear that the story arc would not finish in this book so for me it would have been nicer to have a less sensational “To be continued…” ending.
Still, overall this is a solid four out of five star book. If we end up with some nice bad guy clobbering in the next book that one might be a five star one.
December 30, 2023
Mr. Chris NUTTALL writes the Ark Royal series which I highly recommend. I just finished the 19th book in this Sci-Fi Space Military series. The setting of British Royal Navy in the distant future has engaged me from Book one with characters and personalities who seek to do their duty in spite of personal flaws and the changing rules. Allies, and enemies. The mixture of science, possibilities, and people who have their own problems make me lose hours in a different universe that is not that hard to imagine as problems of today take a role in a new way. This is a series with sets of three stories (books) that stand alone but set the next journey for the committed reader. The latest keeps me thinking and looking forward to the next. Highly Recommended for those who love Mil-Sci-Fi.
June 18, 2023
Bad...Just bad
At 70 pages in, I wondered when the story progression was going to start...at 170 pages in, I almost put the book down for the same reason.
This book is 60% filler, 20% reused/recycled descriptions/ideas and 20% story progression. It I wasn't 17 books into the series (I skipped the 2 independent stories). I would have put the book down. I was 65-70 percent through the book before the content actually got interesting. It's so disappointing, especially since the previous book was killer. Such a letdown.
At 70 pages in, I wondered when the story progression was going to start...at 170 pages in, I almost put the book down for the same reason.
This book is 60% filler, 20% reused/recycled descriptions/ideas and 20% story progression. It I wasn't 17 books into the series (I skipped the 2 independent stories). I would have put the book down. I was 65-70 percent through the book before the content actually got interesting. It's so disappointing, especially since the previous book was killer. Such a letdown.
April 8, 2023
Another good space opera adventure, but....
The author is masterful in creating a credible conflict (the credibility anchored in our present day experience), but the story develops too much through introspection and too little through interaction. The atmosphere is gloomy and joyless, like a rainy English day promising another rainy day tomorrow.
That being said, I am looking forward to the next book.
The author is masterful in creating a credible conflict (the credibility anchored in our present day experience), but the story develops too much through introspection and too little through interaction. The atmosphere is gloomy and joyless, like a rainy English day promising another rainy day tomorrow.
That being said, I am looking forward to the next book.
May 4, 2023
I'm wondering if Chris is flogging a dead horse with this series. I look forward to reading what happens next in the Empires corps but feel he is running out of what to write with Ark Royal series. I feel this saga should have been wound up in this book not have to wait fro the next one. I know Chris has his health problems but maybe he should think about concentrating on one book at a time not spitting it between magic and sifi
March 25, 2023
Another hit!
I have read every book in the Ark Royal series, and this one is the best of all! Mr. Nuttall is (I think) one of the finest science fiction writers of his generation! I almost always read Kindle Unlimited books, and I read A LOT. I don't hesitate to purchase Nuttall's books as soon as they are released! Thanks!!!!
I have read every book in the Ark Royal series, and this one is the best of all! Mr. Nuttall is (I think) one of the finest science fiction writers of his generation! I almost always read Kindle Unlimited books, and I read A LOT. I don't hesitate to purchase Nuttall's books as soon as they are released! Thanks!!!!
May 23, 2023
Great read!
Christopher Nut tall has done it again with this chapter of the Ark Royal series. Great action and dialogue and some mind bending technology that combines to tell a good story. Its interesting to think about how small we would feel when confronted by technology so far beyond our own that it may as well be magic.
Christopher Nut tall has done it again with this chapter of the Ark Royal series. Great action and dialogue and some mind bending technology that combines to tell a good story. Its interesting to think about how small we would feel when confronted by technology so far beyond our own that it may as well be magic.
March 19, 2023
Good read - looking forward to the next book
The story moved at a good pace. I found that the book was difficult to put down and I ended up reading it in one go. Worth it and I look forward to the next book to finish the story.
The story moved at a good pace. I found that the book was difficult to put down and I ended up reading it in one go. Worth it and I look forward to the next book to finish the story.
April 15, 2023
Interesting
Very interesting indeed. Another excellent piece of very enjoyable writing, wheels within wheels from Mr Nuttall. Am eagerly awaiting the release of the next & last in the series
Very interesting indeed. Another excellent piece of very enjoyable writing, wheels within wheels from Mr Nuttall. Am eagerly awaiting the release of the next & last in the series
April 23, 2023
Story telling at its best….
Nuttal is n extraordinary author and more importantly, story teller. His books are a joy to read and deeply though provoking in these difficult times…both a healthy does of escapism and reality in one read. I highly recommend.
Nuttal is n extraordinary author and more importantly, story teller. His books are a joy to read and deeply though provoking in these difficult times…both a healthy does of escapism and reality in one read. I highly recommend.
June 7, 2023
Another good book!
Much better than the virus series which just had to end. Still not as good as the original Ark Royal, but a close second in my book! Worth the time to read for sure!
Much better than the virus series which just had to end. Still not as good as the original Ark Royal, but a close second in my book! Worth the time to read for sure!
March 24, 2023
Fun read
This another excellent book by Christopher which I enjoyed reading very much, hoping many more novels of this type are to follow.
Just a reader not a writer.
This another excellent book by Christopher which I enjoyed reading very much, hoping many more novels of this type are to follow.
Just a reader not a writer.
March 26, 2023
great Story
Christopher G Nuttall is a Talented Writer and I really do enjoy Reading his Books and i hope he doesn’t stop Writing the Ark Royal Series of Books.
Christopher G Nuttall is a Talented Writer and I really do enjoy Reading his Books and i hope he doesn’t stop Writing the Ark Royal Series of Books.
June 28, 2023
Good book
Can't wait for the next book. Really enjoying the whole series.would make a great tv show. And that's the end of that
Can't wait for the next book. Really enjoying the whole series.would make a great tv show. And that's the end of that
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews